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2 Samuel 14:14

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For we must needs die, and [are] as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect [any] person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.

For we must needs {H4191} die {H4191}, and are as water {H4325} spilt {H5064} on the ground {H776}, which cannot be gathered up again {H622}; neither doth God {H430} respect {H5375} any person {H5315}: yet doth he devise {H2803} means {H4284}, that his banished {H5080} be not expelled {H5080} from him.

For we will all die someday; we'll be like water spilled on the ground that can't be gathered up again; and God makes no exception for anyone. The king should think of some way to keep the son he banished from being forever an outcast.

For surely we will die and be like water poured out on the ground, which cannot be recovered. Yet God does not take away a life; but He devises ways that the banished one may not be cast out from Him.

For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God take away life, but deviseth means, that he that is banished be not an outcast from him.

Commentary

2 Samuel 14:14 is a profound statement delivered by the wise woman of Tekoah to King David, part of a carefully crafted parable designed to persuade him to allow his banished son, Absalom, to return to Jerusalem. This verse serves as the crux of her argument, blending observations about human mortality with a powerful theological assertion about God's character.

Context

The immediate backdrop for this verse is King David's complex family dynamics and the political fallout from Absalom's murder of his half-brother Amnon (2 Samuel 13:28-29). Absalom had fled into exile, and David, though longing for his son, was hesitant to bring him back. Joab, David's commander, recognizing the king's inner conflict and the need for Absalom's return for stability, orchestrated this encounter with the wise woman. She presents a hypothetical case of her own "banished" son, mirroring David's situation, to appeal to his sense of justice, mercy, and the inevitability of death.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Inevitability and Finality of Death: The opening phrase, "For we must needs die, and [are] as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again," starkly reminds us of human mortality. It emphasizes that life is finite and irreversible, much like water absorbed into the earth. This serves as a pragmatic argument for reconciliation and action in the present, before it's too late. It subtly urges David to resolve the conflict with Absalom before death makes it impossible.
  • God's Impartiality and Justice: "neither doth God respect [any] person." This phrase highlights God's fairness and lack of favoritism, a common biblical theme. While often referring to God's just judgment, here it pivots to suggest that God's justice is balanced with a universal desire for reconciliation, not showing partiality even in matters of banishment. It challenges David to reflect this divine attribute in his own rule.
  • God's Devotion to Reconciliation and Restoration: The most hopeful and central message is, "yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him." Despite the finality of death and God's impartiality, the woman asserts that God actively seeks ways to bring back those who are estranged or "banished." This speaks to God's profound mercy and His desire for fellowship with His creation. It’s an appeal to David to emulate God's redemptive heart towards his own son.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "respect any person" translates the Hebrew `nasa' panim` (נָשָׂא פָּנִים), which literally means "to lift up the face." In biblical usage, this idiom refers to showing partiality or favoritism, often in judgment. The woman's use of it here is clever, implying that God, who does not show favoritism in judgment, nonetheless finds ways to restore. The phrase "devise means" comes from the Hebrew `chashab machashaboth` (חָשָׁב מַחֲשָׁבוֹת), conveying the idea of actively planning or thinking thoughts. It suggests God's intentional and strategic pursuit of reconciliation, not a passive hope.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless insights for believers today:

  • Embrace Reconciliation: Recognizing the brevity of life ("as water spilt on the ground"), we are called to prioritize reconciliation in our relationships. Holding onto grudges or allowing estrangement to persist goes against the wisdom presented here.
  • Reflect God's Character: Just as God "devises means" for the banished to return, believers are encouraged to be agents of reconciliation and restoration in their spheres of influence. This reflects God's heart for the lost and estranged, echoing the parables of the lost in Luke 15.
  • Hope in God's Redemptive Plan: Even in situations that seem irreversible or hopeless, this verse reminds us of God's active and intentional pursuit of those who are far off. It underscores the divine initiative in salvation, where God Himself makes a way for humanity to be reconciled to Him, as seen in the provision of Christ for our redemption.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Job 30:23 (13 votes)

    For I know [that] thou wilt bring me [to] death, and [to] the house appointed for all living.

  • Hebrews 9:27 (11 votes)

    And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

  • Numbers 35:28 (11 votes)

    Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession.

  • Job 34:15 (8 votes)

    All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.

  • Numbers 35:15 (8 votes)

    These six cities shall be a refuge, [both] for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.

  • Numbers 35:25 (8 votes)

    And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.

  • Ecclesiastes 9:5 (6 votes)

    For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.