2 Samuel 16:9 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

Then Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, said to the king, 'Why should this worthless man curse my lord the king? Please let me go over there and cut off his head.'

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

Abishai is asking King David for permission to kill a man who has been cursing the king, showing fierce loyalty but also a quick temper toward those who disrespect his leader.

📚 Historical Context

In the biblical narrative, King David is fleeing from his son Absalom, who has led a rebellion to seize the throne. As David and his loyal followers pass through a area near Bahurim, Shimei, a relative of the former king Saul, curses David and throws stones at him out of bitterness. Abishai, one of David's trusted warriors and nephew, sees this as a grave insult and volunteers to kill Shimei to protect and avenge the king.

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2 Samuel 23:18

Abishai, who was Joab's brother and the son of Zeruiah, was the leader of three mighty warriors. He raised his spear against three hundred enemies and killed them all, which earned him fame among the three.

1 Chronicles 2:16

Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. Zeruiah had three sons: Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.

2 Samuel 19:21

But Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, spoke up and said, 'Shouldn't Shimei be executed for what he did? After all, he cursed the LORD's chosen king!'

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