2 Samuel 20:17

17 And he came near her, and the woman said, “Are you Joab? ” He answered, “I am. ” Then she said to him, “Listen to the words of your servant. ” And he answered, “I am listening. ”

2 Samuel 20:17 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 20:17

And when he was come near unto her
As he did, upon the information of his men, that a woman on the wall had something to say to him:

the woman said, [art] thou Joab?
she was willing to be satisfied that he was really the general, before she would impart her mind to him:

and he answered, I [am he];
the very person you ask after:

and she said unto him, hear the words of thine handmaid;
though a woman, vouchsafe to hear what I have to say:

and he answered, I do hear:
am ready to hear, and shall patiently and attentively hear whatever may be spoken; which was giving her leave and encouragement to proceed.

2 Samuel 20:17 In-Context

15 And all the men who were with Joab came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maacah. They cast up a mound against the city, and it stood against the rampart, and they were battering the wall to throw it down.

16 Then a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab, ‘Come here, that I may speak to you. ’”

17 And he came near her, and the woman said, “Are you Joab? ” He answered, “I am. ” Then she said to him, “Listen to the words of your servant. ” And he answered, “I am listening. ”

18 Then she said, “They used to say in former times, ‘Let them but ask counsel at Abel, ’ and so they settled a matter.

19 I am one of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why will you swallow up the heritage of the Lord? ”