King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 14:2 Mean?

2 Samuel 14:2 in the King James Version says “And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner,...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:”

2 Samuel 14:2 · KJV

Prayer

Context

1

Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was toward Absalom.

2

And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:

3

And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the words in her mouth.

4

And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king. Help: Heb. Save

Read 2 Samuel 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:

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.

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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 · 26 words
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח1 of 26

“sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

יוֹאָב֙2 of 26

“And Joab”

H3097

joab, the name of three israelites

תְּק֔וֹעָה3 of 26

“to Tekoah”

H8620

tekoa, a place in palestine

וַיִּקַּ֥ח4 of 26

“and fetched”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מִשָּׁ֖ם5 of 26
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

כְּאִשָּׁ֗ה6 of 26

“but be as a woman”

H802

a woman

חֲכָמָ֑ה7 of 26

“thence a wise”

H2450

wise, (i.e., intelligent, skilful or artful)

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר8 of 26

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵ֠לֶיהָ9 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מִתְאַבֶּ֖לֶת10 of 26

“mourned”

H56

to bewail

נָ֞א11 of 26
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

וְלִבְשִׁי12 of 26

“and put on”

H3847

properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively

נָ֣א13 of 26
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

בִגְדֵי14 of 26

“apparel”

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

אֵ֗בֶל15 of 26

“now mourning”

H60

lamentation

וְאַל16 of 26
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תָּס֙וּכִי֙17 of 26

“and anoint”

H5480

properly, to smear over (with oil), i.e., anoint

שֶׁ֔מֶן18 of 26

“not thyself with oil”

H8081

grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness

וְהָיִ֕ית19 of 26
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כְּאִשָּׁ֗ה20 of 26

“but be as a woman”

H802

a woman

זֶ֚ה21 of 26
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

יָמִ֣ים22 of 26

“time”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

רַבִּ֔ים23 of 26

“that had a long”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

מִתְאַבֶּ֖לֶת24 of 26

“mourned”

H56

to bewail

עַל25 of 26
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מֵֽת׃26 of 26

“for the dead”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

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 14:2 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 14:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 11:6Amos 1:1Ruth 3:32 Samuel 12:20Jeremiah 6:12 Chronicles 20:20

Places in This Verse

TekoaSettlement · Modern: Khirbet Teku’a · 31.63°N, 35.21°E14 verses across 6 books
View all places in 2 Samuel 14 →

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