David shows God’s justice by extending mercy toward the estranged—a reminder that hope for peace can be renewed through wise counsel and godly discernment.
As the wise woman of Tekoa appeals to King David, she declares, “Then your maidservant said, ‘Please let the word of my lord the king be comforting, for as the angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and evil. And may the LORD your God be with you.’” (2 Samuel 14:17). Tekoa was a town located about ten miles south of Jerusalem in the region of Judah, known in part for its strategic heights and pastoral lands. The woman addresses David (who reigned from about 1010 BC to 970 BC) with great deference, equating his ability to administer justice with the sense of divinely guided discernment often associated with angelic messengers. Her words show a deep understanding of the king’s reputation for godly wisdom.
In the broader narrative, this verse captures the culmination of the wise woman’s plea for mercy on behalf of her fictional family dispute, all orchestrated by Joab to persuade David to reconcile with his estranged son Absalom. Declaring him “as the angel of God” flatters David, but also underscores the critical purpose of her request: to stir his conscience toward compassion and remind him of his duty to deliver righteous judgment. The concluding phrase, “May the LORD your God be with you,” is a benediction that highlights reliance on God’s presence for moral guidance, a principle echoed throughout David’s journey as Israel’s chosen monarch.
Spiritually, this portrayal reflects David’s unique role as both shepherd and king—a position requiring insight into good and evil, justice and mercy. Scripture connects such discernment with the presence of the LORD, pointing ultimately to Jesus Christ as the supreme King of Kings (John 18:37). The woman’s reverence for David’s capacity to judge rightly likewise foreshadows the greater reality of God’s righteous judgment, reminding readers that true justice flows from a heart aligned with the divine will (Deuteronomy 32:4).
David grants her request, restoring the fictional son in her story, and this reveals the powerful impact of seasoned, humble counsel—along with assurance that God’s guidance rests upon the king who seeks His will.
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2 Samuel 14:17 meaning
As the wise woman of Tekoa appeals to King David, she declares, “Then your maidservant said, ‘Please let the word of my lord the king be comforting, for as the angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and evil. And may the LORD your God be with you.’” (2 Samuel 14:17). Tekoa was a town located about ten miles south of Jerusalem in the region of Judah, known in part for its strategic heights and pastoral lands. The woman addresses David (who reigned from about 1010 BC to 970 BC) with great deference, equating his ability to administer justice with the sense of divinely guided discernment often associated with angelic messengers. Her words show a deep understanding of the king’s reputation for godly wisdom.
In the broader narrative, this verse captures the culmination of the wise woman’s plea for mercy on behalf of her fictional family dispute, all orchestrated by Joab to persuade David to reconcile with his estranged son Absalom. Declaring him “as the angel of God” flatters David, but also underscores the critical purpose of her request: to stir his conscience toward compassion and remind him of his duty to deliver righteous judgment. The concluding phrase, “May the LORD your God be with you,” is a benediction that highlights reliance on God’s presence for moral guidance, a principle echoed throughout David’s journey as Israel’s chosen monarch.
Spiritually, this portrayal reflects David’s unique role as both shepherd and king—a position requiring insight into good and evil, justice and mercy. Scripture connects such discernment with the presence of the LORD, pointing ultimately to Jesus Christ as the supreme King of Kings (John 18:37). The woman’s reverence for David’s capacity to judge rightly likewise foreshadows the greater reality of God’s righteous judgment, reminding readers that true justice flows from a heart aligned with the divine will (Deuteronomy 32:4).
David grants her request, restoring the fictional son in her story, and this reveals the powerful impact of seasoned, humble counsel—along with assurance that God’s guidance rests upon the king who seeks His will.