2 Samuel 19:21

2Sa 19:21 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’S anointed?

Ver. 21. Because he cursed the Lord’s anointed?] Or, Inasmuch as he cursed, &c. Shall he be therefore spared, because he hath acknowledged his fault after a sort, and now beggeth pardon? Let us show like zeal for God against blasphemers, as this noble captain doth for David.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2Sa 19:21-23. Abishai said, Shall not Shimei be put to death? — Abishai had before highly resented Shimei’s vile treatment of David, and thought this a fit season for taking revenge. What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? — It seems Joab joined with his brother, and together they thought to govern all the king’s motions as they pleased. But he bids them, in a disdainful manner, stand aside, and not intermeddle in this matter. That ye should this day be adversaries unto me? — Should hinder me from following my own inclinations, and set my people against me. For, by taking their advice, David might have alienated the hearts of all Israel from him, and made them fear the like punishment for their revolt. Shall any man be put to death this day in Israel? — In a time of universal joy, shall any family have cause for lamentation? It was undoubtedly David’s interest, at this time, to appease the people, and reconcile them to himself, and not give them any new distaste by acts of severity; which would have made others jealous, that he would watch an opportunity to be revenged on them. Do I not know that I am this day king over Israel? — And, therefore, have power to punish or to pardon as I please. Is not my kingdom, which was in a manner wholly lost, just now restored and assured to me? And when God hath been so merciful to me in forgiving my sin, shall I show myself revengeful to Shimei? Shall I sully the glory of this day with an act of such severity? Or, shall I alienate the hearts of my people from me, now they are returned to me? “He knew himself a king,” says Delaney, “not of one party, but of a whole people; and therefore wisely resolved that his fatherly affection should extend to them all. He knew himself a sovereign, and he knew that mercy and forgiveness were the noblest privileges of sovereignty.” He therefore turned to Shimei, pronounced his pardon, and confirmed it with an oath, that he should not die.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

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).

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

21. Abishai] True to his fierce, impetuous character. See ch. 2Sa_16:9.

cursed the Lord’s anointed] Since the king was Jehovah’s representative, to curse him was almost as heinous an offence as to curse Jehovah Himself. Exo_22:28; Lev_24:15; 1Ki_21:10.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said,.... 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, Sa2 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" (l).

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.

(l) "quamvis, vel cum tamen", Piscator.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

i.e. The king. By this expression he minds David of his former zeal against those who offered any injury to Saul, because he was the Lord’s anointed, 1Sa 24:6; 26:9; and therefore demands the same justice against Shimei for his cursing of the king, which was so expressly forbidden, Exo 22:28, and by the analogy of that law, Exo 21:17, might seem punishable with death.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

21. Abishai… said — He cherished yet his rage and indignation against this reviler of the king. See 2Sa_16:9.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Abishai

See how you translated this man's name in 2 Samuel 2:18. (See: How to Translate Names)

Zeruiah

See how you translated this man's name in 2 Samuel 2:13. (See: How to Translate Names)

Should not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed Yahweh's anointed?

Abishai was angry at Shimei for cursing David and is suggesting that he should be killed. This question can be written as a statement. AT: "Shimei should be put to death because he cursed Yahweh's anointed." (See: Rhetorical Question)

Yahweh's anointed

This refers to David. It means that he is the man that Yahweh had anointed as king. AT: "the man that Yahweh has anointed as king" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

What have I to do with you ... that you should today be adversaries to me?

David uses this rhetorical question to rebuke Abishai. This can be written as a statement. AT: "We have nothing in common with you, you sons of Zeruiah! You have no good reason to become my adversaries today." (See: Rhetorical Question)

Will any man be put to death today in Israel? For do I not know that today I am king over Israel?

David uses these rhetorical questions to continue rebuking Abishai. These questions can be written as statements. AT: "No person will be executed today in the nation of Israel, because today I am the one who is king over all of Israel." (See: Rhetorical Question)

Will any man be put to death

This phrase "put to death" means to be killed or executed. AT: "Will any man be killed" or "Will I order any man to die" (See: Idiom)

For do I not know that today I am king over Israel?

Possible meanings of this rhetorical question are 1) "I know that I am still king of Israel." or 2) "Today I am the one who is king over Israel!" (See: Rhetorical Question)

translationWords

curse

Yahweh

anoint

adversary

know

promise

oath

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

First from among all the House of Yoseif. All of Yisroel wronged you, I more then everyone. I have come to ask you forgiveness, if you accept me then all of Yisroel will be confident that you will accept them but if you do not [accept me] they will be afraid to return to you.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.