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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:5-14

We here find how David bore Shimei's curses much better than he had borne Ziba's flatteries. By the latter he was brought to pass a wrong judgment on another, by the former to pass a right judgment on himself. The world's smiles are more dangerous than its frowns. Observe here, I. How insolent and furious Shimei was, and how his malice took occasion from David's present distress to be so much the more outrageous. David, in his flight, had come to Bahurim, a city of Benjamin in or near which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:10

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" ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:11

And David said to Abishai, and all his servants ,.... In order to make them easy, and reconcile them to this usage of him: behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life ; meaning Absalom: how much more now may this Benjamite do it ? who was not only of the same tribe that Saul was, but of the same family, and so bore an ill will to David because of his succession in the throne: let him alone, and let him curse ; do nothing to restrain him, not even by words,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:12

It may be that the Lord will look on mine affliction ,.... Through the rebellion of his son, and now aggravated by the cursing of Shimei; that is, with an eye of pity and commiseration, and deliver him out of it: or "look upon my eye" F24 בעיני "in oculum meum", Montanus; "oculum meum lachrymantem", Munster. ; for there is a various reading; the tear of mine eye, as the Targum; so Jarchi and R. Isaiah; the tears in it, which fell plentifully from it, on account of his troubles, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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! read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 16:11

Let him curse ; for the Lord hath bidden him - No soul of man can suppose that ever God bade one man to curse another, much less that he commanded such a wretch as Shimei to curse such a man as David; but this is a peculiarity of the Hebrew language, which does not always distinguish between permission and commandment. Often the Scripture attributes to God what he only permits to be done; or what in the course of his providence he does not hinder. David, however, considers... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:1-14

The facts are: 1 . David, passing on his way, is met by Ziba with a present for the king and his servants. 2 . On inquiring after Mephibosheth, David is told by Ziba that he was staying in Jerusalem in expectation that, as a result of the present revolt, the kingdom would be restored to him as representative of the house of Saul. 3 . Accepting this statement as correct, David assigns Mephibosheth's property ( 2 Samuel 9:9-12 ) to Ziba, who thereupon makes obeisance. 4 .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:5-13

( BAHURIM .) The reviling of Shimei. ( References: 2 Samuel 19:16 ; 1 Kings 2:8 , 1 Kings 2:9 , 1 Kings 2:36-46 .) On pursuing his flight until he reached the Benjamite village of Bahurim ( 2 Samuel 3:6 ), David was encountered by another man connected with the house of Saul, who, instead of bringing flatteries and presents, flung "grievous curses" and stones; and (from a safe distance) gave vent to the long repressed rage which, in common with other partisans of the fallen... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:5-13

Shimei's curses. There are peculiar bitterness and moral peril in troubles which spring from, or are mingled with, human malevolence. Such was David's affliction at this time. Absalom's unnatural conduct, Ahitbophel's faithlessness, and Shimei's cursing rendered his misfortunes much harder to bear than similar misfortunes coming from the ordinary vicissitudes of human life. I. SHIMEI 'S CURSING . A striking picture here: David, in the midst of his people and servants, including his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:9-10

( BAHURIM .) The zeal of Abishai. ( References: 1 Chronicles 2:6 ; 1 Samuel 16:6 ; 2 Samuel 2:18 ; 2 Samuel 10:14 ; 2 Samuel 21:17 ; 2 Samuel 23:18 ; 1 Chronicles 18:12 .) Of the three sons of Zeruiah ( 2 Samuel 5:1-25 :39), the youngest, Asahel, was slain in early life ( 2 Samuel 2:23 ); the oldest, Joab, was now present ( 2 Samuel 16:10 ), "little trusting the revolution which a capricious stripling (like the Stuart Monmouth) was to lead;" the second, Abishai,... read more

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