See in Reader
16 KiB
2 Samuel 14
2 Samuel 14:1
Now
This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here the author tells about a new person in the story.
Zeruiah
See how you translated this man's name in 2 Samuel 2:13.
perceived
This means Joab discerned or understood what David was thinking.
2 Samuel 14:2
sent word to Tekoa and had a wise woman brought
This means that Joab sent someone with a message to Tekoa and had him bring back a woman to him. This can be written in active form. Alternate translation: "sent someone with a message to Tokoa and had him bring a wise woman back" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Tekoa
This is the name of a place. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
the dead
This refers to someone who has died, not dead people in general. Alternate translation: "someone who has died" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-nominaladj)
2 Samuel 14:3
General Information:
This page has intentionally been left blank.
2 Samuel 14:4
she lay facedown on the ground
She did this to show her respect and submission to the king. Alternate translation: "she showed her respect to the king by lying facedown on the ground" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction)
2 Samuel 14:5
General Information:
This page has intentionally been left blank.
2 Samuel 14:6
One struck the other
"One of my sons hit the other son with something"
2 Samuel 14:7
the whole clan
"my entire family"
your servant
To show respect for the king the woman refers to herself as "your servant."
put him to death
This is an idiom which means to kill. Alternate translation: "kill him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
they would also destroy the heir
If they put the guilty brother to death there would not be a son left to inherit the family's possessions. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: "if they did this, they would be destroying our family's heir" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Thus they will put out the burning coal that I have left
Here the woman refers to her only living son as if he were a burning piece of coal. She speaks of the men killing her son as stopping the coal's burning. Alternate translation: "In this way they will kill the only child I have left" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
they will leave for my husband neither name nor descendant
"they will not leave for my husband name or descendant"
neither name nor descendant
This refers to a son to carry on the family's name into the next generation. Alternate translation: "no son to preserve our family's name" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
on the surface of the earth
"on the earth." This descriptive phrase emphasizes that the family line would not continue on earth after the husband died. "The surface of the earth" refers to the ground on which people walk.
2 Samuel 14:8
I will command something to be done for you
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I will take care of this matter for you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
2 Samuel 14:9
Tekoa
Translate the name of this place the same as you did in 2 Samuel 14:2.
may the guilt be on me and on my father's family
This means that if people say that the king was wrong for helping the woman's family that the king should not be guilty. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "if anyone blames you for helping our family, may my family be considered guilty instead" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
The king and his throne
Here the word "throne" refers to anyone who later becomes king in David's place. Alternate translation: "The king and his descendants" or "The king and his family" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
are guiltless
"are innocent." This implies that in the future if anyone accuses the king of wrongdoing, he will be innocent in the matter. Alternate translation: "will be innocent regarding the matter" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
2 Samuel 14:10
says anything to you
Here speaking threats is spoken of as speaking in general. Alternate translation: "threatens you" or "speaks threats to you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
he will not touch you anymore
Here David speaks of a person not threatening or hurting her, by saying that the person would not touch her. It is implied that David will not allow the person threatening her to bother her again. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: "I will make sure he does not threaten you again" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
2 Samuel 14:11
Please, may the king call to mind Yahweh your God
Possible meanings are 1) The phrase "call to mind" is an idiom meaning to pray. Alternate translation: "Please, pray to Yahweh your God" or 2) Here "call to mind" means to remember and it is implied that after he remembers Yahweh he will promise in his name. Alternate translation: "Please promise in the name of Yahweh your God" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
the avenger of blood
This refers to the man who wants to avenge the death of the dead brother. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "the man who wants to avenge my son's brother's death" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
destroy anyone further
"cause anyone else to die." This is in addition to the brother who already died.
that they will not destroy my son
"that they will not kill my son" or "that they will not execute my son"
As Yahweh lives
Often people would make promises and compare how surely they would fulfil their promise to how surely Yahweh is alive. Alternate translation: "I promise you, as surely as Yahweh lives" or "In Yahweh's name I promise" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
not one hair of your son will fall to the ground
The means that her son will not be harmed, which is exaggerated by saying that he will not lose even a single hair. Alternate translation: "your son will be completely safe" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hyperbole)
2 Samuel 14:12
your servant
To show respect for the king the woman refers to herself as "your servant."
speak a further word to
"talk about something else to." The woman is requesting to speak to the king about another topic.
Speak on
This is an idiom. The king was giving her permission to continue speaking. Alternate translation: "You may speak to me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
2 Samuel 14:13
Why then have you devised such a thing against the people of God?
The woman asks this rhetorical question to rebuke David for how he has treated Absalom. This question can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "What you have just said proved that you did wrong." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
the king is like someone who is guilty
The woman compares the king to someone who is guilty to suggest that he is guilty without saying it directly. Alternate translation: "the king has declared himself guilty"
his banished son
"his son whom he banished"
2 Samuel 14:14
For we all must die, and we are like water spilled on the ground ... up again
Here the woman speaks of a person dying as if they were water being spilled on the ground. Alternate translation: "We all must die, and after we die we cannot be brought back to life again" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
God ... finds a way for those who were driven away to be restored
The woman is implying that David should bring his son back to himself. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "God brings back someone whom he has driven away and you should do the same for your son" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
2 Samuel 14:15
it is because the people have made me afraid
The understood information may be supplied. Alternate translation: "I have come because the people have made me afraid" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
your servant
To show respect for the king the woman refers to herself as "your servant"
2 Samuel 14:16
from the hand of the man
This phrase is an idiom. Also, "the hand" is a metonym referring to the man's control. Alternate translation: "out of the control of the man" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
2 Samuel 14:17
the word of my master the king
"the message of my master the king"
for as an angel of God, so is my master ... from evil
Here David, the king, is compared to an "angel of God." Alternate translation: "for the king is like an angel of God because they both know how to tell good from evil" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
2 Samuel 14:18
Please do not hide from me anything that I will ask you
The negative form here is used for emphasis and can be stated in a positive form. Alternate translation: "Please tell me the truth about everything I ask you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-litotes)
2 Samuel 14:19
Is not the hand of Joab with you in all this
Here the word "hand" refers to Joab's influence. Alternate translation: "Has not Joab influenced you in all this" or "Did Joab send you here to speak these things" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
As you live
"As surely as you are alive." Here the woman compares the certainty of what David has said to the certainty that he is alive, to emphasize how true his statement is. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
no one can escape to the right hand ... the king has spoken
Here the woman describes the difficulty of speaking to the king and keeping him from finding out the truth by comparing it to a person not being about to escape in any direction. Alternate translation: "no one can keep you from knowing the truth" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
to the right hand or to the left
The expression gives two extremes and means "anywhere." Alternate translation: "anywhere at all" or "anywhere" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-merism)
2 Samuel 14:20
My master is wise
"My master the king is wise"
is wise, like the wisdom of an angel of God
The woman compares David's wisdom to the wisdom of an angel to emphasize how very wise he is. Alternate translation: "you are very wise, like an angel of God" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
2 Samuel 14:21
So the king said to Joab
It is implied that the king had Joab brought before him so that he could speak to him. The full meaning of this can be made clear. Alternate translation: "Then the king summoned Joab and said to him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Look now
This phrase is used to draw someone's attention to what is said next. Alternate translation: "Listen"
this thing
This refers to what Joab wants the king to do. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: "what you want me to do" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
2 Samuel 14:22
Joab lay facedown on the ground
Joab did this to honor the king and show his gratitude. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction)
your servant
To show respect for the king Joab refers to himself as "your servant."
I have found favor in your eyes
The phrase "found favor" is an idiom which means to be approved of by someone. Also, "eyes" is a metonym for sight, and sight represents judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: "you are pleased with me" or "you have approved of me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
in that the king
"because the king"
the king has performed the request of his servant
"you have done what I asked you to do"
2 Samuel 14:23
General Information:
This page has intentionally been left blank.
2 Samuel 14:24
but he may not see my face ... the king's face
Here the word "face" refers to the king himself. Alternate translation: "but he may not see me ... the king" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
2 Samuel 14:25
Now
This word marks a break in the main story line. This new section gives background information for the part of the story that follows. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-background)
there was no one praised for his handsomeness more than Absalom
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "people praised Absalom for his handsomeness more than they praised anyone else" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
handsomeness
good and pleasing appearance, especially of the face
From the sole of his foot to the top of his head there was no blemish in him
This means the whole person was without blemish. Alternate translation: "There were no blemishes on any part of his body" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-merism)
2 Samuel 14:26
two hundred shekels
This can be written in modern units. Alternate translation: "two and a half kilograms" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-bweight)
the weight of the king's standard
The king had weights that determined the standard weight of the shekel and other weights and measurements.
2 Samuel 14:27
To Absalom were born three sons and one daughter
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Absalom had three sons and one daughter"
2 Samuel 14:28
the king's face
Here "the king's face" refers to the king himself. Alternate translation: "the king" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
2 Samuel 14:29
Absalom sent word for Joab
Here "word" is a metonym for "a message." This means that he sent a messenger to Joab with a request. Alternate translation: "Absalom sent a messenger to Joab asking him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
to send him to the king
It is implied that Absalom wanted Joab to come to him to see him and to intercede for him so that he would be allowed to see the king. The full meaning of this can be made clear. Alternate translation: "to come to him and to intercede for him so that he could see the king" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
So Absalom sent word a second time
Here "word" is a metonym for "a message." This means that he sent a messenger to Joab again with the same request. The full meaning of this can be made clear. Alternate translation: "So Absalom sent a messenger to Joab again with the same request" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
2 Samuel 14:30
See
Here this word is used to remind people of something. Alternate translation: "As you know"
2 Samuel 14:31
General Information:
This page has intentionally been left blank.
2 Samuel 14:32
Look
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important"
I sent word
Here "word" is a metonym for "a message." This means that he sent a messenger. Alternate translation: "I sent a messenger" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
to the king to say
The message here for the king is written as if Absalom were the speaker. Absalom was asking Joab to speak the message on his behalf. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: "to say to the king on my behalf" or "to ask the king for me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
the king's face
Here "king's face" refers to the king himself. Alternate translation: "the king" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
2 Samuel 14:33
bowed low to the ground before the king
Absalom is showing respect to the king. Alternate translation: "bowed low to the ground to honor the king" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction)
the king kissed Absalom
This implies that the king forgave and restored Absalom. The full meaning of this can be made clear. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit and rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction)