2 Samuel 16:13

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 16:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “So David and his men went by the way; and Shimei went along on the hill-side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

So David and his men went by the way; and Shimei went along on the hill-side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.
2 Samuel 16:13 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13So David and his men went by the way; and Shimei went along on the hill-side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And as David and his men went by the way, etc.] In the high road that led to Bahurim, taking no notice of the cursing of Shimei, which made him bolder and more impudent; here is a large pause in the Hebrew text, in the midst of this verse: Shimei went along on the hill side over against him; as David and his men walked in the plain, he went on a range of hills that ran along right against them: and cursed as he went; continued his curses and imprecations, to which he was the more emboldened by the behaviour of David and his men: and threw stones at him, and cast dust; in a way of contempt, though the stones recoiled on his own head, and the dust flew in his own face, as the consequence of…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“went along on the hill's side over against him--as he descended the rough road on the eastern side of the Mount of Olives, "went along on the hill's side"--literally, "the rib of the hill." threw stones at him--as a mark of contempt and insult. cast dust--As if to add insult to injury, clouds of dust were thrown by this disloyal subject in the path of his unfortunate sovereign.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“cursed: Sa2 16:5, Sa2 16:6 cast dust: Heb. dusted him with dust, Act 23:23; It was an ancient custom, in those warm and arid countries, to lay the dust before a person of distinction, by sprinkling the ground with water. Dr. Pococke and the consul were treated with this respect when they entered Cairo. The same custom is alluded to in the well-known fable of Phedrus, in which a slave is represented going before Augustus and officiously laying the dust. To throw dust in the air while a person was passing was therefore an act of great disrespect; to do so before a sovereign prince, an indecent outrage. But it is probable that Shimei meant more than disrespect and outrage to this afflicted…”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“"So David went with his men on the way, whilst Shimei went on the slope of the hill opposite to him, cursing continually, and pelted with stones over against him, and with earth." לעמּתו means over against him in both instances. It is not expressly stated that Shimei threw stones and earth at David, but this is implied in the context. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 16:14”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification