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Shimei Curses David

As King David came to Bahurim, a man came out ·and cursed him [cursing at them]. He was from ·Saul’s family group [L the clan of the house of Saul], and his name was Shimei son of Gera. He threw stones at David and his ·officers [officials; L servants], but the people and soldiers gathered ·all around David [L to his right and left]. Shimei cursed David, saying, “Get out, get out, you ·murderer [L man of blood], you ·troublemaker [scoundrel]. The Lord is ·punishing [repaying] you for ·the people in Saul’s family you killed [L all 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 [L man of blood]!”

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 [L What have I to do with you], sons of Zeruiah! If ·he is cursing me because the Lord told him to [L the Lord has told him, “Curse David”] , who can ·question him [L say, “Why have you done so”]?”

11 David also said to Abishai and all his ·officers [officials; L servants], “My own ·son [flesh and blood] is trying to kill me! ·This man is a Benjaminite and has more right to kill me [L How much more reason has this Benjaminite; C as a member of Saul’s clan]! Leave him alone and let him ·curse me [L curse], ·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.

15 Meanwhile, Absalom, Ahithophel, and all the ·Israelites [L people/army of Israel] arrived at Jerusalem. 16 David’s friend Hushai the Arkite came to Absalom and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”

17 Absalom asked, “·Why are you not loyal [L Is this the love/loyalty you show] to your friend David? Why didn’t you leave Jerusalem with your friend?”

18 Hushai said, “I belong to the one chosen by the Lord and by these people and everyone in Israel. I will stay with ·you [L him]. 19 In the past I served your father. So whom should I serve now? David’s son! I will serve you as I served him.”

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Shimei Curses David

As King David approached Bahurim,(A) a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei(B) son of Gera, and he cursed(C) as he came out. He pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David’s right and left. As he cursed, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel! The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned.(D) The Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!”(E)

Then Abishai(F) son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog(G) curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.”(H)

10 But the king said, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah?(I) If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’”(J)

11 David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son,(K) my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to.(L) 12 It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery(M) and restore to me his covenant blessing(N) instead of his curse today.(O)

13 So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt. 14 The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted.(P) And there he refreshed himself.

The Advice of Ahithophel and Hushai

15 Meanwhile, Absalom(Q) and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel(R) was with him. 16 Then Hushai(S) the Arkite, David’s confidant, went to Absalom and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”

17 Absalom said to Hushai, “So this is the love you show your friend? If he’s your friend, why didn’t you go with him?”(T)

18 Hushai said to Absalom, “No, the one chosen by the Lord, by these people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and I will remain with him. 19 Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve the son? Just as I served your father, so I will serve you.”(U)

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