2 Samuel 16:5-14

Tree of Life Version

⁵ When King David arrived at Bahurim, behold, just coming out from there was a man of the family of the house of Saul—his name was Shimei son of Gera. As he came out, he kept on cursing ⁶ and flinging stones at David and at all King David’s servants, while all the people and all the mighty men were at his right hand and on his left. ⁷ Thus Shimei said as he cursed, “Get out, get out! The man of bloodshed, the good-for-nothing! ⁸ Adonai has returned on you all the blood of Saul’s house, in whose place you’ve reigned. Adonai has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom—so see, your own evil has overtaken you, because you are a man of bloodshed.”

⁹ Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why let this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over now and take off his head!”

¹⁰ But the king said, “What have I to do with you, sons of Zeruiah? If he curses, it’s because Adonai has said to him, ‘Curse David!’ So who should say, ‘Why did you do so?’” ¹¹ Then David said to Abishai and to all his officials, “Look, my son who came from my own body is seeking my life—how much more this Benjamite? Leave him alone and let him curse, since Adonai has told him. ¹² Perhaps Adonai will look on my affliction and return good to me for his cursing this day.” ¹³ So David and his men continued on the way, while Shimei kept walking alongside the hill parallel with him, cursing as he walked, casting stones at him and throwing dirt.

¹⁴ Finally the king and all the people that were with him arrived weary, so he refreshed himself there.