2 Samuel 14:11

KJV

Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, [As] the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then said {H559} she, I pray thee, let the king {H4428} remember {H2142} the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers {H1350} of blood {H1818} to destroy {H7843} any more {H7235}, lest they destroy {H8045} my son {H1121}. And he said {H559}, As the LORD {H3068} liveth {H2416}, there shall not one hair {H8185} of thy son {H1121} fall {H5307} to the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Please," she said, "let the king swear by ADONAI your God that the blood avengers won't do any more destroying, so they won't destroy my son." He said, "As ADONAI lives, not one of your son's hairs will fall to the ground."

Berean Standard Bible

“Please,” she replied, “may the king invoke the LORD your God to prevent the avenger of blood from increasing the devastation, so that my son may not be destroyed!” “As surely as the LORD lives,” he vowed, “not a hair of your son’s head will fall to the ground.”

American Standard Version

Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember Jehovah thy God, that the avenger of blood destroy not any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As Jehovah liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 14:11 marks a critical juncture in Joab's intricate plan to facilitate Absalom's return from exile. Through the artifice of a wise woman from Tekoah, King David is skillfully maneuvered into making a solemn, divinely-backed oath to protect her fabricated son from the "revengers of blood." This promise, extracted under the guise of an urgent plea for justice and mercy, is designed to establish a precedent and reveal David's heart, setting the stage for the woman to pivot her plea towards the king's own estranged son, Absalom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a carefully constructed narrative in 2 Samuel 14, following Absalom's flight to Geshur after his calculated murder of Amnon, his half-brother ([2 Samuel 13:37-38](/2_samuel/13-37 "2 Samuel 13:37-38 - Absalom Flees to Geshur")). David, though deeply grieved by Amnon's death, also harbored a profound longing for Absalom, his son. Recognizing this paternal ache and the political necessity of Absalom's return, Joab, David's astute commander, devises an elaborate scheme. He dispatches a "wise woman" from Tekoah, instructing her to feign a personal tragedy—a story of two sons, one killing the other, and the family demanding the life of the surviving son as a "revenger of blood." The woman's plea in 2 Samuel 14:11 is the climax of this fabricated distress, strategically designed to elicit a royal oath of protection for her "son," thereby creating a legal and moral precedent that she can then apply directly to David's own dilemma concerning Absalom. The verse showcases the woman's rhetorical skill and David's susceptible heart.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of the "revenger of blood" (Hebrew: *go'el haddam*) is central to understanding this verse. In ancient Israel, this was a kinsman's legal and religious duty to avenge the death of a murdered relative, particularly in cases of intentional homicide, as stipulated in Mosaic Law ([Numbers 35:19](/numbers/35-19 "Numbers 35:19 - The Avenger of Blood")). Cities of Refuge were established to protect those who committed unintentional manslaughter from the *go'el haddam* ([Deuteronomy 19:4-6](/deuteronomy/19-4 "Deuteronomy 19:4-6 - Cities of Refuge")). The woman's story cleverly invokes this deeply ingrained cultural and legal framework, presenting David with a dilemma: uphold strict legal retribution or extend royal mercy. Furthermore, oaths sworn "As the LORD liveth" were extremely binding in ancient Israelite society, invoking God as the witness and guarantor of the promise. A king's oath, especially one invoking the divine name, carried immense weight and was considered irrevocable, underscoring the gravity of David's declaration in this verse.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within 2 Samuel and the broader Old Testament narrative. It highlights the tension between **divine justice and royal mercy**, as David is confronted with a situation demanding a choice between strict adherence to the law of blood vengeance and the compassionate exercise of his kingly prerogative to grant protection. The **power and solemnity of an oath** are prominently displayed, as David's divinely-backed promise becomes a pivotal point in the narrative, demonstrating the weight of a king's word. The theme of **intercession and manipulation** is also central, as the wise woman, acting as an intermediary, skillfully employs rhetoric and a fabricated narrative to influence the king's decision, revealing the complexities of human agency and strategic persuasion in the royal court. Finally, the phrase "not one hair of thy son fall to the earth" underscores the profound **value of human life** and the king's responsibility to protect it, echoing similar sentiments of divine or human protection found elsewhere in Scripture, such as [1 Samuel 14:45](/1_samuel/14-45 "1 Samuel 14:45 - Jonathan's Life is Spared").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Revengers of blood (Hebrew, _go'el haddam_):** This term refers to the "kinsman redeemer" or "avenger of blood," a relative who had the legal and social right and duty to avenge the death of a family member by killing the murderer. This ancient custom, codified in Mosaic Law (e.g., [Numbers 35:19](/numbers/35-19 "Numbers 35:19 - The Avenger of Blood")), was a crucial aspect of justice in Israel, designed to prevent uncontrolled feuds while ensuring accountability for bloodshed. The woman's use of this term immediately signals a grave legal and familial crisis to David.
* **As the LORD liveth (Hebrew, _ḥay Yahweh_):** This is a common and extremely potent oath formula in the Old Testament, signifying the utmost solemnity and commitment. By invoking the living God, the speaker places the promise under divine authority and implicitly calls upon God to witness and enforce the oath. David's use of this phrase elevates his promise from a mere royal decree to a sacred, binding vow, demonstrating the depth of his conviction and the inviolability of his word.
* **Not one hair... fall to the earth (Hebrew, _lo' yippol miśśeʿarat benekha ʾareṣ_):** This is a powerful proverbial expression signifying absolute and complete security or preservation from harm. It conveys the idea of meticulous protection, where even the smallest, most insignificant part (a single hair) is safe. This idiom is used elsewhere in Scripture to denote divine providential care (e.g., [1 Samuel 14:45](/1_samuel/14-45 "1 Samuel 14:45 - Jonathan's Life is Spared"); [Matthew 10:30](/matthew/10-30 "Matthew 10:30 - God Knows Every Hair on Your Head")), emphasizing the king's firm guarantee of safety.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God,"**: The woman begins her plea by invoking God, subtly reminding David of his divine appointment as king and his responsibility to govern righteously under God's watchful eye. This appeal to David's spiritual conscience and his relationship with God is a strategic move to soften his heart and elevate the gravity of her request beyond mere human appeal.
* **"that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son."**: She articulates the core of her fabricated dilemma: the danger posed by the *go'el haddam* to her remaining son. Her plea is for David to intervene and prevent further bloodshed, appealing to his role as protector of his people and arbiter of justice, thereby framing her request as a matter of preventing ongoing destruction rather than merely pardoning a crime.
* **"And he said, [As] the LORD liveth,"**: David responds with a solemn oath, invoking the living God. This declaration underscores the gravity of his commitment and the binding nature of his promise. It is not merely a human assurance but a divinely-witnessed vow, indicating his full intention to uphold his word.
* **"there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth."**: David's concluding promise is an emphatic guarantee of absolute protection. Using the vivid idiom of "not one hair" falling, he assures the woman that her son will be completely safe from harm, signifying his complete and unwavering commitment to his word and his intention to prevent any further violence against her "son."

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich in **Rhetoric** and **Persuasion**, as the wise woman masterfully crafts her appeal to evoke David's sympathy and sense of justice. Her use of **Pathos** is evident in her feigned distress and the urgency of her plea, designed to elicit an emotional response from the king. The phrase "not one hair... fall to the earth" is a powerful piece of **Figurative Language**, specifically an **idiom** or **hyperbole**, emphasizing the completeness of David's promised protection. There is also **Dramatic Irony** at play, as David is unaware that he is being manipulated, and his solemn oath for a fictional son will soon be turned back on him concerning his real son, Absalom. The woman's speech also functions as a **Parable** or **Allegory**, as her fabricated story serves as a veiled representation of David's own situation with Absalom, preparing him to apply the principle of mercy to his own family.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse probes the complex interplay between justice and mercy, a recurring theological tension throughout Scripture. David, as king, is God's appointed representative on earth, tasked with upholding divine law and dispensing justice. Yet, the narrative highlights the king's capacity, and indeed God's own character, to extend mercy and grant protection even in the face of legitimate claims for retribution. David's solemn oath, invoking the Lord, underscores the sanctity of vows and the divine witness to human commitments, reflecting God's own faithfulness to His covenants. Ultimately, the scene foreshadows the divine heart for reconciliation and restoration, even when human sin has caused profound division and pain, hinting at a higher form of justice that incorporates grace.

* [Numbers 35:19](/numbers/35-19 "Numbers 35:19 - The Avenger of Blood")
* [Deuteronomy 19:11-13](/deuteronomy/19-11 "Deuteronomy 19:11-13 - Intentional Murder and the Avenger of Blood")
* [1 Samuel 14:45](/1_samuel/14-45 "1 Samuel 14:45 - Jonathan's Life is Spared")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Samuel 14:11 offers profound insights into the weight of our words, the nature of leadership, and the complex dance between justice and mercy. David's solemn oath, "As the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth," serves as a powerful reminder of the gravity of our promises, particularly those made in God's name or with sincere intent. It challenges us to consider the integrity of our speech and the lasting impact of our commitments. For leaders, it highlights the immense responsibility of wielding authority, balancing the demands of law with the call for compassion. While the woman's method was manipulative, the underlying yearning for reconciliation and the preservation of life resonates deeply. We are called to discern wisdom in difficult situations, seeking God's guidance to navigate conflicts and extend grace where appropriate, always remembering that true reconciliation often requires costly sacrifice and profound humility, reflecting the very heart of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's immediate and strong oath challenge or affirm your understanding of the power and responsibility of spoken words, especially promises?**
* **In what ways do you see the tension between justice and mercy playing out in your own life or in contemporary society? How can we seek a godly balance?**
* **The woman's story was a manipulation, yet it achieved a desired outcome. What does this narrative teach us about the ethics of persuasion, and how can we ensure our intercession for others is always rooted in truth and love?**
* **How does the idiom "not one hair... fall to the earth" speak to God's providential care and protection over His people, even amidst human schemes and trials?**

### FAQ
**What was the primary purpose of the "wise woman's" elaborate story and her appeal to King David?**

Answer: The primary purpose of the wise woman's elaborate story, orchestrated by Joab, was to manipulate King David into making a solemn, divinely-backed oath of protection for a fabricated son. This oath would then serve as a precedent and a moral leverage point for the woman to transition her plea to the real issue: the return of David's exiled son, Absalom. By securing David's commitment to protect a "murderer" from the "revenger of blood" in a hypothetical scenario, Joab intended to soften David's stance and pave the way for Absalom's reconciliation and return to Jerusalem, tapping into David's known longing for his son, despite Absalom's past crimes ([2 Samuel 13:37-38](/2_samuel/13-37 "2 Samuel 13:37-38 - Absalom Flees to Geshur")).

**What is the significance of David swearing "As the LORD liveth" in response to the woman?**

Answer: David's use of the oath "As the LORD liveth" (Hebrew: *ḥay Yahweh*) is highly significant because it elevates his promise from a mere royal decree to a sacred, binding vow. This was a common and powerful oath formula in ancient Israel, invoking the living God as the witness and guarantor of the speaker's commitment. By swearing this oath, David placed his word under divine authority, making it virtually irrevocable. It demonstrated the profound seriousness with which he took the woman's plea and his unwavering intention to provide the promised protection, setting a precedent that the wise woman would later skillfully exploit to advocate for Absalom's return.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of 2 Samuel 14:11, with its themes of intercession, the king's oath, and the promise of absolute protection, finds profound fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ. The wise woman acts as an intercessor, pleading for a "son's" life, much as Christ continually intercedes for us before the Father ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ Our Intercessor")). While David's oath was manipulated and ultimately proved insufficient to prevent the tragic trajectory of Absalom's life, Christ's promises are eternally true and unbreakable. His assurance that "not one hair of your head will perish" ([Luke 21:18](/luke/21-18 "Luke 21:18 - Not a Hair Will Perish")) or that God knows the very hairs of our head ([Matthew 10:30](/matthew/10-30 "Matthew 10:30 - God Knows Every Hair on Your Head")) speaks to a divine, comprehensive, and unfailing protection that far surpasses any human king's guarantee. Jesus, the ultimate King, not only promises protection but *is* our protection, having disarmed the spiritual "revengers of blood"—sin and death—through His own sacrifice. He is the one who "takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), offering true reconciliation and eternal life where no harm can ultimately touch those who are in Him ([John 10:28](/john/10-28 "John 10:28 - Jesus Gives Eternal Life")). Thus, the longing for mercy and the hope for restoration glimpsed in this Old Testament account are fully realized in the person and work of Christ.

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.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 14:45

And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: [as] the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.

Matthew 10:30

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Numbers 35:19

The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.

Numbers 35:21

Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote [him] shall surely be put to death; [for] he [is] a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.

Deuteronomy 19:4

And this [is] the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past;

Deuteronomy 19:10

That innocent blood be not shed in thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance, and [so] blood be upon thee.

Acts 27:34

Wherefore I pray you to take [some] meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.