2 Samuel 19:18

18 They forded the Jordan to bring the king's household across and do whatever the king desired.[a] When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell down before the king

2 Samuel 19:18 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 19:18

And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king's
household
His wives and children, who could not so well ford the river on foot: some will have this to be a bridge of boats, a pontoon; and Abarbinel thinks it might be a company of men, who carried the women and children on their shoulders, one after another:

and to do what he thought good;
to carry over whatever else the king pleased, besides his family:

and Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come
over Jordan;
or just as he was about to come over, when he came to Jordan to take the boat in order to come over; for he went over Jordan to meet him, and therefore would take the first opportunity of coming into his presence, and fall down before him, and make his submission to him.

2 Samuel 19:18 In-Context

16 Shimei son of Gera, a Benjaminite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David.
17 There were 1,000 men from Benjamin with him. Ziba, an attendant from the house of Saul, with his 15 sons and 20 servants also rushed down to the Jordan ahead of the king.
18 They forded the Jordan to bring the king's household across and do whatever the king desired. When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell down before the king
19 and said to him, "My lord, don't hold me guilty, and don't remember your servant's wrongdoing on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. May the king not take it to heart.
20 For your servant knows that I have sinned. But look! Today I am the first one of the entire house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king."

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Lit do what is good in his eyes
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