2 Samuel 14:17
New International Version
“And now your servant says, ‘May the word of my lord the king secure my inheritance, for my lord the king is like an angel of God in discerning good and evil. May the LORD your God be with you.’”

New Living Translation
Yes, 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.”

English Standard Version
And your servant thought, ‘The word of my lord the king will set me at rest,’ for my lord the king is like the angel of God to discern good and evil. The LORD your God be with you!”

Berean Standard Bible
And now your servant says, ‘May the word of my lord the king bring me rest, for my lord the king is able to discern good and evil, just like the angel of God. May the LORD your God be with you.’”

King James Bible
Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee.

New King James Version
Your maidservant said, ‘The word of my lord the king will now be comforting; for as the angel of God, so is my lord the king in discerning good and evil. And may the LORD your God be with you.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
Then your servant 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.’”

NASB 1995
“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.’”

NASB 1977
“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.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then your servant-woman said, ‘Please let the word of my lord the king be a resting place, for as the angel of God, so is my lord the king to listen with discernment through the good and evil. And may Yahweh your God be with you.’”

Amplified Bible
Then your maidservant said, ‘Please let the word of my lord the king be comforting, for my lord the king is as the angel of God to discern good and evil. May the LORD your God be with you.’”

Christian Standard Bible
Your servant thought: May the word of my lord the king bring relief, for my lord the king is able to discern the good and the bad like the angel of God. May the LORD your God be with you.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Your servant thought: May the word of my lord the king bring relief, for my lord the king is able to discern the good and the bad like the Angel of God. May the LORD your God be with you.”

American Standard Version
Then thy handmaid said, Let, I pray thee, the word of my lord the king be comfortable; for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: and Jehovah thy God be with thee.

Contemporary English Version
I can rest easy now that you have given your decision. You know the difference between right and wrong just like an angel of God, and I pray that the LORD your God will be with you.

English Revised Version
Then thine handmaid said, Let, I pray thee, the word of my lord the king be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: and the LORD thy God be with thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I thought that you would reassure me. You are like God's Messenger, who is able to distinguish right from wrong. May the LORD your God be with you!"

Good News Translation
I said to myself that your promise, sir, would make me safe, because the king is like God's angel and can distinguish good from evil. May the LORD your God be with you!"

International Standard Version
"So your humble servant is saying, 'Please, your majesty, let what the king has to say be of comfort, because just as the angel of God is, so also is your majesty the king to discern both good and evil. And may the LORD your God remain present with you.'"

Majority Standard Bible
And now your servant says, ?May the word of my lord the king bring me rest, for my lord the king is able to discern good and evil, just like the angel of God. May the LORD your God be with you.??

NET Bible
So your servant said, 'May the word of my lord the king be my security, for my lord the king is like the angel of God when it comes to deciding between right and wrong! May the LORD your God be with you!'"

New Heart English Bible
For your son is dead, and as water spilled on the ground can?t be gathered up again, so he can?t bring his life back again. But it seems sensible to the king to keep his exiled one away from him."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then thy handmaid said, The word of my lord the king, will now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee.

World English Bible
Then your servant said, ‘Please let the word of my lord the king bring rest; for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad. May Yahweh, your God, be with you.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and your maidservant says, Please let the word of my lord the king be for ease; for as a messenger of God so [is] my lord the king, to understand the good and the evil; and your God YHWH is with you.”

Young's Literal Translation
and thy maid-servant saith, Let, I pray thee, the word of my lord the king be for ease; for as a messenger of God so is my lord the king, to understand the good and the evil; and Jehovah thy God is with thee.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And thy servant will say, Now will the word of my lord the king be for a sacrifice, for as a messenger of God, so my lord the king to hear the good and the evil: and Jehovah thy God will be with thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then let thy handmaid say, that the word of the Lord the king be made as a sacrifice. For even as an angel of God, so is my lord the king, that he is neither moved with blessing nor cursing: wherefore the Lord thy God is also with thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, let your handmaid speak, so that the word of my lord the king may be like a sacrifice. For even like an Angel of God, so is my lord the king, so that he is moved by neither a blessing, nor a curse. Then too, the Lord your God is with you.”

New American Bible
And your servant says, ‘Let the word of my lord the king lead to rest; indeed, my lord the king is like an angel of God, discerning good and evil. The LORD your God be with you.’ ”

New Revised Standard Version
Your servant thought, ‘The word of my lord the king will set me at rest’; for my lord the king is like the angel of God, discerning good and evil. The LORD your God be with you!”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then your handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be confirmed and shall be like an offering; for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and evil; therefore the LORD your God will be with you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And your Maid Servant said: “The word of my Lord the King shall be firm and shall be a gift because thus my Lord the King is like an Angel of God to hear good and evil, and LORD JEHOVAH your God will be with you!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then thy handmaid said: Let, I pray thee, the word of my lord the king be for my comfort; for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad; and the LORD thy God be with thee.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the woman said, If now the word of my lord the king be gracious, - well: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king, to hear good and evil: and the Lord thy God shall be with thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Absalom's Return to Jerusalem
16For the king will hear and deliver his maidservant from the hand of the man who would cut off both me and my son from God’s inheritance.’ 17And now your servant says, ‘May the word of my lord the king bring me rest, for my lord the king is able to discern good and evil, just like the angel of God. May the LORD your God be with you.’” 18Then the king said to the woman, “I am going to ask you something; do not conceal it from me!” “Let my lord the king speak,” she replied.…

Cross References
1 Kings 3:28
When all Israel heard of the judgment the king had given, they stood in awe of him, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.

1 Kings 3:9-12
Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?” / Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had made this request. / So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this instead of requesting long life or wealth for yourself or death for your enemies—but you have asked for discernment to administer justice— ...

Proverbs 2:6
For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 8:14
Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight and strength.

Isaiah 11:2-4
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD. / And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear, / but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.

James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Colossians 2:3
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Daniel 2:20-21
and declared: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. / He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

Psalm 72:1-2
Of Solomon. Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness. / May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice.

Isaiah 9:6-7
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. / Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

Romans 11:33
O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!

1 Corinthians 1:24
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 1:30
It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.

Ephesians 1:17
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.


Treasury of Scripture

Then your handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD your God will be with you.

comfortable [heb] for rest

2 Samuel 14:20
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.

2 Samuel 19:27
And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes.

1 Samuel 29:9
And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle.

to discern [heb] to hear

1 Kings 3:9,28
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? …

Job 6:30
Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?

1 Corinthians 2:14,15
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned…

Jump to Previous
Angel Bad Comfort Comfortable Comforting Discern Ease Evil Good Handmaid Hearing Maidservant Maid-Servant Messenger Peace Please Rest Servant Thought Understand Word
Jump to Next
Angel Bad Comfort Comfortable Comforting Discern Ease Evil Good Handmaid Hearing Maidservant Maid-Servant Messenger Peace Please Rest Servant Thought Understand Word
2 Samuel 14
1. Joab, suborning a widow of Tekoah to incline the king's heart to fetch Absalom,
21. brings him home to Jerusalem
25. Absalom's beauty, hair, and children
28. After two years, Absalom is brought into the king's presence by Joab














And now your servant says
This phrase introduces the plea of a humble petitioner before the king. The term "servant" (Hebrew: עֶבֶד, 'eved) reflects a position of submission and loyalty. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a servant's role was to serve and obey their master, often with deep respect and reverence. This phrase sets the tone for a respectful appeal, acknowledging the king's authority and the speaker's own subordinate position.

May the word of my lord the king bring me rest
The "word" (Hebrew: דָּבָר, davar) signifies not just a spoken message but a decree or command with the power to effect change. The petitioner seeks "rest" (Hebrew: מְנוּחָה, menuchah), which implies peace, security, and relief from distress. In the biblical narrative, rest is often associated with divine blessing and the fulfillment of God's promises, as seen in the Israelites' quest for rest in the Promised Land.

for my lord the king is able to discern good and evil
This phrase acknowledges the king's wisdom and ability to judge rightly. The ability to "discern" (Hebrew: שָׁמַע, shama) involves understanding and insight, qualities highly valued in a ruler. The reference to "good and evil" echoes the biblical theme of moral discernment, reminiscent of Solomon's request for wisdom to govern his people (1 Kings 3:9). It underscores the king's role as a just and wise leader, capable of making decisions that align with God's will.

just as an angel of God
The comparison to an "angel of God" (Hebrew: מַלְאַךְ אֱלֹהִים, mal'akh Elohim) elevates the king's discernment to a divine level. Angels in the Bible are messengers and servants of God, often associated with delivering God's word and executing His will. This simile suggests that the king's judgment is not only wise but also divinely inspired, reflecting God's own justice and righteousness.

May the LORD your God be with you
This blessing invokes the presence and favor of the LORD (Hebrew: יְהוָה, Yahweh), the covenantal name of God, upon the king. The phrase "be with you" (Hebrew: עִמָּךְ, 'immakh) signifies divine companionship and support, a recurring theme in Scripture where God's presence assures guidance, protection, and success. This invocation reflects a deep-seated belief in the necessity of divine assistance for righteous leadership and the fulfillment of God's purposes.

(17) An angel of God.--Comp. 2Samuel 14:20; 2Samuel 19:27; 1Samuel 29:9.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Your servant
שִׁפְחָ֣תְךָ֔ (šip̄·ḥā·ṯə·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 8198: Maid, maidservant

thought:
וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (wat·tō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

May the word
דְּבַר־ (də·ḇar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

of my lord
אֲדֹנִ֥י (’ă·ḏō·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

the king
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

bring me rest,
לִמְנוּחָ֑ה (lim·nū·ḥāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4496: Repose, peacefully, consolation, an abode

for
כִּ֣י ׀ (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

my lord
אֲדֹנִ֤י (’ă·ḏō·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

the king
הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

is able to discern
לִשְׁמֹ֙עַ֙ (liš·mō·a‘)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

good
הַטּ֣וֹב (haṭ·ṭō·wḇ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

and evil,
וְהָרָ֔ע (wə·hā·rā‘)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

just like the Angel
כְּמַלְאַ֣ךְ (kə·mal·’aḵ)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

of God.
הָאֱלֹהִ֗ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

May the LORD
וַֽיהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

your God
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

be
יִֽהְיֶה־ (yih·yeh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

with you.”
עִמָּֽךְ׃ (‘im·māḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with


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OT History: 2 Samuel 14:17 Then your handmaid said Please let (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 14:16
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