King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 14:19 Mean?

2 Samuel 14:19 in the King James Version says “And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, m... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid:

2 Samuel 14:19 · KJV


Context

17

Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee. comfortable: Heb. for rest to discern: Heb. to hear

18

Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak.

19

And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid:

20

To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.

21

And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid:

This verse contributes to the narrative of Absalom's Return, emphasizing incomplete reconciliation. Joab's elaborate scheme to restore Absalom demonstrates human wisdom that undermines divine purposes. The partial reconciliation (Absalom returns but doesn't see David's face) proves insufficient for genuine restoration. Theological themes include the inadequacy of human reconciliation methods apart from genuine repentance, the danger of manipulation even for apparently good ends, and the necessity of complete rather than partial restoration.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 14 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding incomplete reconciliation provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of incomplete reconciliation?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 36 words
וַתֹּ֡אמֶר1 of 36

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ2 of 36

And the king

H4428

a king

הֲיַ֥ד3 of 36

Is not the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

יוֹאָב֙4 of 36

Joab

H3097

joab, the name of three israelites

אִתָּ֖ךְ5 of 36
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

בְּכָל6 of 36
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

זֹ֑את7 of 36
H2063

this (often used adverb)

וַתַּ֣עַן8 of 36

answered

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

הָֽאִשָּׁ֣ה9 of 36

with thee in all this And the woman

H802

a woman

וַתֹּ֡אמֶר10 of 36

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

חֵֽי11 of 36

liveth

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

נַפְשְׁךָ֩12 of 36

As thy soul

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

אֲדֹנִ֣י13 of 36

from ought that my lord

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ14 of 36

And the king

H4428

a king

אִם15 of 36
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אִ֣שׁ׀16 of 36

can

H786

entity, used only adverbially, there is or are

לְהֵמִ֣ין17 of 36

turn to the right hand

H3231

to be right-handed or take the right-hand side

וּלְהַשְׂמִ֗יל18 of 36

or to the left

H8041

to use the left hand or pass in that direction

מִכֹּ֤ל19 of 36
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁר20 of 36
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דִּבֶּר֙21 of 36

hath spoken

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֲדֹנִ֣י22 of 36

from ought that my lord

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ23 of 36

And the king

H4428

a king

כִּֽי24 of 36
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

עַבְדְּךָ֤25 of 36

for thy servant

H5650

a servant

יוֹאָב֙26 of 36

Joab

H3097

joab, the name of three israelites

ה֣וּא27 of 36
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

צִוָּ֔נִי28 of 36

he bade

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

וְה֗וּא29 of 36
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

שָׂ֚ם30 of 36

me and he put

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

בְּפִ֣י31 of 36

in the mouth

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

שִׁפְחָֽתְךָ֔32 of 36

of thine handmaid

H8198

a female slave (as a member of the household)

אֵ֥ת33 of 36
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל34 of 36
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַדְּבָרִ֖ים35 of 36

all these words

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הָאֵֽלֶּה׃36 of 36
H428

these or those


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 14:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 14:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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