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?

KJV (with Strong's)

And the king {H4428} said {H559}, What have I to do with you, ye sons {H1121} of Zeruiah {H6870}? so let him curse {H7043}, because the LORD {H3068} hath said {H559} unto him, Curse {H7043} David {H1732}. Who shall then say {H559}, Wherefore hast thou done so {H6213}?

Complete Jewish Bible

The king said, "Do you sons of Tz'ruyah and I have anything in common? Let him curse. If ADONAI tells him, 'Curse David,' who has the right to ask, 'Why are you doing it?'"

Berean Standard Bible

But the king replied, “What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses me because the LORD told him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why did you do this?’”

American Standard Version

And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? Because he curseth, and because Jehovah hath said unto him, Curse David; who then shall say, Wherefore hast thou done so?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 2 Samuel 16:10, King David, in the midst of fleeing Absalom's rebellion, displays remarkable spiritual insight and submission to divine sovereignty when confronted by Shimei, a man from Saul's house, who curses him. Despite the zealous offer from his nephew Abishai to silence Shimei, David restrains him, perceiving Shimei's actions not merely as personal insult but as a divinely permitted affliction, possibly a consequence of his own past sins. This verse powerfully illustrates David's profound humility, his trust in God's ultimate control, and his commitment to leaving vengeance in the Lord's hands, even in the face of profound personal humiliation and crisis.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture in David's life, immediately following his forced exodus from Jerusalem due to his son Absalom's coup. [2 Samuel 15](/2_samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - Absalom's Rebellion") details David's flight, his sorrowful departure, and the loyalty of some followers, contrasted with the betrayal of others. As David and his entourage pass Bahurim, they encounter Shimei, a Benjamite from the clan of Saul, who overtly curses David and throws stones and dust at him, openly reviling the king. David's military commander, Abishai, one of the "sons of Zeruiah," immediately offers to execute Shimei for his insolence. David's response in [2 Samuel 16:10](/2_samuel/16-10 "2 Samuel 16:10 - David's Response to Shimei") is a direct reply to Abishai's proposal, revealing David's unique perspective on his suffering and his refusal to retaliate, choosing instead to interpret the event through a theological lens.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The act of cursing was a serious offense in ancient Israel, often invoking divine judgment. Shimei's actions—cursing, throwing stones, and dust—were public expressions of contempt and a symbolic act of rejection, particularly potent given his allegiance to the deposed house of Saul. This was not merely personal animosity but a political statement, viewing David as a usurper or a divinely cursed individual. The "sons of Zeruiah" (Joab and Abishai) were renowned for their fierce loyalty to David and their decisive, often ruthless, military actions (e.g., [2 Samuel 3:30](/2_samuel/3-30 "2 Samuel 3:30 - Joab Kills Abner")). David's restraint of them here is significant, demonstrating a king who, even in vulnerability, maintains control over his powerful commanders and submits to a higher authority. The concept of God using human agents, even malicious ones, to bring about His purposes or discipline was a recognized theological principle in Israel (e.g., [Isaiah 10:5-7](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5-7 - Assyria as God's Instrument")).
* **Key Themes:** [2 Samuel 16:10](/2_samuel/16-10 "2 Samuel 16:10 - David's Submission to God's Will") encapsulates several profound themes. Foremost is **Divine Sovereignty**, as David attributes Shimei's cursing directly to the Lord's command, seeing God's hand even in apparent injustice. This connects to the broader theme of **God's Control over All Circumstances**, even adverse ones. Another key theme is **Humility and Acceptance of Discipline**, as David's willingness to endure Shimei's curses suggests an acknowledgment of his own past sins (particularly the Bathsheba and Uriah affair, and Nathan's prophecy in [2 Samuel 12:11](/2_samuel/12-11 "2 Samuel 12:11 - Nathan's Prophecy of Calamity")). This demonstrates a spirit of **Repentance** and a readiness to bear the consequences. Finally, the verse highlights the theme of **Restraining Vengeance** and **Trusting God for Justice**, as David prevents immediate retribution, choosing to leave the ultimate judgment to God, a principle echoed throughout Scripture (e.g., [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance is Mine")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sons of Zeruiah (Hebrew, _b'nei Tseruyah'_):** This phrase refers to David's nephews, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel, who were his most prominent and powerful military commanders. They were known for their fierce loyalty to David but also for their impulsive, often violent, and sometimes insubordinate tendencies. David frequently had to rein in their aggressive actions, as seen here and in instances like Joab's killing of Abner ([2 Samuel 3:27](/2_samuel/3-27 "2 Samuel 3:27 - Joab Kills Abner")) and Amasa ([2 Samuel 20:10](/2_samuel/20-10 "2 Samuel 20:10 - Joab Kills Amasa")). Here, David's exasperated question, "What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah?" underscores his frustration with their readiness to resort to violence and his desire for them to cease interfering with what he perceives as a divinely ordained situation.
* **Curse (Hebrew, _qillel'_):** The verb "curse" signifies a verbal pronouncement intended to bring harm, misfortune, or divine judgment upon someone. In this context, Shimei's cursing of David was not merely an insult but an attempt to invoke divine disfavor against him, implying that David was already under God's judgment. David's acceptance of this curse, rather than resisting it, is remarkable. He understands that if God has "said" for Shimei to curse, then the curse itself is an instrument, not merely an act of human malice, and therefore, to resist it would be to resist God's will.
* **The LORD hath said (Hebrew, _YHWH amar'_):** This powerful phrase indicates David's profound theological interpretation of Shimei's actions. It does not mean God explicitly commanded Shimei to curse David in a direct revelation, but rather that God, in His sovereign will, permitted, ordained, or even prompted Shimei's actions as a means of discipline or testing for David. It reflects David's belief that nothing happens outside of God's ultimate control and purpose, even the seemingly random or malicious acts of men. This perspective transforms a personal affront into a divinely orchestrated event, calling David to humility and submission.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah?":** David's opening words express exasperation and a firm rejection of Abishai's proposal to kill Shimei. The idiom "What have I to do with you?" signifies a desire to distance oneself from another's actions or intentions, indicating that Abishai's aggressive impulse is out of line with David's own understanding of the situation and his desired response. It highlights David's authority even in his weakened state, asserting his will over his zealous commanders.
* **"so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David.":** This is the heart of David's reasoning. He commands his men to allow Shimei to continue cursing, because he believes Shimei is acting under divine permission or even prompting. David perceives God's hand in his suffering, interpreting Shimei's curses as a potential instrument of God's discipline, perhaps for David's past sins. This demonstrates an extraordinary level of humility and submission to God's sovereign will, even when that will manifests through painful and humiliating circumstances.
* **"Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?":** This rhetorical question underscores David's conviction that if God is behind an event, no human has the right to question or challenge it. It implies that God's actions and purposes are beyond human scrutiny and that to interfere with Shimei's cursing would be to question God's wisdom or authority. This statement reinforces David's profound trust in God's ultimate justice and His right to act as He sees fit, even through seemingly unjust means.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question** ("Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?"), which serves not to elicit an answer but to emphasize David's conviction that God's actions are unquestionable and beyond human challenge. This device powerfully conveys David's theological perspective and his submission to divine authority. The phrase "What have I to do with you?" is a strong **Idiom** expressing exasperation and a command to desist, highlighting the tension between David's spiritual discernment and his commanders' more pragmatic, aggressive instincts. There is also an element of **Irony** in David's statement: Shimei intends to curse David to bring him harm, but David interprets this curse as potentially coming from the Lord, thus transforming an act of malice into a potential act of divine discipline, which, paradoxically, could lead to purification and restoration. This divine permission for the curse also subtly **Foreshadows** the eventual vindication of David, as God's discipline often leads to restoration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Samuel 16:10 offers a profound theological statement on divine sovereignty, human suffering, and the proper response to injustice. David's perspective transforms a personal attack into a divinely orchestrated event, demonstrating a deep trust that God is active even in the midst of chaos and humiliation. This aligns with the biblical understanding that God can use all things, even the malice of men, to accomplish His purposes, whether for discipline, testing, or ultimate good. David's restraint of vengeance and his willingness to endure suffering point to a higher spiritual principle: that God is the ultimate arbiter of justice, and believers are called to trust His timing and methods rather than seeking immediate retribution. This posture of humility and submission is a hallmark of mature faith, recognizing that God's ways are higher than human ways, and His judgments are always righteous.

* [Psalm 39:9](/psalm/39-9 "Psalm 39:9 - I was silent, I opened not my mouth, because you did it.")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Leave Vengeance to God")
* [1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ Entrusted Himself to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's response to Shimei in 2 Samuel 16:10 provides a powerful model for believers facing adversity, criticism, or unjust treatment. It challenges us to look beyond the immediate human agent of our suffering and consider the possibility of God's sovereign hand at work. Instead of reacting with anger, defensiveness, or a desire for immediate retribution, David chose humility and submission, trusting that God was either disciplining him for past sins or testing his faith for a greater purpose. This calls us to cultivate a similar spiritual perspective: to pause before reacting, to examine our own hearts for any unconfessed sin that might be contributing to our trials, and to surrender our desire for personal vengeance. True spiritual maturity often manifests not in our ability to fight back, but in our capacity to endure suffering with grace, trusting God to vindicate us in His perfect timing. It reminds us that our ultimate battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces, and our ultimate trust must be in the Lord, who works all things according to the counsel of His will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically react when I feel unjustly attacked or criticized? Is my first instinct to defend myself or to seek God's perspective?**
* **In what ways might God be using difficult people or circumstances in my life to humble me, refine my character, or draw me closer to Him?**
* **Do I truly believe that God is sovereign over all circumstances, even those that seem chaotic or malicious? How does this belief impact my response to adversity?**
* **What specific steps can I take to surrender my desire for vengeance and trust God to administer justice in His own way and time?**

### FAQ

**Why didn't David punish Shimei immediately, especially when he had the power to do so?**

Answer: David's decision not to punish Shimei immediately, despite having loyal and capable commanders like Abishai ready to act, stemmed from a profound spiritual insight. He perceived Shimei's cursing not merely as a personal insult or political defiance, but as an act permitted, and perhaps even prompted, by the Lord Himself. David's statement, "because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David," indicates his belief that God was using Shimei as an instrument of discipline or testing. In his humility, David may have seen this humiliation as a just consequence for his own past sins (e.g., the Bathsheba and Uriah affair, detailed in [2 Samuel 11](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David and Bathsheba")). By refraining from vengeance, David demonstrated his submission to God's sovereign will and his trust that God would ultimately administer justice or mercy as He saw fit. This also prevented David from acting impulsively in a moment of great personal vulnerability.

**What does "the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David" truly mean? Did God literally command Shimei to curse David?**

Answer: This phrase does not imply a direct, audible command from God to Shimei. Rather, it reflects David's deep theological understanding of divine sovereignty. It means that God, in His overarching plan and permission, allowed or even orchestrated Shimei's actions to occur. God can use human agents, even those with malicious intent, to accomplish His purposes, whether for judgment, discipline, or the testing and refining of His people. For David, this was a moment of profound humility and acceptance of God's will, even if it came through a hostile human instrument. It signifies that nothing happens outside of God's ultimate control, and David recognized God's hand in his suffering, choosing to submit rather than resist. This perspective is crucial for understanding David's faith amidst his trials.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's profound response to Shimei's curses in 2 Samuel 16:10 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. David, though a man after God's own heart, was still a sinner whose suffering could be seen, in part, as a consequence of his own actions. Yet, in his humility, he accepted the curse as from the Lord. Jesus, however, was the sinless Son of God, who endured the ultimate curse not for His own sin, but for ours. Just as David restrained his zealous followers from defending him, Jesus willingly submitted to the unjust accusations, mockery, and violence of His enemies, rebuking Peter for drawing his sword in [Matthew 26:52](/matthew/26-52 "Matthew 26:52 - Jesus Rebukes Peter"). He did not retaliate when reviled, but "entrusted himself to him who judges justly" ([1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ's Example of Suffering")). The cursing of Shimei foreshadows the far greater humiliation and suffering endured by Christ on the cross, where He became a curse for us, as [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse") declares, to redeem us from the curse of the law. David's acceptance of God's will in suffering points forward to Christ's perfect obedience, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")), demonstrating the ultimate trust in the Father's sovereign plan of salvation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 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?

Romans 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?

John 18:11

Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

Matthew 16:23

But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Genesis 50:20

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; [but] God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as [it is] this day, to save much people alive.

Daniel 4:35

And all the inhabitants of the earth [are] reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and [among] the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

1 Peter 2:23

Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously: