2 samuel 19:20 - For your servant knows that I have sinned. Therefore behold, I have come today as the first of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.”
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What does "2 samuel 19:20" mean?
This verse, 2 Samuel 19:20, is spoken by Shimei to King David after David has regained control of Jerusalem after Absalom's rebellion. To understand the verse, we need to consider the context:
Shimei's Earlier Actions: During David's flight from Absalom, Shimei (of the house of Benjamin) had cursed and thrown stones at David, wishing him ill and celebrating his downfall (2 Samuel 16:5-14). This was a treacherous act, as David was the divinely appointed king.
David's Mercy: Abishai wanted to kill Shimei for his treason at that time, but David refused, hoping that God was testing him and that good might come out of his suffering.
David's Return: Now that David has returned as king, Shimei realizes he's in deep trouble. He expects to be punished for his earlier actions.
Meaning of the Verse:
"For your servant knows that I have sinned": This is a direct admission of guilt. Shimei is acknowledging that his earlier behavior toward David was wrong and deserving of punishment. He's trying to appear humble and repentant.
"Therefore behold, I have come today as the first of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king": This is where things get a little more complex. This statement is probably a strategic attempt to:
Show Remorse and Loyalty: Shimei is trying to demonstrate his eagerness to reconcile with David and re-establish his loyalty. By being the "first" to meet the king, he is hoping to make a grand gesture of submission.
Appeal to Tribal Loyalty: The phrase "house of Joseph" refers to the northern tribes of Israel. By claiming to be the first from the house of Joseph to meet David, Shimei is potentially trying to highlight the support David has from the northern tribes. It's a veiled attempt to suggest that David's reign is secure, and Shimei is acknowledging and embracing that. He may also be trying to deflect attention from the fact that he is from the tribe of Benjamin, Saul's tribe, which had a long history of conflict with David.
Implied Justification? Some scholars suggest he may be implying that since the house of Joseph (the northern tribes) were quick to welcome back the king, he, too, should be forgiven and welcomed. It's a subtle attempt to imply that his actions were not as egregious as they might seem, especially in light of the support David is receiving.
In essence, Shimei is using a combination of confession, a show of enthusiastic loyalty, and a subtle political appeal to try and escape the consequences of his past actions. He hopes that his public repentance and apparent embrace of David's reign will be enough to secure his pardon.
Important Considerations:
Sincerity: The question of whether Shimei is truly repentant or merely acting out of self-preservation is left to the reader to judge. David, however, will later instruct Solomon to deal with Shimei.
Political Implications: David's actions in handling Shimei have significant political implications for uniting the kingdom.
This verse is a prime example of the complex political and personal dynamics that characterized the reigns of the Israelite kings. It highlights themes of forgiveness, justice, loyalty, and the consequences of one's actions.
2 samuel 19:20 - For your servant knows that I have sinned. Therefore behold, I have come today as the first of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.”
What does "2 samuel 19:20" mean?
This verse, 2 Samuel 19:20, is spoken by Shimei to King David after David has regained control of Jerusalem after Absalom's rebellion. To understand the verse, we need to consider the context:
Shimei's Earlier Actions: During David's flight from Absalom, Shimei (of the house of Benjamin) had cursed and thrown stones at David, wishing him ill and celebrating his downfall (2 Samuel 16:5-14). This was a treacherous act, as David was the divinely appointed king.
David's Mercy: Abishai wanted to kill Shimei for his treason at that time, but David refused, hoping that God was testing him and that good might come out of his suffering.
David's Return: Now that David has returned as king, Shimei realizes he's in deep trouble. He expects to be punished for his earlier actions.
Meaning of the Verse:
"For your servant knows that I have sinned": This is a direct admission of guilt. Shimei is acknowledging that his earlier behavior toward David was wrong and deserving of punishment. He's trying to appear humble and repentant.
"Therefore behold, I have come today as the first of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king": This is where things get a little more complex. This statement is probably a strategic attempt to:
Show Remorse and Loyalty: Shimei is trying to demonstrate his eagerness to reconcile with David and re-establish his loyalty. By being the "first" to meet the king, he is hoping to make a grand gesture of submission.
Appeal to Tribal Loyalty: The phrase "house of Joseph" refers to the northern tribes of Israel. By claiming to be the first from the house of Joseph to meet David, Shimei is potentially trying to highlight the support David has from the northern tribes. It's a veiled attempt to suggest that David's reign is secure, and Shimei is acknowledging and embracing that. He may also be trying to deflect attention from the fact that he is from the tribe of Benjamin, Saul's tribe, which had a long history of conflict with David.
Implied Justification? Some scholars suggest he may be implying that since the house of Joseph (the northern tribes) were quick to welcome back the king, he, too, should be forgiven and welcomed. It's a subtle attempt to imply that his actions were not as egregious as they might seem, especially in light of the support David is receiving.
In essence, Shimei is using a combination of confession, a show of enthusiastic loyalty, and a subtle political appeal to try and escape the consequences of his past actions. He hopes that his public repentance and apparent embrace of David's reign will be enough to secure his pardon.
Important Considerations:
Sincerity: The question of whether Shimei is truly repentant or merely acting out of self-preservation is left to the reader to judge. David, however, will later instruct Solomon to deal with Shimei.
Political Implications: David's actions in handling Shimei have significant political implications for uniting the kingdom.
This verse is a prime example of the complex political and personal dynamics that characterized the reigns of the Israelite kings. It highlights themes of forgiveness, justice, loyalty, and the consequences of one's actions.