2 Samuel 14:4
2 Samuel 14:4 in Multiple Translations
When the woman from Tekoa went to the king, she fell facedown in homage and said, “Help me, O king!”
¶ And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king.
And when the woman of Tekoa spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king.
And the woman of Tekoa came to the king, and falling on her face, gave him honour and said, Give me help, O king.
When the woman from Tekoa went to see the king, she bowed facedown to the ground in respect, and said, “Please help me, Your Majesty!”
Then the woman of Tekoah spake vnto the king, and fel downe on her face to the ground, and did obeysance, and sayd, Helpe, O King.
And the woman of Tekoah speaketh unto the king, and falleth on her face to the earth, and doth obeisance, and saith, 'Save, O king.'
When the woman of Tekoa spoke to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, showed respect, and said, “Help, O king!”
And when the woman of Tekoah spoke to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king.
And when the woman of Thecua was come in to the king, she fell before him upon the ground, and worshipped, and said: Save me, O king.
So the woman from Tekoa went to the king. She prostrated herself in front of him and then bowed down to him, and said, “Your Majesty, help me!”
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Samuel 14:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Samuel 14:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ֠/תֹּאמֶר
הָ/אִשָּׁ֤ה
הַ/תְּקֹעִית֙
אֶל
הַ/מֶּ֔לֶךְ
וַ/תִּפֹּ֧ל
עַל
אַפֶּ֛י/הָ
אַ֖רְצָ/ה
וַ/תִּשְׁתָּ֑חוּ
וַ/תֹּ֖אמֶר
הוֹשִׁ֥עָ/ה
הַ/מֶּֽלֶךְ
וַ֠/תֹּאמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
הָ/אִשָּׁ֤ה
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
Art | N-fs
הַ/תְּקֹעִית֙
Tᵉqôwʻîy
H8621
Tekoa
Art | Ngfsa
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
הַ/מֶּ֔לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
Art | N-ms
וַ/תִּפֹּ֧ל
nâphal
H5307
to fall
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
אַפֶּ֛י/הָ
ʼaph
H639
face
N-md | Suff
אַ֖רְצָ/ה
ʼerets
H776
land
N-cs | Suff
וַ/תִּשְׁתָּ֑חוּ
shâchâh
H7812
to bow
Conj | V-v-ConsecImperf-3fs
וַ/תֹּ֖אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
הוֹשִׁ֥עָ/ה
yâshaʻ
H3467
to save
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff
הַ/מֶּֽלֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Samuel 14:4
וַ֠/תֹּאמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
הָ/אִשָּׁ֤ה
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
Art | N-fs
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
הַ/תְּקֹעִית֙
Tᵉqôwʻîy
H8621
"Tekoa"
Art | Ngfsa
A Tekoite is an inhabitant of Tekoa, a town in Judah. The word is used to describe someone from this town, such as the prophet Amos who was a Tekoite. The KJV translates it as Tekoite.
Definition: Tekoite, of Tekoa "trumpet blast" an inhabitant of Tekoa Another spelling of te.qo.a (תְּקוֹעַ "Tekoa" H8620)
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: Tekoite. See also: 2 Samuel 14:4; 1 Chronicles 11:28; Nehemiah 3:27.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
הַ/מֶּ֔לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
Art | N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
וַ/תִּפֹּ֧ל
nâphal
H5307
"to fall"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to fall, and it's used in many ways, like falling down, failing, or being defeated. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. God's people often fell away from Him, but He always offered a way back.
Definition: : fall/drop/fail 1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fall 1a2) to fall (of violent death) 1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before 1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of 1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result 1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to 1a7) to lie, lie prostrate 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate 1b2) to overthrow 1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot 1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.) 1b5) to cause to fall 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon 1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself 1d) (Pilel) to fall
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for H6419 (פָּלַל)), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down. See also: Genesis 2:21; 1 Samuel 17:52; Esther 9:3.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
אַפֶּ֛י/הָ
ʼaph
H639
"face"
N-md | Suff
This Hebrew word can mean face, but also anger or nose. It is used to describe someone's countenance or emotions, like anger or patience. In the Bible, it appears in various contexts, including descriptions of God's emotions.
Definition: : face 1) nostril, nose, face 2) anger
Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: anger(-gry), [phrase] before, countenance, face, [phrase] forebearing, forehead, [phrase] (long-) suffering, nose, nostril, snout, [idiom] worthy, wrath. See also: Genesis 2:7; Nehemiah 8:6; Psalms 2:5.
אַ֖רְצָ/ה
ʼerets
H776
"land"
N-cs | Suff
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
וַ/תִּשְׁתָּ֑חוּ
shâchâh
H7812
"to bow"
Conj | V-v-ConsecImperf-3fs
This Hebrew word means to bow down, often as a sign of respect or worship. It is used in Genesis 24:52 to describe Abraham's servant bowing down to God. The word is about showing humility and respect to someone or something.
Definition: 1) to bow down 1a) (Qal) to bow down 1b)(Hiphil) to depress (fig) 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to bow down, prostrate oneself 1c1a) before superior in homage 1c1b) before God in worship 1c1c) before false gods 1c1d) before angel
Usage: Occurs in 166 OT verses. KJV: bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship. See also: Genesis 18:2; 1 Kings 9:9; Psalms 5:8.
וַ/תֹּ֖אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
הוֹשִׁ֥עָ/ה
yâshaʻ
H3467
"to save"
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff
Means to save or be delivered, used in the Bible to describe being freed from danger or trouble, like in battle or from moral struggles, as seen in the Psalms and Proverbs.
Definition: 1) to save, be saved, be delivered 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be liberated, be saved, be delivered 1a2) to be saved (in battle), be victorious 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to save, deliver 1b2) to save from moral troubles 1b3) to give victory to
Usage: Occurs in 198 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, avenging, defend, deliver(-er), help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, save(-iour), get victory. See also: Exodus 2:17; Psalms 55:17; Psalms 3:8.
הַ/מֶּֽלֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
Art | N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
Study Notes — 2 Samuel 14:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Samuel 14:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 14:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 14:4
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 14:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Samuel 14:4
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 14:4
- Barnes' Notes on 2 Samuel 14:4
- Sermons on 2 Samuel 14:4
Context — Absalom’s Return to Jerusalem
2So Joab sent to Tekoa to bring a wise woman from there. He told her, “Please pretend to be a mourner; put on clothes for mourning and do not anoint yourself with oil. Act like a woman who has mourned for the dead a long time.
3Then go to the king and speak these words to him.” And Joab put the words in her mouth.
4When the woman from Tekoa went to the king, she fell facedown in homage and said, “Help me, O king!”
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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Samuel 1:2 | On the third day a man with torn clothes and dust on his head arrived from Saul’s camp. When he came to David, he fell to the ground to pay him homage. |
| 2 | 2 Kings 6:26–28 | As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried out to him, “Help me, my lord the king!” He answered, “If the LORD does not help you, where can I find help for you? From the threshing floor or the winepress?” Then the king asked her, “What is the matter?” And she answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him, and tomorrow we will eat my son.’ |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 25:23 | When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off the donkey, fell facedown, and bowed before him. |
| 4 | Job 29:12–14 | because I rescued the poor who cried out and the fatherless who had no helper. The dying man blessed me, and I made the widow’s heart sing for joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; justice was my robe and my turban. |
| 5 | Luke 18:3–5 | And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect men, yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice. Then she will stop wearing me out with her perpetual requests.’” |
| 6 | 1 Samuel 20:41 | When the young man had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone, fell facedown, and bowed three times. Then he and Jonathan kissed each other and wept together—though David wept more. |
2 Samuel 14:4 Summary
This verse shows us a woman who is desperate for help and comes to the king with humility and respect. She falls facedown in homage and asks for his help, recognizing his power and authority. We can learn from her example by approaching God with the same humility and reverence, crying out to Him for help in times of need, as we see in Psalm 107:19. Just as the king has the power to help the woman, God has the power to help us in our times of trouble, and we can trust Him to answer our prayers, as promised in Jeremiah 33:3.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the woman from Tekoa fall facedown in homage to the king?
The woman showed great respect and humility before the king, recognizing his authority and power, much like the way Jesus taught us to humble ourselves before God in Luke 18:14 and Matthew 18:4.
What can we learn from the woman's approach to the king?
The woman's approach teaches us the importance of humility and respect when approaching those in authority, as seen in Proverbs 22:4, which says that humility is rewarded with wealth, honor, and life.
How does this verse relate to our prayer life?
This verse reminds us to approach God with humility and reverence, just as the woman approached the king, and to cry out to Him for help in times of need, as we see in Psalm 107:19 and Psalm 138:3.
What does the woman's cry for help reveal about her situation?
The woman's cry for help reveals her desperation and recognition of the king's power to help her, much like the way the Psalmist cries out to God for help in times of trouble, as seen in Psalm 34:6 and Psalm 40:17.
Reflection Questions
- How can I apply the woman's humility and respect to my own interactions with those in authority?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to cry out to God for help, and how can I approach Him with the same desperation as the woman?
- In what ways can I demonstrate humility and reverence in my prayer life, and how can I trust God to answer my cries for help?
- How does the woman's story encourage me to be honest about my needs and to seek help from those who can provide it?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 14:4
And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king,.... Or after she had spoken to him, being introduced by Joab, as is probable; when she had saluted him with God save the king, or May the king live, or
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 14:4
And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the words in her mouth. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 14:4
2 Samuel 14:4 And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king.Ver. 4. She fell on her face to the ground, &c.] And so she insinuateth, by her civility showed in her gestures, humilitatis et honoris ergo.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Samuel 14:4
(4) Spake to the king.—Many MSS. and the LXX., Vulg., and Syriac have came to the king. The difference is immaterial.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 14:4
4. And when the woman … spake … she fell] All the versions and many Hebrew MSS read as the sense requires: “And the woman of Tekoah came to the king, and fell,” &c. fell on her face to the ground] It was and in some cases still is the practice in Oriental countries for a subject approaching the king, especially with any petition, to kneel down and bend forward until the forehead actually touches the ground. See the illustrations from Assyrian and Egyptian monuments in Van Lennep’s Bible Lands, II. 649. did obeisance] See note on ch. 2 Samuel 1:2, and cp. the almost identical phrase in 1 Samuel 25:23. Help] Or, Save. Cp. 2 Kings 6:26; Psalms 20:9. The Sept. repeats it twice: “Help, O king, help.”
Barnes' Notes on 2 Samuel 14:4
Spake - Seems to be an accidental error for came, which is found in many manuscipts and versions. Help - literally, save (see the margin). It is the same cry as Hosanna, i. e. save now Psalms 118:25.
Sermons on 2 Samuel 14:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(The Missing Messages in Today's Christianity) You Who Have Failed Will Be a Blessing by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the characteristics of the Apostle Paul, emphasizing that he did not possess physical attractiveness but was chosen by God to be a mighty Apos |
|
Rejoicing in the Lord by A.W. Pink | The preacher emphasizes the importance of being alert and watchful, drawing from the Greek word 'gregoreuo' which means to be vigilant and ready to respond to external influences, |
|
Day 18, Matthew 18 by David Servant | David Servant preaches on the humility of children as a model for those going to heaven, emphasizing the importance of humbling oneself, acknowledging sins, repenting, and living i |