This verse encapsulates the critical moment in which David grants a hearing to the wise woman, opening the door for God’s greater purpose of reconciliation to begin unfolding.
In this passage, we find King David interacting with a wise woman from Tekoa, who was sent by Joab to influence the king’s decision on a family matter. “Then the woman said, ‘Please let your maidservant speak a word to my lord the king.’ And he said, ‘Speak.’” (v.12) Here, the dialogue begins with the woman humbly requesting permission to address David. By referring to herself as his maidservant, she shows great respect, acknowledging her lower social status before the king. David, ruling Israel between approximately 1010 BC and 970 BC, grants her the chance to speak. This invitation for the woman to speak signals the king’s willingness to hear her out, which sets the stage for the critical message she is about to deliver on behalf of Joab.
“Then the woman said, ‘Please let your maidservant speak a word to my lord the king.’ And he said, ‘Speak.’” (v.12) also indicates an important principle about leadership in ancient Israel. Rulers like David were expected to show concern and to listen to their people, even those outside their royal circles. The setting for this event is believed to have occurred in Jerusalem, David’s capital city. The woman herself comes from Tekoa, a small town about ten miles south of Jerusalem. Tekoa was located in the hill country of Judah, near Bethlehem. This strategic location made it possible for the woman to journey to the king quickly. Her willingness to appear at the palace reflects the seriousness of her mission and the significance of what she has to say, foreshadowing her cleverly crafted story intended to prompt David’s compassion (2 Samuel 14:1-11).
By elevating her request in respectful terms, “Please let your maidservant speak a word... And he said, ‘Speak.’” (v.12), the woman exemplifies the reverence and humility that was culturally proper for addressing a monarch. This sets into motion the unfolding of Joab’s plan to reconcile a rift between David and his son Absalom (2 Samuel 14:1-24). In a broader biblical context, her plea and David’s acceptance to listen can be seen as a foreshadowing of a more perfect King—Jesus—who invites His followers to bring their requests to Him in prayer (Matthew 7:7-11).
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2 Samuel 14:12 meaning
In this passage, we find King David interacting with a wise woman from Tekoa, who was sent by Joab to influence the king’s decision on a family matter. “Then the woman said, ‘Please let your maidservant speak a word to my lord the king.’ And he said, ‘Speak.’” (v.12) Here, the dialogue begins with the woman humbly requesting permission to address David. By referring to herself as his maidservant, she shows great respect, acknowledging her lower social status before the king. David, ruling Israel between approximately 1010 BC and 970 BC, grants her the chance to speak. This invitation for the woman to speak signals the king’s willingness to hear her out, which sets the stage for the critical message she is about to deliver on behalf of Joab.
“Then the woman said, ‘Please let your maidservant speak a word to my lord the king.’ And he said, ‘Speak.’” (v.12) also indicates an important principle about leadership in ancient Israel. Rulers like David were expected to show concern and to listen to their people, even those outside their royal circles. The setting for this event is believed to have occurred in Jerusalem, David’s capital city. The woman herself comes from Tekoa, a small town about ten miles south of Jerusalem. Tekoa was located in the hill country of Judah, near Bethlehem. This strategic location made it possible for the woman to journey to the king quickly. Her willingness to appear at the palace reflects the seriousness of her mission and the significance of what she has to say, foreshadowing her cleverly crafted story intended to prompt David’s compassion (2 Samuel 14:1-11).
By elevating her request in respectful terms, “Please let your maidservant speak a word... And he said, ‘Speak.’” (v.12), the woman exemplifies the reverence and humility that was culturally proper for addressing a monarch. This sets into motion the unfolding of Joab’s plan to reconcile a rift between David and his son Absalom (2 Samuel 14:1-24). In a broader biblical context, her plea and David’s acceptance to listen can be seen as a foreshadowing of a more perfect King—Jesus—who invites His followers to bring their requests to Him in prayer (Matthew 7:7-11).