New Living Translation
2 Samuel 14:20
20He did it to place the matter before you in a different light. But you are as wise as an angel of God, and you understand everything that happens among us!”
2 Samuel 14:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.
- New International Version (NIV)Your servant Joab did this to change the present situation. My lord has wisdom like that of an angel of God—he knows everything that happens in the land.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)In order to change the course of things your servant Joab did this. But my lord has wisdom like the wisdom of the angel of God to know all things that are on the earth."
- New King James Version (NKJV)To bring about this change of affairs your servant Joab has done this thing; but my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of the angel of God, to know everything that is in the earth.”
Context of 2 Samuel 14:20
18“I must know one thing,” the king replied, “and tell me the truth.” “Yes, my lord the king,” she responded. 19“Did Joab put you up to this?” And the woman replied, “My lord the king, how can I deny it? Nobody can hide anything from you. Yes, Joab sent me and told me what to say. He did it to place the matter before you in a different light. But you are as wise as an angel of God, and you understand everything that happens among us!” 21So the king sent for Joab and told him, “All right, go and bring back the young man Absalom.” 22Joab bowed with his face to the ground in deep respect and said, “At last I know that I have gained your approval, my lord the king, for you have granted me this request!”
Read all of 2 Samuel 142 Samuel 14:20 word by word
לְבַעֲב֤וּר סַבֵּב֙ אֶת־פְּנֵ֣י הַדָּבָ֔ר עָשָׂ֛ה עַבְדְּךָ֥ יוֹאָ֖ב אֶת־הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֑ה וַאדֹנִ֣י חָכָ֗ם כְּחָכְמַת֙ מַלְאַ֣ךְ הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים לָדַ֖עַת אֶֽת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּאָֽרֶץ׃ סRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Toעָבוּר‛âbûr ‛âbûr · for the sake ofH5668
- fetch aboutסָבַבsâbab · to turn: changedH5437
- this formפָּנֶהpânîym · face ofH6440
- of speechדָּבָרdâbâr · word: thingH1697
- hath thy servantעֶ֫בֶד‛ebed · servant/slaveH5650
- Joabיוֹאָבyô'âb · JoabH3097
- doneעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
- and my lordאָדוֹן'âdôn 'âdôn · lordH113
- wiseחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
- according to the wisdomחׇכְמָהchokmâh · wisdomH2451
- of an angelמַלְאָךְmal'âk · messenger: angelH4397
- of Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
- to knowיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045
- in the earthאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: country/planetH776
Cross-references for 2 Samuel 14:20
- 2 Samuel 5:23And again David asked the Lord what to do. “Do not attack them straight on,” the Lord replied. “Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees.
- 2 Samuel 14:17Yes, my lord the king will give us peace of mind again.’ I know that you are like an angel of God in discerning good from evil. May the Lord your God be with you.”
- 2 Samuel 19:27Ziba has slandered me by saying that I refused to come. But I know that my lord the king is like an angel of God, so do what you think is best.
- Job 32:21I won’t play favorites or try to flatter anyone.
- Proverbs 26:28A lying tongue hates its victims, and flattering words cause ruin.
- Proverbs 29:5To flatter friends is to lay a trap for their feet.
- Genesis 3:5“God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”
- Job 38:16“Have you explored the springs from which the seas come? Have you explored their depths?
- 1 Corinthians 8:1Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 14:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20According to the wisdom of an angel of God - This is quite in the style of Asiatic flattery. A European is often addressed, "Saheb can do every thing; we can do nothing; none can prevent the execution of Saheb's commands; Saheb is God." See Ward.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20has wisdom like the wisdom of the angel of God: This wise woman (2 Samuel 14:2) knew it was better to praise a king than to insult him.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-212Sa 14:1-21. Joab Instructs a Woman of Tekoah. 2-21. And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman--The king was strongly attached to Absalom; and having now got over his sorrow for the violent death of Amnon, he was desirous of again enjoying the society of his favorite son, who had now been three long years absent. But a dread of public opinion and a regard to the public interests made him hesitate about recalling or pardoning his guilty son…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Samuel 14:20
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 14
- 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
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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