2 Samuel 14:5 Meaning and Explanation
“And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →David asks her trouble, and she presents herself as a bereaved widow.
What Does 2 Samuel 14:5 Mean?
David responds with the openness of a judge ready to hear a case, asking simply what is wrong. The woman begins her crafted story by claiming the most vulnerable of stations, a widow without a husband to defend her.
In the law of Israel the widow held a special place under God's protection, and her plight was meant to stir compassion in those with power. The story leans on God's own tender concern for widows and the fatherless, drawing the king toward the mercy that Heaven itself extends to the defenseless.
2 Samuel 14:5 in the Original Language
almanah (אַלְמָנָה), 'widow' -- one bereft of her husband's protection, whom God pledges to defend.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 14:5
What does 2 Samuel 14:5 mean?
David asks her trouble, and she presents herself as a bereaved widow.