2 Samuel 14:4

4 And the woman of Tekoah speaketh unto the king, and falleth on her face to the earth, and doth obeisance, and saith, `Save, O king.'

2 Samuel 14:4 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 14:4

And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king
Or after she had spoken to him, being introduced by Joab, as is probable; when she had saluted him with God save the king, or May the king live, or some such like expressions:

she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance;
to him as her king, in reverence of his majesty:

and said, help, O king;
signifying that she was in great distress, and came to him for assistance and deliverance.

2 Samuel 14:4 In-Context

2 and Joab sendeth to Tekoah, and taketh thence a wise woman, and saith unto her, `Feign thyself a mourner, I pray thee, and put on, I pray thee, garments of mourning, and anoint not thyself with oil, and thou hast been as a woman these many days mourning for the dead,
3 and thou hast gone unto the king, and spoken unto him, according to this word;' and Joab putteth the words into her mouth.
4 And the woman of Tekoah speaketh unto the king, and falleth on her face to the earth, and doth obeisance, and saith, `Save, O king.'
5 And the king saith to her, `What -- to thee?' and she saith, `Truly a widow woman [am] I, and my husband dieth,
6 and thy maid-servant hath two sons; and they strive both of them in a field, and there is no deliverer between them, and the one smiteth the other, and putteth him to death;
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.