2 Samuel 20:17

2 Samuel 20:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thine handmaid. And he answered, I do hear.
• New International Version (NIV)He went toward her, and she asked, “Are you Joab?” “I am,” he answered. She said, “Listen to what your servant has to say.” “I’m listening,” he said.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And he came near her, and the woman said, "Are you Joab?" He answered, "I am." Then she said to him, "Listen to the words of your servant." And he answered, "I am listening."
• New King James Version (NKJV)When he had come near to her, the woman said, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Hear the words of your maidservant.” And he answered, “I am listening.”

Context of 2 Samuel 20:17

15Joab’s army came and attacked him in Abel (Beth Maacah). They put up a dirt ramp against the city, and it stood level with the outer wall. All the troops with Joab were trying to destroy the wall and tear it down. 16Then a clever woman called from the city, “Listen, listen! Tell Joab to come here so that I can talk to him.” He came near, and she asked, “Are you Joab?” “I am,” he answered. “Listen to what I have to say,” she told him. “I’m listening,” he answered. 18So she said, “There’s an old saying: ‘Be sure to ask at Abel ⌞before doing anything⌟. That’s the way they settle matters.’ 19We are peaceful and faithful Israelites. Are you trying to destroy a mother city in Israel? Why should you swallow up what belongs to the Lord?”

2 Samuel 20:17 word by word

וַיִּקְרַ֣ב אֵלֶ֔יהָ וַתֹּ֧אמֶר הָאִשָּׁ֛ה הַאַתָּ֥ה יוֹאָ֖ב וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אָ֑נִי וַתֹּ֣אמֶר ל֗וֹ שְׁמַע֙ דִּבְרֵ֣י אֲמָתֶ֔ךָ וַיֹּ֖אמֶר שֹׁמֵ֥עַ אָנֹֽכִי׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And when he was come nearקָרַבqârab · to present: comeH7126
• unto her, the womanאִשָּׁה'ishshâh nâshîym · womanH802
• saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• thou Joabיוֹאָבyô'âb · JoabH3097
• unto him, Hearשָׁמַעshâma‛ · to hear: hearH8085
• the wordsדָּבָרdâbâr · wordH1697
• of thine handmaidאָמָה'âmâh · maidservantH519

Cross-references for 2 Samuel 20:17

• 2 Samuel 14:12The woman said, “Please let me say something else to you.” “Speak,” he said.
• 1 Samuel 25:24After she bowed at his feet, she said, “Sir, let me be held responsible for this wrong. Please let me speak with you. Please listen to my words.

Commentaries on 2 Samuel 20:17

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-22Verses 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…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Samuel 20:17

• Abel-Beth-Maachah
• Abishai
• Diplomacy
• Joab
• Politics
• Tact

In the dictionaries

• Joab
• Heed
• Sheba
• Wont
• Amasa
• Bible, the
• David
• Handmaid
• Israel, History of
• Judah, Kingdom of

Commentaries on 2 Samuel 20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary