2 Samuel 20:18 Parallel Translations

So she said, "There's an old saying: 'Be sure to ask at Abel before doing anything. That's the way they settle matters.'(GOD'S WORD®)

KJV:

Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter.

ASV:

Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter .

BBE:

Then she said, In the old days, there was a saying, Let them put the question in Abel and in Dan, saying, Has what was ordered by men of good faith in Israel ever come to an end?

DBY:

And she spoke saying, They were wont to speak in old time saying, Just inquire in Abel; and so they ended.

ERV:

Then she spake, saying, they were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter.

JPS:

Then she spoke, saying: 'They were wont to speak in old time, saying: They shall surely ask counsel at Abel; and so they ended the matter.

WBS:

Then she spoke, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They will surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter.

WEB:

Then she spoke, saying, "They were used to say in old times, "They shall surely ask counsel at Abel; and so they settled it.

YLT:

and she speaketh, saying, 'They spake often in former times, saying, Let them diligently ask at Abel, and so they finished.

2 Samuel 20:18 Cross References

XREF:

2 Samuel 20:17 So he approached her, and the woman said, "Are you Joab?" And he answered, "I am." Then she said to him, "Listen to the words of your maidservant." And he answered, "I am listening."

2 Samuel 20:19 "I am of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You are seeking to destroy a city, even a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?" (NASB ©1995)

Commentaries and Concordances

GSB:

20:18 Then she spake, saying, {l} They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask [counsel] at Abel: and so they ended [the matter].
(l) She shows that the old custom was not to destroy a city before peace was offered, De 20:10,11.

WES:

20:18 Ask counsel - 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 as the men of Abel about it, and we will stand to their arbitration; and so all parties were satisfied, and disputes ended.

MHC:

20:14-22 Justly is that place attacked, which dares to harbour a traitor; nor will the heart fare better which indulges rebellious lusts, that will not have Christ to reign over them. A discreet woman, by her prudent management, satisfied Joab, and yet saved the city. Wisdom is not confined to rank or sex; it consists not in deep knowledge; but in understanding how to act as matters arise, that troubles may be turned away and benefits secured. A great deal of mischief would be prevented, if contending parties would understand one another. Let both sides be undeceived. The single condition of peace is, the surrender of the traitor. It is so in God's dealing with the soul, when besieged by conviction and distress; sin is the traitor; the beloved lust is the rebel: part with that, cast away the transgression, and all shall be well. There is no peace on any other terms.

CONC:

Abel Advice Ago Counsel Dan Diligently Dispute Ended Faith Finished Former Formerly Inquire Matter Often Ordered Question Saying Settled Spake Speak Speaketh Spoke Surely Thus Wont

Abel Advice Ago Continued Counsel Dan Diligently Dispute End Ended Faith Finished Formerly Good Inquire Israel Matter Often Ordered Question Settled Speak Surely Time Used Wont

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org.

GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved.

Online Parallel Bible