Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, September 14th, 2025
the Week of Proper 19 / Ordinary 24
the Week of Proper 19 / Ordinary 24
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Geneva Bible
2 Samuel 14:5
Then the King sayd vnto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am in deede a widow, and mine husband is dead:
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Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
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- InternationalParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
“What’s the matter?” the king asked her.
“What’s the matter?” the king asked her.
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.
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
1 Then Ioab the sonne of Zeruiah perceyued, that the Kings heart was toward Absalom, 2 And Ioab sent to Tekoah, and brought thence a subtile woman, & sayd vnto her, I pray thee, fayne thy selfe to mourne, and nowe put on mourning apparel, & anoynt not thy selfe with oyle: but be as a woman that had now long time mourned for the dead. 3 And come to the King, and speake on this maner vnto him, (for Ioab taught her what she should say). 4 Then the woman of Tekoah spake vnto the king, & fel downe on her face to the ground, and did obeysance, and sayd, Helpe, O King. 5 Then the King sayd vnto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am in deede a widow, and mine husband is dead: 6 And thine handmayd had two sonnes, & they two stroue together in the fielde: (and there was none to part them) so the one smote the other, and slew him. 7 And beholde, the whole familie is risen against thine handmayde, and they sayde, Deliuer him that smote his brother, that we may kill him for the soule of his brother whome hee slewe, that we may destroy the heire also: so they shall quenche my sparkle which is left, and shall not leaue to mine husband neither name nor posteritie vpon the earth. 8 And the King said vnto the woman, Go to thine house, and I wil giue a charge for thee. 9 Then the woman of Tekoah said vnto the King, My lord, O King, this trespas be on me, & on my fathers house, and the King and his throne be giltlesse. 10 And the King sayde, Bring him to me that speaketh against thee, and he shall touche thee no more.
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 vale of Siddim was full of slime pits, & the Kings of Sodom & Gomorah fled and fell there: and ye residue fled to the mountaine.
Now the vale of Siddim was full of slime pits, & the Kings of Sodom & Gomorah fled and fell there: and ye residue fled to the mountaine.
Genesis 14:11
Then they tooke all the substance of Sodom and Gomorah, and al their vitailes and went their way.
Then they tooke all the substance of Sodom and Gomorah, and al their vitailes and went their way.
Genesis 14:20
And blessed be the most high God, which hath deliuered thine enemies into thine hand. And Abram gaue him tythe of all.
And blessed be the most high God, which hath deliuered thine enemies into thine hand. And Abram gaue him tythe of all.
Genesis 14:23
That I will not take of all that is thine, so much as a threde or shoolatchet, lest thou shouldest say, I haue made Abram riche,
That I will not take of all that is thine, so much as a threde or shoolatchet, lest thou shouldest say, I haue made Abram riche,
Genesis 15:20
And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims,
And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims,
Deuteronomy 1:4
After that he had slaine Sihon the king of the Amorites which dwelt in Heshbon, & Og king of Bashan, which dwelt at Ashtaroth in Edrei.
After that he had slaine Sihon the king of the Amorites which dwelt in Heshbon, & Og king of Bashan, which dwelt at Ashtaroth in Edrei.
Deuteronomy 3:11
For onely Og King of Bashan remained of the remnant of the gyants, whose bed was a bed of yron: is it not at Rabbath among the children of Ammon? the length thereof is nine cubites, and foure cubites the breadth of it, after the cubite of a man.
For onely Og King of Bashan remained of the remnant of the gyants, whose bed was a bed of yron: is it not at Rabbath among the children of Ammon? the length thereof is nine cubites, and foure cubites the breadth of it, after the cubite of a man.
Deuteronomy 3:20
Vntill the Lorde haue giuen rest vnto your brethren as vnto you, and that they also possesse the lande, which the Lorde your God hath giuen them beyond Iorden: then shall ye returne euery man vnto his possession, which I haue giuen you.
Vntill the Lorde haue giuen rest vnto your brethren as vnto you, and that they also possesse the lande, which the Lorde your God hath giuen them beyond Iorden: then shall ye returne euery man vnto his possession, which I haue giuen you.
Deuteronomy 3:22
Ye shall not feare them: for the Lord your God, he shall fight for you.
Ye shall not feare them: for the Lord your God, he shall fight for you.
Joshua 12:4
They conquered also the coast of Og King of Bashan of the remnant of the gyants, which dwelt at Ashtaroth, and at Edrei,
They conquered also the coast of Og King of Bashan of the remnant of the gyants, which dwelt at Ashtaroth, and at 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.
