2 Samuel 14:12

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

Then the woman said, “Please, may your servant speak a word to my lord the king?” “Speak,” he replied.

American Standard Version (1901)

Then the woman said, Let thy handmaid, I pray thee, speak a word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on.

Bible in Basic English

Then the woman said, Will the king let his servant say one word more? And he said, Say on.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Then the woman said: Let thy handmaid speak one word to my lord the king. And he said: Speak.

Free Bible Version

“Could I please ask for one other thing, Your Majesty?” the woman asked. “Go ahead,” he replied.

Geneva Bible 1599

Then the woman said, I pray thee, let thine handmayde speake a worde to my lord the King. And he sayd, Say on.

King James (Authorized) Version

Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on.

Translation for Translators

Then the woman said, “Your Majesty, please allow me to say one more thing to you.” He replied, “Speak!”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Then the woman said, “Please let your servant speak a further word to my master the king.” He said, “Speak on.”

Noah Webster Bible

Then the woman said, Let thy handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word to my lord the king. And he said, Say on.

World English Bible

Then the woman said, “Please let your servant speak a word to my lord the king.” He said, “Say on.”

Young's Literal Translation

And the woman saith, 'Let, I pray thee, thy maid-servant speak unto my lord the king a word;' and he saith, 'Speak.'

Context

Absalom’s Return to Jerusalem

¹¹“Please,” she replied, “may the king invoke the LORD your God to prevent the avenger of blood from increasing the devastation, so that my son may not be destroyed!” “As surely as the LORD lives,” he vowed, “not a hair of your son’s head will fall to the ground.” ¹²Then the woman said, “Please, may your servant speak a word to my lord the king?” “Speak,” he replied.

Summary

In this verse, a wise woman from Tekoa is speaking to King David, using a parable to persuade him to reconcile with his estranged son Absalom. She appeals to David's sense of justice and mercy, urging him to act in a way that reflects God's forgiveness and restoration. The woman's words highlight the importance of reconciliation and forgiveness within families, emphasizing the need for grace and compassion even in the face of past wrongs. Ultimately, this verse serves as a reminder of the power of forgiveness and the potential for healing broken relationships through humility and love.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Then the woman said, let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my Lord the king,.... Having gained her point, and gotten a decree from him confirmed by an oath, that her son though he had killed his brother should not die; she proceeds to accommodate the parable, and apply it to the case of Absalom, and improve it in his favour: and he said, say on; gave her leave to say what she had further to observe to him; see Luk 7:40.