What Does 2 Samuel 18:4 Mean in the King James?

And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.

2 Samuel 18:4 · 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.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

“Best” here is not the king’s solitary verdict; he commits to what is good in the people’s eyes.

THE MEANING

Your view of what is good can carry weight in shaping action. Authority receives the people’s judgment, then takes its place at the gate as they move out in ordered ranks.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The verse unsettles the belief that a ruler’s authority means only his own judgment matters.

THE ROOT

יִיטַב

yitav

GROWS FROM

יטב

y-t-b

To be good or go well; in some forms, to do good or benefit.

“best” in this verse is yitav. The Hebrew says, “whatever is good in your eyes,” making the people’s discernment part of the king’s decision. This root family holds goodness as both a quality and an action.

ALSO GROWS

yatab: To be good or go well.

יָטַב

It shows the sense of goodness behind the king’s promise.

heitiv: To do good, deal well, or benefit.

הֵיטִיב

It carries the same root from goodness recognized to goodness enacted.

THE PATTERN

A decision can remain decisive while receiving the sight of many.

So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.

Exodus 18:24 · KJVMoses receives another person’s judgment and acts on it.

Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Proverbs 15:22 · KJVThe verse shows counsel helping a purpose take shape.

Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

Acts 15:22 · KJVThe apostles and elders reach a decision with the whole assembly.

THE THREAD

Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.

Psalm 119:68 · KJV

“Best” in the king’s words belongs to the ⁨יטב⁩ root family echoed in “good” and “doest good” here. The psalm holds goodness as both a quality and an action, while the king’s words show goodness discerned through the people’s eyes.

Read the SDV Bible.

Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.

Get Selah Verse

The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.

Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us