2 Samuel 14 18

2 Samuel 14:18 kjv

Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak.

2 Samuel 14:18 nkjv

Then the king answered and said to the woman, "Please do not hide from me anything that I ask you." And the woman said, "Please, let my lord the king speak."

2 Samuel 14:18 niv

Then the king said to the woman, "Don't keep from me the answer to what I am going to ask you." "Let my lord the king speak," the woman said.

2 Samuel 14:18 esv

Then the king answered the woman, "Do not hide from me anything I ask you." And the woman said, "Let my lord the king speak."

2 Samuel 14:18 nlt

"I must know one thing," the king replied, "and tell me the truth." "Yes, my lord the king," she responded.

2 Samuel 14 verses

2 Samuel 14 18 Meaning

2 Samuel 14:18 details the precise moment when King David, having heard the enigmatic parable of the woman of Tekoa, recognizes that her plea is part of a larger, hidden agenda. He confronts her, demanding absolute transparency and forbidding any concealment of truth. Her response, one of immediate deference and submission, indicates her readiness to fully disclose the true purpose of her visit, acknowledging David's wisdom and authority. This verse marks a pivotal shift, as David transitions from a recipient of a feigned story to an active, discerning leader in control of the situation.

2 Samuel 14 18 Context

This verse is situated at a critical juncture in David's reign, specifically within 2 Samuel Chapter 14, which details Joab's elaborate plan to secure Absalom's return to Jerusalem after he murdered Amnon (2 Sam 13:28-29). Joab, sensing David's underlying desire for his son Absalom's return but also his inability to act directly due to justice demands, devises a stratagem using a "wise woman" from Tekoa. The woman presents David with a contrived legal case about her two sons, one of whom killed the other, and the family demanding the surviving son for execution, which would leave her without an heir. David's response to her plea sets the stage for the discerning interrogation in verse 18. This specific verse reveals David's wisdom and growing suspicion that her story, while moving, is a parable intended to manipulate his judgment for a different purpose—the return of Absalom. Historically, kings were seen as chief arbiters of justice and possessed divine insight, and this interaction showcases David operating within that role, guided by divine wisdom to perceive the veiled truth.

2 Samuel 14 18 Word analysis

• Then the king said: This marks a shift in David's demeanor from passive listener to active interrogator. It underscores his royal authority and quick discernment. The "king" (Hebrew: ha-melekh - הַמֶּלֶךְ) implies the one with ultimate authority and responsibility for justice.
• to the woman: Refers to the "wise woman of Tekoa," a professional lamenter or rhetorician hired by Joab. Her interaction with David highlights the common ancient practice of approaching the king with difficult cases and the use of intermediaries.
• "Do not hide": The Hebrew verb here is תְּכַחֲדִי (tekahadi), from כָּחַד (kachad), meaning "to hide," "to conceal," "to deny." It indicates David's suspicion that something crucial is being withheld or dissimulated. It's a strong imperative, revealing David's immediate grasp that her narrative is not simply a personal tragedy but carries a hidden motive. David, known for his ability to seek the Lord's will, demonstrates a discerning spirit here.
• from me anything I ask you.": This asserts David's absolute authority and desire for complete truth. It shows his determination to uncover the veiled message, rather than allowing himself to be swayed by a manipulated story. David is seeking total transparency in matters pertaining to his court and family.
• And the woman said: Her immediate response indicates respect, submission, and perhaps a relief that the game of pretense is nearly over. She had to act according to Joab's instruction but recognized when her disguise was penetrated.
• "Let my lord the king please speak.": The Hebrew תַּדַּבֵּר (taddaber), from דָּבַר (dabar), meaning "to speak," is an imperative of permission. She invites him to articulate what he has discerned. This phrase is highly deferential, affirming David's wisdom and sovereign right to speak directly and plainly about the hidden matter, effectively giving him the "green light" to reveal her true purpose. It's an affirmation of her readiness to comply with the unveiling of the truth.

• "Do not hide from me anything I ask you.": This full phrase exemplifies David's keen insight and suspicion. He cuts through the artifice directly to the core of the matter, demonstrating kingly discernment (similar to Solomon's wisdom, 1 Ki 3:9) in perceiving that her story serves as a deliberate vehicle for a different, unstated petition. It signifies a transition from empathetic listening to authoritative interrogation.
• "Let my lord the king please speak.": This full phrase from the woman serves as an acknowledgement of David's discovered truth and a sign of submission to his discernment. She confirms his astute perception, recognizing that he has seen beyond the façade. It's her signal to him that he can proceed to address the true matter. This demonstrates her understanding of royal protocols and her skill in playing her role until this necessary disclosure point.

2 Samuel 14 18 Bonus section

The dialogue in this verse is a masterclass in ancient courtly communication, often characterized by indirectness, parables, and strategic language. The woman's respectful but immediate capitulation allowed David to maintain his kingly decorum, having effectively drawn out the implicit admission that he had understood the "hidden hand" behind her visit. This moment also subtly underscores the unique gift of discernment, a quality essential for a just ruler, echoing Old Testament themes where kings and leaders are often depicted as having insight granted by God (Prov 25:2). Furthermore, it prefigures the complex family dynamics that continue to unfold in David's house, revealing both his desire for restoration and the lingering consequences of his past actions that demand indirect methods for resolution.

2 Samuel 14 18 Commentary

2 Samuel 14:18 marks a critical turning point in the episode of the woman of Tekoa. David's profound statement, "Do not hide from me anything I ask you," reveals his acute kingly discernment and God-given wisdom, akin to the wisdom Solomon later prayed for (1 Ki 3:9). Having heard her seemingly personal grievance, David shrewdly recognized the parabolic nature of her appeal and that it pointed to a greater issue – indeed, a hidden plea regarding his own son, Absalom. His direct command cut through the carefully crafted layers of deception, demanding truth from a position of authority and righteous inquiry.

The woman's immediate and submissive response, "Let my lord the king please speak," confirms David's insight. It signifies her acknowledgment of his sagacity and her readiness to reveal the hidden agenda Joab had orchestrated. She does not deny his suspicion but rather yields to his command, allowing David to articulate what he has already perceived. This interaction highlights David's growth in discernment compared to previous instances of being misled (e.g., Uriah's death, though Nathan's parable also prompted a different kind of discernment). The exchange prepares the way for David to fully uncover Joab's elaborate scheme, showcasing divine wisdom operating through a human king to move towards the complex process of reconciliation for Absalom.