And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth.
And now, look, the whole family has turned against me, your servant, and they said, 'Hand over the one who killed his brother, so we can put him to death for taking his brother's life. We will also destroy the heir.' This way they will put out my last burning coal and leave my husband with no name or family line on earth.
This verse shows a woman pleading that her family wants to kill her only surviving son for killing his brother, which would completely end her husband's family line.
📚 Historical Context
This is part of a parable told by a wise woman from Tekoa, sent by Joab to King David. She's creating a fictional story that mirrors David's situation with his own sons - Absalom had killed his brother Amnon and was in exile. The woman is trying to soften David's heart toward Absalom by presenting a similar case where family justice would result in the complete extinction of a family line.
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