2 Samuel 14 19

2 Samuel 14:19 kjv

And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid:

2 Samuel 14:19 nkjv

So the king said, "Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?" And the woman answered and said, "As you live, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right hand or to the left from anything that my lord the king has spoken. For your servant Joab commanded me, and he put all these words in the mouth of your maidservant.

2 Samuel 14:19 niv

The king asked, "Isn't the hand of Joab with you in all this?" The woman answered, "As surely as you live, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right or to the left from anything my lord the king says. Yes, it was your servant Joab who instructed me to do this and who put all these words into the mouth of your servant.

2 Samuel 14:19 esv

The king said, "Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?" The woman answered and said, "As surely as you live, my lord the king, one cannot turn to the right hand or to the left from anything that my lord the king has said. It was your servant Joab who commanded me; it was he who put all these words in the mouth of your servant.

2 Samuel 14:19 nlt

"Did Joab put you up to this?" And the woman replied, "My lord the king, how can I deny it? Nobody can hide anything from you. Yes, Joab sent me and told me what to say.

2 Samuel 14 verses

2 Samuel 14 19 Meaning

2 Samuel 14:19 reveals King David's astute discernment as he recognizes that the elaborate plea from the wise woman of Tekoa was not a spontaneous act but a carefully orchestrated scheme masterminded by Joab. David, cutting through the theatrical performance, identifies Joab as the true hand behind the woman's words and petition, realizing that the entire presentation was designed to gently guide him toward bringing Absalom back from exile.

2 Samuel 14 19 Context

The events of 2 Samuel chapter 14 follow Absalom's flight from Jerusalem after killing Amnon (2 Sam 13:38). Absalom had been in exile in Geshur for three years. David, deeply grieved by Amnon's death, nonetheless yearned for Absalom, his son. Joab, discerning David's unspoken desire but also aware of the king's reluctance to initiate Absalom's return due to justice for Amnon, devised a clever plan. He sent a wise woman from Tekoa to present a hypothetical case, or parable, to King David. This case mirrored David's own situation: a woman whose son had killed his brother, and now the community demanded his life, which would extinguish her family line. The woman sought the king's protection for her remaining son, implicitly urging David to extend mercy and recall Absalom. David, after listening to her detailed, eloquent plea, quickly grasped the underlying machination, recognizing Joab's hand in the entire scheme.

2 Samuel 14 19 Word analysis

• And the king said, (וַיֹּאמֶר הַמֶּלֶךְ, waiyō’mer hammmeleḵ)
  • "And the king said": Indicates a direct response, highlighting David's authoritative voice and quick understanding. This isn't a mere question, but a direct accusation or observation stemming from immediate discernment.
• Is not (הֲ)
  • "Is not": This is a rhetorical question, often rendered as "Surely," "Certainly," or "Indeed." It signifies an affirmation rather than an inquiry for new information. David isn't asking if it's true but rather stating his conviction that it is true. It shows his clear grasp of the situation.
• the hand (יָד, yād)
  • "the hand": In Hebrew, yad (יָד) can mean a literal hand, but metaphorically, it profoundly signifies power, authority, agency, influence, direction, or involvement. Here, it implies Joab's orchestrating, directing, or instrumental role. It points to his active participation in formulating and executing the plan through the woman. It's not just "with you," but "through the agency of Joab."
• of Joab (יוֹאָב, Yô’āḇ)
  • "of Joab": Joab was David's commander-in-chief, a powerful and pragmatic figure, known for both his loyalty and his ruthlessness. David knows Joab's methods—his ability to subtly manipulate situations or apply pressure to achieve desired outcomes, even those the king himself might hesitate to openly pursue. This name instantly brings to David's mind a certain kind of proactive, politically savvy, and sometimes morally ambiguous strategy.
• with thee (עִמָּךְ, ‘immāḵ)
  • "with thee": Signifies association, partnership, or being an instrument for someone. It confirms the woman is not acting alone or on her own initiative but is connected to Joab, perhaps under his instruction or influence. It indicates collusion or a shared agenda, with Joab being the primary mover and the woman his agent.
• in all this? (בְּכָל-זֹאת, bəḵol-zo’ṯ)
  • "in all this": Refers to the entirety of the presented scenario—the elaborate parable, the legal reasoning, the emotional appeal, and her very presence before the king. David understands that the whole package, the carefully constructed narrative and its delivery, is Joab's work. This phrase encapsulates the complete nature of the contrivance.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Is not the hand of Joab with thee": This powerful rhetorical question immediately pierces through the pretense. David asserts that Joab's influence is palpably present, making the woman his instrument. It indicates David's advanced discernment and his intimate knowledge of his inner circle's characters and methods. This reveals David's ongoing wisdom in governance, allowing him to perceive hidden agendas even in complex personal and political matters. It is an expression of his seasoned kingship, demonstrating the "wisdom of an angel of God" as the woman will soon affirm (2 Sam 14:20).

2 Samuel 14 19 Bonus section

David's immediate recognition of Joab's involvement underlines his intimate knowledge of his general. This suggests that David understood Joab's character very well – his strategic brilliance, his ruthless efficiency, and his tendency to act for what he perceived was the king's best interest, even when it required indirect or morally ambiguous methods. The phrase "hand of Joab" would have been very loaded for David, conjuring up instances like the slaying of Abner (2 Sam 3) or Uriah (2 Sam 11). The "wise woman" herself implicitly acknowledges David's superior wisdom in the following verse (2 Sam 14:20), indicating that her carefully crafted appeal was successful in prompting David's discerning conclusion, even if the method was exposed.

2 Samuel 14 19 Commentary

David's words in 2 Samuel 14:19 are a testament to his sharp insight and discernment as a king. He was not fooled by the elaborate performance of the wise woman of Tekoa. His rhetorical question, "Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this?" serves not as a query for information but as a pronouncement of discovery. David instantly recognizes Joab's signature cunning—his pragmatic, strategic, and often indirect way of influencing outcomes. While Joab acted out of what he perceived as loyalty and wisdom (recognizing David's internal conflict and longing for Absalom's return), his methods involved careful orchestration and artifice. David's discernment reveals his maturity in leadership; he can see through sophisticated human machinations. This particular moment highlights how human initiatives, even those involving deception or subtle manipulation, can often be used within God's broader providence to move circumstances toward His desired end, which in this case was the complex, albeit problematic, reunion of David and Absalom.