Definition: Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Samuel 14:18. It’s a really dramatic and somewhat unsettling passage about a king’s reaction to a betrayal. Here's what it essentially means in simpler terms: The Core Situation: David was having an affair with Bathsheba. This is the main point – David was involved in a relationship with another woman, Bathsheba. Bathsheba betrayed David’s trust. She revealed his secret to her husband, Uriah. What happened next? David reacts with anger and demands punishment. He tells Bathsheba to hide the secret he’s about to reveal to his king. He's essentially saying, "I need you to keep this hidden from me." The Interpretation - It's a bit tricky, but here’s the gist: This verse is often interpreted as David deliberately trying to manipulate the situation to his advantage. He's using the woman’s deception as a way to get rid of Uriah and gain power. He’s essentially saying, "I need you to keep this secret so that if I happen to be punished, it will be because of your actions." Important Note: This interpretation is rooted in a later understanding of the text – it's not a straightforward story of innocent betrayal. It's a strategic move for David. Essentially, it’s a moment of calculated manipulation where David used another person's vulnerability to his own benefit. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this verse is significant in the Bible? Discuss the different interpretations surrounding this passage? Give you a brief summary of the events that led up to this scene?