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2 Samuel 14:5 "What troubles you?" the king asked her. "Indeed," she said, "I am a widow, for my husband is dead.
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And she answered, I <i>am</i> indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_samuel/14.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then the king said to her, “What troubles you?” And she answered, “Indeed I <i>am</i> a widow, my husband is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_samuel/14.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And the king said to her, “What is <i>troubling</i> you?” And she answered, “Truly I am a widow, for my husband is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/14.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The king said to her, “What is your trouble?” And she answered, “Truly I am a widow, for my husband is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_samuel/14.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the king said to her, “What is your trouble?” And she answered, “Truly I am a widow, for my husband is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_samuel/14.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the king said to her, “What is your trouble?” And she answered, “Truly I am a widow; my husband has died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_samuel/14.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The king asked her, “What is the matter?” She said, “Truly I am a widow; my husband is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_samuel/14.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“What’s the matter? ” the king asked her. “Sadly, I am a widow; my husband died,” she said.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_samuel/14.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />What’s the matter?” the king asked her.” To tell the truth, I am a widow; my husband died,” she said.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_samuel/14.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, Of a truth I am a widow, and my husband is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_samuel/14.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />David asked, "What's the matter?" She replied: My husband is dead, and I'm a widow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_samuel/14.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered; Of a truth I am a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_samuel/14.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The king asked her, "What can I do for you?" She answered, "I'm a widow; my husband is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_samuel/14.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"What do you want?" he asked her. "I am a poor widow, sir," she answered. "My husband is dead. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_samuel/14.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The king asked her, "What's your problem?" "I've been a widowed woman ever since my husband died," she answered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_samuel/14.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?What troubles you?? the king asked her. ?Indeed,? she said, ?I am a widow, for my husband is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_samuel/14.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The king replied to her, "What do you want?" She answered, "I am a widow; my husband is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_samuel/14.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And the king said to her, "What is your trouble?"And she replied, "Truly I am a widow, and my husband is dead<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_samuel/14.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the king said to her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and my husband is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_samuel/14.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The king said to her, “What ails you?” She answered, “Truly I am a widow, and my husband is dead. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_samuel/14.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the king says to her, “What do you [want]?” And she says, “I [am] truly a widow woman, and my husband dies,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_samuel/14.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the king saith to her, 'What -- to thee?' and she saith, 'Truly a widow woman am I, and my husband dieth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_samuel/14.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the king will say to her, What to thee? And she will say, Truly I a widow woman, and my husband will die.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_samuel/14.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the king said to her: What is the matter with thee? She answered: Alas, I am a widow woman: for my husband is dead. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_samuel/14.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the king said to her, “What problem do you have?” And she responded: “Alas, I am a woman who is a widow. For my husband has died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_samuel/14.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The king said to her, “What do you want?” She replied: “Alas, I am a widow; my husband is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_samuel/14.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The king asked her, “What is your trouble?” She answered, “Alas, I am a widow; my husband is dead.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_samuel/14.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the king said to her, What ails you? And she answered, I am indeed a widow, my husband is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_samuel/14.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The King said to her: “What is it with you?” She said to him: “Truly, I am a widow woman. My husband is dead.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_samuel/14.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the king said unto her: 'What aileth thee?' And she answered: 'Of a truth I am a widow, my husband being dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_samuel/14.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the king said to her, What is the matter with thee? And she said, I am indeed a widow woman, and my husband is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_samuel/14-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_0ajZHUzMKw?start=3686" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/14.htm">Absalom's Return to Jerusalem</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>When the woman from Tekoa went to the king, she fell facedown in homage and said, “Help me, O king!” <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“What</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- ">troubles you?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">the king</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">asked</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāh (Prep:: 3fs) -- ">her.</a> <a href="/hebrew/61.htm" title="61: ’ă·ḇāl (Adv) -- Verily, of a truth. Apparently from 'abal through the idea of negation; nay, i.e. Truly or yet.">“Indeed,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wat·tō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">she said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ā·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">“I am</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ’iš·šāh- (N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman."></a> <a href="/hebrew/490.htm" title="490: ’al·mā·nāh (N-fs) -- A widow. Fem of 'alman; a widow; also a desolate place.">a widow,</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’î·šî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">for my husband</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: way·yā·māṯ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">is dead.</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>And your maidservant had two sons who were fighting in the field with no one to separate them, and one struck the other and killed him.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/12-1.htm">2 Samuel 12:1-7</a></span><br />Then the LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he arrived, he said, “There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor. / The rich man had a great number of sheep and cattle, / but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food and drank from his cup; it slept in his arms and was like a daughter to him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-16.htm">1 Kings 3:16-28</a></span><br />At that time two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. / One woman said, “Please, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth while she was in the house. / On the third day after I gave birth, this woman also had a baby. We were alone, with no one in the house but the two of us. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-1.htm">Luke 18:1-8</a></span><br />Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart: / “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. / And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-23.htm">Matthew 18:23-35</a></span><br />Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. / As he began the settlements, a debtor owing ten thousand talents was brought to him. / Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/13-39.htm">2 Samuel 13:39</a></span><br />And King David longed to go to Absalom, for he had been consoled over Amnon’s death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/3-9.htm">Genesis 3:9-13</a></span><br />But the LORD God called out to the man, “Where are you?” / “I heard Your voice in the garden,” he replied, “and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” / “Who told you that you were naked?” asked the LORD God. “Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/13-37.htm">2 Samuel 13:37-38</a></span><br />Now Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. But David mourned for his son every day. / After Absalom had fled and gone to Geshur, he stayed there three years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/19-4.htm">2 Samuel 19:4-6</a></span><br />But the king covered his face and cried out at the top of his voice, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!” / Then Joab went into the house and said to the king, “Today you have disgraced all your servants who have saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters, of your wives, and of your concubines. / You love those who hate you and hate those who love you! For you have made it clear today that the commanders and soldiers mean nothing to you. I know today that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead, it would have pleased you!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-15.htm">1 Samuel 1:15-16</a></span><br />“No, my lord,” Hannah replied. “I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have not had any wine or strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD. / Do not take your servant for a wicked woman, for all this time I have been praying out of the depth of my anguish and grief.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/12-13.htm">2 Samuel 12:13-14</a></span><br />Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” “The LORD has taken away your sin,” Nathan replied. “You will not die. / Nevertheless, because by this deed you have shown utter contempt for the word of the LORD, the son born to you will surely die.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/18-33.htm">2 Samuel 18:33</a></span><br />The king was shaken and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he walked, he cried out, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/13-21.htm">2 Samuel 13:21</a></span><br />When King David heard all this, he was furious.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/15-2.htm">2 Samuel 15:2-6</a></span><br />He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out and ask, “What city are you from?” And if he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,” / Absalom would say, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king has no deputy to hear you.” / And he would add, “If only someone would appoint me judge in the land, then everyone with a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would give him justice.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/13-1.htm">2 Samuel 13:1-2</a></span><br />After some time, David’s son Amnon fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of David’s son Absalom. / Amnon was sick with frustration over his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed implausible for him to do anything to her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/13-30.htm">2 Samuel 13:30-31</a></span><br />While they were on the way, a report reached David: “Absalom has struck down all the sons of the king; not one of them is left!” / Then the king stood up, tore his clothes, and lay down on the ground. And all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the king said to her, What ails you? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and my husband is dead.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/12-1.htm">2 Samuel 12:1-3</a></b></br> And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/9-8.htm">Judges 9:8-15</a></b></br> The trees went forth <i>on a time</i> to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/11-5.htm">Aileth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-5.htm">Ails</a> <a href="/judges/11-35.htm">Alas</a> <a href="/2_samuel/14-2.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/2_samuel/10-1.htm">Dieth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-26.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-12.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-21.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-15.htm">Troubling</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-28.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-3.htm">Widow</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/6-28.htm">Aileth</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-28.htm">Ails</a> <a href="/1_kings/13-30.htm">Alas</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-9.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/1_kings/2-25.htm">Dieth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/14-7.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-8.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-33.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-18.htm">Troubling</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-20.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-14.htm">Widow</a><div class="vheading2">2 Samuel 14</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/14-1.htm">Joab, suborning a widow of Tekoah to incline the king's heart to fetch Absalom,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/14-21.htm">brings him home to Jerusalem</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/14-25.htm">Absalom's beauty, hair, and children</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/14-28.htm">After two years, Absalom is brought into the king's presence by Joab</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_samuel/14.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_samuel/14.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>“What troubles you?” the king asked her.</b><br>This phrase occurs during a pivotal moment in the narrative of 2 Samuel. The king in question is King David, who is approached by a woman from Tekoa. This encounter is orchestrated by Joab, David's military commander, to persuade the king to reconcile with his estranged son Absalom. The question "What troubles you?" reflects David's role as a judge and leader, responsible for the welfare of his people. It echoes the biblical theme of a king's duty to administer justice and compassion, reminiscent of Solomon's wisdom in <a href="/1_kings/3-16.htm">1 Kings 3:16-28</a>. The king's inquiry also highlights the importance of addressing grievances and seeking understanding, a principle found throughout the wisdom literature, such as <a href="/proverbs/18-13.htm">Proverbs 18:13</a>.<p><b>“Indeed,” she said,</b><br>The woman's response begins with "Indeed," indicating her acknowledgment of the king's authority and her readiness to present her case. This interaction is part of a carefully crafted narrative by Joab, using the woman's story as an allegory to mirror David's own situation with Absalom. The use of a parable or story to convey a deeper truth is a common biblical technique, seen in Nathan's confrontation with David in <a href="/2_samuel/12.htm">2 Samuel 12:1-7</a>. This method allows for reflection and self-examination, encouraging the listener to discern the underlying message.<p><b>“I am a widow,</b><br>The woman's claim of widowhood places her in a vulnerable social position, as widows in ancient Israel were often marginalized and dependent on the community for support. The Law of Moses provided specific protections for widows, emphasizing the need for justice and care (<a href="/deuteronomy/24-17.htm">Deuteronomy 24:17-21</a>). Her status as a widow evokes sympathy and underscores the theme of justice for the oppressed, a recurring motif in the prophetic literature, such as <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Isaiah 1:17</a>. This appeal to the king's sense of justice is strategic, as it aligns with his responsibility to protect the defenseless.<p><b>for my husband is dead.</b><br>The statement of her husband's death reinforces her plight and the urgency of her situation. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, a woman's identity and security were closely tied to her husband. The loss of a husband meant not only emotional grief but also potential economic hardship and social instability. This mirrors the broader biblical narrative of God's concern for the vulnerable, as seen in passages like <a href="/psalms/68-5.htm">Psalm 68:5</a>, where God is described as a "father to the fatherless, a defender of widows." The woman's predicament serves as a catalyst for David to reflect on his own familial relationships and the need for reconciliation.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/k/king_david.htm">King David</a></b><br>The reigning king of Israel, known for his heart after God, yet also for his personal and familial struggles.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_woman_of_tekoa.htm">The Woman of Tekoa</a></b><br>A wise woman from the town of Tekoa, used by Joab to convey a message to King David through a parable.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/joab.htm">Joab</a></b><br>David's military commander who orchestrates the woman's appeal to David to bring about reconciliation with Absalom.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/tekoa.htm">Tekoa</a></b><br>A town in Judah, known for its wise inhabitants, including the prophet Amos.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/absalom.htm">Absalom</a></b><br>David's son, estranged from his father after killing his brother Amnon, which sets the stage for the woman's plea.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_parables.htm">The Power of Parables</a></b><br>Parables are a powerful tool for conveying truth and prompting introspection. Like Nathan's parable to David, the woman of Tekoa's account is designed to lead David to a deeper understanding of his own situation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_intercession.htm">The Role of Intercession</a></b><br>The woman of Tekoa acts as an intercessor, highlighting the importance of standing in the gap for others, especially in matters of reconciliation and justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_reconciliation.htm">The Importance of Reconciliation</a></b><br>David's estrangement from Absalom serves as a reminder of the need for reconciliation in our relationships, reflecting God's desire for us to be reconciled to Him and to one another.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_in_approach.htm">Wisdom in Approach</a></b><br>The woman's wise and respectful approach to the king demonstrates the importance of wisdom and tact in addressing sensitive issues.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_heart_for_the_marginalized.htm">God's Heart for the Marginalized</a></b><br>The widow's plea reflects God's concern for the marginalized and those who have lost their voice, encouraging us to advocate for justice and mercy.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_samuel_14.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 14</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/2_samuel_14_5-11__is_this_story_deceptive.htm">2 Samuel 14:5–11: How does this fabricated story align with Mosaic laws requiring genuine judicial proceedings, and isn’t it deceptive manipulation of a royal decree? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_david_use_subterfuge_for_absalom.htm">2 Samuel 14:21–24: Why would David, a supposedly just king, rely on subterfuge rather than open negotiation to resolve Absalom’s banishment? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_1_chr_14_8-17_and_2_sam_5.htm">1 Chronicles 14:8-17 - How do we reconcile any discrepancies between this account of David's battles with the Philistines and the parallel text in 2 Samuel 5?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_david's_dance_plausible_for_a_king.htm">2 Samuel 6:14 - How plausible is David's public dancing without concern for royal decorum, given the cultural norms of ancient Near Eastern kings?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_samuel/14-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“What</span><br /><span class="heb">מַה־</span> <span class="translit">(mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">troubles you?”</span><br /><span class="heb">לָּ֑ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(lāḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">the king</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ham·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">asked</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּֽאמֶר־</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">her.</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֥הּ</span> <span class="translit">(lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Indeed,”</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲבָ֛ל</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḇāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_61.htm">Strong's 61: </a> </span><span class="str2">Verily, of a truth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">she said,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתֹּ֗אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“I [am]</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֖נִי</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a widow,</span><br /><span class="heb">אַלְמָנָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(’al·mā·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_490.htm">Strong's 490: </a> </span><span class="str2">A widow, a desolate place</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for my husband</span><br /><span class="heb">אִישִֽׁי׃</span> <span class="translit">(’î·šî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is dead.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּ֥מָת</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·māṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_samuel/14-5.htm">2 Samuel 14:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/14-5.htm">2 Samuel 14:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_samuel/14-5.htm">2 Samuel 14:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/14-5.htm">2 Samuel 14:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/14-5.htm">2 Samuel 14:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_samuel/14-5.htm">2 Samuel 14:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_samuel/14-5.htm">2 Samuel 14:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_samuel/14-5.htm">2 Samuel 14:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_samuel/14-5.htm">2 Samuel 14:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_samuel/14-5.htm">2 Samuel 14:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_samuel/14-5.htm">OT History: 2 Samuel 14:5 The king said to her What ails (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_samuel/14-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Samuel 14:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 14:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_samuel/14-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Samuel 14:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 14:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>