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2 Samuel 14:4

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 14:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And when the woman of Tekoa spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And when the woman of Tekoa spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king.
2 Samuel 14:4 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king`s heart was toward Absalom.
2And Joab sent to Tekoa, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on mourning apparel, I pray thee, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that hath a long time mourned for the dead:
3and go in to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the words in her mouth.
4And when the woman of Tekoa spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king.
5And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, Of a truth I am a widow, and my husband is dead.
6And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and killed him.
7And, behold, the whole family is risen against thy handmaid, and they say, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him for the life of his brother whom he slew, and so destroy the heir also. Thus will they quench my coal which is left, and will leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the face of the earth.
← 2 Samuel 14:32 Samuel 14:5 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, etc.] Or after she had spoken to him, being introduced by Joab, as is probable; when she had saluted him with God save the king, or May the king live, or some such like expressions: she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance; to him as her king, in reverence of his majesty: and said, help, O king; signifying that she was in great distress, and came to him for assistance and deliverance.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Spake - Seems to be an accidental error for came, which is found in many manuscipts and versions. Help - literally, save (see the margin). It is the same cry as Hosanna, i. e. save now Psalms 118:25. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“fell on her: Sa2 1:2; Sa1 20:41, Sa1 25:23 Help: Heb. Save, Kg2 6:26-28; Job 29:12-14; Luk 18:3-5 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 14:5”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Samuel 14 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification