18 They crossed at the ford to take the king’s household over and to do whatever he wished.

When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell prostrate before the king 19 and said to him, “May my lord not hold me guilty. Do not remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem.(A) May the king put it out of his mind. 20 For I your servant know that I have sinned, but today I have come here as the first from the tribes of Joseph to come down and meet my lord the king.”

21 Then Abishai(B) son of Zeruiah said, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this? He cursed(C) the Lord’s anointed.”(D)

22 David replied, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah?(E) What right do you have to interfere? Should anyone be put to death in Israel today?(F) Don’t I know that today I am king over Israel?” 23 So the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king promised him on oath.(G)

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18 and they crossed the ford to bring over the king's household and to do his pleasure. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was about to cross the Jordan, 19 and said to the king, (A)“Let not my lord hold me guilty or remember how your servant (B)did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. Do not let the king take it to heart. 20 For your servant knows that I have sinned. Therefore, behold, I have come this day, the first (C)of all the house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king.” 21 Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered, “Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because (D)he cursed the Lord's anointed?” 22 But David said, (E)“What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should this day be as an adversary to me? (F)Shall anyone be put to death in Israel this day? For do I not know that I am this day king over Israel?” 23 (G)And the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king gave him his oath.

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18 Then they crossed the shallow places repeatedly to bring over the king’s household, and to do what was good in his sight. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king as he was about to cross the Jordan. 19 And he said to the king, “(A)May my lord not consider me guilty, nor call to mind what your servant did wrong on the day when my lord the king went out from Jerusalem, so that the king would [a]take it to heart. 20 For your servant knows that I have sinned; so behold, I have come today, (B)the first of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.” 21 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah responded, “(C)Should Shimei not be put to death for this, (D)the fact that he cursed the Lords anointed?” 22 David then said, “(E)What [b]is there between you and me, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should be an adversary to me today? (F)Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? For do I not know that I am king over Israel today?” 23 So the king said to Shimei, “(G)You shall not die.” The king also swore to him.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 19:19 Lit set
  2. 2 Samuel 19:22 Lit to me and to you; an ancient idiom

18 to do the work of ferrying[a] over the king’s household and to do whatever pleased him.

Gera’s son Shimei fell down before the king when he crossed the Jordan. 19 He said to the king, “May my master not hold me guilty or remember your servant’s wrongdoing that day my master the king left Jerusalem. Please forget about it, Your Majesty,[b] 20 because your servant knows that I have sinned. But look, I am the first person from the entire family of Joseph to come down today and meet my master the king.”

21 Zeruiah’s son Abishai responded, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for that—for cursing the Lord’s anointed?”

22 But David said, “My problems aren’t yours, you sons of Zeruiah. Why are you becoming my enemy today? Should anyone in Israel be put to death today? Don’t I know that today I am again king over Israel?”

23 Then the king told Shimei, “You will not die.” And the king swore this to him.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 19:18 LXX; MT while the crossing was under way, to ferry
  2. 2 Samuel 19:19 19:18-19 Heb uncertain

18 Then they brought David's family and servants back across the river, and they did everything he wanted them to do.

Shimei Meets with David

Shimei crossed the Jordan River and bowed down in front of David. 19 He said, “Your Majesty, I beg you not to punish me! Please, forget what I did when you were leaving Jerusalem. Don't even think about it. 20 I know I was wrong. That's why I wanted to be the first one from the northern tribes to meet you.”

21 But Abishai shouted, “You should be killed for cursing the Lord's chosen king!”

22 David said, “Abishai, what will I ever do with you and your brother Joab? Is it your job to tell me who has done wrong? I've been made king of all Israel today, and no one will be put to death!” 23 Then David promised Shimei that he would not be killed.

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