Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The LORD has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The LORD has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!” New Living Translation “The LORD is paying you back for all the bloodshed in Saul’s clan. You stole his throne, and now the LORD has given it to your son Absalom. At last you will taste some of your own medicine, for you are a murderer!” English Standard Version The LORD has avenged on you all the blood 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. See, your evil is on you, for you are a man of blood.” Berean Standard Bible The LORD has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, you have come to ruin because you are a man of bloodshed!” King James Bible The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man. New King James Version The LORD has brought upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son. So now you are caught in your own evil, because you are a bloodthirsty man!” New American Standard Bible The LORD has brought back upon you all the bloodshed of the house of Saul, in whose place you have become king; and the LORD has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. And behold, you are caught in your own evil, for you are a man of bloodshed!” NASB 1995 “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!” NASB 1977 “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!” Legacy Standard Bible Yahweh has returned upon you all the bloodshed of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and Yahweh 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!” Amplified Bible 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 hands of Absalom your son. And behold, you are caught in your own evil, for you are a man of bloodshed!” Christian Standard Bible The LORD has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul in whose place you became king, and the LORD has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. Look, you are in trouble because you’re a man of bloodshed! ” Holman Christian Standard Bible The LORD has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul in whose place you became king, and the LORD has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. Look, you are in trouble because you’re a murderer!” American Standard Version Jehovah hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and Jehovah hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son; and, behold, thou art taken in thine own mischief, because thou art a man of blood. Contemporary English Version the LORD is paying you back for killing so many in Saul's family. You stole his kingdom, but now the LORD has given it to your son Absalom. You're a murderer, and that's why you're in such big trouble!" English Revised Version The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thine own mischief, because thou art a man of blood. GOD'S WORD® Translation The LORD is paying you back for all the blood you spilled in the family of Saul, whom you succeeded as king. The LORD is giving the kingship to your son Absalom. Now you're in trouble because you're a bloodthirsty man." Good News Translation You took Saul's kingdom, and now the LORD is punishing you for murdering so many of Saul's family. The LORD has given the kingdom to your son Absalom, and you are ruined, you murderer!" International Standard Version The LORD has repaid you personally for murdering the entire dynasty of Saul, whose place you've taken to reign! And the LORD has given the kingdom into your son Absalom's control. Now look! Your own evil has caught up with you, because you're guilty of murder!" NET Bible The LORD has punished you for all the spilled blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you rule. Now the LORD has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. Disaster has overtaken you, for you are a man of bloodshed!" New Heart English Bible The LORD has returned on you all the blood 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 look, your evil is upon you, because you are a man of bloodshed." Webster's Bible Translation The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe LORD has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, you have come to ruin because you are a man of bloodshed!” World English Bible Yahweh has returned on you all the blood of Saul’s house, in whose place you have reigned! Yahweh has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son! Behold, you are caught by your own mischief, because you are a man of blood!” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionYHWH has turned back on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead you have reigned, and YHWH gives the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom; and behold, you [are] in your evil, for you [are] a man of blood.” Young's Literal Translation Jehovah hath turned back on thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned, and Jehovah doth give the kingdom in to the hand of Absalom thy son; and lo, thou art in thine evil, for a man of blood thou art.' Smith's Literal Translation Jehovah turned back upon thee Belial all the bloods of the house of Saul of whom thou didst reign in his stead; and Jehovah will give the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son; and behold thee in thine evil, for a man of bloods art thou. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe Lord hath repaid thee for all the blood of the house of Saul: because thou hast usurped the kingdom in his stead, and the Lord hath given the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and behold thy evils press upon thee, because thou art a man of blood. Catholic Public Domain Version The Lord has repaid you for all the blood of the house of Saul. For you have usurped the kingdom in place of him. And so, the Lord has given the kingdom into the hand of Absalom, your son. And behold, your evils press close upon you, because you are a man of blood.” New American Bible The LORD has paid you back for all the blood shed from the family of Saul, whom you replaced as king, and the LORD has handed over the kingdom to your son Absalom. And now look at you: you suffer ruin because you are a man of blood.” New Revised Standard Version The LORD has avenged on all of you the blood 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. See, disaster has overtaken you; for you are a man of blood.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe LORD has requited upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead you have reigned; and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son; and, behold, you have been requited for your evil, because you are a bloody man. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated LORD JEHOVAH will pay you all the blood of the house of Shaul, for you have reigned after him, and LORD JEHOVAH has delivered his kingdom into the hands of Abishlum your son, and behold, you are paid for your evil, because you are a man shedder of blood!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917the LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son; and, behold, thou art taken in thine own mischief, because thou art a man of blood.' Brenton Septuagint Translation The Lord has returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, because thou hast reigned in his stead; and the Lord has given the kingdom into the hand of Abessalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Shimei Curses David…7And as he yelled curses, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you worthless man of bloodshed! 8The LORD has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, you have come to ruin because you are a man of bloodshed!” 9Then 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!”… Cross References 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 25:28 Please forgive your servant’s offense, for the LORD will surely make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because he fights the LORD’s battles. May no evil be found in you as long as you live. 1 Kings 2:32-33 The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army. / Their blood will come back upon the heads of Joab and his descendants forever; but for David, his descendants, his house, and his throne, there shall be peace from the LORD forever.” 1 Kings 2:44 The king also said, “You know in your heart all the evil that you did to my father David. Therefore the LORD will bring your evil back upon your head. 1 Samuel 15:28 So Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor who is better than you. 1 Samuel 28:17-18 He has done exactly what He spoke through me: The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor David. / Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out His burning anger against Amalek, the LORD has done this to you today. 1 Samuel 16:13-14 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah. / Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a spirit of distress from the LORD began to torment him. 1 Samuel 13:14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept the command of the LORD.” 1 Samuel 18:8 And Saul was furious and resented this song. “They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,” he said, “but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?” 1 Samuel 20:31 For as long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Now send for him and bring him to me, for he must surely die!” 1 Samuel 22:17-19 Then the king ordered the guards at his side, “Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because they too sided with David. For they knew he was fleeing, but they did not tell me.” But the king’s servants would not lift a hand to strike the priests of the LORD. / So the king ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests himself. On that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. / He also put to the sword Nob, the city of the priests, with its men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep. 1 Samuel 23:17 saying, “Do not be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. And you will be king over Israel, and I will be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows this is true.” 1 Samuel 24:20 Now I know for sure that you will be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands. 1 Samuel 25:30 When the LORD has done for my lord all the good He promised, and when He has appointed you ruler over Israel, 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. Treasury of Scripture The LORD has returned on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead you have reigned; and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son: and, behold, you are taken in your mischief, because you are a bloody man. returned Judges 9:24,56,57 That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren… 1 Kings 2:32,33 And the LORD shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, my father David not knowing thereof, to wit, Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah… Acts 28:4,5 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live… the blood 2 Samuel 1:16 And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD'S anointed. 2 Samuel 3:28,29 And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner: … 2 Samuel 4:8-12 And they brought the head of Ishbosheth unto David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold the head of Ishbosheth the son of Saul thine enemy, which sought thy life; and the LORD hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed… thou, etc. Jump to Previous Absalom Blood Bloody Delivered Hand House Kingdom Mischief Reigned Saul SteadJump to Next Absalom Blood Bloody Delivered Hand House Kingdom Mischief Reigned Saul Stead2 Samuel 16 1. Ziba, by presents and false suggestions, obtains his master's inheritance5. 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 The LORD has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul This phrase is spoken by Shimei, a member of Saul's family, as he curses David. The context is David's flight from Jerusalem during Absalom's rebellion. Shimei accuses David of being responsible for the bloodshed in Saul's house, although the biblical narrative shows that David did not directly kill Saul or his family. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern belief in divine retribution, where actions, especially those involving bloodshed, are believed to have consequences. Theologically, it raises questions about justice and divine sovereignty, as David is often seen as a man after God's own heart, yet he faces severe trials and accusations. in whose place you have reigned and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom See, you have come to ruin because you are a man of bloodshed! Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe King of Israel, who is fleeing from his son Absalom. David is accused by Shimei of being a man of bloodshed. 2. Shimei A member of Saul's family who curses David, accusing him of being responsible for the bloodshed of Saul's house and attributing David's current misfortunes to divine retribution. 3. Absalom David's son, who has rebelled against his father and taken over the kingdom, fulfilling part of Shimei's curse. 4. House of Saul The previous royal family of Israel, whose downfall is attributed to David by Shimei. 5. Bahurim The place where Shimei curses David, located on the route David takes while fleeing from Absalom. Teaching Points Divine Justice and Human AccusationShimei's words reflect a belief in divine justice, but they are also a reminder that human accusations can be misguided. We must discern between God's judgment and human opinion. Consequences of Sin David's past actions, particularly his sin with Bathsheba, have long-lasting consequences. This serves as a reminder of the ripple effects of sin in our lives. Responding to Criticism David's response to Shimei's cursing is one of humility and restraint. He trusts in God's sovereignty rather than retaliating, teaching us to respond to criticism with grace. God's Sovereignty in Trials Despite the chaos and betrayal, David acknowledges God's hand in his circumstances. This encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty during our trials. Repentance and Forgiveness David's life is marked by repentance, and despite his failures, he is known as a man after God's own heart. This highlights the importance of repentance and seeking God's forgiveness. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 16:8?2. How does 2 Samuel 16:8 illustrate consequences of David's past actions? 3. What can we learn about God's justice from 2 Samuel 16:8? 4. How does 2 Samuel 16:8 connect with God's covenant with David in 2 Samuel 7? 5. How should believers respond to unjust accusations, as seen in 2 Samuel 16:8? 6. What role does humility play in understanding God's discipline in 2 Samuel 16:8? 7. Why does Shimei curse David in 2 Samuel 16:8? 8. How does 2 Samuel 16:8 reflect God's justice? 9. What historical context explains Shimei's accusations in 2 Samuel 16:8? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 16? 11. Who were the kings of Israel and Judah? 12. Who killed Saul? Saul took his own sword and fell upon it.... Thus Saul died... (I Samuel 31:4-6) An Amalekite slew him (2 Samuel 1:1- 16) 13. (2 Samuel 16:10-12) Does David's acceptance of Shimei's cursing contradict other texts where blasphemy or cursing of God's anointed is forbidden? 14. How can the forest 'devour' more troops than swords (2 Samuel 18:8), and is there any historical or natural explanation for such a phenomenon? What Does 2 Samuel 16:8 Mean The LORD has paid you back for all the blood of the house of SaulShimei’s accusation (2 Samuel 16:5-8) claims God is judging David for Saul’s household deaths. Yet the plain record shows: • David repeatedly spared Saul (1 Samuel 24:4-7; 26:9-11). • Saul died by his own sword; Jonathan and his brothers fell in battle (1 Samuel 31:1-4). • Abner was killed by Joab, not David, and David publicly grieved (2 Samuel 3:27-39). • Ish-bosheth was murdered by two Benjamites; David executed them for it (2 Samuel 4:5-12). • When famine later struck because of Saul’s sin against the Gibeonites, David sought the LORD and made restitution (2 Samuel 21:1-9). Scripture therefore shows Shimei’s charge is exaggerated and misplaced. In whose place you have reigned Shimei implies David seized the throne illegitimately. The historical narrative says otherwise: • The LORD chose David while Saul still reigned (1 Samuel 16:1, 13). • The tribes recognized that choice, anointing David king (2 Samuel 5:1-5). • God Himself calls David “My servant” and confirms the covenant with him (2 Samuel 7:8-16). David’s reign is thus a matter of divine appointment, not political theft. The LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom David’s flight makes Shimei think God is transferring power. Key points: • Absalom’s revolt fulfills Nathan’s warning that the sword would not depart from David’s house after the Bathsheba incident (2 Samuel 12:10-12). • God allows the rebellion as discipline, yet David entrusts the outcome to Him (2 Samuel 15:25-26). • The ultimate result is David’s restoration, not replacement (2 Samuel 18:31-33; 19:11-15). Shimei confuses temporary chastening with permanent rejection. See, you have come to ruin From Shimei’s vantage, David appears finished: • He is barefoot, weeping, and outwardly defeated (2 Samuel 15:30). • Even trusted counselor Ahithophel sides with Absalom (2 Samuel 15:31). Yet God’s covenant promises stand (2 Samuel 7:16). The seeming “ruin” is a valley, not an end; David will cross the Jordan again in triumph (2 Samuel 19:15). Because you are a man of bloodshed This phrase rings partly true: • David’s life was marked by warfare (1 Samuel 18:7; 2 Samuel 8:1-14). • He committed the grave sin of arranging Uriah’s death (2 Samuel 11:14-17). • God later denies him the privilege of building the temple for this reason (1 Chronicles 28:3). Still, Shimei wrongly conflates just warfare and isolated personal sin with illegitimate murder of Saul’s line. God distinguishes between righteous battles and criminal bloodguilt. summary Shimei’s words mix slander with fragments of truth. He rightly senses divine discipline on David but misattributes the cause and predicts the wrong outcome. Scripture shows God had not forsaken His chosen king; rather, He was chastening him while upholding covenant promises. The verse therefore illustrates how human judgments can misread God’s dealings, and it reminds believers to sift accusations through the full, literal testimony of the Word. Hebrew The LORDיְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel has paid you back הֵשִׁיב֩ (hê·šîḇ) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again for all כֹּ֣ל ׀ (kōl) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the blood דְּמֵ֣י (də·mê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed of the house בֵית־ (ḇêṯ-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house of Saul, שָׁא֗וּל (šā·’ūl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites in whose אֲשֶׁ֤ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that place תַּחְתָּ֔יו (taḥ·tāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of you have reigned, מָלַ֙כְתָּ֙ (mā·laḵ·tā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 4427: To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel and the LORD יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel has handed the kingdom הַמְּלוּכָ֔ה (ham·mə·lū·ḵāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4410: Something ruled, a realm over to וַיִּתֵּ֤ן (way·yit·tên) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set your son בְּנֶ֑ךָ (bə·ne·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 1121: A son Absalom. אַבְשָׁל֣וֹם (’aḇ·šā·lō·wm) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 53: Absalom -- 'my father is peace', two Israelites See, וְהִנְּךָ֙ (wə·hin·nə·ḵā) Conjunctive waw | Interjection | second person masculine singular Strong's 2005: Lo! behold! you have come to ruin בְּרָ֣עָתֶ֔ךָ (bə·rā·‘ā·ṯe·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 7451: Bad, evil because כִּ֛י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction you are אָֽתָּה׃ (’āt·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you a man אִ֥ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person of bloodshed!” דָּמִ֖ים (dā·mîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed Links 2 Samuel 16:8 NIV2 Samuel 16:8 NLT 2 Samuel 16:8 ESV 2 Samuel 16:8 NASB 2 Samuel 16:8 KJV 2 Samuel 16:8 BibleApps.com 2 Samuel 16:8 Biblia Paralela 2 Samuel 16:8 Chinese Bible 2 Samuel 16:8 French Bible 2 Samuel 16:8 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Samuel 16:8 Yahweh has returned on you all (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) |
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