Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version I your servant had two sons. They got into a fight with each other in the field, and no one was there to separate them. One struck the other and killed him. New Living Translation My two sons had a fight out in the field. And since no one was there to stop it, one of them was killed. English Standard Version And your servant had two sons, and they quarreled with one another in the field. There was no one to separate them, and one struck the other and killed him. Berean Standard Bible And your maidservant had two sons who were fighting in the field with no one to separate them, and one struck the other and killed him. King James Bible And 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 slew him. New King James Version Now your maidservant had two sons; and the two fought with each other in the field, and there was no one to part them, but the one struck the other and killed him. New American Standard Bible And your servant had two sons, but the two of them fought in the field, and there was no one to save them from each other, so one struck the other and killed him. NASB 1995 “Your maidservant had two sons, but the two of them struggled together in the field, and there was no one to separate them, so one struck the other and killed him. NASB 1977 “And your maidservant had two sons, but the two of them struggled together in the field, and there was no one to separate them, so one struck the other and killed him. Legacy Standard Bible And your servant-woman had two sons, but the two of them struggled together in the field, and there was no one to deliver between them, so one struck the other and put him to death. Amplified Bible Your maidservant had two sons, but the two of them struggled and fought in the field. There was no one to separate them, so one struck the other and killed him. Christian Standard Bible “Your servant had two sons. They were fighting in the field with no one to separate them, and one struck the other and killed him. Holman Christian Standard Bible Your servant had two sons. They were fighting in the field with no one to separate them, and one struck the other and killed him. American Standard Version And 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. Contemporary English Version I had two sons, but they got into a fight out in a field where there was no one to pull them apart, and one of them killed the other. English Revised Version And 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation I had two sons who quarreled in the field, and there was no one to separate them. One killed the other. Good News Translation Sir, I had two sons, and one day they got into a quarrel out in the fields, where there was no one to separate them, and one of them killed the other. International Standard Version "Your humble servant used to have two sons, but they got into a fight out in the field. Because there was no one to keep them apart, one of them attacked the other and killed him. NET Bible Your servant has two sons. When the two of them got into a fight in the field, there was no one present who could intervene. One of them struck the other and killed him. New Heart English Bible And your servant had two sons, and they both fought together in the field, and there was no one to separate them, and one struck the other and killed him. Webster's Bible Translation And 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 slew him. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd your maidservant had two sons who were fighting in the field with no one to separate them, and one struck the other and killed him. World English Bible Your servant had two sons; and they both fought together in the field, and there was no one to part them, but the one struck the other and killed him. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand your maidservant has two sons; and both of them strive in a field, and there is no deliverer between them, and one strikes the other, and puts him to death; Young's Literal Translation and thy maid-servant hath two sons; and they strive both of them in a field, and there is no deliverer between them, and the one smiteth the other, and putteth him to death; Smith's Literal Translation And to thy servant two sons, and they two will strive in the field, and none delivering between them; and the one will smite the one and kill him. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd thy handmaid had two sons: and they quarrelled with each other in the field, and there was none to part them: and the one struck the other, and slew him. Catholic Public Domain Version And your handmaid had two sons. And they quarreled against one another in the field. And there was no one there who would be able to stop them. And one struck the other, and killed him. New American Bible Your servant had two sons, who quarreled in the field, with no one to part them, and one of them struck his brother and killed him. New Revised Standard Version Your servant had two sons, and they fought with one another in the field; there was no one to part them, and one struck the other and killed him. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd your handmaid had two sons, and they two quarrelled together in the field, and there was none to part them, and one was stronger than the other and slew him. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And your Maid Servant had two sons, and the two of them fought in a field, and there was not a deliverer between them, and one prevailed over the other and killed him OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And 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. Brenton Septuagint Translation And moreover thy handmaid had two sons, and they fought together in the field, and there was no one to part them; and the one smote the other his brother, and slew him. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Absalom's Return to Jerusalem…5“What troubles you?” the king asked her. “Indeed,” she said, “I am a widow, for my husband is dead. 6And your maidservant had two sons who were fighting in the field with no one to separate them, and one struck the other and killed him. 7Now the whole clan has risen up against your maidservant and said, ‘Hand over the one who struck down his brother, that we may put him to death for the life of the brother whom he killed. Then we will cut off the heir as well!’ So they would extinguish my one remaining ember by not preserving my husband’s name or posterity on the earth.”… Cross References Genesis 4:8 Then Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Numbers 35:19-21 The avenger of blood is to put the murderer to death; when he finds him, he is to kill him. / Likewise, if anyone maliciously pushes another or intentionally throws an object at him and kills him, / or if in hostility he strikes him with his hand and he dies, the one who struck him must surely be put to death; he is a murderer. When the avenger of blood finds the murderer, he is to kill him. Deuteronomy 19:11-13 If, however, a man hates his neighbor and lies in wait, attacks him and kills him, and then flees to one of these cities, / the elders of his city must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die. / You must show him no pity. You are to purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, that it may go well with you. Matthew 5:21-22 You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell. Genesis 9:6 Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind. Exodus 21:12-14 Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death. / If, however, he did not lie in wait, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee. / But if a man schemes and acts willfully against his neighbor to kill him, you must take him away from My altar to be put to death. Romans 12:19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” Leviticus 24:17 And if a man takes the life of anyone else, he must surely be put to death. Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” / Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times! Deuteronomy 21:1-9 If one is found slain, lying in a field in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess, and it is not known who killed him, / your elders and judges must come out and measure the distance from the victim to the neighboring cities. / Then the elders of the city nearest the victim shall take a heifer that has never been yoked or used for work, ... 1 John 3:12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous. Hebrews 12:24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. Proverbs 28:17 A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him. Luke 17:3-4 Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. / Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” Isaiah 1:15-17 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. / Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil! / Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” Treasury of Scripture And your 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 slew him. and they two Genesis 4:8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. Exodus 2:13 And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? Deuteronomy 22:26,17 But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbour, and slayeth him, even so is this matter: … Jump to Previous Blow Bondmaid Death Deliverer Field Fight Handmaid Killed Maidservant Maid-Servant Part Putteth Quarreled Separate Servant Slew Smiteth Smote Strive Strove Struck Struggled TogetherJump to Next Blow Bondmaid Death Deliverer Field Fight Handmaid Killed Maidservant Maid-Servant Part Putteth Quarreled Separate Servant Slew Smiteth Smote Strive Strove Struck Struggled Together2 Samuel 14 1. Joab, suborning a widow of Tekoah to incline the king's heart to fetch Absalom,21. brings him home to Jerusalem 25. Absalom's beauty, hair, and children 28. After two years, Absalom is brought into the king's presence by Joab And your maidservant had two sons This phrase introduces the narrative of a woman who presents herself as a widow with two sons. In ancient Israel, the status of a widow was precarious, often leaving her vulnerable and dependent on her children for support. The mention of "two sons" is significant, as sons were seen as a source of security and continuation of the family line. This scenario echoes the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4, where sibling rivalry leads to tragic consequences. who were fighting in the field with no one to separate them and one struck the other and killed him Persons / Places / Events 1. The Woman of TekoaA wise woman from Tekoa, instructed by Joab to present a parable to King David to persuade him to reconcile with his son Absalom. 2. Joab David's military commander who orchestrates the plan to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem by using the woman of Tekoa to appeal to David's sense of justice and mercy. 3. King David The King of Israel, who is estranged from his son Absalom after Absalom killed his brother Amnon. 4. Absalom David's son, who is in exile after avenging his sister Tamar by killing Amnon. 5. Amnon David's son, who was killed by Absalom for raping their sister Tamar. Teaching Points The Consequences of SinThe account illustrates how unchecked sin can lead to devastating consequences within families. It serves as a reminder to address sin early and seek reconciliation. The Role of Intercession Joab's use of the woman of Tekoa shows the power of intercession and wise counsel in resolving conflicts and restoring relationships. Forgiveness and Reconciliation David's eventual decision to bring Absalom back reflects the importance of forgiveness and the restoration of broken relationships, aligning with biblical teachings on mercy. The Complexity of Justice The account challenges us to consider the balance between justice and mercy, as David must navigate his roles as both king and father. The Power of Storytelling The woman of Tekoa's parable demonstrates how accounttelling can be a powerful tool to convey truth and provoke change in hearts and minds. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 14:6?2. How does 2 Samuel 14:6 illustrate the consequences of familial conflict? 3. What can we learn about justice from the woman's plea in 2 Samuel 14:6? 4. How does 2 Samuel 14:6 connect to Jesus' teachings on forgiveness? 5. How can we apply the lessons from 2 Samuel 14:6 to family disputes? 6. What role does mercy play in resolving conflicts, as seen in 2 Samuel 14:6? 7. What is the significance of the story in 2 Samuel 14:6 within the broader biblical narrative? 8. How does 2 Samuel 14:6 reflect the themes of justice and mercy in the Bible? 9. What historical context is necessary to understand the events in 2 Samuel 14:6? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 14? 11. When did David bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem? Before defeating the Philistines or after? After (2 Samuel 5 and 6) Before (I Chronicles 13 and 14) 12. 2 Samuel 6:14 - How plausible is David's public dancing without concern for royal decorum, given the cultural norms of ancient Near Eastern kings? 13. How do the ominous predictions about a king's behavior (1 Samuel 8:11-18) align with the notion of a divinely sanctioned ruler? 14. What does the tabernacle of David refer to? What Does 2 Samuel 14:6 Mean Your servant had two sons“Your servant had two sons”. 2 Samuel 14:6 opens with a mother’s simple, personal statement. She identifies herself as a “maidservant,” placing herself under the king’s authority, and frames the situation as purely family. • Scripture frequently uses pairs of sons to illustrate conflict and choice—Cain and Abel in Genesis 4:1-8; Ishmael and Isaac in Genesis 21:8-12; Esau and Jacob in Genesis 25:22-23. • By evoking that pattern, the verse prepares us to think about how divided families need intervention and how a father or ruler must respond (cf. Deuteronomy 21:15-17 on the responsibility of a father toward sons). They were fighting in the field “And they were fighting in the field”. The setting is away from authority, supervision, or community help. • Cain “spoke to his brother Abel. And while they were in the field, Cain rose up…” (Genesis 4:8). The field becomes a place where hidden passions erupt. • Conflict that is not addressed early can spill into violence (Proverbs 17:14; James 4:1). • For King David, the woman’s detail hints at Absalom’s estrangement occurring outside normal oversight, underscoring the king’s lapse as protector and reconciler (2 Samuel 13:37-38). No one to separate them “…with no one to separate them”. Lack of mediation turns ordinary quarrels deadly. • Mosaic Law expected elders to settle disputes at the gate (Deuteronomy 21:18-19). • Jesus later teaches, “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9) and urges private, then communal, reconciliation (Matthew 18:15-17). • David, as judge of Israel (2 Samuel 14:4-5), is being reminded that leadership means stepping between battling parties before tragedy strikes. One struck the other and killed him “One struck the other and killed him”. The irreversible outcome highlights both guilt and urgent need for mercy. • The death mirrors Absalom’s killing of Amnon (2 Samuel 13:28-29). • Numbers 35:9-15 distinguishes accidental manslaughter from willful murder, providing cities of refuge. The woman’s story forces David to weigh justice against compassion. • God’s response to Cain—marking him yet preserving him (Genesis 4:13-15)—shows that even when blood is shed, mercy and protection may coexist with judgment. summary 2 Samuel 14:6, told by the wise woman of Tekoa, is a crafted parable pressing King David to act. Each phrase underscores family fracture, absence of mediation, and fatal consequence, paralleling David’s own house. The verse teaches that when authority fails to intervene, conflict escalates; yet even after blood is shed, godly leadership must balance justice and restoration—reflecting the Lord who both judges sin and extends mercy. (6) They two strove together.--The woman represents the fratricide as unpremeditated and without malice. This really made the case essentially different from that of Absalom; but at this point of the story the object is to dispose the king favourably towards the culprit, while by the time the application is reached, this point will have passed out of mind.Hebrew And your maidservantוּלְשִׁפְחָֽתְךָ֙ (ū·lə·šip̄·ḥā·ṯə·ḵā) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 8198: Maid, maidservant had two שְׁנֵ֣י (šə·nê) Number - mdc Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number) sons בָנִ֔ים (ḇā·nîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1121: A son [who] שְׁנֵיהֶם֙ (šə·nê·hem) Number - mdc | third person masculine plural Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number) were fighting וַיִּנָּצ֤וּ (way·yin·nā·ṣū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 5327: To go forth, to be expelled, desolate, to lay waste, to quarrel in the field בַּשָּׂדֶ֔ה (baś·śā·ḏeh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7704: Field, land with no וְאֵ֥ין (wə·’ên) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle one to separate מַצִּ֖יל (maṣ·ṣîl) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 5337: To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver them, בֵּֽינֵיהֶ֑ם (bê·nê·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's 996: An interval, space between and one הָאֶחָ֛ד (hā·’e·ḥāḏ) Article | Number - masculine singular Strong's 259: United, one, first struck וַיַּכּ֧וֹ (way·yak·kōw) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 5221: To strike the other הָאֶחָ֖ד (hā·’e·ḥāḏ) Article | Number - masculine singular Strong's 259: United, one, first and killed וַיָּ֥מֶת (way·yā·meṯ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4191: To die, to kill him. אֹתֽוֹ׃ (’ō·ṯōw) Direct object marker | third person masculine singular Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case Links 2 Samuel 14:6 NIV2 Samuel 14:6 NLT 2 Samuel 14:6 ESV 2 Samuel 14:6 NASB 2 Samuel 14:6 KJV 2 Samuel 14:6 BibleApps.com 2 Samuel 14:6 Biblia Paralela 2 Samuel 14:6 Chinese Bible 2 Samuel 14:6 French Bible 2 Samuel 14:6 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Samuel 14:6 Your handmaid had two sons and they (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) |
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