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Now therefore seeing that I have come to speak this word to my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and your handmaid said, I will now speak to the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his servant.
Verse Takeaways
1
Strategic Ambiguity
Commentators note the strategic ambiguity in the woman's words. When she says 'the people have made me afraid,' it's unclear if she means her family in her fictional story (as Albert Barnes suggests) or the entire nation restless over Absalom's exile (as John Gill suggests). Charles Ellicott proposes this ambiguity is intentional, allowing her to cleverly address the real issue of Absalom under the cover of her personal plea.
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Book Overview
2 Samuel
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4
18th Century
Presbyterian
The people have made me afraid - She still pretends that her plea was a real one, and that she was in fear of the people (“the whole family,…
19th Century
Anglican
Because the people have made me afraid. —The woman here seeks to excuse her boldness in addressing the king by the extern…
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing unto my lord the king Of the case…
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