2 Samuel 19:23

THE MESSAGE

Then the king turned to Shimei, "You're not going to die." And the king gave him his word.

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
So the king said to Shimei, “You will not die.” Then the king gave him his oath.

Hebrew Names Version
The king said to Shim`i, You shall not die. The king swore to him.

King James Version
Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.

Lexham English Bible
Then the king said to Shimei, "You shall not die," and so the king swore to him.

English Standard Version
And the king said to Shimei, "You shall not die." And the king gave him his oath.

New Century Version
Then the king promised Shimei, "You won't die."

New English Translation
The king said to Shimei, "You won't die." The king vowed an oath concerning this.

Amplified Bible
Therefore the king said to Shimei, "You shall not be put to death." And so the king gave him his promise.

New American Standard Bible
So the king said to Shimei, "You shall not die." The king also swore to him.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Therefore the King saide vnto Shimei, Thou shalt not die, & the king sware vnto him.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the king said to Shimei, "You shall not die." Thus the king swore to him.

Contemporary English Version
Then David promised Shimei that he would not be killed.

Complete Jewish Bible
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?"

Darby Translation
And the king said to Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king swore to him.

Easy-to-Read Version
Then the king said to Shimei, "You will not die." The king made a promise to Shimei that he himself would not kill Shimei.

George Lamsa Translation
Then the king said to Shimei. You shall not die. And the king swore to him.

Good News Translation
And he said to Shimei, "I give you my word that you will not be put to death."

Literal Translation
And the king said to Shimei, You shall not die. And the king swore to him.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And ye kynge sayde vnto Simei: Thou shalt not dye? And the kynge sware vnto him.

American Standard Version
And the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.

Bible in Basic English
So the king said to Shimei, You will not be put to death. And the king gave him his oath.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
And therfore the kyng sayde vnto Simei, Thou shalt not dye: and the kyng sware vnto hym.

JPS Old Testament (1917)
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?'

King James Version (1611)
Therfore the king said vnto Shimei, Thou shalt not die: and the King sware vnto him.

Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And the king said to Semei, Thou shalt not die: and the king swore to him.

English Revised Version
And the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.

Berean Standard Bible
So the king said to Shimei, "You shall not die." Then the king swore an oath to him.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And the kyng seide to Semey, Thou schalt not die; and the kyng swoor to hym.

Young's Literal Translation
And the king saith unto Shimei, `Thou dost not die;' and the king sweareth to him.

Update Bible Version
And the king said to Shimei, You shall not die. And the king swore to him.

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore the king said to Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king swore to him.

World English Bible
The king said to Shimei, You shall not die. The king swore to him.

New King James Version
Therefore the king said to Shimei, "You shall not die." And the king swore to him.

New Living Translation
Then, turning to Shimei, David vowed, "Your life will be spared."

New Life Bible
The king said to Shimei, "You will not die." And the king gave him his promise.

New Revised Standard
The king said to Shimei, "You shall not die." And the king gave him his oath.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then said the king unto Shimei - Thou shalt not die. And the king sware to him.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the king said to Semei: Thou shalt not die. And he swore unto him.

Revised Standard Version
And the king said to Shim'e-i, "You shall not die." And the king gave him his oath.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
The king said to Shimei, "You shall not die." Thus the king swore to him.

Contextual Overview

¹⁹David's Grief for Absalom Joab was told that David was weeping and lamenting over Absalom. The day's victory turned into a day of mourning as word passed through the army, "David is grieving over his son." The army straggled back to the city that day demoralized, dragging their tails. And the king held his face in his hands and lamented loudly, O my son Absalom, Absalom my dear, dear son! But in private Joab rebuked the king: "Now you've done it—knocked the wind out of your loyal servants who have just saved your life, to say nothing of the lives of your sons and daughters, wives and concubines. What is this—loving those who hate you and hating those who love you? Your actions give a clear message: officers and soldiers mean nothing to you. You know that if Absalom were alive right now, we'd all be dead—would that make you happy? Get hold of yourself; get out there and put some heart into your servants! I swear to God that if you don't go to them they'll desert; not a soldier will be left here by nightfall. And that will be the worst thing that has happened yet." So the king came out and took his place at the city gate. Soon everyone knew: "Oh, look! The king has come out to receive us." And his whole army came and presented itself to the king. But the Israelites had fled the field of battle and gone home. Meanwhile, the whole populace was now complaining to its leaders, "Wasn't it the king who saved us time and again from our enemies, and rescued us from the Philistines? And now he has had to flee the country on account of Absalom. And now this Absalom whom we made king is dead in battle. So what are you waiting for? Why don't you bring the king back?" When David heard what was being said, he sent word to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, "Ask the elders of Judah, ‘Why are you so laggard in bringing the king back home? You're my brothers! You're my own flesh and blood! So why are you the last ones to bring the king back home?' And tell Amasa, ‘You, too, are my flesh and blood. As God is my witness, I'm making you the permanent commander of the army in place of Joab.'" He captured the hearts of everyone in Judah. They were unanimous in sending for the king: "Come back, you and all your servants." So the king returned. He arrived at the Jordan just as Judah reached Gilgal on their way to welcome the king and escort him across the Jordan. Even Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, hurried down to join the men of Judah so he could welcome the king, a thousand Benjaminites with him. And Ziba, Saul's steward, with his fifteen sons and twenty servants, waded across the Jordan to meet the king and brought his entourage across, doing whatever they could to make the king comfortable. Shimei son of Gera bowed deeply in homage to the king as soon as he was across the Jordan and said, "Don't think badly of me, my master! Overlook my irresponsible outburst on the day my master the king left Jerusalem—don't hold it against me! I know I sinned, but look at me now—the first of all the tribe of Joseph to come down and welcome back my master the king!" Abishai son of Zeruiah interrupted, "Enough of this! Shouldn't we kill him outright? Why, he cursed God 's anointed!" But David said, "What is it with you sons of Zeruiah? Why do you insist on being so contentious? Nobody is going to be killed today. I am again king over Israel!" Then the king turned to Shimei, "You're not going to die." And the king gave him his word. Next Mephibosheth grandson of Saul arrived from Jerusalem to welcome the king. He hadn't combed his hair or trimmed his beard or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safe and sound. The king said, "And why didn't you come with me, Mephibosheth?" "My master the king," he said, "my servant betrayed me. I told him to saddle my donkey so I could ride it and go with the king, for, as you know, I am lame. And then he lied to you about me. But my master the king has been like one of God's angels: he knew what was right and did it. Wasn't everyone in my father's house doomed? But you took me in and gave me a place at your table. What more could I ever expect or ask?" "That's enough," said the king. "Say no more. Here's my decision: You and Ziba divide the property between you." Mephibosheth said, "Oh, let him have it all! All I care about is that my master the king is home safe and sound!" Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim. He crossed the Jordan with the king to give him a good send-off. Barzillai was a very old man—eighty years old! He had supplied the king's needs all the while he was in Mahanaim since he was very wealthy. "Join me in Jerusalem," the king said to Barzillai. "Let me take care of you." But Barzillai declined the offer, "How long do you think I'd live if I went with the king to Jerusalem? I'm eighty years old and not much good anymore to anyone. Can't taste food; can't hear music. So why add to the burdens of my master the king? I'll just go a little way across the Jordan with the king. But why would the king need to make a great thing of that? Let me go back and die in my hometown and be buried with my father and mother. But my servant Kimham here; let him go with you in my place. But treat him well!" The king said, "That's settled; Kimham goes with me. And I will treat him well! If you think of anything else, I'll do that for you, too." The army crossed the Jordan but the king stayed. The king kissed and blessed Barzillai, who then returned home. Then the king, Kimham with him, crossed over at Gilgal. The whole army of Judah and half the army of Israel processed with the king. The men of Israel came to the king and said, "Why have our brothers, the men of Judah, taken over as if they owned the king, escorting the king and his family and close associates across the Jordan?" The men of Judah retorted, "Because the king is related to us, that's why! But why make a scene? You don't see us getting treated special because of it, do you?" The men of Israel shot back, "We have ten shares in the king to your one. Besides we're the firstborn—so why are we having to play second fiddle? It was our idea to bring him back." But the men of Judah took a harder line than the men of Israel. ²⁰David's Grief for Absalom Joab was told that David was weeping and lamenting over Absalom. The day's victory turned into a day of mourning as word passed through the army, "David is grieving over his son." The army straggled back to the city that day demoralized, dragging their tails. And the king held his face in his hands and lamented loudly, O my son Absalom, Absalom my dear, dear son! But in private Joab rebuked the king: "Now you've done it—knocked the wind out of your loyal servants who have just saved your life, to say nothing of the lives of your sons and daughters, wives and concubines. What is this—loving those who hate you and hating those who love you? Your actions give a clear message: officers and soldiers mean nothing to you. You know that if Absalom were alive right now, we'd all be dead—would that make you happy? Get hold of yourself; get out there and put some heart into your servants! I swear to God that if you don't go to them they'll desert; not a soldier will be left here by nightfall. And that will be the worst thing that has happened yet." So the king came out and took his place at the city gate. Soon everyone knew: "Oh, look! The king has come out to receive us." And his whole army came and presented itself to the king. But the Israelites had fled the field of battle and gone home. Meanwhile, the whole populace was now complaining to its leaders, "Wasn't it the king who saved us time and again from our enemies, and rescued us from the Philistines? And now he has had to flee the country on account of Absalom. And now this Absalom whom we made king is dead in battle. So what are you waiting for? Why don't you bring the king back?" When David heard what was being said, he sent word to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, "Ask the elders of Judah, ‘Why are you so laggard in bringing the king back home? You're my brothers! You're my own flesh and blood! So why are you the last ones to bring the king back home?' And tell Amasa, ‘You, too, are my flesh and blood. As God is my witness, I'm making you the permanent commander of the army in place of Joab.'" He captured the hearts of everyone in Judah. They were unanimous in sending for the king: "Come back, you and all your servants." So the king returned. He arrived at the Jordan just as Judah reached Gilgal on their way to welcome the king and escort him across the Jordan. Even Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, hurried down to join the men of Judah so he could welcome the king, a thousand Benjaminites with him. And Ziba, Saul's steward, with his fifteen sons and twenty servants, waded across the Jordan to meet the king and brought his entourage across, doing whatever they could to make the king comfortable. Shimei son of Gera bowed deeply in homage to the king as soon as he was across the Jordan and said, "Don't think badly of me, my master! Overlook my irresponsible outburst on the day my master the king left Jerusalem—don't hold it against me! I know I sinned, but look at me now—the first of all the tribe of Joseph to come down and welcome back my master the king!" ²¹ Abishai son of Zeruiah interrupted, "Enough of this! Shouldn't we kill him outright? Why, he cursed God 's anointed!" ²² But David said, "What is it with you sons of Zeruiah? Why do you insist on being so contentious? Nobody is going to be killed today. I am again king over Israel!" ²³ Then the king turned to Shimei, "You're not going to die." And the king gave him his word.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Thou shalt: 1 Kings 2:8, 1 Kings 2:9, 1 Kings 2:37, 1 Kings 2:46

sware: 1 Samuel 28:10, 1 Samuel 30:15, Hebrews 6:16

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 25:24 - sware to them

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Therefore the king said unto Shimei, thou shalt not die,.... This day by my hands, or order, or by the sword, 1 Kings 2:8;

and the king sware unto him; that he should not die for that offence, or for that only; but if he committed a new one, this oath was no longer binding on him, and not at all upon his heir and successor.