2 Samuel 16:10 kjv
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?
2 Samuel 16:10 nkjv
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?' "
2 Samuel 16:10 niv
But the king said, "What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the LORD said to him, 'Curse David,' who can ask, 'Why do you do this?'?"
2 Samuel 16:10 esv
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?'"
2 Samuel 16:10 nlt
"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?"
2 Samuel 16 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 45:7 | "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things." | God's sovereignty over all events, including adversity. |
| Lam 3:37-38 | "Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not? Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?" | Nothing happens without divine permission. |
| Prov 16:4 | "The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil." | God uses even wicked people for His purposes. |
| Job 1:21 | "Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." | Acknowledging God's hand in suffering and loss. |
| Rom 9:20 | "Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?" | Questioning God's sovereignty is inappropriate. |
| Gen 50:20 | "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good..." | God can use evil intent for good outcomes. |
| Ps 39:9 | "I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it." | Humility and silence before God's discipline. |
| Ps 38:15 | "For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God." | Trusting God in moments of perceived abandonment. |
| Ps 141:5 | "Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head..." | Accepting correction, even from unexpected sources. |
| Heb 12:6 | "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." | God's discipline as a sign of His love. |
| Prov 3:11 | "My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:" | Enduring God's discipline without complaint. |
| Deut 8:5 | "Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee." | God disciplines His children. |
| 2 Sam 19:22 | "And 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?" | David's recurring issue with the aggressive "sons of Zeruiah." |
| 1 Sam 26:10 | "David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, surely the LORD shall smite him; either his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish." | David leaving judgment to God in similar situations. |
| Ps 57:1 | "Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast." | Seeking refuge and patiently waiting during calamity. |
| Matt 5:44 | "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" | New Covenant principle of responding to curses with blessing. |
| Rom 12:14 | "Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not." | Not repaying evil for evil. |
| 1 Pet 2:23 | "Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:" | Christ's example of not retaliating against unjust suffering. |
| Isa 53:7 | "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth." | Prophecy of the Suffering Servant's silent submission. |
| Phil 4:11-12 | "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content... I know how to be abased..." | Finding contentment and strength in humble circumstances. |
2 Samuel 16 verses
2 Samuel 16 10 Meaning
King David silences his protective nephew, Abishai, who desires to retaliate against Shimei's curses. David declares that Shimei's cursing is divinely orchestrated or permitted by the LORD Himself. This indicates David's profound understanding that his present humiliation is not mere human animosity, but part of God's sovereign plan, perhaps as a test or chastisement, which David is willing to humbly accept.
2 Samuel 16 10 Context
This verse is situated during a period of immense trial for King David. His beloved son, Absalom, has usurped his throne, forcing David to flee Jerusalem with a loyal, but small, retinue. As David makes his escape, he encounters Shimei, a relative of King Saul, who bitterly curses and pelts David with stones and dust. This is a profound moment of public humiliation and vulnerability for the once-victorious king. Abishai, David's fierce and loyal nephew from the "sons of Zeruiah," impulsively seeks to silence Shimei by killing him. David's response in 2 Samuel 16:10 is a pivotal declaration, revealing his theological perspective amidst profound personal suffering and national crisis. He sees Shimei not as an isolated malicious actor, but as an instrument, willingly or unwillingly, of God's permissive will.
2 Samuel 16 10 Word analysis
- "And the king said,": Highlights David's authority and wisdom, in contrast to the impulsive suggestion of his nephew. Despite his weakened state, David retains his kingly composure and insight.
- "What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah?":
- "What have I to do with you" (מַה־לִּי וָלָכֶם, mah-lli valakhem): This is a common Hebrew idiom indicating a desire for disassociation or to dismiss another's unsolicited interference or advice. David is rejecting their counsel as inappropriate and unhelpful for the moment.
- "ye sons of Zeruiah" (בְּנֵי צְרוּיָה, b'nei Tseruyah): Refers primarily to Abishai, but also implicates Joab and their collective character. These individuals were David's nephews, fiercely loyal yet often impetuous, rash, and prone to violence, sometimes acting beyond or against David's direct command (e.g., Joab killing Abner, Amasa). David's repeated exasperation with them (cf. 2 Sam 19:22) underscores their persistent impulsiveness.
- "so let him curse,": David's command. He grants permission for Shimei to continue cursing. This is not apathy, but an act of profound submission to divine will. David recognizes that even this deep personal affront is permissible because it serves a higher purpose.
- "because the Lord hath said unto him, Curse David.":
- "the Lord" (יְהוָה, YHWH): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His authority and relationship with Israel and David.
- "hath said unto him" (אָמַר לוֹ, amar lo): This is key. It does not imply an audible, direct command from God to Shimei, but rather God's sovereign permission, instigation, or even His implanting of the idea into Shimei's mind as a means to effect His own purposes. It is an understanding that Shimei's actions are part of God's overarching plan for David. This indicates a deep theological conviction in David, recognizing divine authorship or allowance behind seemingly random or malicious events. It links the human act directly to God's providence, possibly as an instrument of chastisement for David's sins (e.g., Bathsheba and Uriah).
- "Curse David.": The specific nature of God's "saying" – enabling or directing the curse, highlights David's belief that even reviling comes from God's permission.
2 Samuel 16 10 Bonus section
The concept of God "saying" something to an individual or putting a thought in their heart is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, not always signifying an audible voice but often a divinely inspired inclination or allowance (e.g., God hardening Pharaoh's heart, or putting a spirit into a prophet's mouth). This specific instance demonstrates David's spiritual sensitivity to discern divine will even in actions seemingly rooted in human malice. It suggests a deeply introspective king who sees adversity as a possible vehicle for God's purposes, be it judgment, purification, or testing. David’s wisdom here contrasts sharply with the purely human, carnal perspective of vengeance offered by Abishai, emphasizing that godly wisdom often requires patience and an understanding of divine orchestrations over immediate, impulsive retribution.
2 Samuel 16 10 Commentary
2 Samuel 16:10 provides a remarkable insight into David's spiritual maturity and his deep theological conviction regarding God's absolute sovereignty, even amidst intense suffering and public humiliation. When confronted by Shimei's malicious curses, David does not see a random act of human spite. Instead, he perceives the underlying hand of the Almighty. His response to the "sons of Zeruiah" highlights his ongoing struggle with their impetuous nature and his refusal to allow human passion to supersede divine purpose. David accepts the cursing, not as weakness, but as a demonstration of trust, perhaps seeing it as merited discipline for his past sins, or a purification. This profound humility and acceptance of God's providence serves as a powerful model of enduring affliction with a faith that looks beyond human agency to the ultimate Author of all things. It reminds us that God can use unexpected and even painful means to accomplish His will and shape His people.