2 Samuel 14:14

Authorized King James Version

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For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.

Original Language Analysis

כִּי H3588
כִּי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נָמ֔וּת For we must needs H4191
נָמ֔וּת For we must needs
Strong's: H4191
Word #: 2 of 19
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
נָמ֔וּת For we must needs H4191
נָמ֔וּת For we must needs
Strong's: H4191
Word #: 3 of 19
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
וְכַמַּ֙יִם֙ and are as water H4325
וְכַמַּ֙יִם֙ and are as water
Strong's: H4325
Word #: 4 of 19
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
הַנִּגָּרִ֣ים spilt H5064
הַנִּגָּרִ֣ים spilt
Strong's: H5064
Word #: 5 of 19
to flow; figuratively, to stretch out; causatively, to pour out or down; figuratively, to deliver over
אַ֔רְצָה on the ground H776
אַ֔רְצָה on the ground
Strong's: H776
Word #: 6 of 19
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אֲשֶׁ֖ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 7 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 8 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֵֽאָסֵ֑פוּ which cannot be gathered up again H622
יֵֽאָסֵ֑פוּ which cannot be gathered up again
Strong's: H622
Word #: 9 of 19
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
וְלֹֽא H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 10 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִשָּׂ֤א respect H5375
יִשָּׂ֤א respect
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 11 of 19
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
אֱלֹהִים֙ neither doth God H430
אֱלֹהִים֙ neither doth God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 12 of 19
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
נֶ֔פֶשׁ any person H5315
נֶ֔פֶשׁ any person
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 13 of 19
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
וְחָשַׁב֙ yet doth he devise H2803
וְחָשַׁב֙ yet doth he devise
Strong's: H2803
Word #: 14 of 19
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
מַֽחֲשָׁב֔וֹת means H4284
מַֽחֲשָׁב֔וֹת means
Strong's: H4284
Word #: 15 of 19
a contrivance, i.e., (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice)
לְבִלְתִּ֛י H1115
לְבִלְתִּ֛י
Strong's: H1115
Word #: 16 of 19
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
נִדָּֽח׃ be not expelled H5080
נִדָּֽח׃ be not expelled
Strong's: H5080
Word #: 17 of 19
to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)
מִמֶּ֖נּוּ H4480
מִמֶּ֖נּוּ
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 18 of 19
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
נִדָּֽח׃ be not expelled H5080
נִדָּֽח׃ be not expelled
Strong's: H5080
Word #: 19 of 19
to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)

Analysis & Commentary

For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Absalom's Return, emphasizing incomplete reconciliation. Joab's elaborate scheme to restore Absalom demonstrates human wisdom that undermines divine purposes. The partial reconciliation (Absalom returns but doesn't see David's face) proves insufficient for genuine restoration. Theological themes include the inadequacy of human reconciliation methods apart from genuine repentance, the danger of manipulation even for apparently good ends, and the necessity of complete rather than partial restoration.

Historical Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 14 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding incomplete reconciliation provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

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