2 Samuel 19 14

2 Samuel 19:14 kjv

And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants.

2 Samuel 19:14 nkjv

So he swayed the hearts of all the men of Judah, just as the heart of one man, so that they sent this word to the king: "Return, you and all your servants!"

2 Samuel 19:14 niv

He won over the hearts of the men of Judah so that they were all of one mind. They sent word to the king, "Return, you and all your men."

2 Samuel 19:14 esv

And he swayed the heart of all the men of Judah as one man, so that they sent word to the king, "Return, both you and all your servants."

2 Samuel 19:14 nlt

Then Amasa convinced all the men of Judah, and they responded unanimously. They sent word to the king, "Return to us, and bring back all who are with you."

2 Samuel 19 verses

2 Samuel 19 14 Meaning

This verse describes the profound success of King David's strategic efforts to restore his position among the tribe of Judah. After Absalom's rebellion, Judah, his own kin, had hesitated to welcome him back. However, David's appeal managed to effectively incline or "sway" the collective will and loyalty of all the men of Judah. This persuasion resulted in a remarkable unity among them, causing them to unanimously decide and communicate their desire for King David, along with all his servants, to return and resume his reign. It marks a pivotal turning point in David's restoration to the throne, signifying the reconciliation of his closest tribal base.

2 Samuel 19 14 Context

This verse is situated immediately after King David's decisive strategic maneuvers to reclaim the loyalty of his own tribe, Judah, following the collapse of Absalom's rebellion. While other Israelite tribes had already initiated discussions about David's return to the throne (2 Sam 19:9-10), Judah, a primary participant and supporter of Absalom's usurpation, remained silent, perhaps out of shame or uncertainty. Recognizing the pivotal role of Judah for his legitimate reign, David sent Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, with a targeted message to the elders of Judah and, significantly, to Amasa, Absalom's former commander who was David's own nephew (2 Sam 19:11-13). David shrewdly appealed to their familial bonds and challenged their hesitation, questioning why they should be the last to seek his return. Crucially, he promised Amasa the high military command in place of Joab, a bold political move designed to win over a key leader of the rebellion. This specific verse records the immediate, powerful, and unanimous effect of David's appeal: Judah's heart was entirely won over, leading to their collective and eager invitation for David's restoration. The broader historical context is David's tumultuous reign marked by divine discipline, internal strife, and his efforts to rebuild unity after severe national crisis.

2 Samuel 19 14 Word analysis

• So he swayed: Hebrew: וַיַּטֶּה (vayyaṭṭe), derived from the root נָטָה (nata), which encompasses meanings like "to stretch out, incline, turn aside, or sway." In this context, it signifies an effective persuasion or influence that causes a change in disposition, a bending of the will, or inclining the mind. Biblically, God is frequently depicted as the one who ultimately sways hearts (e.g., Prov 21:1), suggesting that David's success was not merely human ingenuity but ultimately within the scope of divine orchestration.
• the heart: Hebrew: לֵבָב (levav). In ancient Hebrew understanding, the "heart" is the core of a person's being—it's the seat of intellect, will, emotions, and moral conscience. Therefore, to "sway the heart" means to fundamentally change their inner conviction, their perspective, and their intended actions.
• of all the men of Judah: Hebrew: כָּל־אִ֨ישׁ יְהוּדָ֜ה (kol-ish Yehudah). The word "all" underscores the completeness of this shift, emphasizing the unanimity achieved within Judah. "Men of Judah" points to David's ancestral tribe, the foundational support for his monarchy, making their unified return of allegiance supremely critical.
• as one man: Hebrew: כְּאִ֣ישׁ אֶחָ֗ד (ke'ish echad). This idiomatic phrase powerfully conveys complete unity, perfect agreement, and unanimous collective action. It describes an extraordinary cohesion, indicating that every individual in the tribe shared the same transformed conviction and purpose, entirely eliminating previous divisions or hesitancy.
• so that they sent word to the king, saying: This phrase details the direct and immediate outcome of their swayed hearts. Their internal, unified conviction manifested in a decisive, external action—a formal and collective invitation for the king's return.
• “Return, you and all your servants.”: Hebrew: שׁ֚וּבָה אַתָּ֣ה וְכָל־עֲבָדֶ֔יךָ (shuvah attah vekhol-avadeykha). The imperative "Return" (שׁוּב shuv) is a fervent plea, not just a suggestion, indicating their eager desire for David to resume his kingship. The inclusion of "and all your servants" shows their full acceptance of David's authority, his royal entourage, and the restoration of his complete dominion, signifying an end to the rebellion and their submission to his rule.

2 Samuel 19 14 Bonus section

The powerful idiom "as one man" (כְּאִ֣ישׁ אֶחָ֗ד) is consistently used throughout the Old Testament to denote absolute unanimity and complete unity in purpose or action, whether in assembly, battle, or seeking God. Its appearance here signifies the profound and complete change in the disposition of the tribe of Judah, moving from a position of rebellious dissent or hesitant silence to a united and eager embrace of David's rightful authority. This event solidifies Judah's foundational role within David's kingdom, confirming their unique covenant relationship with David and, by extension, the messianic lineage. The divine hand in "swaying the heart" is often understood as enabling David's effective human agency, demonstrating how God works through individuals and their wise decisions to fulfill His overarching plans for the kingdom and its appointed leaders.

2 Samuel 19 14 Commentary

This verse succinctly captures a critical moment of reconciliation and restoration in David's kingship. It highlights David's astute leadership, leveraging familial bonds and offering strategic conciliation to win back his most important tribal base. The remarkable transformation implied by "swayed the heart... as one man" underscores a deep psychological and communal realignment, not merely a superficial political concession. This phrase suggests more than just human cunning; it points to the profound influence God has on the hearts of men, turning them according to His purpose. This shift from disunity and rebellion to enthusiastic, unanimous invitation was essential for David's return, cementing his legitimacy and paving the way for the full reestablishment of his kingdom, albeit with latent tensions that would later resurface.