2 Samuel 16:5-14

Shimei Curses David

5 When King David got to Bahurim, a man belonging to the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera,^[a] and he was yelling curses as he approached.

6 He threw stones at David and at all the royal^[b] servants, the people and the warriors on David's right and left.

7 Shimei said as he cursed: "Get out, get out, you worthless murderer!

8 The Lord has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul in whose place you rule, and the Lord has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. Look, you are in trouble because you're a murderer!"

9 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut his head off!"

10 The king replied, "Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything?^[c] He curses [me] this way because the Lord ^[d] told him, 'Curse David!' Therefore, who can say, 'Why did you do that?' "

11 Then David said to Abishai and all his servants, "Look, my own son, my own flesh and blood,^[e] intends to take my life^[f]-how much more now this Benjaminite! Leave him alone and let him curse [me]; the Lord has told him to.

12 Perhaps the Lord will see my affliction^[g] and restore goodness to me instead of Shimei's curses today."

13 So David and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei was going along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he cursed [David], and threw stones and dirt at him.

14 Finally, the king and all the people with him arrived^[h] exhausted, so they rested there.

2 Samuel 16:5-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 16

In this chapter is an account of Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, getting his inheritance by misrepresentation of him, and by presents to David, 2Sa 16:1-4; and of Shimei's cursing David as he passed along, which David bore patiently, and would not suffer others to avenge it on him, 2Sa 16:5-14; and of Hushai's offer of his service to Absalom, who admitted him to be of his privy council, 2Sa 16:15-19; and of the counsel which Ahithophel gave, 2Sa 15:20-23.

Footnotes

• [a]. 1 Kg 2:8-9,36-46
• [b]. Lit all King David's
• [c]. 2 Sm 3:39; 19:22
• [d]. Alt Hb tradition reads If he curses, and if the Lord
• [e]. Lit son who came from my belly
• [f]. 2 Sm 12:10
• [g]. Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr, Vg; other Hb mss read iniquity
• [h]. LXX adds at the Jordan