Parallel Verses
Julia Smith Translation
For the sake of turning about the face of the word, thy servant Joab did this word: and my lord was wise according to the wisdom of a messenger of God, to know all which is upon the earth.
New American Standard Bible
in order to change the appearance of things your servant Joab has done this thing. But my lord is wise,
King James Version
To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.
Holman Bible
Joab your servant has done this to address the issue indirectly,
International Standard Version
"As your soul lives, your majesty, the king," the woman answered, "no one can divert anything left or right from what your majesty the king has spoken! As a matter of fact, it was your servant Joab! He was there, giving me precise orders about everything that your humble servant was to say. Your servant Joab did this, intending to change the outcome of this matter. Nevertheless, your majesty is wise, like the wisdom of the angel of God, to be aware of everything that's going on throughout the earth."
A Conservative Version
Thy servant Joab has done this thing to change the face of the matter. And my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an agent of God, to know all things that are on the earth.
American Standard Version
to change the face of the matter hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.
Amplified
In order to change the appearance of things [between Absalom and you, his father] your servant Joab did this thing. But my lord has wisdom like the wisdom of the angel of God, to know everything that is in the earth.”
Bible in Basic English
This he did, hoping that the face of this business might be changed: and my lord is wise, with the wisdom of the angel of God, having knowledge of everything on earth.
Darby Translation
in order to turn the appearance of the thing has thy servant Joab done this thing; but my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all that is in the earth.
King James 2000
To bring about this change of affairs has your servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.
Lexham Expanded Bible
In order {to change the situation}, your servant Joab did this thing. But my lord [has] wisdom, as the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all that [is] on the earth."
Modern King James verseion
Your servant Joab has done this thing to change the face of the matter. And my lord is wise according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all that is in the land.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
And the turning of my tale another way, that made thy servant Joab. And so I see that my lord is wise, even as an angel of God, to understand all things that are in the earth."
NET Bible
Your servant Joab did this so as to change this situation. But my lord has wisdom like that of the angel of God, and knows everything that is happening in the land."
New Heart English Bible
to change the face of the matter has your servant Joab done this thing. My lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth."
The Emphasized Bible
for the purpose of turning round the face of the matter, hath thy servant Joab done this thing, - my lord being wise, as with the wisdom of a messenger of God, in knowing all that is done in the land.
Webster
To bring about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are on the earth.
World English Bible
to change the face of the matter has your servant Joab done this thing. My lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth."
Youngs Literal Translation
in order to bring round the appearance of the thing hath thy servant Joab done this thing, and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of a messenger of God, to know all that is in the land.'
Themes
Absalom » Is permitted by david to return to jerusalem
Angel (holy trinity) » One of the holy trinity » Called angel of God
David » King of israel » Absalom's return
Dishonesty » Instances of » Joab's guile in securing absalom's return
Flattery » Exemplified » Woman of tekoah
Flattery » Instance of » By the woman of tekoah
intercession » Instances of » Joab for absalom
Joab » Son of david's sister » Procures the return of absalom to jerusalem
Kindness » Instances of » Joab to absalom
Obsequiousness » Instances of » The woman of tekoah
Tact » Joab's trick in obtaining david's consent to the return of absalom
Interlinear
Cabab
Paniym
`ebed
Word Count of 20 Translations in 2 Samuel 14:20
Verse Info
Context Readings
Joab Plots To Reconcile David With Absalom
19 And the king will say, The hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman will answer and say, Thy soul living, my lord the king, if there is to the right or to the left from all which my lord the king spake: for thy servant Joab he commanded me, and he put in the mouth of thy servant all these words. 20 For the sake of turning about the face of the word, thy servant Joab did this word: and my lord was wise according to the wisdom of a messenger of God, to know all which is upon the earth. 21 And the king will say to Joab, Behold now, I did this word: and go and turn back the boy Absalom.
Cross References
2 Samuel 14:17
And thy servant will say, Now will the word of my lord the king be for a sacrifice, for as a messenger of God, so my lord the king to hear the good and the evil: and Jehovah thy God will be with thee.
2 Samuel 19:27
And he will slander against thy servant to my lord the king; and my lord the king as a messenger of God: and do thou the good in thine eyes.
Genesis 3:5
For God is knowing in the day of your eating from it, and your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil.
2 Samuel 5:23
And David will ask in God, and he will say, Thou shalt not go up: turn about behind them and thou shalt cover against them from before the weepings
Job 32:21-22
Not now shall I lift up the face of man, and I shall not flatter to man.
Job 38:16-41
Didst thou go even to the fountains of the sea? and didst thou go about in searching the depth?
Proverbs 26:28
A tongue of falsehood will hate its crushing, and a smooth mouth will make an overthrow.
Proverbs 29:5
A man making smooth against his neighbor spreads a net for his steps.
1 Corinthians 8:1-2
And concerning sacrifice to idols, we know, (for we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, and love builds the house.