Lectionary Calendar
Monday, August 18th, 2025
the Week of Proper 15 / Ordinary 20
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Christian Standard Bible ®

2 Samuel 16:8

The Lord has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul in whose place you became king, and the Lord has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. Look, you are in trouble because you’re a man of bloodshed!”

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Clemency;   Cursing;   Malice;   Shimei;   Tob;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Reviling and Reproaching;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Hadadezer or Hadarezer;   Shimel;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Benjamin;   Solomon;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Shimei;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Bird;   Shimei;   Swallow;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Samuel, Books of;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Shimei ;   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 - Abishai;   Bloody;   Mischief;   Samuel, Books of;   Shimei;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Alexandri;   Judge;   Shimei;   Treason;  

Parallel Translations

Hebrew Names Version
The LORD has returned on you all the blood of the house of Sha'ul, in whose place you have reigned; and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Avshalom your son; and, behold, you are [taken] in your own mischief, because you are a man of blood.
King James Version
The Lord hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the Lord hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.
Lexham English Bible
Yahweh has returned on you all the blood of the household of Saul whom you have supplanted as king, and Yahweh has given the kingship into the hand of Absalom your son. Look, you are in disaster for you are a man of blood."
English Standard Version
The Lord has avenged on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the Lord has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, your evil is on you, for you are a man of blood."
New Century Version
The Lord is punishing you for the people in Saul's family you killed! You took Saul's place as king, but now the Lord has given the kingdom to your son Absalom! Now you are ruined because you are a murderer!"
New English Translation
The Lord has punished you for all the spilled blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you rule. Now the Lord has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. Disaster has overtaken you, for you are a man of bloodshed!"
Amplified Bible
"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!"
New American Standard Bible
"The LORD has brought back upon you all the bloodshed of the house of Saul, in whose place you have become king; and the LORD has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. And behold, you are caught in your own evil, for you are a man of bloodshed!"
Geneva Bible (1587)
The Lord hath brought vpon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned: and the Lorde hath deliuered thy kingdome into the hand of Absalom thy sonne: and beholde, thou art taken in thy wickednesse, because thou art a murtherer.
Legacy Standard Bible
Yahweh has returned upon you all the bloodshed of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and Yahweh has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. And behold, you are taken in your own evil, for you are a man of bloodshed!"
Contemporary English Version
the Lord is paying you back for killing so many in Saul's family. You stole his kingdom, but now the Lord has given it to your son Absalom. You're a murderer, and that's why you're in such big trouble!"
Complete Jewish Bible
Adonai has brought back on you all the blood of the house of Sha'ul. You usurped his kingship, but Adonai has handed over the kingdom to Avshalom your son. Now your own evil has overtaken you, because you are a man of blood!"
Darby Translation
Jehovah has returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and Jehovah has given the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son; and behold, thou art [taken] in thine own evil, for thou art a man of blood.
Easy-to-Read Version
The Lord is punishing you because you killed people in Saul's family. You stole Saul's place as king. But now the same bad things are happening to you. The Lord has given the kingdom to your son Absalom, because you are a murderer."
George Lamsa Translation
The LORD has requited upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead you have reigned; and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son; and, behold, you have been requited for your evil, because you are a bloody man.
Good News Translation
You took Saul's kingdom, and now the Lord is punishing you for murdering so many of Saul's family. The Lord has given the kingdom to your son Absalom, and you are ruined, you murderer!"
Literal Translation
Jehovah has turned back on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. And Jehovah shall give the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. And, behold, you are taken in your mischief, for you are a man of blood.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
The LORDE hath rewarded the for all the bloude of the house of Saul, yt thou becamest kynge in his steade. Now hath the LORDE geuen the kyngdome into ye hande of Absalom thy sonne, and beholde, now stickest thou in thine owne myschefe, for thou art a bloudy hounde.
American Standard Version
Jehovah hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and Jehovah hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son; and, behold, thou art taken in thine own mischief, because thou art a man of blood.
Bible in Basic English
The Lord has sent punishment on you for all the blood of the family of Saul, whose kingdom you have taken; and the Lord has given the kingdom to Absalom, your son: now you yourself are taken in your evil, because you are a man of blood.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
The Lord hath brought vpon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose steade thou hast raigned, and the Lorde hath deliuered the kingdome into the hande of Absalom thy sonne: And beholde, thou art come to thy mischiefe, because thou art a bloodsheder.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
the LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son; and, behold, thou art taken in thine own mischief, because thou art a man of blood.'
King James Version (1611)
The Lord hath returned vpon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast raigned, and the Lord hath deliuered the kingdome into the hand of Absalom thy sonne: and behold, thou art taken to thy mischiefe, because thou art a bloody man.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
The Lord has returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, because thou hast reigned in his stead; and the Lord has given the kingdom into the hand of Abessalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.
English Revised Version
The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art [taken] in thine own mischief, because thou art a man of blood.
Berean Standard Bible
The LORD has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. See, you have come to ruin because you are a man of bloodshed!"
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
The Lord hath yolde to thee al the blood of the hows of Saul, for thou rauyschedist the rewme fro hym; and the Lord yaf the rewme in to the hond of Absolon, thi sone; and lo! thin yuels oppressen thee, for thou art a man of blodis.
Young's Literal Translation
Jehovah hath turned back on thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned, and Jehovah doth give the kingdom in to the hand of Absalom thy son; and lo, thou [art] in thine evil, for a man of blood thou [art].'
Update Bible Version
Yahweh has returned on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead you have reigned; and Yahweh has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son; and, look, you are [taken] in your own mischief, because you are a man of blood.
Webster's Bible Translation
The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and behold, thou [art taken] in thy mischief, because thou [art] a bloody man.
World English Bible
Yahweh has returned on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and Yahweh has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son; and, behold, you are [taken] in your own mischief, because you are a man of blood.
New King James Version
The LORD has brought upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son. So now you are caught in your own evil, because you are a bloodthirsty man!"
New Living Translation
"The Lord is paying you back for all the bloodshed in Saul's clan. You stole his throne, and now the Lord has given it to your son Absalom. At last you will taste some of your own medicine, for you are a murderer!"
New Life Bible
The Lord has punished you for all the blood of the family of Saul, in whose place you have ruled! The Lord has given the nation to your son Absalom! Your trouble is upon you, because you are a man of blood!"
New Revised Standard
The Lord has avenged on all of you the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the Lord has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, disaster has overtaken you; for you are a man of blood."
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Yahweh, hath brought back upon thee, all the shed-blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned, and Yahweh hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absolom thy son, - and, here thou art, in thy ruin, for that, a man of bloodshed, thou art.
Douay-Rheims Bible
The Lord hath repaid thee for all the blood of the house of Saul: because thou hast usurped the kingdom in his stead, and the Lord hath given the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and behold thy evils press upon thee, because thou art a man of blood.
Revised Standard Version
The LORD has avenged upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the LORD has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Ab'salom. See, your ruin is on you; for you are a man of blood."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"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 hand of your son Absalom. And behold, you are taken in your own evil, for you are a man of bloodshed!"

Contextual Overview

5When King David got to Bahurim, a man belonging to the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he was yelling curses as he approached. 6He threw stones at David and at all the royal servants, the people and the warriors on David’s right and left. 7Shimei said as he cursed: “Get out, get out, you man of bloodshed, you wicked man! 8The Lord has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul in whose place you became king, and the Lord has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. Look, you are in trouble because you’re a man of bloodshed!”9Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and remove his head!” 10The 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?’” 11Then David said to Abishai and all his servants, “Look, my own son, my own flesh and blood, intends to take my life—how much more now this Benjaminite! Leave him alone and let him curse me; the Lord has told him to. 12Perhaps the Lord will see my affliction and restore goodness to me instead of Shimei’s curses today.” 13So David and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei was going along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he cursed David, threw stones at him, and kicked up dust. 14Finally, the king and all the people with him arrived exhausted, so they rested there.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

returned: Judges 9:24, Judges 9:56, Judges 9:57, 1 Kings 2:32, 1 Kings 2:33, Acts 28:4, Acts 28:5, Revelation 16:6

the blood: 2 Samuel 1:16, 2 Samuel 3:28, 2 Samuel 3:29, 2 Samuel 4:8-12, Psalms 3:2, Psalms 4:2

thou: etc. or, thee in thy evil

Reciprocal: Numbers 16:41 - Ye have Deuteronomy 21:7 - General Psalms 5:6 - the bloody Psalms 7:3 - if I Psalms 27:12 - false Psalms 38:12 - speak Psalms 39:8 - make Psalms 55:3 - for they Psalms 89:51 - footsteps Psalms 109:3 - compassed Psalms 119:22 - Remove Psalms 119:42 - have wherewith Proverbs 17:26 - to strike

Cross-References

Genesis 3:9
So the Lord God called out to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”
Genesis 4:10
Then he said, “What have you done? Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground!
Genesis 16:1
Abram’s wife Sarai had not borne any children for him, but she owned an Egyptian slave named Hagar.
Genesis 16:2
Sarai said to Abram, “Since the Lord has prevented me from bearing children, go to my slave; perhaps through her I can build a family.” And Abram agreed to what Sarai said.
Genesis 16:4
He slept with Hagar, and she became pregnant. When she saw that she was pregnant, her mistress became contemptible to her.
Genesis 16:5
Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for my suffering! I put my slave in your arms, and when she saw that she was pregnant, I became contemptible to her. May the Lord judge between me and you.”
Genesis 16:8
He said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?”
1 Samuel 26:19
Now, may my lord the king please hear the words of his servant: If it is the Lord who has incited you against me, then may he accept an offering. But if it is people, may they be cursed in the presence of the Lord, for today they have banished me from sharing in the inheritance of the Lord saying, ‘Go and worship other gods.’
Ecclesiastes 10:4
If the ruler’s anger rises against you, don’t leave your post,for calmness puts great offenses to rest.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

The Lord hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul,.... Which he would suggest was shed by David, or, however, that he was the cause of its being shed; as if he had stirred up the Philistines to that battle in which Saul and his sons were slain, and had an hand secretly in the deaths of Ishbosheth and Abner, all which were false insinuations; and it may be the seven sons of Saul before this time, though after related, were delivered into the hands of the Gibeonites to be hanged, to which respect may be had:

in whose stead thou hast reigned; not by right, but by usurpation he suggests:

and the Lord hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son; in this he seems to contradict himself; for if David had got the kingdom by usurpation, it would rather have, been delivered by the Lord into the hand of one of Saul's family, and not of David's:

and behold, thou [art taken] in thy mischief; punished for his sins; the mischief he had brought on others was retaliated to him:

because thou [art] a bloody man; guilty of slaying, as the Targum of shedding innocent blood, and so worthy of death.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

All the blood of the house of Saul - Shimei probably put to David’s account the death of Saul, and Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Melchishua, slain in battle by the Philistines with whom David was in league; of Ish-bosheth, slain in consequence of David’s league with Abner; that of Abner himself, which he attributed to David’s secret orders; and all the 360 slain in the battle between Joab and Abner 2 Samuel 2:31. Some, too, think that the death of seven men of Saul’s immediate family 2 Samuel 21:8 had occurred before David’s flight, and was referred to by Shimei. Shimei’s hatred and virulence is an indication that the Benjamites resented the loss of royalty in their tribe, even in the palmiest days of David’s monarchy.


 
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