2 Samuel 16:14 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 16:14 mean?

2 Samuel 16:14 describes how King David and all the people traveling with him arrived at a place exhausted and took time there to recover their strength. The verse highlights their physical weariness and the need to pause and refresh themselves during a difficult journey.

David is fleeing Jerusalem with his followers because his son Absalom has rebelled and taken over the city. The group has been on the run, facing emotional and physical strain. This verse simply notes their exhaustion and their need to stop and regain energy, showing the very human side of David and his companions in a moment of crisis.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 16:14

• "Weary" (עָיֵף, 'ayeph): This word means tired or faint, and it emphasizes just how drained David and his people were after their journey and the stress of fleeing.
• "Refreshed" (נָפַשׁ, nafash): This word carries the sense of catching one’s breath or being revived. It is often used for physical and emotional renewal, showing that the stop was not just a pause but a real moment of recovery for the group.

Why 2 Samuel 16:14 matters

• This verse helps the reader see David not just as a king but as a person who experiences exhaustion and needs rest, making his story relatable and real.
• It marks a pause in the narrative, giving a sense of the toll that the events are taking on everyone involved, and sets up the next stage of David’s journey.
• The verse quietly underscores the humanity of leadership—showing that even those in charge must acknowledge their limits and care for themselves and their people.