2 samuel 14:4 - When the woman of Tekoa spoke to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, showed respect, and said, “Help, O king!”
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What does "2 samuel 14:4" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 14:4 describes the woman of Tekoa's entry and initial plea to King David. Let's break down the meaning of each element:
"When the woman of Tekoa spoke to the king...": This establishes the scene. A woman from the town of Tekoa has come before King David, indicating the start of an encounter or conversation. The fact that she's from Tekoa is significant because Joab, David's military commander, has orchestrated this meeting (as revealed later in the chapter).
"...she fell on her face to the ground...": This is a traditional display of deep respect and submission to a monarch or someone of high authority. It signifies that she acknowledges the king's power and position.
"...showed respect...": This phrase simply reinforces the meaning of falling on her face. It emphasizes her deference and humility before the king.
"...and said, “Help, O king!”": This is her direct appeal. She is asking for the king's assistance, suggesting she is in a desperate or difficult situation that requires royal intervention.
In essence, the verse depicts a woman approaching King David with a dire need, demonstrating extreme reverence and pleading for his help. This sets the stage for the elaborate story she is about to tell, which has been carefully crafted by Joab to influence the king's decision regarding Absalom's return.
Significance in the Larger Context:
It's important to understand that this encounter is not spontaneous. Joab, aware that David misses his son Absalom but hesitates to fully reconcile with him, has devised a plan to manipulate the king's emotions and get him to grant Absalom amnesty. He employs the woman of Tekoa to present a fabricated story that will subtly mirror David's own situation with Absalom. The woman's dramatic and respectful entry serves to draw the king's attention and make him receptive to her plea, which in turn, is designed to manipulate him into bringing Absalom back.
2 samuel 14:4 - When the woman of Tekoa spoke to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, showed respect, and said, “Help, O king!”
What does "2 samuel 14:4" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 14:4 describes the woman of Tekoa's entry and initial plea to King David. Let's break down the meaning of each element:
"When the woman of Tekoa spoke to the king...": This establishes the scene. A woman from the town of Tekoa has come before King David, indicating the start of an encounter or conversation. The fact that she's from Tekoa is significant because Joab, David's military commander, has orchestrated this meeting (as revealed later in the chapter).
"...she fell on her face to the ground...": This is a traditional display of deep respect and submission to a monarch or someone of high authority. It signifies that she acknowledges the king's power and position.
"...showed respect...": This phrase simply reinforces the meaning of falling on her face. It emphasizes her deference and humility before the king.
"...and said, “Help, O king!”": This is her direct appeal. She is asking for the king's assistance, suggesting she is in a desperate or difficult situation that requires royal intervention.
In essence, the verse depicts a woman approaching King David with a dire need, demonstrating extreme reverence and pleading for his help. This sets the stage for the elaborate story she is about to tell, which has been carefully crafted by Joab to influence the king's decision regarding Absalom's return.
Significance in the Larger Context:
It's important to understand that this encounter is not spontaneous. Joab, aware that David misses his son Absalom but hesitates to fully reconcile with him, has devised a plan to manipulate the king's emotions and get him to grant Absalom amnesty. He employs the woman of Tekoa to present a fabricated story that will subtly mirror David's own situation with Absalom. The woman's dramatic and respectful entry serves to draw the king's attention and make him receptive to her plea, which in turn, is designed to manipulate him into bringing Absalom back.