2 Samuel 16:5-14

Expanded Bible

Shimei Curses David

⁵ As King David came to Bahurim, a man came out ·and cursed him [cursing at them]. He was from ·Saul’s family group [^Lthe clan of the house of Saul], and his name was Shimei son of Gera. ⁶ He threw stones at David and his ·officers [officials; ^Lservants], but the people and soldiers gathered ·all around David [^Lto his right and left]. ⁷ Shimei cursed David, saying, “Get out, get out, you ·murderer [^Lman of blood], you ·troublemaker [scoundrel]. ⁸ The Lord is ·punishing [repaying] you for ·the people in Saul’s family you killed [^Lall the bloodshed of the house of Saul]! You ·took [reigned in] Saul’s place as king, but now the Lord has given the kingdom to your son Absalom! Now you are ·ruined [caught in your own evil] because you are a ·murderer [^Lman of blood]!”

⁹ Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse you, the king? Let me go over and cut off his head!”

¹⁰ But the king answered, “·This does not concern you [^LWhat have I to do with you], sons of Zeruiah! If ·he is cursing me because the Lord told him to [^Lthe Lord has told him, “Curse David”] , who can ·question him [^Lsay, “Why have you done so”]?”

¹¹ David also said to Abishai and all his ·officers [officials; ^Lservants], “My own ·son [flesh and blood] is trying to kill me! ·This man is a Benjaminite and has more right to kill me [^LHow much more reason has this Benjaminite; ^Cas a member of Saul’s clan]! Leave him alone and let him ·curse me [^Lcurse], ·because [or if] the Lord told him to do this. ¹² Maybe the Lord will see ·my misery [my affliction/distress; or that I am being wronged] and repay me with ·something good [blessing] for Shimei’s curses today!”

¹³ So David and his men went on down the road, ·but [while] Shimei ·followed [went along] on the nearby hillside. He kept cursing David and throwing stones and ·dirt [flinging dust] at him. ¹⁴ When the king and all his people arrived at the Jordan, they were very tired, so they rested there.