2 Samuel 19 20

2 Samuel 19:20 kjv

For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.

2 Samuel 19:20 nkjv

For I, your servant, know that I have sinned. Therefore here I am, the first to come today of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king."

2 Samuel 19:20 niv

For I your servant know that I have sinned, but today I have come here as the first from the tribes of Joseph to come down and meet my lord the king."

2 Samuel 19:20 esv

For your servant knows that I have sinned. Therefore, behold, I have come this day, the first of all the house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king."

2 Samuel 19:20 nlt

I know how much I sinned. That is why I have come here today, the very first person in all Israel to greet my lord the king."

2 Samuel 19 verses

2 Samuel 19 20 Meaning

2 Samuel 19:20 records a seemingly repentant confession by Shimei, the Benjamite, to King David. He acknowledges his severe sin of previously cursing the king and emphatically states his immediate presence and early arrival. Shimei attempts to demonstrate his renewed loyalty by claiming he was the first from "the house of Joseph" (representing the northern tribes) to come and humble himself before King David upon his return, thereby seeking the king's mercy and a full pardon.

2 Samuel 19 20 Context

2 Samuel 19:20 occurs as King David is returning to Jerusalem following the defeat of Absalom's rebellion. His re-entry into the land, particularly crossing the Jordan River, became a pivotal moment for tribal re-alignment and oaths of loyalty. Shimei, a Benjamite from Bahurim (a kinsman of Saul), had been a prominent hater of David during his flight, showering him with curses and stones, and attributing David's misfortunes to divine retribution for the house of Saul. Now, seeing David's restoration to power, Shimei desperately rushes to the Jordan with a thousand Benjamites to preempt any retribution and to secure his own pardon. His statement in verse 20 is his formal plea, crafted to demonstrate his recognition of David's authority and his swift desire to re-establish loyalty, presenting himself as a leading figure among those welcoming David back.

2 Samuel 19 20 Word analysis

• For your servant knows (כִּי־יָדַע עַבְדְּךָ – ki-yadah avdekah):
  • Ki: The conjunction "for" or "because," which introduces Shimei's justification for his immediate and humbling presence before David.
  • Yadah: The verb "to know" here means to acknowledge and recognize, implying a full awareness and acceptance of the offense he committed against the king. It suggests not just intellectual knowledge, but an experienced understanding of his culpability.
  • Avdekah: "Your servant," a traditional term of humility and submission used by a subject addressing a sovereign. This deferential address contrasts sharply with his previous act of cursing, indicating a profound shift in posture towards the king.
• that I have sinned (כִּי חָטָאתִי – ki chatati):
  • Chatati: The verb "to sin" (ḥāṭāʾ) denotes "missing the mark" or transgressing. Shimei explicitly confesses his personal wrongdoing. This is a formal admission crucial for requesting pardon, especially from a monarch.
• and behold, I have come this day (וְהִנֵּה בָּאתִי הַיּוֹם – v'hinneh bati hayyom):
  • Ve-hinneh: "And behold," an exclamatory particle that draws attention to the immediacy and significance of Shimei's physical presence and action. It aims to underscore his promptness and urgency.
  • Bati hayyom: "I have come this day," emphasizes his swift action and arrival. This highlights his immediate response to David's return, painting himself as eager and repentant without delay.
• the first of all the house of Joseph (רִאשׁוֹן לְכֹל בֵּית־יוֹסֵף – rishon l'khol beit-Yosef):
  • Rishon: "First" or "foremost." Shimei's bold claim to priority among those welcoming David back. This suggests he is eager to be seen as a leader in reconciliation.
  • L'khol beit-Yosef: "Of all the house of Joseph." The "house of Joseph" refers collectively to the powerful northern tribes, primarily Ephraim and Manasseh. Shimei, being a Benjamite, is not directly from the "house of Joseph" traditionally. This statement might be an attempt to assert his political influence across broader northern Israelite groups, or to highlight his early alignment with David compared to the potentially slower movements of the traditionally strong northern tribes, demonstrating unique zeal.
• to come down to meet my lord the king (לָרֶדֶת לִקְרַאת אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶךְ – laredet liqra't adoni ha-melech):
  • Laredet: "To go down," often indicates geographical movement from a higher elevation to a lower one (e.g., from the hills of Benjamin to the Jordan Valley). It signifies physically presenting oneself.
  • Liqra't: "To meet" or "to encounter." This emphasizes his direct approach to the king for reconciliation.
  • Adoni ha-melech: "My lord the king," the supreme term of respect and acknowledgement of David's royal authority. This directly counters his earlier denunciation of David.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For your servant knows that I have sinned": This phrase functions as the core of Shimei's appeal, framing his plea with an acknowledgement of guilt and humble self-identification. It sets the stage for a request for mercy.
• "and behold, I have come this day the first of all the house of Joseph": This is a powerful, attention-grabbing claim about his promptness and leadership. By positioning himself as the earliest among the "house of Joseph" (a group from which he did not technically hail but represented powerful northern tribes), Shimei strategically emphasizes his initiative and prominence in the national reconciliation process, aiming for greater favor from David.
• "to come down to meet my lord the king": This clarifies the immediate purpose of his actions: a personal, direct confrontation to seek a royal audience. The act of "coming down" implies physical exertion and humble prostration, underscoring his apparent submission.

2 Samuel 19 20 Bonus section

• Shimei's Strategic Bluff: Shimei’s claim to be "first of all the house of Joseph" might have been a clever rhetorical device. Being a Benjamite, he geographically linked the region of Saul’s legacy with the broader northern tribes, perhaps trying to speak for a larger, undecided segment of Israel and thereby elevate his own significance in the eyes of the returning king. His desperate attempt at being "first" suggests a race among former rebels to pledge allegiance and curry favor.
• David's Calculated Mercy: While David pardons Shimei in 2 Samuel 19, this should not be interpreted as absolute forgiveness. David's later counsel to Solomon (1 Kgs 2:8-9) reveals a long memory and a conditional clemency given the critical period of restoration. David’s mercy was both a gesture of unification and a shrewd political move to avoid further bloodshed and consolidate his rule, reserving full justice for a later time and a different king. This illustrates a practical dimension of David's leadership.
• The Northern Tribes' Shifting Loyalties: The explicit mention of "house of Joseph" highlights the significance of the northern tribes. Their initial support for Absalom, and now their vying to welcome David back, foreshadows the future division of the kingdom after Solomon’s reign. Shimei’s appeal acknowledges the powerful regional identity of these tribes and the political importance of their allegiance.

2 Samuel 19 20 Commentary

2 Samuel 19:20 showcases Shimei's strategic shrewdness in a crisis. His "confession" is less an expression of godly sorrow and more a tactical maneuver born out of fear of retribution and a desire for self-preservation following Absalom's defeat. While he outwardly conforms to the language of submission ("your servant," "I have sinned," "my lord the king"), the speed of his shift and his grandstanding about being "the first of all the house of Joseph" reveal his opportunistic nature. His claim to represent "the house of Joseph" is notable given his Benjamite origin; it could be a means to broadly claim leadership in bringing the non-Judah tribes back into allegiance or simply a form of exaggerated flattery. David's response, granting him immediate clemency, demonstrates his political wisdom and desire for national unity during a vulnerable moment, even while acknowledging Shimei's character, as evidenced by David's later instruction to Solomon concerning him (1 Kgs 2:8-9). This verse serves as a crucial moment highlighting themes of true versus superficial repentance, royal magnanimity, and the complex political dynamics during the restoration of the monarchy.