2 Samuel 20:17

17 And when he was come near to her, she said to him: Art thou Joab? And he answered: I am. And she spoke thus to him: Hear the words of thy handmaid. He answered: I do hear.

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 they came, and besieged him in Abela, and in Bethmaacha, and they cast up works round the city, and the city was besieged: and all the people that were with Joab, laboured to throw down the walls.

16 And a wise woman cried out from the city: Hear, hear, and say to Joab: Come near hither, and I will speak with thee.

17 And when he was come near to her, she said to him: Art thou Joab? And he answered: I am. And she spoke thus to him: Hear the words of thy handmaid. He answered: I do hear.

18 And she again said: A saying was used in the old proverb: They that inquire, let them inquire in Abela: and so they made an end.

19 Am not I she that answer truth in Israel, and thou seekest to destroy the city, and to overthrow a mother in Israel? Why wilt thou throw down the inheritance of the Lord?