2 Samuel 14:18

18 “I must know one thing,” the king replied, “and tell me the truth.” “Yes, my lord the king,” she responded.

2 Samuel 14:18 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 14:18

Then the king answered and said unto the woman
Understanding plainly what she meant by all this, that the case she brought was a feigned one, and that the intention of it was to let him know the sense of the people with respect to Absalom, and the recall of him:

hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee;
he suspected that this was not a scheme of her own, but some considerable person had formed it, and made use of her to execute it, which was what he desired to know:

and the woman said, let my lord the king now speak;
ask what question he pleases, I am ready to answer.

2 Samuel 14:18 In-Context

16 and rescue us from those who would cut us off from the inheritance God has given us.

17 Yes, my lord the king will give us peace of mind again.’ I know that you are like an angel of God in discerning good from evil. May the LORD your God be with you.”

18 “I must know one thing,” the king replied, “and tell me the truth.” “Yes, my lord the king,” she responded.

19 “Did Joab put you up to this?” And the woman replied, “My lord the king, how can I deny it? Nobody can hide anything from you. Yes, Joab sent me and told me what to say.

20 He did it to place the matter before you in a different light. But you are as wise as an angel of God, and you understand everything that happens among us!”