2 Samuel 16 11

2 Samuel 16:11 kjv

And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.

2 Samuel 16:11 nkjv

And David said to Abishai and all his servants, "See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the LORD has ordered him.

2 Samuel 16:11 niv

David then said to Abishai and all his officials, "My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the LORD has told him to.

2 Samuel 16:11 esv

And David said to Abishai and to all his servants, "Behold, my own son seeks my life; how much more now may this Benjaminite! Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to.

2 Samuel 16:11 nlt

Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, "My own son is trying to kill me. Doesn't this relative of Saul have even more reason to do so? Leave him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to do it.

2 Samuel 16 verses

2 Samuel 16 11 Meaning

David's declaration in 2 Samuel 16:11 reveals his deep understanding of divine sovereignty amidst personal calamity. Faced with Absalom's life-threatening rebellion, which wounded him profoundly, David viewed Shimei's aggressive curses and stone-throwing not as mere human insolence but as an instrument of God's design. He expresses that if his own son, from his flesh, could seek his life, then it is not surprising for a Benjaminite with old grievances to do the same. Crucially, David restrains his loyal officer Abishai, believing that the Lord had "told" Shimei to curse, indicating his acceptance of this trial as divine chastisement or permission. This reflects David's humility, submission to God's will, and remarkable self-restraint in the face of profound personal and political distress.

2 Samuel 16 11 Context

Chapter 16 of 2 Samuel describes David's tumultuous flight from Jerusalem following Absalom's successful coup. As David and his loyalists ascend the Mount of Olives weeping, Ziba, Mephibosheth's servant, appears with provisions, slandering his master and receiving David's generous trust. Shortly after, as David passes Bahurim, a Benjaminite named Shimei, a relative of Saul, aggressively curses David and throws stones and dust at him and his retinue. Shimei vehemently accuses David of being a man of bloodshed, implying divine judgment for his actions against Saul's house. It is in response to Abishai's passionate plea to strike Shimei dead that David utters this pivotal verse, prioritizing a sovereign perspective on his overwhelming plight over immediate vengeance. Historically, this incident reflects the lingering resentment of Saul's clan towards David, who replaced Saul as king. David, meanwhile, interpreted these events through a theological lens, seeing God's hand in the unfolding tragedy, possibly as divine retribution for his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah.

2 Samuel 16 11 Word analysis

• And David said: (Hebrew: וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד, Vayetomer David). Indicates David's agency and authority, even in extreme vulnerability. This is his measured, divinely-informed response to a volatile situation, demonstrating leadership through crisis.
• to Abishai and to all his servants: David is addressing his loyal and zealous kinsmen, who are eager to defend his honor. His words here are a public lesson in restraint and submission to divine will.
• 'Behold, my son who came from my own body seeks my life':
  • Behold (הִנֵּה, hinneh): An emphatic particle drawing attention to the stark reality David faces.
  • my son (בְּנִי, beni): A deeply personal, lamenting possessive term.
  • who came from my own body (יוֹצֵא מִמֵּעַי, yōtzē' mimē'ai): Literally "going out from my entrails/bowels." This idiom vividly conveys biological, direct offspring (cf. Gen 15:4), emphasizing the profound, unnatural betrayal by his flesh and blood. It is the deepest possible cut.
  • seeks my life (מְבַקֵּשׁ אֶת־נַפְשִׁי, mevaqqesh et-nafshi): To seek or plot against someone's nefesh (life/soul) is to actively pursue their death or ruin. Absalom is leading a full-blown rebellion to depose and kill his father. This is the ultimate personal agony for David.
• how much more now may this Benjaminite!: (אַף כִּי בֶן־יְמִינִי זֶה, 'Af kî ben Yĕmini zeh). This is a "qal vaḥomer" (light and heavy) argument, a common rabbinic hermeneutical principle of inference: if the lighter case (one's own son seeking his life) is true, then the heavier case (a hostile Benjaminite) is certainly expected. Shimei, as a Benjaminite and relative of Saul, harbors a tribal grudge stemming from the transfer of the kingship from Saul's house to David's. David views Shimei's malice as historically predictable.
• Leave him alone, and let him curse: (הַנִּיחֻהוּ לוֹ וִיקַלֵּל, Hanîḥuhu lô wîqalel). A dual command emphasizing restraint and permission. David explicitly forbids his men from retaliation and allows Shimei to continue. This displays remarkable self-control and confidence in God's ultimate justice.
• for the Lord has told him to: (כִּי יְהוָה אָמַר לוֹ, Kî YHVH amar lô). This is the theological crux of David's statement. David does not attribute Shimei's actions solely to human malice but perceives them as part of God's permissive will or direct command. While God would not directly command sin, He can permit or use evil actions for His righteous purposes, such as discipline. This reflects David's belief in God's absolute sovereignty, even over the actions of those who revile His anointed, aligning with divine prophecies of judgment upon David's house (2 Sam 12:11-12).

Words-group analysis

• "Behold, my son who came from my own body seeks my life": This phrase underscores the deep, familial wound from Absalom's rebellion, framing it as the preeminent suffering David is enduring. The horror of a direct heir plotting to kill his father renders Shimei's curses secondary.
• "how much more now may this Benjaminite!": This expresses a profound realism rooted in understanding historical grievances and human nature. It acknowledges Shimei's political and familial motivation while placing it in a lesser position of concern compared to Absalom's betrayal.
• "Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to": This complete sentence demonstrates David's spiritual maturity, self-control, and trust in God's sovereignty. It reveals his decision to yield to divine providence rather than seeking immediate retribution. David sees God's hand at work even in this raw, personal attack.

2 Samuel 16 11 Bonus section

• David's perspective here reflects a "theology of suffering," where personal affliction is seen as being under God's control and serving His greater purposes. This mirrors the wisdom found in books like Job and the prophetic literature.
• The incident highlights the contrast between the fleshly desire for vengeance (Abishai's readiness to kill Shimei) and a divinely guided response of forbearance, which ultimately leads to God's intervention.
• This verse stands as a powerful example of prophetic faith, wherein David sees beyond human actors and perceives God orchestrating events for discipline or purpose. This mindset helps leaders navigate profound personal challenges while remaining aligned with divine will.
• David's willingness to absorb this curse without retaliation is a testament to his penitent heart, open to receive divine correction even if delivered through unholy means. It prepares the way for his eventual restoration.

2 Samuel 16 11 Commentary

2 Samuel 16:11 reveals David's remarkable spiritual depth in crisis. While his loyal Abishai sought to protect his king's honor with swift violence, David responded with profound humility and an elevated perspective. He discerned God's sovereign hand not just in the broad sweep of events but even in the specific, hateful words of an antagonist. David saw Shimei's curse not merely as personal insult, but as a permitted act, perhaps even an instrument of divine discipline in light of his own previous sins (such as the Uriah affair). By refusing to retaliate and instead yielding to God's will, David showcased extraordinary patience, submission, and a radical trust that God would ultimately arbitrate justice. This decision was pivotal in David's journey, showing his heart tuned to divine wisdom rather than human emotion, choosing suffering with God's perceived approval over human vindication.