2 Samuel 14:9
New International Version
But the woman from Tekoa said to him, “Let my lord the king pardon me and my family, and let the king and his throne be without guilt.”

New Living Translation
“Oh, thank you, my lord the king,” the woman from Tekoa replied. “If you are criticized for helping me, let the blame fall on me and on my father’s house, and let the king and his throne be innocent.”

English Standard Version
And the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “On me be the guilt, my lord the king, and on my father’s house; let the king and his throne be guiltless.”

Berean Standard Bible
But the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord the king, may any blame be on me and on my father’s house, and may the king and his throne be guiltless.”

King James Bible
And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father's house: and the king and his throne be guiltless.

New King James Version
And the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord, O king, let the iniquity be on me and on my father’s house, and the king and his throne be guiltless.”

New American Standard Bible
The woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord, the king, the guilt is on me and my father’s house, but the king and his throne are guiltless.”

NASB 1995
The woman of Tekoa said to the king, “O my lord, the king, the iniquity is on me and my father’s house, but the king and his throne are guiltless.”

NASB 1977
And the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “O my lord, the king, the iniquity is on me and my father’s house, but the king and his throne are guiltless.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “O my lord, the king, the iniquity is on me and my father’s house, but the king and his throne are guiltless.”

Amplified Bible
The woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord, O king, the guilt is on me and on my father’s house, but the king and his throne are guiltless.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord the king, may any blame be on me and my father’s family, and may the king and his throne be innocent.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord the king, may any blame be on me and my father’s house, and may the king and his throne be innocent."”

American Standard Version
And the woman of Tekoa said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father's house; and the king and his throne be guiltless.

Contemporary English Version
The woman said, "I hope your decision doesn't cause any problems for you. But if it does, you can blame me."

English Revised Version
And the woman of Tekoa said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father's house: and the king and his throne be guiltless.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The woman from Tekoa said to the king, "Let me be held responsible for the sin, Your Majesty. Let my father's family be held responsible. Your Majesty and your throne are innocent."

Good News Translation
"Your Majesty," she said, "whatever you do, my family and I will take the blame; you and the royal family are innocent."

International Standard Version
But the woman from Tekoa told the king, "Your majesty, let any guilt for this be on me and on my ancestors' household, and not on my king or his throne!"

Majority Standard Bible
But the woman of Tekoa said to the king, ?My lord the king, may any blame be on me and on my father?s house, and may the king and his throne be guiltless.?

NET Bible
The Tekoan woman said to the king, "My lord the king, let any blame fall on me and on the house of my father. But let the king and his throne be innocent!"

New Heart English Bible
For the king will hear and deliver his servant out of the hand of the man who is seeking to destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the woman of Tekoah said to the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father's house: and the king and his throne be guiltless.

World English Bible
The woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord, O king, may the iniquity be on me, and on my father’s house; and may the king and his throne be guiltless.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the woman of Tekoah says to the king, “On me, my lord, O king, [is] the iniquity, and on the house of my father; and the king and his throne [are] innocent.”

Young's Literal Translation
And the woman of Tekoah saith unto the king, 'On me, my lord, O king, is the iniquity, and on the house of my father; and the king and his throne are innocent.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the woman, the Tekoite, will say to the king, Upon me, my lord the king, the iniquity, and upon my father's house: and the king and his throne innocent.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the woman of Thecua said to the king: Upon me, my lord, be the iniquity, and upon the house of my father: but may the king and his throne be guiltless.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the woman of Tekoa said to the king: “May the iniquity be upon me, my lord, and upon the house of my father. But may the king and his throne be innocent.”

New American Bible
The woman of Tekoa answered him, “Upon me and my family be the blame, my lord king; the king and his throne are innocent.”

New Revised Standard Version
The woman of Tekoa said to the king, “On me be the guilt, my lord the king, and on my father’s house; let the king and his throne be guiltless.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But the woman of Tekoah said to the king, My lord, O king, let this iniquity be on me and on my father's house; and the king and his throne be guiltless.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
This woman the Tequoan said to the King: “My Lord, the King, this crime is on me and on the house of my father, and save the King and his throne!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the woman of Tekoa said unto the king: 'My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father's house; and the king and his throne be guiltless.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the woman of Thecoe said to the king, On me, my lord, O king, and on my father's house be the iniquity, and the king and his throne be guiltless.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Absalom's Return to Jerusalem
8“Go home,” the king said to the woman, “and I will give orders on your behalf.” 9But the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord the king, may any blame be on me and on my father’s house, and may the king and his throne be guiltless.” 10“If anyone speaks to you,” said the king, “bring him to me, and he will not trouble you again!”…

Cross References
Genesis 44:16
“What can we say to my lord?” Judah replied. “How can we plead? How can we justify ourselves? God has exposed the iniquity of your servants. We are now my lord’s slaves—both we and the one who was found with the cup.”

1 Kings 2:33
Their blood will come back upon the heads of Joab and his descendants forever; but for David, his descendants, his house, and his throne, there shall be peace from the LORD forever.”

Exodus 32:32
Yet now, if You would only forgive their sin.... But if not, please blot me out of the book that You have written.”

Numbers 16:22
But Moses and Aaron fell facedown and said, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, when one man sins, will You be angry with the whole congregation?”

1 Samuel 25:24
She fell at his feet and said, “My lord, may the blame be on me alone, but please let your servant speak to you; hear the words of your servant.

2 Samuel 3:28-29
Afterward, David heard about this and said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner. / May it whirl over the head of Joab and over the entire house of his father, and may the house of Joab never be without one having a discharge or skin disease, or one who leans on a staff or falls by the sword or lacks food.”

2 Samuel 16:8
The LORD has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, you have come to ruin because you are a man of bloodshed!”

2 Kings 5:18
Yet may the LORD forgive your servant this one thing: When my master goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my arm, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant in this matter.”

Job 1:5
And when the days of feasting were over, Job would send for his children to purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.

Job 42:8
So now, take seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. Then My servant Job will pray for you, for I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken accurately about Me, as My servant Job has.”

Isaiah 53:6
We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.

Matthew 27:25
All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”

Luke 23:34
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.

John 11:50
You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”

Acts 7:60
Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.


Treasury of Scripture

And the woman of Tekoah said to the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father's house: and the king and his throne be guiltless.

the iniquity

Genesis 27:13
And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.

1 Samuel 25:24
And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid.

Matthew 27:25
Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

and the king

2 Samuel 3:28,29
And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner: …

Numbers 35:33
So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.

Deuteronomy 21:1-9
If one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not known who hath slain him: …

Jump to Previous
Blame Clear Family Father's Guilt Guiltless House Iniquity Innocent Kingdom Rest Seat Sin Tekoa Teko'a Tekoah Throne
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Blame Clear Family Father's Guilt Guiltless House Iniquity Innocent Kingdom Rest Seat Sin Tekoa Teko'a Tekoah Throne
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














But the woman of Tekoa said to the king
The woman of Tekoa was a wise woman chosen by Joab to present a parable to King David. Tekoa was a town in Judah, known for its strategic location and its association with the prophet Amos. The use of a woman from Tekoa highlights the cultural practice of employing wise women for counsel and mediation, a role seen in other parts of the Old Testament (e.g., Abigail in 1 Samuel 25). This approach by Joab reflects the importance of wisdom and diplomacy in resolving conflicts.

“My lord the king, may any blame be on me and on my father’s house
The woman addresses David with respect, acknowledging his authority as king. By offering to take the blame upon herself and her family, she employs a rhetorical strategy to protect the king from any potential repercussions of her request. This reflects the cultural understanding of collective family responsibility and honor, which was significant in ancient Israelite society. The willingness to bear blame is reminiscent of intercessory figures in the Bible, such as Moses and Esther, who stood in the gap for others.

and may the king and his throne be guiltless.”
The woman’s plea for the king and his throne to remain guiltless underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity and righteousness of the monarchy. In the biblical context, the throne of Israel was not just a political seat but a symbol of divine authority and justice. This phrase connects to the broader biblical theme of the king as a representative of God's rule on earth, as seen in passages like Psalm 89:14, which emphasizes justice and righteousness as the foundation of God's throne. The woman's words foreshadow the ultimate guiltlessness and righteousness found in the reign of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, who bears the sins of humanity.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Woman of Tekoa
A wise woman from the town of Tekoa, enlisted by Joab to speak to King David. Her role is pivotal in the account as she uses a parable to influence the king's decision regarding Absalom.

2. King David
The reigning king of Israel, known for his complex character and leadership. In this passage, he is approached by the woman of Tekoa with a plea that indirectly addresses his estranged son, Absalom.

3. Joab
David's military commander who orchestrates the woman's appeal to the king. He is a key figure in the account, seeking to reconcile David with Absalom.

4. Tekoa
A town in Judah, known for its wise inhabitants. It is the hometown of the woman who approaches King David.

5. Absalom
David's son, who is in exile after killing his brother Amnon. The underlying issue in this passage is his estrangement from David.
Teaching Points
The Power of Intercession
The woman of Tekoa demonstrates the impact of intercession. Believers are called to intercede for others, seeking reconciliation and restoration in relationships.

Wisdom in Approach
The woman's tactful approach to King David teaches the importance of wisdom and discernment when addressing sensitive issues.

The Burden of Guilt
The woman's willingness to bear the guilt highlights the concept of sacrificial love and points to Christ's ultimate sacrifice for our sins.

Reconciliation and Forgiveness
The account encourages believers to pursue reconciliation and forgiveness, reflecting God's heart for restored relationships.

Leadership and Justice
David's role as king underscores the responsibility of leaders to act justly and with compassion, balancing justice with mercy.(9) The iniquity be on me--i.e., if there be any wrong in thus condoning blood-guiltiness, let the responsibility rest on me. Although the king has granted her request, the woman seeks to prolong the interview that she may lead him to commit himself more completely.

Verse 9. - The iniquity be on me. The king had given a general promise to help the widow, but she wants to lead him on to a definite assurance that her son shall be pardoned. Less than this would not help Absalom's case. Instead, therefore, of withdrawing, she represents herself as dissatisfied, and pleads for full forgiveness; and as this would be a violation of the letter of the Levitical Law, in order to remove David's supposed scruples, she takes upon herself the penalty.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But the woman
הָאִשָּׁ֤ה (hā·’iš·šāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

of Tekoa
הַתְּקוֹעִית֙ (hat·tə·qō·w·‘îṯ)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8621: Tekoite -- inhabitant of Tekoa

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

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

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

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

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

may any blame
הֶעָוֺ֖ן (he·‘ā·wōn)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 5771: Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity

be on
עָלַ֞י (‘ā·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

me and my father’s
אָבִ֑י (’ā·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1: Father

house,
בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

and may the king
וְהַמֶּ֥לֶךְ (wə·ham·me·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

and his throne
וְכִסְא֖וֹ (wə·ḵis·’ōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3678: Seat of honor, throne

[be] guiltless.”
נָקִֽי׃ (nā·qî)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5355: Clean, free from, exempt


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OT History: 2 Samuel 14:9 The woman of Tekoa said to (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
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