God’s Word Translation
2 Samuel 19:23
23The king promised Shimei, “You won’t die,” and the king swore to it.
2 Samuel 19:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.
- New International Version (NIV)So the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king promised him on oath.
- English Standard Version (ESV)And the king said to Shimei, "You shall not die." And the king gave him his oath.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king swore to him.
Context of 2 Samuel 19:23
21But 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?” The king promised Shimei, “You won’t die,” and the king swore to it. 24Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, went to meet the king. He had not tended to his feet, trimmed his mustache, or washed his clothes from the day the king left until he came home safely. 25When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, “Why didn’t you go with me, Mephibosheth?”
Read all of 2 Samuel 192 Samuel 19:23 word by word
וַיֹּ֧אמֶר הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ אֶל־שִׁמְעִ֖י לֹ֣א תָמ֑וּת וַיִּשָּׁ֥בַֽע ל֖וֹ הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ סRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 2 Samuel 19:23
- 1 Kings 2:8“Shimei, son of Gera from Bahurim in Benjamin, is still with you. He cursed me repeatedly when I went to Mahanaim. But when he came to meet me at the Jordan River, I took an oath by the Lord and said, ‘As long as I’m king, I won’t have you killed.’
- 1 Samuel 28:10But Saul took an oath in the Lord’s name, “I solemnly swear, as the Lord lives, you will not be harmed if you do this.”
- 1 Samuel 30:15“Will you lead me to these troops?” David asked him. He answered, “Take an oath in front of God that you won’t kill me or hand me over to my master, and I’ll lead you to these troops.”
- Hebrews 6:16When people take oaths, they base their oaths on someone greater than themselves. Their oaths guarantee what they say and end all arguments.
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 19:23
- 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. 23David’s oath of protection was not binding on David’s heir, Solomon, who later ordered Shimei’s execution for far less serious crimes (1 Kings 2:36–46).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 19:23
In the dictionaries
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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