What does 2 Samuel 14:12 mean?
What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 14:12?

Then the woman said

- The scene unfolds in David’s royal court after the wise woman of Tekoa has presented her parable (2 Samuel 14:1–11).

- Her speech resumes here, showing perseverance; she will not drop her mission until the king sees the point.

- Faithful servants in Scripture often press on until the task is finished—think of Nathan continuing with David (2 Samuel 12:1–7) and Esther persisting before Ahasuerus (Esther 7:1–4).

- The wording underscores initiative. Although sent by Joab, the woman takes personal responsibility, modeling Proverbs 31:8–9—“Open your mouth for the mute.”


“Please, may your servant speak a word to my lord the king?”

- “Please” (lit. “I pray”) signals courtesy, a tone God’s people should adopt when appealing to authority (Genesis 18:27; 1 Peter 2:13).

- Calling herself “your servant” keeps her in a posture of humility—echoing Abigail before David (1 Samuel 25:24).

- “Speak a word” shows she seeks permission, not presumption. The same deference appears when Bathsheba approaches David about Solomon (1 Kings 1:15–17).

- For believers today, the pattern mirrors our approach to the Lord Jesus: bold yet reverent (Hebrews 4:16).


“Speak,” he replied

- David’s single-word consent in the, “Speak,” reflects a shepherd-king’s readiness to listen (2 Samuel 14:12).

- Good leadership involves granting audience and weighing counsel (Proverbs 18:13; James 1:19).

- David’s openness also highlights God’s own character; the King of kings invites us, “Call to Me and I will answer you” (Jeremiah 33:3).

- By listening, David sets the stage for justice tempered by mercy—a theme fulfilled ultimately in Christ, who both hears and advocates (1 John 2:1).


summary

2 Samuel 14:12 captures a respectful dialogue: the woman courageously requests permission to continue her plea, and David promptly grants it. The verse illustrates humility before authority, perseverance in intercession, and the value of leaders who listen—principles echoed throughout Scripture and embodied perfectly in our Lord.

Why does the woman appeal to the king for protection in 2 Samuel 14:11?
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