What does 2 Samuel 14:6 mean?
"And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him." - 2 Samuel 14:6

The verse 2 Samuel 14:6 from the King James Version of the Bible reads, "And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him."
This verse is part of a broader narrative found in the book of 2 Samuel, which details the aftermath of King David's sin with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah. In this particular passage, a woman from Tekoa approaches the king with a parable in an attempt to gain his attention and sympathy. The parable she tells involves a woman who had two sons, who in a fight, one killed the other.
This parable serves as a powerful allegory for the brokenness and conflict within the kingdom of Israel at that time. The woman's story represents the fractured state of the nation, with divisions and conflicts tearing the people apart. This is a reflection of the disunity and moral decay that had taken hold in Israel, as a result of the sins committed by King David.
One of the central themes present in this verse is the destructive nature of conflict. The story of the two sons fighting and one killing the other serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of discord and strife. The tragic outcome of the conflict underscores the devastating impact of unresolved disputes and the importance of seeking reconciliation and peace.
This verse also touches on the themes of justice and the consequences of sin. The woman's parable highlights the need for accountability and restitution in the face of wrongdoing. The act of one son killing the other demands justice and retribution, emphasizing the weight of sin and the necessity of atonement.
Furthermore, the verse also speaks to the theme of the human condition and the struggle with moral choices. The story of the two sons echoes the age-old battle between good and evil, and the propensity for human beings to succumb to their baser instincts. It serves as a poignant illustration of the fallen nature of humanity and the pervasive presence of sin in the world.
In addition to its thematic significance, this verse also contains powerful symbolism. The two sons can be interpreted as symbolic of the warring factions within the kingdom of Israel, with one son representing the prevailing dominance and the other representing the oppressed and marginalized. The field where the conflict takes place may symbolize the broader societal landscape, where competing forces clash and vie for power.
The woman's plea for justice and mercy also holds symbolic weight, as she implores the king to intervene and bring about resolution. This can be seen as a plea for God's intervention in the affairs of the nation, as the people grapple with the consequences of their transgressions.
Overall, 2 Samuel 14:6 is a verse that embodies profound thematic depth and symbolism within the broader context of the biblical narrative. It serves as a poignant reflection on the destructive nature of conflict, the weight of sin, and the ongoing human struggle for justice and reconciliation. The verse offers valuable insights into the complexities of the human condition and the redemptive power of divine grace.
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2 Samuel 14:6 - "And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him."
"And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him." - 2 Samuel 14:6
2 Samuel 6:14
2 Samuel 6:14–22
2 Samuel 6:14 - "And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod."
1 Samuel 14:6
"And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod." - 2 Samuel 6:14
2:6:14
2 Samuel 23:14 - "And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Beth-lehem."
2 Samuel 14:23 - "So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem."
2 Samuel 22:14 - "The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice."
2 Samuel 16:14 - "And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there."
2 Samuel 14:1 - "Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was toward Absalom."
2 Samuel 6:6 - "¶ And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it."
2 Samuel 14:28 - "¶ So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king's face."
2 Samuel 11:14 - "¶ And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah."
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
2 Samuel 6:23 - "Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death."
2 Samuel 2:14 - "And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise."
2 Samuel 5:14 - "And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,"
2 Samuel 22:6 - "The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;"
1 Samuel 6:14 - "And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Beth-shemite, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart, and offered the kine a burnt offering unto the LORD."
2 Samuel 14:8 - "And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine house, and I will give charge concerning thee."
2 Samuel 14:3 - "And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the words in her mouth."
2 Samuel 6:1 - "Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand."
2 Samuel 18:6 - "¶ So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim;"
1 Samuel 2:6 - "The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up."
2 Samuel 24:6 - "Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtim-hodshi; and they came to Dan-jaan, and about to Zidon,"
2 Samuel 6:9 - "And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?"
2 Samuel 2:6 - "And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing."