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2 Samuel 19:21

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 19:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed Jehovah`s anointed?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed Jehovah`s anointed?
2 Samuel 19:21 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 19

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18And there went over a ferry-boat to bring over the king`s household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, when he was come over the Jordan.
19And he said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.
20For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come this day the first of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.
21But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed Jehovah`s anointed?
22And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?
23And the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.
24And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king; and he had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace.
← 2 Samuel 19:202 Samuel 19:22 →
← Full Chapter 19 2 Samuel Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, etc.] The same person that would have taken off the head of Shimei at the time he cursed David, if he would have given him leave, (<101609>2 Samuel 16:9); shall not Shimei be put to death for this? this humiliation and acknowledgment he has made, shall he be forgiven on that account? shall so small a matter as this atone for so great a crime he has been guilty of, as that he shall not die? because or “though” f330 he cursed the Lord’s anointed; is asking pardon sufficient to expiate so foul an offence, for which according to the law he ought to die? or for this action which he has done, as the Arabic version, in cursing the Lord’s anointed.”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“19:21-22 Cp. 16:9-12. • Abishai: See study note on 16:9. • you sons of Zeruiah: See study notes on 2:18; 17:25. While it was Abishai who consistently wanted to kill those hostile to David (cp. 16:9; 1 Sam 26:8), David also expressed his frustration with Joab, Abishai’s brother (see 2 Sam 3:28-29, 39; 19:13; 1 Kgs 2:5-6).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Shall not: Exo 22:28; Kg1 21:10, Kg1 21:11 cursed: Sa2 16:5, Sa2 16:7, Sa2 16:13; Sa1 24:6, Sa1 26:9 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 19:22”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Samuel 19 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification