2 Samuel 20:17

He came near to her; and the woman said, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Hear the words of your servant.” He answered, “I’m listening.”

World English Bible

Learn

Your notes

Private to you. Anything you write on this verse, here or while reading, shows up here and in My study.

Other translations

WEBBE

He came near to her; and the woman said, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Hear the words of your servant.” He answered, “I’m listening.”

BSB

When he had come near to her, the woman asked, “Are you Joab?” “I am,” he replied. “Listen to the words of your servant,” she said. “I am listening,” he answered.

ASV

And he came near unto her; and the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thy handmaid. And he answered, I do hear.

BBE

And he came near, and the woman said, Are you Joab? And he said in answer, I am. Then she said, Give ear to your servant's words. And he said, I am giving ear.

Original Hebrew

Look up a word

Tap a word to see what it means and everywhere else it's used.

וַיִּקְרַב vai·yik·rav and he drew near H7126 אֵלֶיהָ 'e·lei·ha to her H413 וַתֹּאמֶר va·to·mer and she said H559 הָאִשָּׁה ha·'i·shah the woman H802 הַאַתָּה ha·'a·tah ¿ [are] you H859 יוֹאָב yo·'av Joab H3097 וַיֹּאמֶר vai·yo·mer and he said H559 אָנִי 'a·ni I [am] H589 וַתֹּאמֶר va·to·mer and she said H559 לוֹ lo to (the) him H9033 שְׁמַע she·ma' listen to H8085 דִּבְרֵי div·rei [the] words of H1697 אֲמָתֶךָ 'a·ma·te·kha maidservant your H519 וַיֹּאמֶר vai·yo·mer and he said H559 שֹׁמֵעַ sho·me·a' [am] listening H8085 אָנֹכִי 'a·no·khi I H595

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 14–22

Justly is that place attacked, which dares to harbour a traitor; nor will the heart fare better which indulges rebellious lusts, that will not have Christ to reign over them. A discreet woman, by her prudent management, satisfied Joab, and yet saved the city. Wisdom is not confined to rank or sex; it consists not in deep knowledge; but in understanding how to act as matters arise, that troubles may be turned away and benefits secured. A great deal of mischief would be prevented, if contending parties would understand one another. Let both sides be undeceived. The single condition of peace is, the surrender of the traitor. It is so in God's dealing with the soul, when besieged by conviction and distress; sin is the traitor; the beloved lust is the rebel: part with that, cast away the transgression, and all shall be well. There is no peace on any other terms.

Read Matthew Henry on 2 Samuel 20 →

Cross-references

People & places

Joab

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.