2 Samuel 19:21
New International Version
Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this? He cursed the LORD’s anointed.”

New Living Translation
Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shimei should die, for he cursed the LORD’s anointed king!”

English Standard Version
Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered, “Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s anointed?”

Berean Standard Bible
But Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s anointed?”

King James Bible
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 King James Version
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 American Standard Bible
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah responded, “Should Shimei not be put to death for this, the fact that he cursed the LORD’S anointed?”

NASB 1995
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah said, “Should not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’S anointed?”

NASB 1977
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, “Should not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s anointed?”

Legacy Standard Bible
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah said, “Should not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the anointed of Yahweh?”

Amplified Bible
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah said, “Should not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’S anointed?”

Christian Standard Bible
Abishai son of Zeruiah asked, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s anointed? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Abishai son of Zeruiah asked, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s anointed?”

American Standard Version
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed Jehovah's anointed?

Contemporary English Version
But Abishai shouted, "You should be killed for cursing the LORD's chosen king!"

English Revised Version
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?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But Abishai, Zeruiah's son, replied, "Shouldn't Shimei be put to death for cursing the LORD's anointed king?"

Good News Translation
Abishai son of Zeruiah spoke up: "Shimei should be put to death because he cursed the one whom the LORD chose as king."

International Standard Version
But Zeruiah's son Abishai asked, "Why shouldn't Shimei be put to death for this? After all, he cursed the LORD's anointed!"

Majority Standard Bible
But Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s anointed?”

NET Bible
Abishai son of Zeruiah replied, "For this should not Shimei be put to death? After all, he cursed the LORD's anointed!"

New Heart English Bible
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah replied, "Should not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s anointed?"

Webster's Bible Translation
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?

World English Bible
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed Yahweh’s anointed?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Abishai son of Zeruiah answers and says, “Is Shimei not put to death for this—because he reviled the anointed of YHWH?”

Young's Literal Translation
And Abishai son of Zeruiah answereth and saith, 'For this is not Shimei put to death -- because he reviled the anointed of Jehovah?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Abishai son of Zeruiah, will say, For this shall not Shimei be put to death? for he cursed Jehovah's Messiah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But Abisai the son of Sarvia answering, said: Shall Semei for these words not be put to death, because he cursed the Lord's anointed?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Yet truly, Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, responding, said, “Should not Shimei, because of these words, be killed, since he cursed the Christ of the Lord?”

New American Bible
But Abishai, son of Zeruiah, countered: “Shimei must be put to death for this. He cursed the anointed of the LORD.”

New Revised Standard Version
Abishai son of Zeruiah answered, “Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s anointed?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But Abishai the son of Zoriah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD'S anointed?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Abishi son of Tsuria answered and he said: “Because of this, should not also Shemei die who cursed the Anointed of LORD JEHOVAH?!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Abessai the son of Saruia answered and said, Shall not Semei therefore be put to death, because he cursed the Lord's anointed?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Shimei Pardoned
20For your servant knows that I have sinned, so here I am today as the first of all the house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king.” 21But Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s anointed?” 22And David replied, “Sons of Zeruiah, what have I to do with you, that you should be my adversaries today? Should any man be put to death in Israel today? Am I not indeed aware that today I am king over Israel?”…

Cross References
1 Samuel 26:9-11
But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can extend a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?” / David added, “As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD Himself will strike him down; either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. / But the LORD forbid that I should extend my hand against the LORD’s anointed. Instead, take the spear and water jug by his head, and let us go.”

1 Kings 2:8-9
Keep an eye on Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim who is with you. He called down bitter curses against me on the day I went to Mahanaim, but when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the LORD: ‘I will never put you to the sword.’ / Now therefore, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man. You know what you ought to do to him to bring his gray head down to Sheol in blood.”

1 Samuel 24:6-7
So he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.” / With these words David restrained his men, and he did not let them rise up against Saul. Then Saul left the cave and went on his way.

1 Samuel 24:10
Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’

1 Samuel 26:23
May the LORD repay every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. For the LORD delivered you into my hand today, but I would not extend my hand against the LORD’s anointed.

1 Samuel 25:28-31
Please forgive your servant’s offense, for the LORD will surely make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because he fights the LORD’s battles. May no evil be found in you as long as you live. / And should someone pursue you and seek your life, then the life of my lord will be bound securely by the LORD your God in the bundle of the living. But He shall fling away the lives of your enemies like stones from a sling. / When the LORD has done for my lord all the good He promised, and when He has appointed you ruler over Israel, ...

1 Kings 2:36-46
Then the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “Build a house for yourself in Jerusalem and live there, but do not go anywhere else. / On the day you go out and cross the Kidron Valley, know for sure that you will die; your blood will be on your own head.” / “The sentence is fair,” Shimei replied. “Your servant will do as my lord the king has spoken.” And Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time. ...

2 Samuel 16:5-13
As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses. / He threw stones at David and at all the servants of the king, though the troops and all the mighty men were on David’s right and left. / And as he yelled curses, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you worthless man of bloodshed! ...

2 Samuel 1:14-16
So David asked him, “Why were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?” / Then David summoned one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him!” So the young man struck him down, and he died. / For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood be on your own head because your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I killed the LORD’s anointed.’”

2 Samuel 3:39
And I am weak this day, though anointed as king, and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too fierce for me. May the LORD repay the evildoer according to his evil!”

Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Romans 12:19-21
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” / On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” / Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Luke 6:27-28
But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” / Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!

Acts 7:60
Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.


Treasury of Scripture

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?

Shall not

Exodus 22:28
Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

1 Kings 21:10,11
And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die…

cursed

2 Samuel 16:5,7,13
And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came…

1 Samuel 24:6
And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.

1 Samuel 26:9
And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless?

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Abishai Abi'shai Anointed Cursed Cursing Death Fate Holy Jehovah's LORD's Marked Reviled Right Shimei Shim'e-I Shouldn't Zeruiah Zeru'iah
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2 Samuel 19
1. Joab causes the king to cease his mourning
9. The Israelites are earnest to bring the king back
11. David sends to the priest to incite them of Judah
18. Shimei is pardoned
24. Mephibosheth excused
32. Barzillai dismissed, and Chimham his son taken into the king's family
41. The Israelites expostulate with Judah for bringing home the king without them














But Abishai son of Zeruiah
Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, is a prominent figure in David's military leadership. Zeruiah, David's sister, bore three sons who were all significant warriors: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. The mention of "son of Zeruiah" highlights the familial connection and the loyalty these brothers had to King David. In the Hebrew context, family lineage was crucial, and being a son of Zeruiah carried a reputation of valor and fierce loyalty. Abishai's character is often portrayed as zealous and protective, reflecting the warrior ethos of his time.

said, 'Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this?
The question posed by Abishai reflects the justice system and the seriousness of cursing the king, who was considered God's anointed. In ancient Israel, the king was not just a political leader but also a spiritual figurehead. The Hebrew law, as seen in Leviticus 24:16, prescribed severe penalties for blasphemy or cursing God's anointed. Abishai's suggestion to put Shimei to death underscores the gravity of Shimei's actions and the cultural and religious norms that demanded respect for the king.

He cursed the LORD’s anointed!
The phrase "the LORD’s anointed" refers to King David, who was chosen by God and anointed by the prophet Samuel. In Hebrew, the term "anointed" is "mashiach," which is the root for "Messiah." This highlights the sacred nature of David's kingship. Cursing the anointed was seen as an affront not only to the king but to God Himself, as the king was God's representative on earth. This phrase emphasizes the divine right and protection believed to be bestowed upon the king, making Shimei's actions not just a personal insult but a theological transgression.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But Abishai
אֲבִישַׁ֤י (’ă·ḇî·šay)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 52: Abishai -- 'my father is Jesse', an Israelite name

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Zeruiah
צְרוּיָה֙ (ṣə·rū·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6870: Zeruiah -- an Israelite woman

said,
וַיַּ֨עַן (way·ya·‘an)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

“Shouldn’t
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

Shimei
שִׁמְעִ֑י (šim·‘î)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8096: Shimei -- the name of a number of Israelites

be put to death
יוּמַ֖ת (yū·maṯ)
Verb - Hofal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

for
הֲתַ֣חַת (hă·ṯa·ḥaṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

this,
זֹ֔את (zōṯ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

because
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he cursed
קִלֵּ֖ל (qil·lêl)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7043: To be slight, swift or trifling

the LORD’s
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

anointed?”
מְשִׁ֥יחַ (mə·šî·aḥ)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4899: Anointed, a consecrated person, the Messiah


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OT History: 2 Samuel 19:21 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
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