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Wednesday, August 6th, 2025
the Week of Proper 13 / Ordinary 18
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Amplified Bible

2 Samuel 16:10

But the king said, "What business is this of yours, O sons of Zeruiah? If Shimei is cursing because the LORD said to him, 'Curse David,' then who should say, 'Why have you done so?'"

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Afflictions and Adversities;   Clemency;   Forgiveness;   Meekness;   Prayer;   Resignation;   Shimei;   Zeruiah;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Enemies;   Meekness;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Hadadezer or Hadarezer;   Shimel;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Abishai;   Solomon;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Meekness;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Providence;   Shimei;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Bird;   Providence;   Shimei;   Swallow;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Samuel, Books of;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Shimei ;   Zeruiah ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Absalom;   Jerusalem;   Shimei;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Shim'ei;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Hebrew Monarchy, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Samuel, Books of;   Shimei;   Zeruiah;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Alexandri;   Shimei;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
The king replied, “Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything? He curses me this way because the Lord told him, ‘Curse David!’ Therefore, who can say, ‘Why did you do that?’”
Hebrew Names Version
The king said, What have I to do with you, you sons of Tzeru'yah? Because he curses, and because the LORD has said to him, Curse David; who then shall say, Why have you done so?
King James Version
And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the Lord hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?
Lexham English Bible
The king said, "What do we have in common, sons of Zeruiah? If he curses because Yahweh has said to him ‘Curse David,' who can say, "Why have you done this?"
English Standard Version
But the king said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David,' who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?'"
New Century Version
But the king answered, "This does not concern you, sons of Zeruiah! If he is cursing me because the Lord told him to, who can question him?"
New English Translation
But the king said, "What do we have in common, you sons of Zeruiah? If he curses because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David!', who can say to him, ‘Why have you done this?'"
New American Standard Bible
But the king said, "What business of mine is yours, you sons of Zeruiah? If he curses, and if the LORD has told him, 'Curse David,' then who should say, 'Why have you done so?'"
Geneva Bible (1587)
But the King saide, What haue I to doe with you, ye sonnes of Zeruiah? for he curseth, eue because the Lord hath bidden him curse Dauid: who dare then say, Wherfore hast thou done so?
Legacy Standard Bible
But the king said, "What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses, and if Yahweh has told him, ‘Curse David,' then who shall say, ‘Why have you done so?'"
Contemporary English Version
David replied, "What will I ever do with you and your brother Joab? If Shimei is cursing me because the Lord has told him to, then who are you to tell him to stop?"
Complete Jewish Bible
The king said, "Do you sons of Tz'ruyah and I have anything in common? Let him curse. If Adonai tells him, ‘Curse David,' who has the right to ask, ‘Why are you doing it?'"
Darby Translation
And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, for Jehovah has said to him, Curse David! Who shall then say, Why dost thou so?
Easy-to-Read Version
But the king answered, "What can I do, sons of Zeruiah? Yes, Shimei is cursing me, but the Lord told him to curse me. And who can ask him why he did that?"
George Lamsa Translation
And King David said to him, What is it to me and to you, O sons of Zoriah? Let him curse, it is the LORD who has told him to curse David. Therefore who can say to me, Why has this happened?
Good News Translation
"This is none of your business," the king said to Abishai and his brother Joab. "If he curses me because the Lord told him to, who has the right to ask why he does it?"
Literal Translation
And the king said, What have I to do with you, sons of Zeruiah? For let him curse, even because Jehovah has said to him, Curse David. And who shall say, Why have you done so?
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
The kynge saide: Ye children of Zeru Ia, what haue I to do wt you? Let him curse on, for the LORDE hath commaunded him: Curse Dauid. Who can saye now: Why doest thou so?
American Standard Version
And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? Because he curseth, and because Jehovah hath said unto him, Curse David; who then shall say, Wherefore hast thou done so?
Bible in Basic English
And the king said, What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? Let him go on cursing, for the Lord has said, Put a curse on David, and who then may say, Why have you done so?
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And the king sayde: What haue I to do with you ye sonnes of Zaruia? for he curseth euen because the Lord hath bidden him curse Dauid: Who dare then say, Wherfore hast thou done so?
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And the king said: 'What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him: Curse David; who then shall say: Wherefore hast thou done so?'
King James Version (1611)
And the king said, What haue I to doe with you, ye sonnes of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the Lord hath said vnto him, Curse Dauid. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Saruia? even let him alone, and so let him curse, for the Lord has told him to curse David: and who shall say, Why hast thou done thus?
English Revised Version
And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? Because he curseth, and because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David; who then shall say, Wherefore hast thou done so?
Berean Standard Bible
But the king replied, "What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses me because the LORD told him, 'Curse David,' who can ask, 'Why did you do this?'"
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And the kyng seide, Ye sones of Saruye, what is to me and to you? Suffre ye hym, that he curse; for the Lord comaundide to hym, that he schulde curse Dauid; and who is he that dare seie, Whi dide he so?
Young's Literal Translation
And the king saith, `What -- to me and to you, O sons of Zeruiah? for -- let him revile; even because Jehovah hath said to him, Revile David; and who saith, Wherefore hast Thou done so?'
Update Bible Version
And the king said, What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? Because he curses, and because Yahweh has said to him, Curse David; who then shall say, Why have you done so?
Webster's Bible Translation
And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said to him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Why hast thou done so?
World English Bible
The king said, What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? Because he curses, and because Yahweh has said to him, Curse David; who then shall say, Why have you done so?
New King James Version
But the king said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the LORD has said to him, "Curse David.' Who then shall say, "Why have you done so?"'
New Living Translation
"No!" the king said. "Who asked your opinion, you sons of Zeruiah! If the Lord has told him to curse me, who are you to stop him?"
New Life Bible
But the king said, "What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he speaks against me, and if the Lord has told him, ‘Speak against David,' then who should say, ‘Why have you done so?'"
New Revised Standard
But the king said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David,' who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?'"
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But the king said, What have I in common with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? thus, he curseth, because, Yahweh, hath said unto him - Curse David. Who then can say, Why hast thou done thus?
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the king said: What have I to do with you, ye sons of Sarvia? Let him alone and let him curse: for the Lord hath bid him curse David: and who is he that shall dare say, why hath he done so?
Revised Standard Version
But the king said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeru'iah? If he is cursing because the LORD has said to him, 'Curse David,' who then shall say, 'Why have you done so?'"
THE MESSAGE
But the king said, "Why are you sons of Zeruiah always interfering and getting in the way? If he's cursing, it's because God told him, ‘Curse David.' So who dares raise questions?"
New American Standard Bible (1995)
But the king said, "What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses, and if the LORD has told him, 'Curse David,' then who shall say, 'Why have you done so?'"

Contextual Overview

5When King David came to Bahurim, a man named Shimei, the son of Gera, came out from there. He was of the family of Saul's household and he was cursing continually as he came out. 6He threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David; yet all the people and all the warriors remained on his right and on his left. 7This is what Shimei said as he cursed: "Get out, get out, you man of bloodshed, you worthless and useless man! 8"The LORD has returned upon you all the bloodshed of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the LORD has given the kingdom into the hands of Absalom your son. And behold, you are caught in your own evil, for you are a man of bloodshed!" 9Then Abishai [David's nephew], the son of Zeruiah, said to the king, "Why should this dead dog (despicable person) curse my lord the king? Let me go over and take off his head." 10But the king said, "What business is this of yours, O sons of Zeruiah? If Shimei is cursing because the LORD said to him, 'Curse David,' then who should say, 'Why have you done so?'"11Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, "Look, my son [Absalom] who came from my own body, is seeking my life; how much more [reason] now [does] this Benjamite [have to curse me]? Let him alone and let him curse, for [it could be that] the LORD has told him [to do it]. 12"Perhaps the LORD will look on the wrong done to me [by Shimei, if he is acting on his own]; and [in that case perhaps] the Lord will this day return good to me in place of his cursing." 13So David and his men went on the road; and Shimei went along on the hillside close beside David and cursed as he went and threw stones and dust at him. 14The king and all the people who were with him arrived [at the Jordan River] weary, and he refreshed himself there.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

What have: 2 Samuel 3:39, 2 Samuel 19:22, 1 Kings 2:5, Matthew 16:23, Luke 9:54-56, 1 Peter 2:23

so let him: Genesis 50:20, 1 Kings 22:21-23, 2 Kings 18:25, Lamentations 3:38, Lamentations 3:39, John 18:11

Who shall: Job 9:12, Ecclesiastes 8:4, Daniel 4:35, Romans 9:20

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:51 - hath Genesis 45:5 - God Exodus 21:13 - God 1 Samuel 3:18 - It is the Lord 1 Samuel 26:6 - to Abishai 2 Samuel 10:12 - the Lord 2 Samuel 19:19 - did perversely 2 Samuel 24:1 - moved 1 Kings 17:18 - What have I 1 Chronicles 19:13 - let the Lord 2 Chronicles 35:21 - What Job 31:31 - the men Psalms 38:13 - General Psalms 39:9 - General Psalms 109:28 - Let them Ecclesiastes 7:21 - unto Song of Solomon 5:6 - my soul Matthew 8:29 - What John 2:4 - what

Cross-References

Genesis 16:1
Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had not borne him any children, and she had an Egyptian maid whose name was Hagar.
Genesis 16:2
So Sarai said to Abram, "See here, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. I am asking you to go in to [the bed of] my maid [so that she may bear you a child]; perhaps I will obtain children by her." And Abram listened to Sarai and did as she said.
Genesis 16:3
After Abram had lived in the land of Canaan ten years, Abram's wife Sarai took Hagar the Egyptian [maid], and gave her to her husband Abram to be his [secondary] wife.
Genesis 16:5
Then Sarai said to Abram, "May [the responsibility for] the wrong done to me [by the arrogant behavior of Hagar] be upon you. I gave my maid into your arms, and when she realized that she had conceived, I was despised and looked on with disrespect. May the LORD judge [who has done right] between you and me."
Genesis 16:6
But Abram said to Sarai, "Look, your maid is entirely in your hands and subject to your authority; do as you please with her." So Sarai treated her harshly and humiliated her, and Hagar fled from her.
Genesis 16:7
But the Angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, on the road to [Egypt by way of] Shur.
Genesis 16:8
And He said, "Hagar, Sarai's maid, where did you come from and where are you going?" And she said, "I am running away from my mistress Sarai."
Genesis 16:9
The Angel of the LORD said to her, "Go back to your mistress, and submit humbly to her authority."
Genesis 16:11
The Angel of the LORD continued, "Behold, you are with child, And you will bear a son; And you shall name him Ishmael (God hears), Because the LORD has heard and paid attention to your persecution (suffering).
Genesis 16:12
"He (Ishmael) will be a wild donkey of a man; His hand will be against every man [continually fighting] And every man's hand against him; And he will dwell in defiance of all his brothers."

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And the king said, what have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah?.... It seems as if Joab, the brother of Abishai, joined with him in this request to have leave to take off the head of Shimei; and though David had to do with them as his relations, his sister's sons, and as they were generals in his army; yet in this case he would have nothing to do with them, would not take their advice, nor suffer them to take revenge on this man for his cursing him: or "what [is it] to me, [or] to you" u? what signifies his cursing? it will neither hurt me nor you:

so let him curse; go on cursing after this manner; do not restrain him from it, or attempt to stop his mouth: or, "for he will curse" w; so is the textual reading; you will not be able to restrain him, for the following reason:

because the Lord hath said unto him, curse David; not by way of command, or a precept of his; for to curse the ruler of the people is contrary to the word and law of God, Exodus 22:28, nor by any operation of his spirit moving and exciting him to it; for the operations of the Spirit are to holiness, and not to sin; but by the secret providence of God ordering, directing, and overruling all circumstances relative to this affair. Shimei had conceived enmity and hatred to David; God left him to the power of this corruption in his breast, opened a way in Providence, and gave him an opportunity of exercising it on him: it was not a bare permission of God that Shimei should curse David; but it was his will, and he ordered it so in Providence, that he should do it; which action was attended with the predetermined concourse of divine Providence, so far as it was an action; though, as a sinful action, it was of Shimei, sprung from his own heart, instigated by Satan; but as a correction and chastisement of David, it was by the will, order, and appointment of God, and as such David considered it, and quietly submitted to it:

who shall then say, wherefore hast thou done so? for though Shimei might justly be blamed, and reproved for it, yet the thing itself was not to be hindered or restrained, it being according to the will and providence of God, to answer some good end with respect to David.

u מה לי ולכם "quid mihi et vobis", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus. w כי "quia", Moatanus.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

What have I to do ... - See the marginal references compare Matthew 8:29; John 2:4, and a similar complaint about the sons of Zeruiah 2 Samuel 3:39. And for a like striking incident in the life of the Son of David, see Luke 9:52-56.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Samuel 16:10. Because the Lord hath said — The particle וכי vechi should be translated for if, not because. FOR IF the Lord hath said unto him, Curse David, who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so!


 
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