What Does 2 Samuel 16:14 Mean in the King James?

And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.

2 Samuel 16:14 · KJV

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

“Refreshed” shares its root with “living soul”: rest renews the living person, not just the schedule.

THE MEANING

Strength does not make you immune to weariness; you can arrive tired, even alongside others who are tired too. The living self is renewed in the very place where weariness is present.

THE ROOT

וַיִּנָּפֵשׁ

wayyinnāfēsh

GROWS FROM

נפש

n-p-sh

To refresh oneself or recover; the related noun names the living soul.

“refreshed” in this verse is wayyinnāfēsh. The root holds together an action of refreshment and the word for the living soul. Rest here reaches the living person, not merely a pause in activity.

ALSO GROWS

nefesh: living soul

נֶפֶשׁ

The same consonants name the living self, linking refreshment with renewal of the person.

wayyinnāfēsh: and was refreshed; took rest

וַיִּנָּפֵשׁ

This is the verb in the verse: rest is expressed as refreshment.

THE PATTERN

Rest meets weariness by renewing the living self.

Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.

Exodus 23:12 · KJVThe same Hebrew root for “refreshed” appears here, extending renewal through rest to people and animals.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Psalm 23:3 · KJV“Soul” translates nefesh, the living self named by the same root; restoration reaches the whole person.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28 · KJVThe promise of rest meets people in their labor and weariness, echoing the renewal held in this verse.

THE THREAD

It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

Exodus 31:17 · KJV

The rare Hebrew verb translated “refreshed” here appears again in this verse. The same root links the king and his people’s recovery with rest on the seventh day.

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