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Your handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one struck the other, and killed him.

Verse Takeaways

1

A Carefully Crafted Story

Commentators explain that the woman's story is a clever fabrication designed to manipulate David. She intentionally portrays the killing as an unpremeditated fight in a field, which is fundamentally different from Absalom's planned murder of Amnon at a feast. This was a strategy to gain the king's sympathy before he could analyze the differences.

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Book Overview

2 Samuel

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Commentaries

3

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On 2 Samuel 14:6

19th Century

Bishop

They two strove together. —The woman represents the fratricide as unpremeditated and without malice. This really made the case ess…

John Gill

John Gill

On 2 Samuel 14:6

17th Century

Pastor

And thy handmaid had two sons
Two are observed, that her case might suit with Amnon and Absalom:

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On 2 Samuel 14:1–20

17th Century

Minister

We may notice here, how this widow pleads God's mercy and His clemency toward poor, guilty sinners. The state of sinners is a state of banishment f…