2 Samuel 19:21

21 But Abisai the son of Sarvia answering, said: Shall Semei for these words not be put to death, because he cursed the Lord’s anointed?

2 Samuel 19:21 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 19:21

But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said
The same person that would have taken off the head of Shimei at the time he cursed David, if he would have given him leave, ( 2 Samuel 16:9 ) ;

shall not Shimei be put to death for this?
this humiliation and acknowledgment he has made, shall he be forgiven on that account? shall so small a matter as this atone for so great a crime he has been guilty of, as that he shall not die?

because
or "though" ^F12

he cursed the Lord's anointed;
is asking pardon sufficient to expiate so foul an offence, for which according to the law he ought to die? or for this action which he has done, as the Arabic version, in cursing the Lord's anointed.

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FOOTNOTES:

F12 (yk) , "quamvis, vel cum tamen", Piscator.

2 Samuel 19:21 In-Context

19 Said to him: Impute not to me, my lord, the iniquity, nor remember the injuries of thy servant on the day that thou, my lord, the king, wentest out of Jerusalem, nor lay it up in thy heart, O king.

20 For I thy servant acknowledge my sin: and therefore I am come this day the first of all the house of Joseph, and am come down to meet my lord the king.

21 But Abisai the son of Sarvia answering, said: Shall Semei for these words not be put to death, because he cursed the Lord’s anointed?

22 And David said: What have I to do with you, ye sons of Sarvia? why are you a satan this day to me? shall there any man be killed this day in Israel? do not I know that this day I am made king over Israel?

23 And the king said to Semei: Thou shalt not die. And he swore unto him.