2 Samuel 16 6

2 Samuel 16:6 kjv

And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.

2 Samuel 16:6 nkjv

And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David. And all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.

2 Samuel 16:6 niv

He pelted David and all the king's officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David's right and left.

2 Samuel 16:6 esv

And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David, and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.

2 Samuel 16:6 nlt

He threw stones at the king and the king's officers and all the mighty warriors who surrounded him.

2 Samuel 16 verses

2 Samuel 16 6 Meaning

2 Samuel 16:6 describes Shimei's audacious act of defiance and contempt against King David, who was fleeing Absalom's rebellion. As David and his entourage passed by, Shimei, a Benjamite from Saul's household, cast stones and dust at David and his officials. This action was a deliberate and public expression of extreme disrespect, cursing, and an accusation of David's supposed wrongdoing against the house of Saul, carried out even in the presence of David's protective guard of mighty warriors. It highlighted David's vulnerable state and his humble submission to perceived divine judgment.

2 Samuel 16 6 Context

This verse takes place during David's hurried and humiliating flight from Jerusalem due to the rebellion of his son, Absalom. David, a mighty king, is depicted at one of the lowest points of his life, exiled from his capital, physically vulnerable, and psychologically distraught. His journey from the Mount of Olives and over the Kidron Valley (2 Sam 15:30) symbolizes profound grief and affliction. Shimei, from the clan of Saul, capitalizes on David's vulnerability. He saw this as a moment of divine judgment against David and an opportunity to avenge the displacement of Saul's house. David's profound response to this insult, acknowledging it perhaps as a permission from the LORD, is crucial to understanding his character and reliance on divine sovereignty even in dire straits.

2 Samuel 16 6 Word analysis

• And he cast (וַיְסַקֵּל - vay'sakkel): From the root סָקַל (saqal), meaning "to stone," "to cast stones." This is a forceful and intentional act. It signifies public defilement, contempt, and even the threat of judgment by stoning, though not a formal judicial execution here. It communicates deep-seated hatred and rejection.
• stones (אֲבָנִים - avanim): Literally "stones." The material objects hurled by Shimei, embodying his contempt and hostile intent. Combined with "dust" in the following verse, it signifies a total physical and ritual defilement.
• at David: Directly aimed at the person of the king, not merely his retinue. This emphasizes the personal nature of Shimei's malice.
• and at all the servants of King David: Not just David, but also his trusted officials and loyal followers. This shows Shimei's widespread animosity toward David's entire administration and kingship. "Servants" (עַבְדֵי - avdei) often denotes officials or subjects, those under his authority.
• and all the people: Refers to the common loyalists accompanying David. This broadens the scope of Shimei's public affront.
• and all the mighty men (הַגִּבֹּרִים - hagibborim): Refers to David's elite warriors, known for their strength and loyalty (cf. 2 Sam 23). Their presence on either side of David underscores the audacity and extreme insolence of Shimei's actions, as these were men who would typically not permit such disrespect.
• were on his right hand and on his left: This phrase indicates that David's elite guard was physically very close, encircling him, offering protection. Despite this tight security and loyal presence, Shimei dared to hurl stones and curse, highlighting the depth of his hatred and the abject vulnerability of David's current position. It demonstrates the extent of the insult being publicly performed with such close witnesses.

2 Samuel 16 6 Bonus section

• Shimei's contempt for David stemmed from the historical transfer of kingship from the tribe of Benjamin (Saul) to the tribe of Judah (David), fostering deep-seated resentment among Saul's kinsmen.
• The act of "casting stones and dust" carried deep cultural significance in ancient Israel. Stones symbolized condemnation, rejection, or even an unofficial "cursing." Throwing dust was an act of profound defilement, insult, and mourning, sometimes seen as calling down evil upon another or even symbolically burying them alive.
• David's willingness to endure this indignity (as further seen in 2 Sam 16:11-12) shows his spiritual growth. Unlike his younger days, he did not seek immediate retribution, instead entrusting himself to the Lord who permitted the trial, hoping for future good. This foreshadows the ultimate example of suffering the righteous would demonstrate.
• The fact that David’s ‘mighty men’ like Abishai were present and eager to strike Shimei (2 Sam 16:9) yet were held back by David, underscores David's remarkable self-restraint and his understanding of God's role in his life, even in suffering.

2 Samuel 16 6 Commentary

2 Samuel 16:6 captures a moment of intense public humiliation for King David. Shimei's act was not merely a random attack; it was a deeply symbolic and intentional act of rebellion and defilement. By casting stones and dust, he openly accused David of "bloodguilt" against Saul's house and cursed him, implying God's hand was in David's current predicament. The shocking aspect is that Shimei committed this act despite David being surrounded by his loyal and formidable "mighty men." This highlights David's humility in accepting what he perceived as divine judgment, preventing his mighty men from retaliating, choosing to suffer disgrace rather than resort to immediate vengeance. This scene portrays David's profound reliance on God's sovereignty even amidst personal humiliation and public insult, marking a stark contrast to his earlier impulsiveness. It is a critical example of patience in affliction, understanding that sometimes God allows painful experiences for His divine purposes or as a form of discipline.