2 Samuel 14:20

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.

To {H5668} fetch about {H5437} this form {H6440} of speech {H1697} hath thy servant {H5650} Joab {H3097} done {H6213} this thing {H1697}: and my lord {H113} is wise {H2450}, according to the wisdom {H2451} of an angel {H4397} of God {H430}, to know {H3045} all things that are in the earth {H776}.

Your servant Yo'av did this in order to bring about some change in the situation. But my lord is wise, he has the wisdom of an angel of God when it comes to understanding anything going on in the land."

Joab your servant has done this to bring about this change of affairs, but my lord has wisdom like the wisdom of the angel of God, to know everything that happens in the land.โ€

to change the face of the matter 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.

Commentary

In 2 Samuel 14:20, the wise woman of Tekoah reveals the mastermind behind her carefully constructed appeal to King David: his shrewd commander, Joab. Having delivered a parable to stir David's empathy and judgment, she then pivots to praise David's extraordinary insight, acknowledging his ability to discern the deeper truth and the hidden hand at play.

Context

This verse occurs at a critical juncture in the narrative concerning David's estranged son, Absalom. Joab, recognizing David's desire for Absalom's return from exile but also his reluctance to initiate it, devised a plan. He sent a wise woman from Tekoah to present a fictional case to David, subtly mirroring David's own predicament with Absalom. When David saw through her elaborate "form of speech," suspecting Joab's involvement (as mentioned in 2 Samuel 14:19), the woman confirmed his suspicion and then offered profound praise, comparing David's wisdom to that of an angel.

Meaning and Interpretation

The first part of the verse, "To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing," confirms David's acute discernment. It highlights Joab's indirect but effective political maneuvering to influence the king. The second part, "and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth," is a highly complimentary and perhaps even hyperbolic statement. It suggests David possessed an almost supernatural ability to understand complex human situations, motives, and the intricate realities of his kingdom. This isn't literal angelic knowledge but a powerful metaphor for profound insight and understanding, recognizing truth even when hidden.

Key Themes

  • David's Wisdom and Discernment: The verse powerfully underscores King David's keen intellect and ability to see through deception. His wisdom is portrayed as exceptional, allowing him to grasp the true intentions behind elaborate schemes.
  • Joab's Strategic Manipulation: It reveals Joab's clever, albeit manipulative, tactics to achieve his objectives, demonstrating his political acumen and loyalty to David, even if expressed indirectly. His actions were aimed at facilitating Absalom's reconciliation with his father.
  • The Power of Persuasion: The narrative illustrates how a carefully crafted message, delivered by an eloquent speaker, can influence even the most powerful leaders, especially when it appeals to their sense of justice and compassion.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "wisdom of an angel of God" translates from the Hebrew k'chakmat mal'akh ha'elohim (ื›ึฐึผื—ึธื›ึฐืžึทืช ืžึทืœึฐืึทืšึฐ ื”ึธืึฑืœึนื”ึดื™ื). This expression is used to describe an extraordinary, almost divine, level of understanding and insight. It signifies David's ability to perceive hidden truths and make sound judgments, an attribute highly valued in ancient Near Eastern kingship. This same hyperbolic praise is later used by David himself when referring to Mephibosheth's character in 2 Samuel 19:27.

Practical Application

This verse offers insights into leadership, discernment, and human relationships. It highlights the importance of leaders possessing keen insight to understand the underlying currents and motives within their domain. For individuals, it encourages developing discernment, not just accepting things at face value. It also subtly touches upon the complexities of family reconciliation and the role of intermediaries in bridging divides, even when their methods are unconventional. The narrative reminds us that wisdom is crucial for navigating life's intricate "forms of speech" and uncovering truth.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 14:17 (6 votes)

    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.

  • 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.

  • Proverbs 26:28 (2 votes)

    ยถ A lying tongue hateth [those that are] afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

  • Job 32:21 (2 votes)

    Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.

  • Job 32:22 (2 votes)

    For I know not to give flattering titles; [in so doing] my maker would soon take me away.

  • Proverbs 29:5 (2 votes)

    ยถ A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.

  • 2 Samuel 5:23 (2 votes)

    And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; [but] fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.