And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him.

2 SAMUEL 14:6KJV
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2 Samuel 14:6 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 14:6 mean?

2 Samuel 14:6 tells how a woman, speaking to King David, describes her situation: she had two sons who fought in a field, and with no one to separate them, one killed the other. The verse sets up a story of personal tragedy and conflict between siblings, highlighting the helplessness of the mother.

This verse is part of a conversation where a woman from Tekoa, following Joab’s instructions, brings a made-up case to King David to persuade him about a real issue in David’s own family. The woman’s story is meant to mirror David’s situation with his sons, using the image of two sons (בֵּן, ben) fighting alone in a field (שָׂדֶה, sadeh) and one being killed (נָכָה, nakah; מוּת, muth) to appeal to the king’s sense of justice and mercy.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 14:6

  • "Handmaid" (שִׁפְחָה, shiphchah): This word means a female servant or maid, emphasizing the woman’s humble status as she addresses the king.
  • "Part" (נָצַל, natsal): This word means to rescue or deliver. The verse stresses that there was no one to intervene or save the sons from harming each other, underlining the isolation and inevitability of the tragedy.
  • "Smote" (נָכָה, nakah) and "slew" (מוּת, muth): "Nakah" means to strike or hit, and "muth" means to die or kill. The use of both words shows the progression from a violent act to its fatal outcome.

Why 2 Samuel 14:6 matters

  • The verse uses the woman’s story as a parable to reflect King David’s own family troubles, especially the conflict between his sons Amnon and Absalom.
  • The detail that no one was there to "part" or rescue the sons highlights the sense of helplessness and the consequences when conflict goes unchecked.
  • Understanding the original words for "smote" and "slew" shows the seriousness of the violence and the finality of the outcome, making the mother’s plea more poignant.

Where else these words appear

“together” Hebrew H5327 · used in 10 verses

  • Exodus 2:13 And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow?
  • Numbers 26:9 And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD:
  • Psalms 60:1 To the chief Musician upon Shushaneduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aramnaharaim and with Aramzobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand. O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.

“handmaid” Hebrew H8198 · used in 58 verses

  • Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
  • Genesis 32:5 And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.
  • 2 Samuel 14:15 Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing unto my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and thy handmaid said, I will now speak unto the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his handmaid.