Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing unto my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and thy handmaid said, I will now speak unto the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his handmaid.
Now I have come to speak about this matter to my lord the king because the people have made me afraid. Your servant said to herself, 'I will speak to the king; perhaps the king will grant what his servant asks.'
The woman is explaining that she came to the king because people were threatening her, and she hoped the king would help her with her request.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of 2 Samuel, this verse is part of a narrative where Joab, King David's military commander, sends a wise woman from Tekoa to persuade David to reconcile with his son Absalom, who was in exile after killing his half-brother. The woman uses a fabricated story to mirror David's own situation, highlighting themes of mercy and justice in ancient Israelite culture. This reflects the common practice in that era of employing wise intermediaries to influence royal decisions during times of family and political conflict.
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