2 Samuel 19:19

KJV

And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.

KJV (with Strong's)

And said {H559} unto the king {H4428}, Let not my lord {H113} impute {H2803} iniquity {H5771} unto me, neither do thou remember {H2142} that which thy servant {H5650} did perversely {H5753} the day {H3117} that my lord {H113} the king {H4428} went out {H3318} of Jerusalem {H3389}, that the king {H4428} should take {H7760} it to his heart {H3820}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and said to the king, "May my lord not hold me guilty of a crime. Don't remember the wrong your servant did on the day my lord the king left Yerushalayim. May the king not take it to heart!

Berean Standard Bible

and said, “My lord, do not hold me guilty, and do not remember your servant’s wrongdoing on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. May the king not take it to heart.

American Standard Version

And he said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Samuel 19:19 captures the urgent and desperate plea of Shimei, a Benjamite from the house of Saul, as King David makes his triumphant return to Jerusalem following the suppression of Absalom's rebellion. Having previously cursed and reviled David during his flight from the capital, Shimei now prostrates himself before the restored monarch, begging for mercy and imploring David not to hold his past treachery against him, nor to remember his perverse actions with a vengeful heart. This verse marks a pivotal moment of reconciliation and the king's demonstration of initial clemency amidst a period of national healing.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a crucial juncture in David's reign, immediately following the tragic defeat of Absalom's rebellion and David's journey back to Jerusalem. As David crosses the Jordan River, he is met by various groups seeking to welcome him and re-establish their loyalty. Shimei's appearance is particularly significant, as he rushes to be among the first to greet the king, indicating his profound fear and urgent desire for pardon. His plea in this verse directly follows his prostration before David with a thousand men of Benjamin, acknowledging the king's restored authority. The immediate literary backdrop is Shimei's earlier, virulent cursing of David as the king fled Jerusalem, documented in [2 Samuel 16:5-8](/2_samuel/16-5 "2 Samuel 16:5-8 - Shimei Curses David"), where he threw stones and accused David of being a "man of blood." David's initial response to those who wished to execute Shimei for this offense was one of remarkable restraint, even considering the possibility of divine orchestration behind the curses ([2 Samuel 16:10](/2_samuel/16-10 "2 Samuel 16:10 - David's Response to Shimei's Curses")). This history sets up the high stakes of Shimei's current appeal for mercy.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The scene unfolds as David, the anointed king, is returning to his capital after a period of exile and civil war. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a returning monarch held immense power, and those who had committed treason faced severe penalties, often execution. Shimei's actions during David's flight were not merely disrespectful but constituted an act of open rebellion and a challenge to David's divine right to rule. As a Benjamite, Shimei likely harbored lingering loyalty to the deposed house of Saul and resentment towards David, viewing David's misfortune as divine judgment for usurping Saul's throne. The act of prostration and urgent appeal for mercy was a common cultural practice for those seeking clemency from a king. The Jordan River crossing itself symbolized a return to stability and a new beginning for David's reign, making it a fitting moment for acts of reconciliation and forgiveness, or the dispensing of justice.

* **Key Themes:** Shimei's plea in [2 Samuel 19:19](/2_samuel/19-19 "2 Samuel 19:19 - Shimei's Plea for Forgiveness") contributes to several major themes within the book of 2 Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Seeking Forgiveness and Repentance**. Shimei's desperate words, though perhaps motivated by fear for his life, represent an acknowledgment of wrongdoing and a direct request for the king's pardon, underscoring the human need to confess sin and seek reconciliation. Secondly, the verse sets up a profound tension between **Mercy vs. Justice**. David's advisors, particularly Abishai, immediately advocated for Shimei's execution ([2 Samuel 19:21](/2_samuel/19-21 "2 Samuel 19:21 - Abishai's Demand for Justice")), presenting David with a choice between exacting retribution for past treachery and extending an act of clemency during a moment of national reunification. David's decision here reveals his capacity for grace, albeit a nuanced one. Lastly, Shimei's request, "neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely," powerfully illustrates **The Weight of Past Actions**. It emphasizes that one's deeds, especially those of disloyalty and rebellion, carry significant consequences and can haunt an individual until forgiveness is sought and, ideally, granted.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **"impute iniquity" (Hebrew: חָשַׁב עָוֹן, _chashav avon'_):** The verb _chashav_ means "to reckon," "to account," "to consider," or "to think." The noun _avon_ refers to "iniquity," "guilt," "punishment for sin," or "moral evil." Together, "impute iniquity" signifies the act of attributing or counting sin and its corresponding guilt against someone. Shimei is pleading with David not to hold his past transgression against him, not to reckon it as a debt owed or a crime to be punished. This concept carries significant theological weight, foreshadowing the divine act of non-imputation of sin, where God, in His grace, chooses not to count our sins against us.
* **"perversely" (Hebrew: עָוָה, _avah'_):** This verb means "to bend," "to twist," "to make crooked," or "to pervert." When applied to actions, it denotes a deliberate turning away from what is right, a distortion of justice or truth. Shimei's use of this word acknowledges the deliberate and malicious nature of his previous actions against David. It was not an accidental slight but a willful, twisted act of rebellion and disrespect, emphasizing the depth of his offense.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And said unto the king,"**: This opening phrase establishes the direct and personal nature of Shimei's address. He is speaking directly to David, not through an intermediary, underscoring the urgency and personal risk of his plea.
* **"Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me,"**: This is the core of Shimei's request. He begs David not to reckon or count his past sin against him. It is a plea for non-punishment, for the king to set aside the legal and moral claim he has over Shimei's life due to his treasonous acts.
* **"neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem,"**: Shimei specifically identifies the offense: his perverse actions (cursing, throwing stones, reviling) on the day David fled Jerusalem from Absalom. This shows his awareness of the gravity of his actions and his hope that David will choose not to recall them with a desire for vengeance. The phrase "that which thy servant did perversely" is a clear confession of guilt, acknowledging the twisted and malicious nature of his behavior.
* **"that the king should take it to his heart."**: This final clause expresses the desired outcome of Shimei's plea. He asks that David not internalize the offense, not hold it as a grudge, or allow it to become a source of bitterness or a motivation for retribution. To "take it to heart" implies a deep-seated remembrance that leads to judgment or punitive action. Shimei desires David to release the offense from his memory and emotional ledger.

#### Literary Devices
The passage makes effective use of several literary devices. **Supplication** is central, as Shimei's words are a direct, desperate plea for mercy from a position of profound vulnerability. His language is humble, referring to himself as "thy servant" and David as "my lord," a stark **Contrast** to his previous insolence. There is also a strong element of **Irony** in the scene: the man who publicly reviled and cursed the king now abases himself, begging for the very mercy he denied David. This dramatic shift highlights Shimei's opportunistic nature and the overwhelming power dynamic now in David's favor. The narrative also employs **Foreshadowing**, as David's immediate clemency, while significant, is not absolute, hinting at future consequences for Shimei that are later revealed in [1 Kings 2:8-9](/1_kings/2-8 "1 Kings 2:8-9 - David's Charge to Solomon Regarding Shimei").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Shimei's urgent plea for David not to "impute iniquity" to him resonates deeply with the broader biblical understanding of sin, judgment, and divine forgiveness. His desire for David not to "remember" his perverse actions reflects humanity's longing for a fresh start, a wiping clean of the slate. This human plea for non-imputation finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in God's character and His gracious provision for humanity's sin. Unlike human forgiveness, which can be conditional or incomplete, God's forgiveness, when truly sought through repentance, is absolute, leading to a complete non-reckoning of sin. It is a profound theological truth that God does not hold our iniquities against us when we turn to Him, offering a mercy that far surpasses any earthly king's clemency.

* [Psalm 32:1-2](/psalms/32-1 "Psalm 32:1-2 - Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven")
* [Romans 4:6-8](/romans/4-6 "Romans 4:6-8 - David's words on God not counting sin")
* [Micah 7:18-19](/micah/7-18 "Micah 7:18-19 - God delights in steadfast love, pardoning iniquity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Shimei's desperate plea in 2 Samuel 19:19 offers powerful lessons for our own lives, both in seeking and extending forgiveness. It reminds us of the profound humility required to acknowledge our wrongs, especially when we have deeply offended someone. Shimei's willingness to abase himself before David, despite his previous arrogance, illustrates the courage it takes to confess and seek reconciliation. For us, this means setting aside pride and genuinely apologizing for the hurt we have caused. Conversely, David's initial response challenges us to consider the grace of extending forgiveness, particularly when we hold power or have been deeply wronged. While Shimei's motives might have been mixed (fear vs. true repentance), David's act of clemency during a time of national healing set a powerful precedent for mercy over immediate retribution. This passage encourages us to cultivate a spirit of forgiveness, recognizing that holding onto bitterness or a desire for vengeance can poison our own hearts and hinder reconciliation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When have you needed to humble yourself and seek forgiveness from someone you deeply wronged, and what was the outcome?**
* **How challenging is it to extend forgiveness to those who have deeply hurt you, especially when you hold power over them or have the means to exact retribution?**
* **What does Shimei's plea teach us about the nature of true repentance versus repentance that might be motivated by fear or self-preservation?**

### FAQ

**Why did Shimei curse David in the first place?**

Answer: Shimei, a Benjamite from Bahurim and a relative of King Saul, harbored deep loyalty to Saul's house and resentment towards David. When David fled Jerusalem during Absalom's rebellion, Shimei saw an opportunity to express his contempt and possibly to align himself with what he perceived as the rising power of Absalom. He believed David was a "man of blood" and was being justly punished by God for the perceived wrong done to Saul's family ([2 Samuel 16:5-8](/2_samuel/16-5 "2 Samuel 16:5-8 - Shimei Curses David")). His actions were a public act of defiance and an opportunistic challenge to David's authority.

**Did David truly forgive Shimei, or was his mercy temporary?**

Answer: David's mercy towards Shimei in 2 Samuel 19 was a strategic and merciful act during a moment of national reunification and David's triumphant return. He swore an oath not to put Shimei to death on that day ([2 Samuel 19:23](/2_samuel/19-23 "2 Samuel 19:23 - David's Oath to Shimei")). However, David's forgiveness was not absolute or permanent. Years later, on his deathbed, David instructed his son Solomon to deal with Shimei, reminding him of Shimei's past actions and implying that Shimei should not go unpunished ([1 Kings 2:8-9](/1_kings/2-8 "1 Kings 2:8-9 - David's Charge to Solomon Regarding Shimei")). Solomon later found a pretext to execute Shimei, fulfilling David's implicit desire for justice. This illustrates the complex nature of justice and mercy in the Old Testament, where consequences for sin, even if delayed, often remained.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Shimei's desperate plea to David, "Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me," finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While David, an earthly king, could offer a temporary and conditional non-imputation of guilt, the Lord Jesus Christ offers a perfect, eternal, and complete non-imputation of sin for all who believe. Our "perverse" actions, far more grievous than Shimei's, are fully accounted for at the cross. On the cross, Christ, who knew no sin, became sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ became sin for us")). God, through Christ, does not merely choose not to remember our sins; He removes them as far as the east is from the west ([Psalm 103:12](/psalms/103-12 "Psalm 103:12 - As far as the east is from the west")). The blessedness of the one to whom the Lord "will not impute sin" ([Romans 4:7-8](/romans/4-7 "Romans 4:7-8 - Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven")) is a reality made possible only by the atoning sacrifice of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). In Christ, the record of debt that stood against us has been canceled and nailed to the cross ([Colossians 2:14](/colossians/2-14 "Colossians 2:14 - Canceling the record of debt")), and God declares, "I will remember their sins no more" ([Hebrews 8:12](/hebrews/8-12 "Hebrews 8:12 - I will remember their sins no more")). This is a divine, perfect mercy that vastly transcends any human king's clemency.

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

1 Samuel 22:15

Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute [any] thing unto his servant, [nor] to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.

Ecclesiastes 10:4

¶ If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.

Isaiah 43:25

I, [even] I, [am] he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Jeremiah 31:34

And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

2 Samuel 13:33

Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.

Matthew 27:4

Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What [is that] to us? see thou [to that].

Romans 4:6

Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,