Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 20:17
And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, [Art] thou Joab? And he answered, I [am he]. Then she said unto him Hear the words of thine handmaid. And he answered, I do hear.
And when he was come near unto her,…. As he did, upon the information of his men, that a woman on the wall had something to say to him:
the woman said, [art] thou Joab? she was willing to be satisfied that he was really the general, before she would impart her mind to him:
and he answered, I [am he]; the very person you ask after:
and she said unto him, hear the words of thine handmaid; though a woman, vouchsafe to hear what I have to say:
and he answered, I do hear: am ready to hear, and shall patiently and attentively hear whatever may be spoken; which was giving her leave and encouragement to proceed.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
2Sa 20:17 And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, [Art] thou Joab? And he answered, I [am he]. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thine handmaid. And he answered, I do hear.
Ver. 17. And he answered, I do hear. ] He slighted her not, though a weak woman. If he had, she might fitly have said unto him, as Bernard once did to his brother when he gave him good counsel, and he being a soldier minded it not: A spear shall one day make way to that heart of thine, for instructions and admonitions to enter at.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Hear the words: 2Sa 14:12, 1Sa 25:24
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Sa 20:17-18. He answered, I do hear He did not despise her because she was a woman; but, as became a wise man, gave her a favourable audience, and attended to what she said. They shall surely ask counsel at Abel She begins with praising the city of Abel, as famous even to a proverb, time out of mind, for wisdom, and judging rightly of things. As if she had said, This city, which thou art about to destroy, is no mean and contemptible one; but so honourable and considerable for its wisdom, that when any differences arose among any of the neighbours, they used proverbially to say, We will ask the opinion and advice of the men of Abel about it, and we will stand to their arbitration; and so all parties were satisfied, and disputes ended.