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2 Samuel 19:16-23
International Standard Version
2 Samuel 19:16-23
International Standard Version
16 while Gera’s son Shimei,[a] a descendant of Benjamin from Bahurim, accompanied them to meet King David. 17 Ziba, the steward in charge of Saul’s household, and 1,000 descendants of Benjamin accompanied him, along with Ziba’s fifteen sons and 20 servants. They rushed toward the Jordan River ahead of the king 18 and forded it to assist the king at the crossing so he could do whatever he wished.
Just as the king was about to ford the Jordan River, Gera’s son Shimei fell down in front of the king 19 and addressed him,[b] “May your majesty not hold me guilty. Don’t remember how your servant did wrong the day your majesty the king left Jerusalem. May the king not let it burden his heart, 20 because your servant knows that I have sinned, but today I have come here as the first one from the entire house of Joseph to meet your majesty the king.”
21 But Zeruiah’s son Abishai asked, “Why shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this? After all, he cursed the Lord’s anointed!”
22 David replied, “What do you sons of Zeruiah have in common with me?[c] You’ve become my enemies today! Should anyone be executed in Israel today? Don’t you know that I’ve been reinstated as king over Israel today?” 23 Then the king addressed Shimei, “You won’t die!” affirming his promise with an oath.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 2 Samuel 19:16 Cf. 2Sam 16:5-12
- 2 Samuel 19:19 Lit. addressed the king
- 2 Samuel 19:22 Cf. 2Sam 16:10
2 Samuel 19:16-23
New International Version
2 Samuel 19:16-23
New International Version
16 Shimei(A) son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David. 17 With him were a thousand Benjamites, along with Ziba,(B) the steward of Saul’s household,(C) and his fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed to the Jordan, where the king was. 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.(D) 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(E) son of Zeruiah said, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this? He cursed(F) the Lord’s anointed.”(G)
22 David replied, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah?(H) What right do you have to interfere? Should anyone be put to death in Israel today?(I) 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.(J)
International Standard Version (ISV) 
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New International Version (NIV) 
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