2 Samuel 14:10

KJV

And the king said, Whosoever saith [ought] unto thee, bring him to me, and he shall not touch thee any more.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the king {H4428} said {H559}, Whosoever saith {H1696} ought unto thee, bring {H935} him to me, and he shall not touch {H5060} thee any more {H3254}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The king answered, "If anyone says anything to you, bring him to me; and he won't bother you any more."

Berean Standard Bible

“If anyone speaks to you,” said the king, “bring him to me, and he will not trouble you again!”

American Standard Version

And the king said, Whosoever saith aught unto thee, bring him to me, and he shall not touch thee any more.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Samuel 14:10 marks a pivotal moment in Joab's intricate scheme to facilitate Absalom's return from exile. Following the "wise woman of Tekoah's" allegorical plea, King David unequivocally reiterates and strengthens his earlier promise of protection for her hypothetical son. This verse powerfully underscores David's supreme royal authority, his steadfast commitment to his pronouncements, and his indispensable role as the ultimate guarantor of justice and safety within his realm, thereby meticulously preparing the narrative for the unveiling of the parable's true purpose regarding Absalom's reconciliation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the broader narrative of [2 Samuel 14](/2_samuel/14 "2 Samuel 14 - Joab's Plan to Bring Absalom Back"), detailing Joab's cunning strategy to reconcile King David with his estranged son, Absalom. Absalom had fled to Geshur after orchestrating the murder of his half-brother Amnon, who had raped his sister Tamar, as recounted in [2 Samuel 13:28-38](/2_samuel/13-28 "2 Samuel 13:28-38 - Absalom Murders Amnon and Flees to Geshur"). Despite the gravity of Absalom's crime, David, though grieving, harbored a deep longing for his son's return, a sentiment highlighted in [2 Samuel 13:39](/2_samuel/13-39 "2 Samuel 13:39 - David Longs for Absalom"). Recognizing this paternal yearning, Joab shrewdly dispatches a "wise woman from Tekoah" ([2 Samuel 14:2](/2_samuel/14-2 "2 Samuel 14:2 - Joab Sends the Wise Woman")) to present a fabricated legal dilemma to David. Her narrative involves a widow whose two sons fought, resulting in one killing the other, with the family then demanding the surviving son for execution, which would leave the widow without an heir. David, moved by her poignant appeal, initially pledges protection for the son in [2 Samuel 14:8-9](/2_samuel/14-8 "2 Samuel 14:8-9 - David's Initial Promise of Protection"). Verse 10 solidifies this promise, assuring the woman that any challenge to his royal protection will be met with his direct and decisive intervention. The entire scenario is a thinly veiled appeal for David to extend mercy and allow Absalom to return to Jerusalem, a connection the woman explicitly reveals in [2 Samuel 14:11-20](/2_samuel/14-11 "2 Samuel 14:11-20 - The Woman Reveals Her Purpose and Pleads for Absalom").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel and across the broader Ancient Near East, the king served as the ultimate judicial authority and the paramount protector of his subjects. His pronouncements were considered law, and his decrees carried absolute, binding authority. This cultural reality profoundly illuminates David's emphatic declaration in [2 Samuel 14:10](/2_samuel/14-10 "2 Samuel 14:10 - David's Guarantee of Protection"). The institution of the "avenger of blood" (Hebrew: _go'el haddam_) was a deeply entrenched legal and social custom, obligating the closest male relative to avenge a murder, often through the execution of the killer. However, this customary law was sometimes mitigated by the existence of cities of refuge, which provided asylum for those who had committed unintentional homicide. The wise woman's plea masterfully navigates this tension, appealing to the king's higher, discretionary authority to override customary law for the vital purpose of preserving a family line, a paramount concern in a patriarchal society where lineage and inheritance were foundational. The strategic use of a "wise woman" also reflects a cultural practice where certain individuals, often women, were highly respected for their sagacity, rhetorical skill, and ability to mediate or present complex cases, frequently employing parables or riddles to convey difficult truths or influence powerful figures.

* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes present within [2 Samuel](/2_samuel/1 "2 Samuel - The Reign of King David") and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it powerfully highlights **Royal Authority and Protection**, emphasizing the king's ultimate power to dispense justice, provide sanctuary, and ensure the inviolability of his word—a reflection, albeit imperfect, of God's own sovereign rule and faithfulness. David's declaration in this verse is final and absolute, demonstrating the binding nature of a monarch's decree. Secondly, the theme of **Intercession and Advocacy** is prominently displayed, as the wise woman skillfully pleads a case designed to evoke the king's compassion, underscoring the vital importance of speaking on behalf of the vulnerable or those in need of mercy. This act of intercession, though initiated through Joab's manipulation, mirrors the prophetic and priestly roles of mediating between God and His people. Thirdly, the inherent tension between **Justice and Mercy** is central, as David grapples with the demands of the law (Absalom's deserved punishment for murder) versus his profound personal desire for reconciliation and the preservation of his family line. This dilemma foreshadows the complex theological question of how God balances His perfect justice with His boundless mercy, a tension ultimately resolved in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Finally, the narrative subtly explores the theme of **Manipulation and Deception** employed for a perceived greater good, raising profound questions about the ethics of Joab's elaborate strategy, even when driven by a desire to restore family unity and stability to the kingdom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **saith (Hebrew, דבר, _dâbar_):** This verb, commonly translated as "to speak" or "to say," carries a broader semantic range in this context, implying any form of verbal challenge, opposition, or even legal accusation directed against the woman or the individual under the king's protection. It signifies any attempt to contravene the king's declared will or to bring harm through words, whether through slander, formal accusation, or a demand for justice that would undermine the king's decree. David's statement covers not just physical threats but also verbal or legal assaults, asserting his authority over all forms of opposition.
* **bring (Hebrew, בוא, _bôw'_):** This primitive root means "to go or come," but in this imperative context, it functions as a command to "bring" or "cause to come." It emphasizes David's demand for direct and immediate action. The king is not merely offering a suggestion but issuing a binding order that any challenger be presented directly before his throne. This underscores his personal involvement and ultimate judicial authority, bypassing any intermediate legal or administrative processes, and ensuring that his protective decree will be enforced by his own hand.
* **touch (Hebrew, נגע, _nâgaʻ_):** While literally meaning "to touch," this verb frequently denotes "to strike," "to smite," "to harm," or "to inflict injury." In this context, it unequivocally signifies protection from any form of physical assault, legal prosecution, or interference that would undermine the safety and security granted by the king. David's promise is absolute: no one will be permitted to lay a hand on the protected individual in a harmful way, nor will they be allowed to interfere with the king's protective decree, thereby guaranteeing inviolable safety.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the king said":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the speaker's identity and supreme authority. It is King David, the sovereign ruler and ultimate judge of Israel, who is making this pronouncement. His words are not mere suggestions or wishes, but carry the full weight of royal decree, making them absolutely binding and unchallengeable within his kingdom.
* **"Whosoever saith [ought] unto thee":** This clause broadly encompasses any individual who might speak against, challenge, or threaten the woman or the person she is protecting. It implies any form of verbal opposition, accusation, or demand that would undermine the king's protective word, whether direct threats, attempts to subvert the king's decree through legal channels, or social pressure. David's protection extends to all forms of verbal and legal assault.
* **"bring him to me":** This is a powerful declaration of the king's personal, direct, and ultimate authority. David is not delegating the matter to a court or an official; he is demanding that any such challenger be brought directly before his presence. This signifies his intent to personally intervene and enforce his decree, demonstrating that his word of protection is not to be trifled with and will be upheld by his own unchallengeable authority.
* **"and he shall not touch thee any more":** This final clause constitutes the definitive promise of absolute and enduring protection. It assures the woman that once under the king's decree, no one will be permitted to inflict any form of harm—physical, legal, or social—upon her or the protected individual. It is a pledge of inviolable safety and security, demonstrating the finality, permanence, and binding nature of David's royal word.

#### Literary Devices
The verse, though concise, is rich with **Dramatic Irony**, as King David, in his emphatic pronouncement of protection for a hypothetical son, is unknowingly establishing a precedent that will directly apply to his own exiled son, Absalom. The audience, privy to Joab's manipulation and the true intent behind the wise woman's carefully constructed parable, perceives the profound irony in David's absolute promise of protection, which he will soon be compelled to extend to his own rebellious son. There is also a strong element of **Foreshadowing**, as David's firm commitment to protecting the "son" of the parable directly foreshadows his eventual, albeit complex and reluctant, decision to allow Absalom's return to Jerusalem. The very act of declaring such comprehensive protection serves as a symbolic precursor to the reconciliation he will soon be persuaded to enact. Furthermore, the entire narrative, culminating in this verse, relies heavily on **Rhetoric and Persuasion**, as the wise woman's skillful use of a relatable, emotionally charged parable is meticulously designed to elicit a specific, desired response from the king, powerfully showcasing the influence of narrative and strategic communication on authority.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
King David's emphatic declaration of protection in [2 Samuel 14:10](/2_samuel/14-10 "2 Samuel 14:10 - David's Guarantee of Protection"), though part of a human scheme and exercised by a flawed earthly king, resonates with profound theological truths about God's own character and sovereignty. Just as David, as king, pledges unwavering protection and stands as the ultimate guarantor of his word, so too does God, the ultimate King of the universe, offer absolute and eternal security to His people. David's authority, while significant, was limited and temporal; God's authority is infinite, eternal, and perfect. This verse, therefore, serves as a human analogy, albeit imperfect, of divine faithfulness and the unshakeable nature of God's promises. When God declares protection or makes a covenant, His word is final, and no one can successfully challenge His decree or snatch His beloved out of His hand.

* [Psalm 91:4](/psalms/91-4 "Psalm 91:4 - God's Protection Under His Wings")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")
* [Romans 8:31](/romans/8-31 "Romans 8:31 - If God Is For Us, Who Can Be Against Us?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's resolute promise in [2 Samuel 14:10](/2_samuel/14-10 "2 Samuel 14:10 - David's Guarantee of Protection") offers a powerful lens through which to consider the nature of authority, commitment, and divine protection. In a world often characterized by shifting allegiances, broken promises, and uncertain futures, David's unwavering word, even in a scenario orchestrated by manipulation, stands out as a testament to the weight of a king's decree. It challenges us to consider the integrity and impact of our own words and commitments, particularly when we are in positions of leadership, influence, or trust. More profoundly, this passage invites us to reflect on the ultimate and unfailing protection offered by our sovereign God. If an earthly king's word could offer such security, how much more can we trust in the unfailing promises of the King of Kings, whose authority is absolute and whose love is eternal? When we face threats, accusations, spiritual battles, or the uncertainties of life, this verse reminds us that we are under the ultimate authority and unwavering care of God, who declares, "he shall not touch thee any more" to those who seek refuge in Him. It encourages us to bring our fears, vulnerabilities, and challenges directly to Him, trusting that His intervention is absolute and His protection complete, providing an unshakeable foundation for our faith and peace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's unwavering commitment to his word, even in a manipulated context, challenge my own faithfulness to promises and responsibilities in my personal and professional life?**
* **In what specific areas of my life do I need to trust more deeply in God's ultimate protection and sovereign authority, especially when facing opposition or uncertainty?**
* **How can I, like the wise woman, effectively intercede for others, seeking justice or mercy on their behalf, even when the path to resolution is complex or requires strategic communication?**
* **What does this passage teach me about the delicate balance between justice and mercy in leadership and personal relationships, and how might I apply this wisdom in my interactions with others?**

### FAQ
**What was Joab's ultimate goal in sending the wise woman to King David?**

Answer: Joab's primary and overarching goal in orchestrating the wise woman's visit to King David was to skillfully manipulate the king into allowing his exiled son, Absalom, to return to Jerusalem. Absalom had been in exile for three years in Geshur after murdering his half-brother Amnon, as detailed in [2 Samuel 13:37-38](/2_samuel/13-37 "2 Samuel 13:37-38 - Absalom Flees to Geshur"). Joab, being a shrewd military commander and close advisor to David, understood the king's deep paternal longing for Absalom, yet also perceived David's reluctance or inability to act directly to reconcile with his son due to the severity of Absalom's crime. By creating a hypothetical legal scenario that mirrored David's own family situation (a son who killed a brother, facing retribution), Joab aimed to elicit David's protective instinct and commitment to justice and mercy. This commitment, once declared for the 'wise woman's son', could then be subtly redirected to Absalom's plight, allowing David to extend mercy to Absalom without appearing to compromise his royal justice directly, as it would be a response to a 'general' principle he had just affirmed.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While King David's authority and promise of protection in [2 Samuel 14:10](/2_samuel/14-10 "2 Samuel 14:10 - David's Guarantee of Protection") demonstrate the power of a human king, they ultimately serve as a profound foreshadowing of the perfect and unwavering authority of Jesus Christ, the true King of Kings. David's word, though weighty and binding for his earthly kingdom, was temporal and part of a manipulative scheme; Christ's word, in contrast, is eternal, truth itself, and the very foundation of creation, as majestically declared in [John 1:1-3](/john/1-1 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God and Creator"). David offered protection from earthly harm and legal retribution within his limited sphere; Jesus, however, offers salvation from eternal death and the ultimate, unbreakable security for all who believe in Him, promising unequivocally that no one can snatch them out of His hand ([John 10:28-29](/john/10-28 "John 10:28-29 - Jesus' Promise of Eternal Security")). Just as David was moved to consider the return of an exiled son, so Christ, our ultimate High Priest, continually intercedes for us, bringing us back from spiritual exile into an eternal, reconciled fellowship with God, a profound truth beautifully articulated in [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ Our Intercessor"). He is the King who not only speaks a word of protection but is the very embodiment of that protection, having conquered sin and death through His own atoning sacrifice ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ Intercedes for Us")), thereby offering true reconciliation, eternal life, and an unshakeable refuge to all who come to Him, fulfilling the deepest longing for return and restoration that the human heart experiences.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.