Bible Strands
2 Samuel 14:12
Then the woman said, “Please, may your servant speak a word to my lord the king?” “Speak,” he replied.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The woman addresses King David immediately after he swears to protect her son, formally requesting permission to continue her petition.
The words — תְּדַבֶּר־נָא (te.daber-na) literally commands "let her speak please," while שִׁפְחָתְךָ (shifchatkha) identifies her as "your maidservant" to establish her subordinate position.
The thread — The pattern of a subordinate requesting audience appears in Genesis 18:32 and Genesis 44:18, where Abraham and Judah similarly seek permission to address a superior.
Why it lands — The text records a formal request for speech before a monarch, requiring the listener to grant verbal permission. It asks a reader to notice how court protocol shapes the delivery of difficult counsel.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on.
Cross-references
- Genesis 18:27 Then Abraham answered, “Now that I have ventured to speak to the Lord—though I am but dust and ashes—
- Genesis 18:32 Finally, Abraham said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak once more. Suppose ten are found there?” And He answered, “On account of the ten, I will not destroy it.”
- Genesis 44:18 Then Judah approached Joseph and said, “Sir, please let your servant speak personally to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, for you are equal to Pharaoh himself.
- 1 Samuel 25:24 She fell at his feet and said, “My lord, may the blame be on me alone, but please let your servant speak to you; hear the words of your servant.
- Jeremiah 12:1 Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?
- Acts 26:1 Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense: