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2 Samuel 14:12

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Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak [one] word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on.

Then the woman {H802} said {H559}, Let thine handmaid {H8198}, I pray thee, speak {H1696} one word {H1697} unto my lord {H113} the king {H4428}. And he said {H559}, Say on {H1696}.

Then the woman said, "Please allow your servant to say something else to my lord the king.""Go on," he replied.

Then the woman said, “Please, may your servant speak a word to my lord the king?” “Speak,” he replied.

Then the woman said, Let thy handmaid, I pray thee, speak a word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on.

Commentary

Context

This verse is a pivotal moment within the elaborate scheme devised by Joab, King David's commander, to facilitate the return of David's exiled son, Absalom. Absalom had fled after murdering his half-brother Amnon (2 Samuel 13:37-39). Joab, sensing David's longing for Absalom, sent a "wise woman of Tekoah" to the king. In the preceding verses (2 Samuel 14:1-11), this woman presented a fabricated story about her two sons, one killing the other, and the family demanding the death of the surviving son, which would leave her without an heir. David, moved by her plight and unaware of the ruse, had just rendered a judgment promising her protection and preventing further harm to her remaining son. With this verse, the woman, having secured David's sympathetic ear and a favorable ruling on her hypothetical case, cautiously requests permission to shift from the parable to the direct, sensitive matter concerning Absalom and the king's own family.

Key Themes

  • Strategic Communication and Cunning: The woman's request to "speak one word" highlights the careful and indirect approach often necessary when presenting difficult truths or requests to powerful figures, especially kings. Her wisdom, orchestrated by Joab, is evident in her ability to prepare David's heart.
  • Royal Authority and Mercy: David's immediate response, "Say on," demonstrates his openness to hear the pleas of his subjects and his exercise of royal authority and mercy, even in a fabricated scenario. This sets the stage for her appeal regarding Absalom.
  • Intercession and Advocacy: The woman acts as a shrewd advocate, not for herself, but for Absalom, using a relatable parable to soften the ground for a much larger, personal issue of reconciliation within the royal family.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "thine handmaid" (Hebrew: אֲמָתְךָ - 'amatkha) is a common and humble form of address used by a subordinate when speaking to a king or a superior. It emphasizes the woman's submission and deference to David's authority, making her subsequent bold request more palatable. Her plea to "speak one word" (Hebrew: דָּבָר אֶחָד - davar echad) suggests a concise, crucial, and perhaps sensitive message, indicating she is about to move beyond the general parable to a specific, personal application.

Practical Application

This verse offers insights into the art of persuasion and the importance of thoughtful communication. It teaches us the value of:

  • Preparation: The woman didn't immediately launch into her true purpose; she carefully prepared David's heart through a relatable story, demonstrating how to approach sensitive topics with wisdom and tact.
  • Respectful Engagement: Her humble address and request for permission show the importance of respecting authority and creating an environment where difficult conversations can occur.
  • Seeking Discernment: For those in leadership, it highlights the need for discernment to see beyond the surface of a presented issue to its deeper implications or hidden motives, as David would soon discover (2 Samuel 14:19).

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

  • Acts 26:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:

  • Genesis 44:18 (2 votes)

    ¶ Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou [art] even as Pharaoh.

  • 1 Samuel 25:24 (2 votes)

    And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, [upon] me [let this] iniquity [be]: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid.

  • Jeremiah 12:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ Righteous [art] thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of [thy] judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? [wherefore] are all they happy that deal very treacherously?

  • Genesis 18:32 (2 votes)

    And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy [it] for ten's sake.

  • Genesis 18:27 (2 votes)

    And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which [am but] dust and ashes: