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.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered, "Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because 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?”

Context of 2 Samuel 19:21

19He pleaded with the king, “Don’t remember the crime I committed the day you left Jerusalem. Don’t hold it against me or even think about it, Your Majesty. 20I know I’ve sinned. Today I’ve come as the first of all the house of Joseph to meet you.” But Abishai, Zeruiah’s son, replied, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for cursing the Lord’s anointed king?” 22David responded, “Are you sure we’re from the same family, sons of Zeruiah? You are my enemies today. Should anyone in Israel be killed today? Don’t I know that I’m king of Israel again?” 23The king promised Shimei, “You won’t die,” and the king swore to it.

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“Never show disrespect for God or curse a leader of your people.
• 1 Kings 21:10Have two good-for-nothing men sit opposite him and accuse him of cursing God and the king. Then stone him to death outside the city.”
• 2 Samuel 16:5When King David came to Bahurim, a man who was a distant cousin of Saul came out cursing. His name was Shimei, son of Gera.
• 1 Samuel 24:6He said to his men, “It would be unthinkable for me to raise my hand against His Majesty, the Lord’s anointed king, since he is the Lord’s anointed.”
• 1 Samuel 26:9“Don’t kill him!” David told Abishai. “No one has ever attacked the Lord’s anointed king and remained free of guilt.

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