14:7 the whole clan has risen against your servant. The tale which the wise women concocts raises not only the issue of blood revenge (v. 11; 3:27; Num. 35:16–25; Deut. 19:11–13; Josh. 20:3) but also the continuance of her family line on its ancestral property, for her enemies propose to execute the surviving son. As she points out, this would leave her with no name or descendant, something that Israelite law sought to avoid (Deut. 25:5–10). The woman skillfully introduces in her fictional story the same dilemma that David had. His duty to avenge the blood of Amnon conflicted with his anxiety that Absalom, now presumably his heir, not be cut off. Compare Nathan’s parable in 12:1–4.