2 Samuel 14:9
New International Version
But the woman from Tekoa said to him, “Let my lord the king pardon me and my family, and let the king and his throne be without guilt.”

New Living Translation
“Oh, thank you, my lord the king,” the woman from Tekoa replied. “If you are criticized for helping me, let the blame fall on me and on my father’s house, and let the king and his throne be innocent.”

English Standard Version
And the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “On me be the guilt, my lord the king, and on my father’s house; let the king and his throne be guiltless.”

Berean Standard Bible
But the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord the king, may any blame be on me and on my father’s house, and may the king and his throne be guiltless.”

King James Bible
And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father's house: and the king and his throne be guiltless.

New King James Version
And the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord, O king, let the iniquity be on me and on my father’s house, and the king and his throne be guiltless.”

New American Standard Bible
The woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord, the king, the guilt is on me and my father’s house, but the king and his throne are guiltless.”

NASB 1995
The woman of Tekoa said to the king, “O my lord, the king, the iniquity is on me and my father’s house, but the king and his throne are guiltless.”

NASB 1977
And the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “O my lord, the king, the iniquity is on me and my father’s house, but the king and his throne are guiltless.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “O my lord, the king, the iniquity is on me and my father’s house, but the king and his throne are guiltless.”

Amplified Bible
The woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord, O king, the guilt is on me and on my father’s house, but the king and his throne are guiltless.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord the king, may any blame be on me and my father’s family, and may the king and his throne be innocent.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord the king, may any blame be on me and my father’s house, and may the king and his throne be innocent."”

American Standard Version
And the woman of Tekoa said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father's house; and the king and his throne be guiltless.

Contemporary English Version
The woman said, "I hope your decision doesn't cause any problems for you. But if it does, you can blame me."

English Revised Version
And the woman of Tekoa said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father's house: and the king and his throne be guiltless.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The woman from Tekoa said to the king, "Let me be held responsible for the sin, Your Majesty. Let my father's family be held responsible. Your Majesty and your throne are innocent."

Good News Translation
"Your Majesty," she said, "whatever you do, my family and I will take the blame; you and the royal family are innocent."

International Standard Version
But the woman from Tekoa told the king, "Your majesty, let any guilt for this be on me and on my ancestors' household, and not on my king or his throne!"

Majority Standard Bible
But the woman of Tekoa said to the king, ?My lord the king, may any blame be on me and on my father?s house, and may the king and his throne be guiltless.?

NET Bible
The Tekoan woman said to the king, "My lord the king, let any blame fall on me and on the house of my father. But let the king and his throne be innocent!"

New Heart English Bible
For the king will hear and deliver his servant out of the hand of the man who is seeking to destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the woman of Tekoah said to the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father's house: and the king and his throne be guiltless.

World English Bible
The woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord, O king, may the iniquity be on me, and on my father’s house; and may the king and his throne be guiltless.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the woman of Tekoah says to the king, “On me, my lord, O king, [is] the iniquity, and on the house of my father; and the king and his throne [are] innocent.”

Young's Literal Translation
And the woman of Tekoah saith unto the king, 'On me, my lord, O king, is the iniquity, and on the house of my father; and the king and his throne are innocent.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the woman, the Tekoite, will say to the king, Upon me, my lord the king, the iniquity, and upon my father's house: and the king and his throne innocent.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the woman of Thecua said to the king: Upon me, my lord, be the iniquity, and upon the house of my father: but may the king and his throne be guiltless.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the woman of Tekoa said to the king: “May the iniquity be upon me, my lord, and upon the house of my father. But may the king and his throne be innocent.”

New American Bible
The woman of Tekoa answered him, “Upon me and my family be the blame, my lord king; the king and his throne are innocent.”

New Revised Standard Version
The woman of Tekoa said to the king, “On me be the guilt, my lord the king, and on my father’s house; let the king and his throne be guiltless.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But the woman of Tekoah said to the king, My lord, O king, let this iniquity be on me and on my father's house; and the king and his throne be guiltless.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
This woman the Tequoan said to the King: “My Lord, the King, this crime is on me and on the house of my father, and save the King and his throne!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the woman of Tekoa said unto the king: 'My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father's house; and the king and his throne be guiltless.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the woman of Thecoe said to the king, On me, my lord, O king, and on my father's house be the iniquity, and the king and his throne be guiltless.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Absalom's Return to Jerusalem
8“Go home,” the king said to the woman, “and I will give orders on your behalf.” 9But the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord the king, may any blame be on me and on my father’s house, and may the king and his throne be guiltless.” 10“If anyone speaks to you,” said the king, “bring him to me, and he will not trouble you again!”…

Cross References
Genesis 44:16
“What can we say to my lord?” Judah replied. “How can we plead? How can we justify ourselves? God has exposed the iniquity of your servants. We are now my lord’s slaves—both we and the one who was found with the cup.”

1 Kings 2:33
Their blood will come back upon the heads of Joab and his descendants forever; but for David, his descendants, his house, and his throne, there shall be peace from the LORD forever.”

Exodus 32:32
Yet now, if You would only forgive their sin.... But if not, please blot me out of the book that You have written.”

Numbers 16:22
But Moses and Aaron fell facedown and said, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, when one man sins, will You be angry with the whole congregation?”

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.

2 Samuel 3:28-29
Afterward, David heard about this and said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner. / May it whirl over the head of Joab and over the entire house of his father, and may the house of Joab never be without one having a discharge or skin disease, or one who leans on a staff or falls by the sword or lacks food.”

2 Samuel 16:8
The LORD has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, you have come to ruin because you are a man of bloodshed!”

2 Kings 5:18
Yet may the LORD forgive your servant this one thing: When my master goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my arm, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant in this matter.”

Job 1:5
And when the days of feasting were over, Job would send for his children to purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.

Job 42:8
So now, take seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. Then My servant Job will pray for you, for I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken accurately about Me, as My servant Job has.”

Isaiah 53:6
We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.

Matthew 27:25
All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”

Luke 23:34
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.

John 11:50
You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”

Acts 7:60
Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.


Treasury of Scripture

And the woman of Tekoah said to the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father's house: and the king and his throne be guiltless.

the iniquity

Genesis 27:13
And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.

1 Samuel 25:24
And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid.

Matthew 27:25
Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

and the king

2 Samuel 3:28,29
And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner: …

Numbers 35:33
So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.

Deuteronomy 21:1-9
If one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not known who hath slain him: …

Jump to Previous
Blame Clear Family Father's Guilt Guiltless House Iniquity Innocent Kingdom Rest Seat Sin Tekoa Teko'a Tekoah Throne
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Blame Clear Family Father's Guilt Guiltless House Iniquity Innocent Kingdom Rest Seat Sin Tekoa Teko'a Tekoah Throne
2 Samuel 14
1. Joab, suborning a widow of Tekoah to incline the king's heart to fetch Absalom,
21. brings him home to Jerusalem
25. Absalom's beauty, hair, and children
28. After two years, Absalom is brought into the king's presence by Joab














But the woman of Tekoa
The phrase introduces us to a significant character in this narrative, a wise woman from Tekoa. Tekoa was a town in Judah, known for its strategic location and its association with the prophet Amos. The Hebrew root for "Tekoa" suggests a place of setting up or pitching tents, indicating its historical role as a settlement area. The woman’s wisdom and courage are highlighted, as she approaches King David with a bold request, reflecting the important role women played in biblical narratives, often as vessels of divine intervention or wisdom.

said to the king
This phrase underscores the direct communication between the woman and King David. In ancient Israel, approaching the king was a significant act, often requiring courage and a sense of purpose. The Hebrew verb "אמר" (amar), meaning "said," is frequently used in the Old Testament to denote not just speech but the conveyance of important messages or divine revelations. The woman’s approach to the king signifies her understanding of the gravity of her mission and her respect for the king’s authority.

My lord the king
The use of "my lord" reflects the woman’s respect and acknowledgment of David’s authority. The Hebrew term "אדני" (Adoni) is a title of respect and submission, often used in addressing those in positions of power. This phrase sets the tone for her plea, indicating her recognition of the king’s role as a judge and leader, and her hope that he will act with justice and mercy.

may the guilt be on me and on my father’s house
Here, the woman takes upon herself and her family the potential consequences of her request. This reflects a deep understanding of the concept of collective responsibility in ancient Israelite society, where families often bore the consequences of individual actions. The Hebrew word for "guilt" is "עון" (avon), which can denote iniquity or punishment. Her willingness to bear the guilt highlights her selflessness and the seriousness of her plea, as she seeks to protect others from potential harm.

and may the king and his throne be guiltless
This phrase emphasizes the woman’s desire to absolve the king and his reign from any wrongdoing. The throne symbolizes not just David’s physical seat of power but also the divine mandate and justice associated with his rule. The Hebrew word for "throne" is "כסא" (kise), often used to denote authority and governance. By seeking to keep the king and his throne guiltless, the woman appeals to David’s sense of justice and his responsibility to uphold righteousness in his kingdom.

(9) The iniquity be on me--i.e., if there be any wrong in thus condoning blood-guiltiness, let the responsibility rest on me. Although the king has granted her request, the woman seeks to prolong the interview that she may lead him to commit himself more completely.

Verse 9. - The iniquity be on me. The king had given a general promise to help the widow, but she wants to lead him on to a definite assurance that her son shall be pardoned. Less than this would not help Absalom's case. Instead, therefore, of withdrawing, she represents herself as dissatisfied, and pleads for full forgiveness; and as this would be a violation of the letter of the Levitical Law, in order to remove David's supposed scruples, she takes upon herself the penalty.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But the woman
הָאִשָּׁ֤ה (hā·’iš·šāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

of Tekoa
הַתְּקוֹעִית֙ (hat·tə·qō·w·‘îṯ)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8621: Tekoite -- inhabitant of Tekoa

said
וַתֹּ֜אמֶר (wat·tō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the king,
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

“My lord
אֲדֹנִ֥י (’ă·ḏō·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

the king,
הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

may any blame
הֶעָוֺ֖ן (he·‘ā·wōn)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 5771: Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity

be on
עָלַ֞י (‘ā·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

me and my father’s
אָבִ֑י (’ā·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1: Father

house,
בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

and may the king
וְהַמֶּ֥לֶךְ (wə·ham·me·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

and his throne
וְכִסְא֖וֹ (wə·ḵis·’ōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3678: Seat of honor, throne

[be] guiltless.”
נָקִֽי׃ (nā·qî)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5355: Clean, free from, exempt


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OT History: 2 Samuel 14:9 The woman of Tekoa said to (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 14:8
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