What Does 2 Samuel 14:17 Mean in the King James?
Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The verse turns discernment into listening: the king hears good and bad, and his word becomes a place of rest.
THE MEANING
The verse presents discernment as hearing good and bad, and the king’s word as a place of rest. The comparison to God’s messenger presents that hearing as an entrusted service. Wise speech here begins with taking in what must be distinguished.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The belief that discernment is a verdict reached without listening falls away: here, the king is praised for hearing both good and bad.
THE ROOT
לִשְׁמֹעַ
lishmoa
GROWS FROM
שמע
Hear, listen, perceive, or heed.
The verb translated “discern” is literally “to hear.” The verse pictures judgment as listening that takes in and distinguishes both good and bad, a receptive motion that the English word can conceal.
ALSO GROWS
shemaʿ: Hear and respond.
שְׁמַע
This familiar form shows that hearing can include a response, not just the reception of sound.
shemuʿah: A report, tidings, or something heard.
שְׁמוּעָה
The same root can name what reaches the listener, placing discernment within the act of receiving.
לִמְנוּחָה
limnuchah
GROWS FROM
נוח
Rest, settle, or come to rest.
The word rendered “comfortable” carries the concrete sense of being for rest, or for a resting place. The verse connects a king’s speech with settling and repose, not merely with a pleasant tone.
ALSO GROWS
hēnîaḥ: Cause to rest, let rest, or set down.
הֵנִיחַ
This form shows the root’s active sense: something can be placed down and allowed to settle.
mānoaḥ: A resting place or repose.
מָנוֹחַ
This noun makes the image of the king’s word as a place of rest concrete.
THE PATTERN
Discernment becomes wise judgment through hearing that can distinguish good from evil.
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.THE THREAD
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?Both verses use the Hebrew root שמע (shamaʿ), “to hear,” where the KJV says “discern.” The parallel reveals wise judgment as hearing that can distinguish good from bad.
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