2 Samuel 14:5
2 Samuel 14:5 in Multiple Translations
“What troubles you?” the king asked her. “Indeed,” she said, “I am a widow, for my husband is dead.
And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.
And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, Of a truth I am a widow, and my husband is dead.
And the king said to her, What is your trouble? And her answer was, Truly I am a widow, and my husband is dead.
“What's the matter?” the king asked her. “Sadly I'm a widow. My husband is dead,” she replied.
Then the King sayd vnto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am in deede a widow, and mine husband is dead:
And the king saith to her, 'What — to thee?' and she saith, 'Truly a widow woman [am] I, and my husband dieth,
The king said to her, “What ails you?” She answered, “Truly I am a widow, and my husband is dead.
And the king said to her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and my husband is dead.
And the king said to her: What is the matter with thee? She answered: Alas, I am a widow woman: for my husband is dead.
The king replied, “What is your problem?” She replied, “Please, sir, I am a widow. My husband died some time ago.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Samuel 14:5
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 14:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּֽאמֶר
לָ֥/הּ
הַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ
מַה
לָּ֑/ךְ
וַ/תֹּ֗אמֶר
אֲבָ֛ל
אִשָּֽׁה
אַלְמָנָ֥ה
אָ֖נִי
וַ/יָּ֥מָת
אִישִֽׁ/י
וַ/יֹּֽאמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
לָ֥/הּ
Prep | Suff
הַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
Art | N-ms
מַה
mâh
H4100
what?
Part
לָּ֑/ךְ
Prep | Suff
וַ/תֹּ֗אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
אֲבָ֛ל
ʼăbâl
H61
truly
Adv
אִשָּֽׁה
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
N-fs
אַלְמָנָ֥ה
ʼalmânâh
H490
widow
N-fs
אָ֖נִי
ʼănîy
H589
I
Pron
וַ/יָּ֥מָת
mûwth
H4191
to die
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אִישִֽׁ/י
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Samuel 14:5
וַ/יֹּֽאמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
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.
לָ֥/הּ
""
Prep | Suff
הַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ
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.
מַה
mâh
H4100
"what?"
Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
לָּ֑/ךְ
""
Prep | Suff
וַ/תֹּ֗אמֶר
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.
אֲבָ֛ל
ʼăbâl
H61
"truly"
Adv
This Hebrew word means truly or surely, often used to emphasize a point. It appears in the Bible as 'but', 'indeed', or 'verily'.
Definition: 1) truly, verily, surely 2) but, however, howbeit 3) contrariwise, nay rather (neg.)
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: but, indeed, nevertheless, verily. See also: Genesis 17:19; 2 Chronicles 1:4; Daniel 10:21.
אִשָּֽׁה
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
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.
אַלְמָנָ֥ה
ʼalmânâh
H490
"widow"
N-fs
A widow is a woman whose husband has died, often left alone and vulnerable. The Bible teaches care and compassion for widows, as seen in the stories of Ruth and Naomi. God commands his people to look out for them.
Definition: widow
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: desolate house (palace), widow. See also: Genesis 38:11; Job 29:13; Psalms 68:6.
אָ֖נִי
ʼănîy
H589
"I"
Pron
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Definition: I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 803 OT verses. KJV: I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, [idiom] which, [idiom] who. See also: Genesis 6:17; Leviticus 19:36; 1 Samuel 25:24.
וַ/יָּ֥מָת
mûwth
H4191
"to die"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely
Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.
אִישִֽׁ/י
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
Study Notes — 2 Samuel 14:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Samuel 14:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 14:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 14:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Samuel 14:5
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 14:5
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Samuel 14:5
- Sermons on 2 Samuel 14:5
Context — Absalom’s Return to Jerusalem
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. 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
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judges 9:8–15 | One day the trees set out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’ But the olive tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my oil that honors both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?’ Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and reign over us.’ But the fig tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my sweetness and my good fruit, to hold sway over the trees?’ Then the trees said to the grapevine, ‘Come and reign over us.’ But the grapevine replied, ‘Should I stop giving my wine that cheers both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?’ Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and reign over us.’ But the thornbush replied, ‘If you really are anointing me as king over you, come and find refuge in my shade. But if not, may fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon.’ |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 12:1–3 | Then the LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he arrived, he said, “There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had a great number of sheep and cattle, but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food and drank from his cup; it slept in his arms and was like a daughter to him. |
2 Samuel 14:5 Summary
In 2 Samuel 14:5, the king asks a woman what troubles her, and she shares about her difficult situation as a widow. This shows that God cares about our struggles and wants us to bring them to Him, just like the Psalmist did in Psalms 138:8. The king's willingness to listen to the woman also shows that He values and is concerned about our well-being, as seen in 1 Peter 5:7. We can learn from this verse to be honest about our struggles and to trust in God's sovereignty, knowing that He is working all things together for our good, as promised in Romans 8:28.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the king ask the woman what troubled her?
The king asked the woman what troubled her because he saw that she was distraught and wanted to understand her situation, as seen in 2 Samuel 14:5, similar to how Jesus asked people about their needs in Luke 18:41.
What can we learn from the woman's response to the king?
The woman's response to the king shows that she was honest about her situation and willing to share her struggles with him, which is similar to how the Psalmist poured out his heart to God in Psalms 142:2.
How does this verse relate to the concept of God's sovereignty?
This verse shows that even in the midst of difficult circumstances, God is sovereign and can use those situations to bring about His purposes, as seen in Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11.
What can we learn from the king's willingness to listen to the woman?
The king's willingness to listen to the woman shows that he valued her and was concerned about her well-being, which is similar to how God listens to our prayers and is concerned about our lives, as seen in 1 Peter 5:7 and Psalms 55:22.
Reflection Questions
- What are some struggles in my life that I can bring before God, just like the woman brought her struggles before the king?
- How can I, like the king, show compassion and empathy to those around me who are struggling?
- What can I learn from the woman's honesty and openness about her situation, and how can I apply that to my own life?
- How can I trust in God's sovereignty, even in the midst of difficult circumstances, and believe that He is working all things together for my good?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 14:5
And the king said unto her, what aileth thee?.... Or what is thy case? What is the condition, and what the circumstances, that thou art in, which require help and assistance?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 14:5
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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Samuel 14:5
I am indeed a widow woman; one of them who most need thy compassion and assistance, and whom thou art by God’ s law obliged in a singular manner to protect and relieve.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 14:5
2 Samuel 14:5 And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I [am] indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.Ver. 5. And the king said unto her, What aileth thee?] Kings and princes should courteously admit, patiently hear, and readily help their suppliant subjects. Antonius the emperor was, for this good property, surnamed Pius; Titus, the darling of mankind; Trajan is much renowned in story for this, that being mounted to go against the enemy in battle, he alighted from his horse, only to do justice to a poor woman, that cried out unto him. I am indeed a widow woman.] And therefore in a calamitous condition: especially if thou knewest all. At mulier vidua sum. Ael. Spart.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Samuel 14:5
Verse 5. I am indeed a widow woman] It is very possible that the principal facts mentioned here were real, and that Joab found out a person whose circumstances bore a near resemblance to that which he wished to represent.
Sermons on 2 Samuel 14:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Gifting and Calling of God That We Might Serve One Another by Devern Fromke | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the theme of serving one another and how God often uses natural examples to teach us spiritual lessons. He refers to a parable in the book o |
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1 Corinthians 4; Belfast Missionary conf.1964 by J.M. Davies | J.M. Davies emphasizes the importance of prioritizing spiritual responsibilities over worldly success in his sermon at the Belfast Missionary Conference in 1964. He reflects on 1 C |
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Two Kingdoms by Dean Taylor | This sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding the concept of the two kingdoms, highlighting the need to grasp the teachings of Jesus. It delves into the historical context |
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Where Are the Men of God by Steve Hill | This sermon delves into the story of King David's grave sins of adultery and murder, showcasing how we often try to cover up our sins instead of seeking true repentance and cleansi |
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The Great Evil of All Sin - Part 2 by Richard Owen Roberts | This sermon delves into the concept of sin and its roots, emphasizing that all individuals are born as sinners and children of the devil, not as children of God. It explores the st |
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David and Bathsheba by Robin Wood | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of David and his mistakes. He highlights three mistakes made by David, which ultimately led to disastrous consequences. The speaker |
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Whatever Happened to Repentance? by William Graham | William Graham addresses the critical topic of repentance, using the story of King David's sin with Bathsheba as a backdrop. He emphasizes that true repentance begins with God's co |