2 Samuel 14:2
And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:
2 Samuel 14:2 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse, we see Joab, a commander in King David's army, seeking the help of a wise woman from Tekoah. Joab instructs the woman to pretend to be a mourner by dressing in mourning apparel and refraining from anointing herself with oil, to create the appearance of someone who has been mourning for a long time. This act of deception is part of a larger strategy orchestrated by Joab to address a specific situation that required the woman's wisdom and cunning. The verse illustrates the importance of using clever tactics and strategic thinking in dealing with complex matters, even if it means resorting to deception. It also highlights the value of seeking the counsel of wise individuals in times of need, as they can offer unique insights and solutions to challenging problems. Overall, this verse exemplifies the intricate and sometimes unconventional methods used in the biblical narrative to achieve certain objectives and navigate difficult circumstances.
Theological Overview
In this verse, Joab sends for a wise woman from Tekoah to help him carry out a plan. The use of the term "wise woman" suggests that she was known and respected for her wisdom and discernment. The fact that Joab specifically asks her to pretend to be a mourner highlights the importance of her acting skills and ability to deceive. The use of mourning apparel and the instruction not to anoint herself with oil were common practices in ancient mourning rituals, emphasizing the need for the woman to truly embody the role of a grieving individual. The mention of mourning for the dead implies that the scenario being orchestrated was intended to evoke sympathy and compassion. This verse demonstrates the strategic thinking and attention to detail required in carrying out Joab's plan, as well as the significance of the wise woman's role in its execution.
2 Samuel 14:2 in other translations
American Standard Version
And Joab sent to Tekoa, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on mourning apparel, I pray thee, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that hath a long time mourned for the dead:
World English Bible
Joab sent to Tekoa, and fetched there a wise woman, and said to her, “Please act like a mourner, and put on mourning clothing, please, and don’t anoint yourself with oil, but be as a woman who has mourned a long time for the dead.
Douay-Rheims
Sent to Thecua, and fetched from thence a wise woman: and said to her: Feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on mourning apparel, and be not anointed with oil, that thou mayest be as a woman that had a long time been mourning for one dead.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And Ioab sent to Tekoah, and brought thence a subtile woman, and sayd vnto her, I pray thee, fayne thy selfe to mourne, and nowe put on mourning apparel, and anoynt not thy selfe with oyle: but be as a woman that had now long time mourned for the dead.