2 Samuel 14:17

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.

Then thine handmaid {H8198} said {H559}, The word {H1697} of my lord {H113} the king {H4428} shall now be comfortable {H4496}: for as an angel {H4397} of God {H430}, so is my lord {H113} the king {H4428} to discern {H8085} good {H2896} and bad {H7451}: therefore the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} will be with thee.

Then your servant said, 'Please let my lord the king say something that will give me relief; for my lord the king is like an angel of God in discerning good from bad - and may ADONAI your God be with you.'"

And now your servant says, ‘May the word of my lord the king bring me rest, for my lord the king is able to discern good and evil, just like the angel of God. May the LORD your God be with you.’”

Then thy handmaid said, Let, I pray thee, the word of my lord the king be comfortable; for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: and Jehovah thy God be with thee.

Commentary

Context

This verse is part of a masterful and poignant narrative in 2 Samuel chapter 14, where Joab, King David's commander, orchestrates a plan to bring David's exiled son, Absalom, back to Jerusalem. Absalom had fled after murdering his half-brother Amnon (2 Samuel 13:38). Joab employs a "wise woman of Tekoah" to present a fabricated legal case to David, subtly leading him to pronounce a judgment that would implicitly justify Absalom's return. In this verse, the woman, having successfully engaged David's attention and judgment, praises his discernment, comparing him to an "angel of God" and affirming God's presence with him, paving the way for her true purpose.

Key Themes

  • Divine Wisdom and Discernment: The central theme is the woman's praise of David's ability to "discern good and bad," a characteristic often associated with divine insight. She flatters him by suggesting his judgment is akin to that of a celestial being.
  • The Role of a King: A good king was expected to possess profound wisdom and a strong sense of justice, reflecting God's own attributes. David's discernment here is presented as a kingly virtue.
  • Strategic Persuasion and Flattery: The woman's speech is a brilliant example of rhetoric and psychological persuasion. Her praise is calculated to soften David and make him receptive to her underlying message.
  • God's Presence with Leadership: Her concluding remark, "therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee," serves as both a blessing and an affirmation of David's divinely appointed role, suggesting that his wisdom is a sign of God's favor.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "as an angel of God" (Hebrew: mal'akh Elohim) is a significant compliment. A mal'akh (angel or messenger) of God was understood to possess extraordinary wisdom, knowledge, and insight, often revealing divine will or truth. By likening David to an "angel of God," the woman elevates his status and judgment to a near-supernatural level, highlighting his profound capacity to understand and decide complex matters.

The expression "to discern good and bad" (Hebrew: lishmoa tov vara) is a foundational concept of wisdom and moral judgment. It implies the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, truth and falsehood, and to make just decisions. This phrase resonates with Solomon's prayer for an understanding heart to discern justice, indicating a crucial quality for a ruler.

Significance and Application

This verse offers several insights for believers today:

  • Seeking Divine Wisdom: Just as David was praised for his discernment, believers are called to seek God's wisdom in all their decisions. The Bible assures us that God gives wisdom generously to those who ask Him.
  • The Nature of Leadership: The passage underscores the biblical ideal of a leader who possesses not merely power, but also profound wisdom and a moral compass guided by God. Leaders, whether in the church, family, or society, are called to discern between good and evil for the benefit of those they lead.
  • Understanding Human Interaction: The wise woman's strategy reminds us of the power of language and the nuances of human communication, including the use of praise and careful rhetoric, which can be employed for both good and ill purposes.

In essence, 2 Samuel 14:17 highlights the high regard for divine wisdom in leadership and the strategic art of persuasion, all within the unfolding drama of David's kingdom.

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 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

  • 1 Samuel 29:9 (5 votes)

    And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou [art] good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle.

  • 2 Samuel 19:27 (5 votes)

    And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king [is] as an angel of God: do therefore [what is] good in thine eyes.

  • 2 Samuel 14:20 (4 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Kings 3:9 (3 votes)

    Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

  • 1 Kings 3:28 (2 votes)

    And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God [was] in him, to do judgment.

  • Proverbs 27:21 (2 votes)

    ¶ [As] the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so [is] a man to his praise.

  • Job 6:30 (2 votes)

    Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?