2 Samuel 20:17

17 And when he had nighed to her, she said to him, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am. To whom she spake thus, Hear thou the words of thine handmaid. Joab answered, I hear (And Joab 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 Therefore they came, and fought against him in Abel, and in Bethmaachah, and (en)compassed the city with strongholds; and the city was besieged. And all the company, that was with Joab, enforced to destroy the walls. (And then Joab and his men came, and fought against him in Abel of Bethmaachah, and surrounded the city with strongholds; and the city was besieged. And all the men who were with Joab endeavoured to destroy the walls.)

16 And a wise woman of the city cried (out from) on high, Hear ye! hear ye! say ye to Joab, Nigh thou hither (Come thou here), and I shall speak with thee.

17 And when he had nighed to her, she said to him, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am. To whom she spake thus, Hear thou the words of thine handmaid. Joab answered, I hear (And Joab answered, I am listening).

18 And again she said, A word was said in (an) eld proverb, They that ask, ask in Abel; and so they profited.

19 Whether I am not, that answer truth to Israel? and seekest thou to destroy a city, and to do away a mother city in Israel? why castedest thou down/why throwest thou down the heritage of the Lord? (My city is one of the most peaceful, and faithful, in all of Israel; so why seekest thou to destroy such a city, and to do away such a mother in Israel? why throwest thou down the Lord's inheritance?)