2 Samuel 14:16

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 14:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For the king will hear, to deliver his servant out of the hand of the man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For the king will hear, to deliver his servant out of the hand of the man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.
2 Samuel 14:16 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
16For the king will hear, to deliver his servant out of the hand of the man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For the king will hear, etc.] She was fully persuaded of it, as now he had heard her: to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of the man [that would] destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God; he had given his word and his oath that he would deliver her son from the avenger of blood, that neither he nor any other should destroy him; which would have been the destruction of her and her whole family out of the land of Israel, the land which God had chosen for his inheritance, and had given to the of Israel to be theirs; and since the king had heard her, and granted her this favour, she doubted not but that he would deliver his own son from death, and restore him to the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Hear - For I know the king is so wise and just, that I assure myself of audience and acceptation. Deliver - To grant my request concerning my son, and consequently the peoples petition concerning Absalom. My son - Implying that her life was bound up in the life of her son, and that she could not outlive his death; (and supposing that it might be David's case also, and would therefore touch him in a tender part, though it were not proper to say it expressly:) and thereby suggesting, that the safety and comfort of the people of Israel, depended upon Absalom's restitution. Inheritance - That is, out of that land which God gave to his people to be their inheritance, and in which alone God hath…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“14:16 The woman again addressed her specific situation. The king’s concern for Absalom (see 13:39 and corresponding note) was keeping him from attending to matters of justice among his people. • cut us off: If her only remaining son were killed, the woman’s family would lose ownership of its ancestral property (cp. Num 27:1-11).”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification