2 Samuel 16:5-13 ▼

5 When King David came to Bahurim, behold, there came out from there a man of the family of the house of Saul whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he came out cursing continually as he came.

6 He threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David; and all the people and all the mighty men were at his right hand and at his left.

7 Thus Shimei said when he cursed, |Get out, get out, you man of bloodshed, and worthless fellow!

8 |The LORD has returned upon you all the bloodshed of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the LORD has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. And behold, you are [taken] in your own evil, for you are a man of bloodshed!|

9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, |Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over now and cut off his head.|

10 But the king said, |What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses, and if the LORD has told him, 'Curse David,' then who shall say, 'Why have you done so?'|

11 Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, |Behold, my son who came out from me seeks my life; how much more now this Benjamite? Let him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him.

12 |Perhaps the LORD will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his cursing this day.|

13 So David and his men went on the way; and Shimei went along on the hillside parallel with him and as he went he cursed and cast stones and threw dust at him.