This verse from 2 Samuel 14:17 is part of a longer speech made by a wise woman from Tekoa to King David. She is acting as a hired advocate for Joab, David's general, who wants to persuade David to bring Absalom, his son, back from exile. Let's break down the verse:
"Then your servant said, ‘Please let the word of my lord the king bring rest...": This is a plea for the king's favor and a hope that his word will bring resolution and peace. "Rest" here can be interpreted as freedom from anxiety and the settling of the current uneasy situation. She is hoping David will make a wise and just decision that will bring tranquility.
"...for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad.": This is the core of the flattery. She is comparing David to an angel of God, emphasizing his exceptional ability to distinguish between right and wrong. Angels in the Old Testament were often seen as divine messengers and agents of God's will, possessing great wisdom and understanding. By making this comparison, she is subtly urging David to use his supposed divine discernment to make the "right" decision, which is to bring Absalom back. It's important to note that this is likely an exaggeration designed to flatter and influence David.
"May Yahweh, your God, be with you.’": This is a standard blessing, invoking God's presence and support for David. It adds a religious dimension to her plea, suggesting that David's actions should be aligned with God's will. By invoking Yahweh, she subtly implies that bringing Absalom back would be a God-pleasing act.
In summary, the verse means:
The woman is saying that she hopes David's words will provide a peaceful resolution to the current situation because he, like an angel of God, possesses exceptional discernment between good and evil. She concludes with a blessing, hoping God will guide him in his decision.
Context and Significance:
The woman from Tekoa's speech is cleverly crafted to manipulate David's emotions and sense of justice. She uses flattery, religious appeals, and a carefully constructed narrative to achieve Joab's objective. The comparison to an angel of God is a rhetorical device aimed at bolstering David's ego and making him more receptive to the idea of bringing Absalom back. This verse highlights the importance of discerning truth from manipulation and the power of persuasive language.
This verse from 2 Samuel 14:17 is part of a longer speech made by a wise woman from Tekoa to King David. She is acting as a hired advocate for Joab, David's general, who wants to persuade David to bring Absalom, his son, back from exile. Let's break down the verse:
"Then your servant said, ‘Please let the word of my lord the king bring rest...": This is a plea for the king's favor and a hope that his word will bring resolution and peace. "Rest" here can be interpreted as freedom from anxiety and the settling of the current uneasy situation. She is hoping David will make a wise and just decision that will bring tranquility.
"...for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad.": This is the core of the flattery. She is comparing David to an angel of God, emphasizing his exceptional ability to distinguish between right and wrong. Angels in the Old Testament were often seen as divine messengers and agents of God's will, possessing great wisdom and understanding. By making this comparison, she is subtly urging David to use his supposed divine discernment to make the "right" decision, which is to bring Absalom back. It's important to note that this is likely an exaggeration designed to flatter and influence David.
"May Yahweh, your God, be with you.’": This is a standard blessing, invoking God's presence and support for David. It adds a religious dimension to her plea, suggesting that David's actions should be aligned with God's will. By invoking Yahweh, she subtly implies that bringing Absalom back would be a God-pleasing act.
In summary, the verse means:
The woman is saying that she hopes David's words will provide a peaceful resolution to the current situation because he, like an angel of God, possesses exceptional discernment between good and evil. She concludes with a blessing, hoping God will guide him in his decision.
Context and Significance:
The woman from Tekoa's speech is cleverly crafted to manipulate David's emotions and sense of justice. She uses flattery, religious appeals, and a carefully constructed narrative to achieve Joab's objective. The comparison to an angel of God is a rhetorical device aimed at bolstering David's ego and making him more receptive to the idea of bringing Absalom back. This verse highlights the importance of discerning truth from manipulation and the power of persuasive language.