2 Samuel 16:10
ESV
But the king said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’"
NIV
But the king said, "What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’ "
NASB
But the king said, 'What business of mine is yours, you sons of Zeruiah? If he curses, and if the Lord has told him, ‘Curse David,’ then who should say, ‘Why have you done so?’?'
CSB
The king replied, "Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything? He curses me this way because the Lord told him, ‘Curse David!’ Therefore, who can say, ‘Why did you do that?’"
NLT
No!' the king said. 'Who asked your opinion, you sons of Zeruiah! If the Lord has told him to curse me, who are you to stop him?'
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?
NKJV
But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David.’ Who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’ ”
What does 2 Samuel 16:10 mean?
As Absalom and his followers approach the city, David and his people flee Jerusalem toward the Jordan River. They're in the land of Benjamin, Saul's tribe, and they're learning what Saul's relatives think about David's humiliation. So far, Saul's former servant Ziba has blessed them, and his grandson Mephibosheth has—supposedly—betrayed them. Shimei is more open about his feelings. He's been cursing David and throwing rocks at the caravan since they came into view (2 Samuel 16:5–8).Abishai, one of David's longest serving and most trusted fighters, has just offered to remove Shimei's head (2 Samuel 16:9). David would be fully within his right as the king to give such an order. Yet he emphatically tells Abishai to stand down.
Abishai and Joab's mother is Zeruiah, David's sister (2 Samuel 2:18). They are incredible warriors; Abishai is the leader of the elite unit known as "David's mighty men" or "the Thirty" (2 Samuel 23:18). Joab is commander of David's army. They've been with David since he first fled from Saul (1 Samuel 22:1). As career soldiers, Abishai and Joab live in a world of violence. While fighting against Abner and his army of the northern tribes, Abner reluctantly killed their brother Asahel (2 Samuel 2:19–23). The brothers never forgot. While Abner was in peace talks with David, Joab and Abishai murdered him (2 Samuel 3:12, 26–30).
Abishai's purpose is to protect his king; his preference is to use a sword. David has learned to be both warrior and politician. He knows how to use violence to honor God and protect his people. But he also knows that personal revenge has no place in governing a nation. In addition, David knows why Absalom is rebelling against him. Beyond the personal reasons is God's overall plan. David betrayed and murdered Uriah. In return, God has cursed him with evil from his own household (2 Samuel 12:10–12). His nephew's job is to protect the nation from enemies, not to protect David from God's judgment.
Later, when David and his people are making their way back to Jerusalem, Shimei will meet them, bow to the ground, and beg forgiveness. Abishai will again offer to execute the man who cursed the Lord's anointed. David tells him no and calls him an "adversary;" the Hebrew word is sātān (2 Samuel 19:19–23). David knows the temptation to do evil is worse than any curse a man could put on him.
