Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

2 Samuel 19:22

Next

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?

And David {H1732} said {H559}, What have I to do with you, ye sons {H1121} of Zeruiah {H6870}, that ye should this day {H3117} be adversaries {H7854} unto me? shall there any man {H376} be put to death {H4191} this day {H3117} in Israel {H3478}? for do not I know {H3045} that I am this day {H3117} king {H4428} over Israel {H3478}?

But David said, "What do I have in common with you, you sons of Tz'ruyah? Why have you become my adversaries today? Should anyone in Isra'el be put to death today? Don't I know that today I am king over Isra'el?"

And David replied, “Sons of Zeruiah, what have I to do with you, that you should be my adversaries today? Should any man be put to death in Israel today? Am I not indeed aware that today I am king over Israel?”

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?

Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse captures King David's powerful declaration upon his return to Jerusalem after the devastating rebellion led by his son Absalom. David is in the process of re-establishing his authority and reconciling with the people of Israel. Just prior to this statement, Shimei, a Benjaminite who had cursed and thrown stones at David during his flight from Absalom, comes to beg for mercy. Abishai, one of the "sons of Zeruiah" (David's nephews and powerful, often ruthless, military commanders like Joab), immediately suggests executing Shimei for his past insolence. David's response in verse 22 is a sharp rebuke to Abishai, asserting his royal prerogative and setting the tone for his restored reign.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Assertion of Royal Authority: David firmly reminds his commanders that he is the king, and his word is final. His question, "for do not I know that I [am] this day king over Israel?" emphasizes his undisputed sovereignty and wisdom in leadership, contrasting with the impulsive nature of the sons of Zeruiah.
  • The Spirit of Clemency and Reconciliation: David declares the day of his return to power as one of grace, not vengeance. By asking, "shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel?", he establishes a policy of mercy and forgiveness, aiming to unify the nation rather than punish those who opposed him during the rebellion. This act demonstrates a desire for healing and stability after a period of intense civil strife.
  • Choosing Mercy Over Vengeance: The verse highlights a crucial moment where David chooses to rise above personal grievances and political retribution. Instead of using his restored power to settle scores, he opts for a path of reconciliation, understanding that true strength in leadership often lies in the ability to forgive.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah" is a strong idiom of dismissal or rebuke, indicating David's profound disagreement and impatience with their suggestion. It signifies that their desires and actions are contrary to his will and the spirit of the day. The term "adversaries" (Hebrew: satan, though not implying the demonic entity here, but rather "accusers" or "opponents") underscores that their counsel to execute Shimei was perceived as an opposition to David's divinely-appointed role as a unifying king on this significant day.

Practical Application

This passage offers timeless lessons on leadership, forgiveness, and the exercise of power. Like King David, leaders, and indeed individuals, are often presented with opportunities to choose between retribution and reconciliation. David's decision to declare a day of clemency illustrates that true strength can be found in mercy, especially when establishing or restoring harmony. It reminds us that grace can be a more powerful tool for unity and healing than punishment, fostering an environment where division can be overcome and new beginnings can flourish. This act of mercy also reinforces the importance of clear, decisive leadership in setting the moral and operational tone for any group or family, much as David set the tone for his kingdom upon his re-established kingship.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 11:13 (6 votes)

    And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.

  • 2 Samuel 16:10 (5 votes)

    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?

  • 2 Samuel 3:39 (3 votes)

    And I [am] this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah [be] too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.

  • Luke 9:54 (2 votes)

    And when his disciples James and John saw [this], they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

  • Luke 9:56 (2 votes)

    For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save [them]. And they went to another village.

  • Isaiah 16:5 (2 votes)

    And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.

  • Matthew 8:29 (2 votes)

    And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?