2 samuel 14:18 - Then the king answered the woman, “Please don’t hide anything from me that I ask you.” The woman said, “Let my lord the king now speak.”
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What does "2 samuel 14:18" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 14:18 is a pivotal point in a clever and politically charged exchange. Let's break it down:
"Then the king answered the woman, 'Please don't hide anything from me that I ask you.'" King David is addressing the wise woman of Tekoa, who has come to him with a fabricated story designed to manipulate his emotions and sway him to bring back his exiled son, Absalom. David suspects she's not being truthful, and that Joab (his general) is behind this. He demands complete honesty. He wants her to be forthright, indicating he believes she is withholding information. He's calling her bluff, but also setting the stage for her to feel compelled to answer truthfully.
"The woman said, 'Let my lord the king now speak.'" The woman cleverly avoids a direct confession or denial. Instead, she subtly acknowledges the King's authority and power. By inviting the King to "speak," she is essentially:
Deferring to his wisdom: She acknowledges David's insight and ability to discern the truth.
Implied acknowledgement: The woman is basically admitting guilt and ready to confess.
Giving him an opportunity to show his hand: She wants to know exactly what he suspects before committing to a full confession. This gives her a chance to frame her answers carefully.
Stalling for time: This very brief pause allows her to gather her thoughts and strategize her next move.
In essence, this verse represents a tense power play between the King, who is suspicious and seeking the truth, and the woman, who is trying to manipulate him while carefully protecting herself and her (real) purpose. It's a turning point where the truth starts to emerge, but the full picture is still unclear.
2 samuel 14:18 - Then the king answered the woman, “Please don’t hide anything from me that I ask you.” The woman said, “Let my lord the king now speak.”
What does "2 samuel 14:18" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 14:18 is a pivotal point in a clever and politically charged exchange. Let's break it down:
"Then the king answered the woman, 'Please don't hide anything from me that I ask you.'" King David is addressing the wise woman of Tekoa, who has come to him with a fabricated story designed to manipulate his emotions and sway him to bring back his exiled son, Absalom. David suspects she's not being truthful, and that Joab (his general) is behind this. He demands complete honesty. He wants her to be forthright, indicating he believes she is withholding information. He's calling her bluff, but also setting the stage for her to feel compelled to answer truthfully.
"The woman said, 'Let my lord the king now speak.'" The woman cleverly avoids a direct confession or denial. Instead, she subtly acknowledges the King's authority and power. By inviting the King to "speak," she is essentially:
Deferring to his wisdom: She acknowledges David's insight and ability to discern the truth.
Implied acknowledgement: The woman is basically admitting guilt and ready to confess.
Giving him an opportunity to show his hand: She wants to know exactly what he suspects before committing to a full confession. This gives her a chance to frame her answers carefully.
Stalling for time: This very brief pause allows her to gather her thoughts and strategize her next move.
In essence, this verse represents a tense power play between the King, who is suspicious and seeking the truth, and the woman, who is trying to manipulate him while carefully protecting herself and her (real) purpose. It's a turning point where the truth starts to emerge, but the full picture is still unclear.