2 Samuel 16:9
ESV
Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and take off his head."
NIV
Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head."
NASB
Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, 'Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Now let me go over and cut off his head.'
CSB
Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and remove his head!"
NLT
Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king?' Abishai son of Zeruiah demanded. 'Let me go over and cut off his head!'
KJV
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.
NKJV
Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please, let me go over and take off his head!”
What does 2 Samuel 16:9 mean?
David and his people are racing for the Jordan River. His son Absalom has amassed a large following from all over Israel to take Jerusalem. David doesn't know how much time they have left to reach safety on the other side. Shimei, a relative of Saul's, takes the opportunity to curse David and throw stones at him. He believes Absalom's rebellion is God's punishment for David taking Saul's kingdom (2 Samuel 16:5–8).David is very vulnerable to Absalom's attack, but Shimei's display is incredibly foolish. David isn't alone. He has two units of Philistine bodyguards and a six-hundred-man Gittite mercenary group (2 Samuel 15:18). Directly surrounding him are his "mighty men," about thirty elite warriors who will do anything he asks. The leader of the Thirty, David's nephew Abishai, is standing right next to him.
Abishai is the brother of Joab and son of David's sister, Zeruiah. Zeruiah's sons fought alongside David for many years, back to when he lived on the run, hiding from Saul. Abishai may have known that the law of Moses forbade anyone from cursing the ruler of the people (Exodus 22:28), but he's more likely offended for David's sake.
Abishai uses a term of great disrespect for Shimei, calling him a dead dog, and asks David for permission to decapitate the man for his dishonor toward the king of Israel. David is more reserved. He knows Absalom's rebellion is God's judgment on him for his sin against Uriah (2 Samuel 12:10–12). He suspects God sent Shimei to test David's submission to His punishment. Bearing Shimei's insults is a small price to pay for the chance to regain God's favor (2 Samuel 16:10–12).
