2 Samuel 14:14

“For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.”

Immediate Context

The preceding line reads “And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished.” The titled verse reads “For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.” The following line reads “Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing unto my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and thy handmaid said, I will now speak unto the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his handmaid.” Together, these lines place 2 Samuel 14:14 within its immediate canonical and literary sequence.

Reading the Verse

The verse reports an action, event, location, number, or result within the biblical narrative. Its contribution appears through the subject, action, and outcome stated in the sentence.

The wording develops in three movements: “For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again;” then “neither doth God respect any person:” and finally “yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.” These clauses should be read together.

Biblical Significance

Biblical narrative communicates through ordered events and consequences. Accuracy about each verse preserves that sequence and guards conclusions from being based on details the passage does not contain.

Application

A faithful response distinguishes description from command and notices how the event fits the surrounding account. Reflection should follow the choices, consequences, and divine activity that the text itself makes visible.

Read in this setting, 2 Samuel 14:14 speaks through its own wording and context. Its claims and application begin with the KJV text above.