Lectionary Calendar
Friday, August 22nd, 2025
the Week of Proper 15 / Ordinary 20
the Week of Proper 15 / Ordinary 20
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Read the Bible
Christian Standard Bible ®
2 Samuel 14:5
“What’s the matter?” the king asked her.
Jump to:Bible Study Tools • Parallel Bible Verse • Bible Contextual Overview • Bible Cross-References • Gill's Bible Notes • Clarke's Bible Notes
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- AmericanEncyclopedias:
- InternationalParallel Translations
Hebrew Names Version
The king said to her, What ails you? She answered, Of a truth I am a widow, and my husband is dead.
The king said to her, What ails you? She answered, Of a truth I am a widow, and my husband is dead.
King James Version
And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.
And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.
Lexham English Bible
Then the king asked her, "What do you want?" And she said, "Truly I am a widow, and my husband is dead.
Then the king asked her, "What do you want?" And she said, "Truly I am a widow, and my husband is dead.
English Standard Version
And the king said to her, "What is your trouble?" She answered, "Alas, I am a widow; my husband is dead.
And the king said to her, "What is your trouble?" She answered, "Alas, I am a widow; my husband is dead.
New Century Version
King David asked her, "What is the matter?" The woman said, "I am a widow; my husband is dead.
King David asked her, "What is the matter?" The woman said, "I am a widow; my husband is dead.
New English Translation
The king replied to her, "What do you want?" She answered, "I am a widow; my husband is dead.
The king replied to her, "What do you want?" She answered, "I am a widow; my husband is dead.
Amplified Bible
The king asked her, "What is the matter?" She said, "Truly I am a widow; my husband is dead.
The king asked her, "What is the matter?" She said, "Truly I am a widow; my husband is dead.
New American Standard Bible
And the king said to her, "What is troubling you?" And she answered, "Truly I am a widow, for my husband is dead.
And the king said to her, "What is troubling you?" And she answered, "Truly I am a widow, for my husband is dead.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Then the King sayd vnto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am in deede a widow, and mine husband is dead:
Then the King sayd vnto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am in deede a widow, and mine husband is dead:
Legacy Standard Bible
And the king said to her, "What is your trouble?" And she answered, "Truly I am a widow; my husband has died.
And the king said to her, "What is your trouble?" And she answered, "Truly I am a widow; my husband has died.
Contemporary English Version
David asked, "What's the matter?" She replied: My husband is dead, and I'm a widow.
David asked, "What's the matter?" She replied: My husband is dead, and I'm a widow.
Complete Jewish Bible
The king said to her, "What's the trouble?" She answered, "I'm a widow. After my husband died,
The king said to her, "What's the trouble?" She answered, "I'm a widow. After my husband died,
Darby Translation
And the king said to her, What aileth thee? And she said, I am indeed a widow woman, and my husband is dead.
And the king said to her, What aileth thee? And she said, I am indeed a widow woman, and my husband is dead.
Easy-to-Read Version
King David said to her, "What's your problem?" The woman said, "I am a widow. My husband is dead.
King David said to her, "What's your problem?" The woman said, "I am a widow. My husband is dead.
George Lamsa Translation
And the king said to her, What ails you? And she answered, I am indeed a widow, my husband is dead.
And the king said to her, What ails you? And she answered, I am indeed a widow, my husband is dead.
Good News Translation
"What do you want?" he asked her. "I am a poor widow, sir," she answered. "My husband is dead.
"What do you want?" he asked her. "I am a poor widow, sir," she answered. "My husband is dead.
Literal Translation
And the king said to her, What shall be to you? And she said, Truly I am a widow woman, and my husband died.
And the king said to her, What shall be to you? And she said, Truly I am a widow woman, and my husband died.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
The kynge sayde vnto her: What ayleth the? She sayde: I am a wedowe, a woman that mourneth, and my huÃbade is deed.
The kynge sayde vnto her: What ayleth the? She sayde: I am a wedowe, a woman that mourneth, and my huÃbade is deed.
American Standard Version
And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, Of a truth I am a widow, and my husband is dead.
And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, Of a truth I am a widow, and my husband is dead.
Bible in Basic English
And the king said to her, What is your trouble? And her answer was, Truly I am a widow, and my husband is dead.
And the king said to her, What is your trouble? And her answer was, Truly I am a widow, and my husband is dead.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
The king said vnto her: What ayleth thee? She aunswered: I am in deede a wydow, and myne husband is dead.
The king said vnto her: What ayleth thee? She aunswered: I am in deede a wydow, and myne husband is dead.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And the king said unto her: 'What aileth thee?' And she answered: 'Of a truth I am a widow, my husband being dead.
And the king said unto her: 'What aileth thee?' And she answered: 'Of a truth I am a widow, my husband being dead.
King James Version (1611)
And the king said vnto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.
And the king said vnto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And the king said to her, What is the matter with thee?
And the king said to her, What is the matter with thee?
English Revised Version
And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered; Of a truth I am a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.
And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered; Of a truth I am a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.
Berean Standard Bible
"What troubles you?" the king asked her. "Indeed," she said, "I am a widow, for my husband is dead.
"What troubles you?" the king asked her. "Indeed," she said, "I am a widow, for my husband is dead.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And the kyng seide to hir, What hast thou of cause? And sche answeride, Alas! Y am a womman widewe, for myn hosebonde is deed;
And the kyng seide to hir, What hast thou of cause? And sche answeride, Alas! Y am a womman widewe, for myn hosebonde is deed;
Young's Literal Translation
And the king saith to her, `What -- to thee?' and she saith, `Truly a widow woman [am] I, and my husband dieth,
And the king saith to her, `What -- to thee?' and she saith, `Truly a widow woman [am] I, and my husband dieth,
Update Bible Version
And the king said to her, What ails you? And she answered, Of a truth I am a widow, and my husband is dead.
And the king said to her, What ails you? And she answered, Of a truth I am a widow, and my husband is dead.
Webster's Bible Translation
And the king said to her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I [am] indeed a widow woman, and my husband is dead.
And the king said to her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I [am] indeed a widow woman, and my husband is dead.
World English Bible
The king said to her, What ails you? She answered, Of a truth I am a widow, and my husband is dead.
The king said to her, What ails you? She answered, Of a truth I am a widow, and my husband is dead.
New King James Version
Then the king said to her, "What troubles you?" And she answered, "Indeed I am a widow, my husband is dead.
Then the king said to her, "What troubles you?" And she answered, "Indeed I am a widow, my husband is dead.
New Living Translation
"What's the trouble?" the king asked. "Alas, I am a widow!" she replied. "My husband is dead.
"What's the trouble?" the king asked. "Alas, I am a widow!" she replied. "My husband is dead.
New Life Bible
The king said to her, "What is your trouble?" And she answered, "I am a woman whose husband has died.
The king said to her, "What is your trouble?" And she answered, "I am a woman whose husband has died.
New Revised Standard
The king asked her, "What is your trouble?" She answered, "Alas, I am a widow; my husband is dead.
The king asked her, "What is your trouble?" She answered, "Alas, I am a widow; my husband is dead.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And the king said to her - What aileth thee? And she said - Of a truth, a widow woman, am I, for my husband is dead.
And the king said to her - What aileth thee? And she said - Of a truth, a widow woman, am I, for my husband is dead.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the king said to her: What is the matter with thee? She answered: Alas, I am a widow woman: for my husband is dead.
And the king said to her: What is the matter with thee? She answered: Alas, I am a widow woman: for my husband is dead.
Revised Standard Version
And the king said to her, "What is your trouble?" She answered, "Alas, I am a widow; my husband is dead.
And the king said to her, "What is your trouble?" She answered, "Alas, I am a widow; my husband is dead.
THE MESSAGE
He said, "How can I help?" "I'm a widow," she said. "My husband is dead. I had two sons. The two of them got into a fight out in the field and there was no one around to step between them. The one struck the other and killed him. Then the whole family ganged up against me and demanded, ‘Hand over this murderer so we can kill him for the life of the brother he murdered!' They want to wipe out the heir and snuff out the one spark of life left to me. And then there would be nothing left of my husband—not so much as a name—on the face of the earth. "So now I've dared come to the king, my master, about all this. They're making my life miserable, and I'm afraid. I said to myself, ‘I'll go to the king. Maybe he'll do something! When the king hears what's going on, he'll step in and rescue me from the abuse of the man who would get rid of me and my son and God's inheritance—the works!' As your handmaid, I decided ahead of time, ‘The word of my master, the king, will be the last word in this, for my master is like an angel of God in discerning good and evil.' God be with you!"
He said, "How can I help?" "I'm a widow," she said. "My husband is dead. I had two sons. The two of them got into a fight out in the field and there was no one around to step between them. The one struck the other and killed him. Then the whole family ganged up against me and demanded, ‘Hand over this murderer so we can kill him for the life of the brother he murdered!' They want to wipe out the heir and snuff out the one spark of life left to me. And then there would be nothing left of my husband—not so much as a name—on the face of the earth. "So now I've dared come to the king, my master, about all this. They're making my life miserable, and I'm afraid. I said to myself, ‘I'll go to the king. Maybe he'll do something! When the king hears what's going on, he'll step in and rescue me from the abuse of the man who would get rid of me and my son and God's inheritance—the works!' As your handmaid, I decided ahead of time, ‘The word of my master, the king, will be the last word in this, for my master is like an angel of God in discerning good and evil.' God be with you!"
New American Standard Bible (1995)
The king said to her, "What is your trouble?" And she answered, "Truly I am a widow, for my husband is dead.
The king said to her, "What is your trouble?" And she answered, "Truly I am a widow, for my husband is dead.
Contextual Overview
1Joab son of Zeruiah realized that the king’s mind was on Absalom. 2So Joab sent someone to Tekoa to bring a wise woman from there. He told her, “Pretend to be in mourning: dress in mourning clothes and don’t put on any oil. Act like a woman who has been mourning for the dead for a long time. 3Go to the king and speak these words to him.” Then Joab told her exactly what to say. 4When the woman from Tekoa came to the king, she fell facedown to the ground, paid homage, and said, “Help me, Your Majesty!” 5“What’s the matter?” the king asked her.6“Your servant had two sons. They were fighting in the field with no one to separate them, and one struck the other and killed him. 7Now the whole clan has risen up against your servant and said, ‘Hand over the one who killed his brother so we may put him to death for the life of the brother he murdered. We will eliminate the heir!’ They would extinguish my one remaining ember by not preserving my husband’s name or posterity on earth.” 8The king told the woman, “Go home. I will issue a command on your behalf.” 9Then 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.” 10“Whoever speaks to you,” the king said, “bring him to me. He will not trouble you again!”
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
I am indeed: It is very possible that the principal incidents mentioned here were real; and that Joab found out a person whose circumstances bore a near resemblance to that which he wished to represent. She did not make the similitude too plain and visible, lest the king should see her intention before she had obtained a grant of pardon; and thus her circumstances, her mournful tale, her widow's dress, her aged person - for Josephus says she was advanced in years and her impressive manner, all combined to make one united irresistible impression on the heart of the aged monarch 2 Samuel 12:1-3, Judges 9:8-15
Reciprocal: Genesis 27:24 - I am Genesis 38:19 - laid by her veil Judges 18:23 - What aileth 1 Kings 20:39 - Thy servant 2 Kings 6:28 - What aileth thee Isaiah 22:1 - What Luke 18:3 - a widow
Cross-References
Genesis 14:10
Now the Siddim Valley contained many asphalt pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into them, but the rest fled to the mountains.
Now the Siddim Valley contained many asphalt pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into them, but the rest fled to the mountains.
Genesis 14:11
The four kings took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food and went on.
The four kings took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food and went on.
Genesis 14:20
and blessed be God Most Highwho has handed over your enemies to you.
and blessed be God Most Highwho has handed over your enemies to you.
Genesis 14:23
that I will not take a thread or sandal strap or anything that belongs to you, so you can never say, ‘I made Abram rich.’
that I will not take a thread or sandal strap or anything that belongs to you, so you can never say, ‘I made Abram rich.’
Genesis 15:20
Hethites, Perizzites, Rephaim,
Hethites, Perizzites, Rephaim,
Deuteronomy 1:4
This was after he had defeated King Sihon of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, and King Og of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth, at Edrei.
This was after he had defeated King Sihon of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, and King Og of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth, at Edrei.
Deuteronomy 3:11
(Only King Og of Bashan was left of the remnant of the Rephaim. His bed was made of iron. Isn’t it in Rabbah of the Ammonites? It is 13½ feet long and 6 feet wide by a standard measure.)
(Only King Og of Bashan was left of the remnant of the Rephaim. His bed was made of iron. Isn’t it in Rabbah of the Ammonites? It is 13½ feet long and 6 feet wide by a standard measure.)
Deuteronomy 3:20
until the Lord gives rest to your brothers as he has to you, and they also take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving them across the Jordan. Then each of you may return to his possession that I have given you.
until the Lord gives rest to your brothers as he has to you, and they also take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving them across the Jordan. Then each of you may return to his possession that I have given you.
Deuteronomy 3:22
Don’t be afraid of them, for the Lord your God fights for you.
Don’t be afraid of them, for the Lord your God fights for you.
Joshua 12:4
King Og of Bashan, of the remnant of the Rephaim, lived in Ashtaroth and Edrei.
King Og of Bashan, of the remnant of the Rephaim, lived in Ashtaroth and Edrei.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
And the king said unto her, what aileth thee?.... Or what is thy case? What is the condition, and what the circumstances, that thou art in, which require help and assistance? intimating that he was ready to grant it on knowledge thereof; however, he was ready to hear what she had to say:
and she answered, I [am] indeed a widow woman; of a truth a widow, as the Targum; she was really one, a widow indeed, as in 1 Timothy 5:3; not one that was separated from her husband, he being alive, or divorced from him on any account; and therefore she adds,
and mine husband is dead; and has been a long time; this she said to move the pity and compassion of the king, who, as the supreme magistrate in God's stead, was a Father of the fatherless, and the judge of the widow.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse 2 Samuel 14:5. I am indeed a widow woman — It is very possible that the principal facts mentioned here were real, and that Joab found out a person whose circumstances bore a near resemblance to that which he wished to represent.
