2 Samuel 16:12
New International Version
It may be that the LORD will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.”

New Living Translation
And perhaps the LORD will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses today.”

English Standard Version
It may be that the LORD will look on the wrong done to me, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing today.”

Berean Standard Bible
Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction and repay me with good for the cursing I receive today.”

King James Bible
It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.

New King James Version
It may be that the LORD will look on my affliction, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing this day.”

New American Standard Bible
Perhaps the LORD will look on my misery and return good to me instead of his cursing this day.”

NASB 1995
“Perhaps the LORD will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his cursing this day.”

NASB 1977
“Perhaps the LORD will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his cursing this day.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Perhaps Yahweh will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his cursing this day.”

Amplified Bible
Perhaps the LORD will look on the wrong done to me [by Shimei, if he is acting on his own]; and [in that case perhaps] the Lord will this day return good to me in place of his cursing.”

Christian Standard Bible
Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction and restore goodness to me instead of Shimei’s curses today.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction and restore goodness to me instead of Shimei’s curses today.”

American Standard Version
It may be that Jehovah will look on the wrong done unto me, and that Jehovah will requite me good for his cursing of me this day.

Contemporary English Version
But if the LORD hears these curses and sees the trouble I'm in, maybe he will have pity on me instead.

English Revised Version
It may be that the LORD will look on the wrong done unto me, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing of me this day.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Maybe the LORD will see my misery and turn his curse into a blessing for me today."

Good News Translation
Perhaps the LORD will notice my misery and give me some blessings to take the place of his curse."

International Standard Version
Perhaps the LORD will take note of my troubles and return good to me instead of curses today!"

Majority Standard Bible
Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction and repay me with good for the cursing I receive today.?

NET Bible
Perhaps the LORD will notice my affliction and this day grant me good in place of his curse."

New Heart English Bible
Perhaps the LORD will look on my affliction and return good to me for his cursing today."

Webster's Bible Translation
It may be that the LORD will look on my affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.

World English Bible
It may be that Yahweh will look on the wrong done to me, and that Yahweh will repay me good for the cursing of me today.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
it may be YHWH looks on my affliction, and YHWH has turned back good to me for his reviling this day.”

Young's Literal Translation
it may be Jehovah doth look on mine affliction, and Jehovah hath turned back to me good for his reviling this day.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Perhaps Jehovah will look upon my wrong, and Jehovah turn back to me good for his cursing this day.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Perhaps the Lord may look upon my affliction, and the Lord may render me good for the cursing of this day.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Perhaps the Lord may look with favor upon my affliction, and the Lord may repay me good, in place of the cursing of this day.”

New American Bible
Perhaps the LORD will look upon my affliction and repay me with good for the curses he is uttering this day.”

New Revised Standard Version
It may be that the LORD will look on my distress, and the LORD will repay me with good for this cursing of me today.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
It may be the LORD will look on my affliction and requite me good for his cursing this day.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Now LORD JEHOVAH shall see my submission, and he shall pay me good in exchange for the abuses of today”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
It may be that the LORD will look on mine eye, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing of me this day.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
If by any means the Lord may look on my affliction, thus shall he return me good for his cursing this day.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Shimei Curses David
11Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my own son, my own flesh and blood, seeks my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone and let him curse me, for the LORD has told him so. 12Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction and repay me with good for the cursing I receive today.” 13So David and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei went along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he yelled curses, threw stones, and flung dust at David.…

Cross References
Psalm 25:18
Consider my affliction and trouble, and take away all my sins.

Psalm 38:12-15
Those who seek my life lay snares; those who wish me harm speak destruction, plotting deceit all day long. / But like a deaf man, I do not hear; and like a mute man, I do not open my mouth. / I am like a man who cannot hear, whose mouth offers no reply. ...

Psalm 39:8-13
Deliver me from all my transgressions; do not make me the reproach of fools. / I have become mute; I do not open my mouth because of what You have done. / Remove Your scourge from me; I am perishing by the force of Your hand. ...

Psalm 109:21-26
But You, O GOD, the Lord, deal kindly with me for the sake of Your name; deliver me by the goodness of Your loving devotion. / For I am poor and needy; my heart is wounded within me. / I am fading away like a lengthening shadow; I am shaken off like a locust. ...

Psalm 119:153
Look upon my affliction and rescue me, for I have not forgotten Your law.

1 Peter 2:23
When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.

Romans 12:19
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Luke 6:28
bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

1 Samuel 24:12
May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you.

1 Samuel 26:10
David added, “As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD Himself will strike him down; either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish.

Genesis 50:20
As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.

Deuteronomy 32:35-36
Vengeance is Mine; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly.” / For the LORD will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants when He sees that their strength is gone and no one remains, slave or free.

Proverbs 20:22
Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.

Proverbs 24:29
Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”


Treasury of Scripture

It may be that the LORD will look on my affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.

the Lord

Genesis 29:32,33
And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me…

Exodus 2:24,25
And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob…

Exodus 3:7,8
And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; …

affliction.

Deuteronomy 23:5
Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.

Isaiah 27:7
Hath he smitten him, as he smote those that smote him? or is he slain according to the slaughter of them that are slain by him?

Matthew 5:11,12
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake…

Jump to Previous
Affliction Cursed Cursing Distress Eye Good Instead Look Note Perhaps Receiving Repay Requite Reviling Today Turned Wrong Wrongs
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Affliction Cursed Cursing Distress Eye Good Instead Look Note Perhaps Receiving Repay Requite Reviling Today Turned Wrong Wrongs
2 Samuel 16
1. Ziba, by presents and false suggestions, obtains his master's inheritance
5. At Bahurim, Shimei curses David
9. David with patience abstains, and restrains others, from revenge
15. Hushai insinuates himself into Absalom's counsel
20. Ahithophel's counsel














Perhaps the LORD
The Hebrew word for "perhaps" is "ulay," which conveys a sense of hope or possibility. David, in his humility, acknowledges that he does not presume upon God's will but rather submits to it. The use of "the LORD" (YHWH) emphasizes the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. David's reliance on the LORD reflects his deep faith and trust in God's sovereignty and justice, even amidst adversity.

will see my affliction
The Hebrew word for "see" is "ra'ah," which means to perceive or consider. David is expressing his hope that God will take notice of his suffering. "Affliction" (Hebrew: "oni") refers to misery or distress. This phrase highlights David's belief that God is aware of human suffering and is compassionate towards those who are oppressed. It is a reminder of God's omniscience and His ability to empathize with our struggles.

and repay me with good
The concept of "repay" (Hebrew: "shuv") involves restoration or turning back. David is hopeful that God will restore him and bring about good from his current situation. The word "good" (Hebrew: "tov") signifies well-being, prosperity, or favor. This reflects the biblical principle that God can bring good out of evil circumstances, as seen in Romans 8:28. David's faith in God's justice and benevolence is evident here.

for the cursing I receive today
"Cursing" (Hebrew: "qelalah") refers to verbal abuse or imprecation. David is being cursed by Shimei, yet he chooses to respond with patience and faith rather than retaliation. The phrase "I receive today" indicates the immediacy of the situation and David's acceptance of his current trials. This highlights the biblical teaching of enduring persecution with grace, trusting that God will ultimately vindicate His people.

(12) Look on mine affliction.--The English here follows the LXX. and Vulg. The Hebrew margin has mine eye, but the text has my iniquity, which is probably the true sense. David expresses the hope that God will mercifully look upon his sin, of which he has repented, and for which he is now bearing punishment: a part of this punishment is the cursing of Shimei, and God may be well pleased that it should be patiently borne.

Verse 12. - Mine affliction. This reading is supported by the Septuagint and Vulgate. The Syriac has "my subjection," possibly a free translation of the same reading. But the written text (K'tib) has "my wrong," either the wrong I have done, and of which I am bearing the punishment, or, as in the Revised Version, "the wrong done unto me." The correction of the Massorites (K'ri), is literally "my eye," that is, "my team."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Perhaps
אוּלַ֛י (’ū·lay)
Adverb
Strong's 194: Perhaps

the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

will see
יִרְאֶ֥ה (yir·’eh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

my affliction
בְּעֵינִ֑י (bə·‘ê·nî)
Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5771: Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity

and repay
וְהֵשִׁ֨יב (wə·hê·šîḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

me
לִי֙ (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

with good
טוֹבָ֔ה (ṭō·w·ḇāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

for
תַּ֥חַת (ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

the cursing [I receive]
קִלְלָת֖וֹ (qil·lā·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7045: Vilification

today.”
הַיּ֥וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day


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OT History: 2 Samuel 16:12 It may be that Yahweh will look (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 16:11
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