2 Samuel 19:21

2 Samuel 19:21 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord’s anointed?
• New International Version (NIV)Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this? He cursed the Lord’s anointed.”
• New King James Version (NKJV)But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, “Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord’s anointed?”
• New Living Translation (NLT)Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shimei should die, for he cursed the Lord’s anointed king!”

Context of 2 Samuel 19:21

19and said to the king, "Let not my lord hold me guilty or remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. Do not let the king take it to heart. 20For your servant knows that I have sinned. Therefore, behold, I have come this day, the first of all the house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king." Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered, "Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord's anointed?" 22But David said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should this day be as an adversary to me? Shall anyone be put to death in Israel this day? For do I not know that I am this day king over Israel?" 23And the king said to Shimei, "You shall not die." And the king gave him his oath.

2 Samuel 19:21 word by word

וַיַּ֨עַן אֲבִישַׁ֤י בֶּן־צְרוּיָה֙ וַיֹּ֔אמֶר הֲתַ֣חַת זֹ֔את לֹ֥א יוּמַ֖ת שִׁמְעִ֑י כִּ֥י קִלֵּ֖ל אֶת־מְשִׁ֥יחַ יְהוָֽה׃ סRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• But Abishaiאֲבִישַׁי'ăbîyshay 'abshay · AbishaiH52
• the sonבֵּןbên · son: childH1121
• of Zeruiahצְרוּיָהtserûyâh · ZeruiahH6870
• answeredעָנָה‛ânâh · to answerH6030
• and saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• Shall not Shimeiשִׁמְעִיshim‛îy · ShimeiH8096
• be put to deathמוּתmûth · to dieH4191
• for this, because he cursedקָלַלqâlal · to lightenH7043
• the Lord’sיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• anointedמָשִׁיחַmâshîyach · anointedH4899

Cross-references for 2 Samuel 19:21

• Exodus 22:28"You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
• 1 Kings 21:10And set two worthless men opposite him, and let them bring a charge against him, saying, 'You have cursed God and the king.' Then take him out and stone him to death."
• 2 Samuel 16:5When King David came to Bahurim, there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera, and as he came he cursed continually.
• 1 Samuel 24:6He said to his men, "The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord's anointed."
• 1 Samuel 26:9But David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless?"

Commentaries on 2 Samuel 19:21

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16-23Verses 16-23 Those who now slight and abuse the Son of David, would be glad to make their peace when he shall come in his glory; but it will be too late. Shimei lost no time. His abuse had been personal, and with the usual right feeling of good men, David could more easily forgive it.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21-22Compare 2 Samuel 16:9–12. Abishai: See study note on 2 Samuel 16:9. Sons of Zeruiah: See study notes on 2 Samuel 2:18; 17:25. Abishai often wanted to kill those against David (compare 2 Samuel 16:9; 1 Samuel 26:8). David was also frustrated with Joab, Abishai’s brother (see 2 Samuel 3:28–29, 39; 19:13; 1 Kings 2:5–6).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 16-2316-23. Shemei ... a thousand men of Benjamin with him--This display of [Shemei's] followers was to show what force he could raise against or in support of the king. Expressing the deepest regret for his former outrageous conduct, he was pardoned on the spot; and although the son of Zeruiah urged the expediency of making this chief a public example, his officiousness was repulsed by David with magnanimity, and with the greater confidence that he felt…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Samuel 19:21

• Abishai
• Amnesty
• Anointing
• Clemency
• David
• Treason

In the dictionaries

• Shimei
• Conduct
• Cost
• Lord
• Abishai
• Benjamin
• Bible, the
• David
• Israel, History of
• Messiah

Commentaries on 2 Samuel 19

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings