Curses Along the Road

2 Samuel 16

As David flees, Siba brings provisions and claims Memphibosthe has deserted to Abessalom, and Semei curses David and pelts him with stones, which David endures as possibly from the Lord; meanwhile Abessalom enters Jerusalem and follows Achitophel's counsel to publicly take his father's concubines.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonAND when David had marched on a little way from Ros, behold Siba, the servant of Memphibosthe, came out to meet him with a couple of asses saddled, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, and a hundred clusters of dried grapes, and a hundred bunches of dates, and a nebel of wine.

BrentonAnd David passed on a little way from Ros; and, behold, Siba the servant of Memphibosthe came to meet him; and he had a couple of asses laden, and upon them two hundred loaves, and a hundred bunches of raisins, and a hundred cakes of dates, and a bottle of wine.

GreekΚαὶ Δαυὶδ παρῆλθε βραχύ τι ἀπὸ τῆς Ῥὼς, καὶ ἰδοὺ Σιβὰ τὸ παιδάριον Μεμφιβοσθὲ εἰς ἀπαντὴν αὐτοῦ· καὶ ζεῦγος ὄνων ἐπισεσαγμένων, καὶ ἐπʼ αὐτοῖς διακόσιοι ἄρτοι, καὶ ἑκατὸν σταφίδες, καὶ ἑκατὸν φοίνικες καὶ νέβελ οἴνου.

KJVAnd when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.

JPSAnd when David was a little past the top, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and a hundred clusters of raisins, and a hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.

ThomsonAnd the king said to Siba, What meanest thou by these? To which Siba replied, The asses are for the king’s family to ride on, and the loaves and the dates for the young men to eat, and the wine for such as are faint in the wilderness, to drink.

BrentonAnd the king said to Siba, What meanest thou by these? and Siba said, The asses are for the household of the king to sit upon, and the loaves and the dates are for the young men to eat, and the wine is for them that are faint in the wilderness to drink.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς πρὸς Σιβὰ, τί ταῦτά σοι; καὶ εἶπε Σιβὰ, τὰ ὑποζύγια τῇ οἰκίᾳ τοῦ βασιλέως τοῦ ἐπικαθῆσθαι, καὶ οἱ ἄρτοι καὶ οἱ φοίνικες εἰς βρῶσιν τοῖς παιδαρίοις, καὶ ὁ οἶνος πιεῖν τοῖς ἐκλελυμένοις ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ.

KJVAnd the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king’s household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink.

JPSAnd the king said unto Ziba: ‘What meanest thou by these?’ And Ziba said: ‘The asses are for the king’s household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as are faint in the wilderness may drink.’

ThomsonThen the king said, But where is thy master’s son? And Siba said to the king, Behold he abideth in Jerusalem; for he said, Now will the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.

BrentonAnd the king said, And where is the son of thy master? and Siba said to the king, Behold, he remains in Jerusalem; for he said, To-day shall the house of Israel restore to me the kingdom of my father.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς, καὶ ποῦ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ κυρίου σου; καὶ εἶπε Σιβὰ πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα, ἰδοὺ κάθηται ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ, ὅτι εἶπε, σήμερον ἐπιστρέψουσί μοι οἶκος Ἰσραὴλ τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ πατρός μου.

KJVAnd the king said, And where is thy master’s son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.

JPSAnd the king said: ‘And where is thy master’s son?’ And Ziba said unto the king: ‘Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem; for he said: To-day will the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.’

ThomsonThereupon the king said to Siba, Behold all that belong to Memphibosthe are thine. And Siba having bowed down said, Let me find favour in thy sight, O my lord the king.

BrentonAnd the king said to Siba, Behold, all Memphibosthe's property is thine. And Siba did obeisance and said, My lord, O king, let me find grace in thine eyes.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τῷ Σιβᾷ, ἰδού σοι πάντα ὅσα ἐστὶ Μεμφιβοσθέ· καὶ εἶπε Σιβὰ προσκυνήσας, εὕροιμι χάριν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς σου κύριέ μου βασιλεῦ.

KJVThen said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.

JPSThen said the king to Ziba: ‘Behold, thine is all that pertaineth unto Mephibosheth.’ And Ziba said: ‘I prostrate myself; let me find favour in thy sight, my lord, O king.’

ThomsonAnd when king David was going to Baurim, behold there came out thence a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Semei, son of Gera.

BrentonAnd king David came to Baurim; and, behold, there came out from thence a man of the family of the house of Saul, and his name was Semei the son of Gera. He came forth and cursed as he went,

GreekΚαὶ ἦλθεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Δαυὶδ ἕως Βαουρίμ· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐκεῖθεν ἀνὴρ ἐξεπορεύετο ἐκ συγγενείας οἴκου Σαοὺλ, καὶ ὄνομα αὐτῷ Σεμεῒ υἱὸς Γηρά· ἐξῆλθε ἐκπορευόμενος καὶ καταρώμενος,

KJVAnd when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came.

JPSAnd when king David came to Bahurim, behold, there came out thence a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he came out, and kept on cursing as he came.

ThomsonHe came out, cursing David as he came, and throwing stones at David, and at all the servants of king David. Now all the people, even all the mighty men, were on the right and left of the king.

Brentonand cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on the right and left hand of the king.

Greekκαὶ λιθάζων ἐν λίθοις τὸν Δαυὶδ, καὶ πάντας τοὺς παῖδας τοῦ βασιλέως Δαυίδ· καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἦν, καὶ πάντες οἱ δυνατοὶ, ἐκ δεξιῶν καὶ ἐξ εὐωνύμων τοῦ βασιλέως.

KJVAnd he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.

JPSAnd he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David; and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.

ThomsonAnd in this manner Semei expressed himself when he cursed him, Out! Out! thou man of blood! thou miscreant!

BrentonAnd thus Semei said when he cursed him, Go out, go out, thou bloody man, and man of sin.

GreekΚαὶ οὕτως ἔλεγε Σεμεῒ ἐν τῷ καταρᾶσθαι αὐτὸν, ἔξελθε ἔξελθε ἀνὴρ αἱμάτων καὶ ἀνὴρ ὁ παράνομος.

KJVAnd thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:

JPSAnd thus said Shimei when he cursed: ‘Begone, begone, thou man of blood, and base fellow;

ThomsonThe Lord hath retorted on thee all the blood of the house of Saul. Because thou hast reigned in his stead, therefore the Lord hath delivered the kingdom into the hands of Abessalom thy son. And behold thou art in distress, because thou art a bloody man.

BrentonThe 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.

GreekἘπέστρεψεν ἐπὶ σὲ Κύριος πάντα τὰ αἵματα τοῦ οἴκου Σαοὺλ, ὅτι ἐβασίλευσας ἀντʼ αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἔδωκε Κύριος τὴν βασιλείαν ἐν χειρὶ Ἀβεσσαλὼμ τοῦ υἱοῦ σου· καὶ ἰδοὺ σὺ ἐν τῇ κακίᾳ σου, ὅτι ἀνὴρ αἱμάτων σύ.

KJVThe 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.

JPSthe 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.’

ThomsonWhereupon Abessa, son of Saruia, said to the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over, and I will take off his head.

BrentonAnd Abessa the son of Saruia said to the king, Why does this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over now and take off his head.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἀβεσσὰ υἱὸς Σαρουίας πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα, ἱνατί καταρᾶται ὁ κύων ὁ τεθνηκὼς οὗτος τὸν κύριόν μου τὸν βασιλέα; διαβήσομαι δὴ καὶ ἀφελῶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ.

KJVThen 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.

JPSThen 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.’

ThomsonBut the king said, What is it to me and you, O sons of Saruia? Let him alone, and let him curse on; for the Lord hath told him to curse David, and who shall say Why hast thou done so?

BrentonAnd the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Saruia? even let him alone, and so let him curse, for the Lord has told him to curse David: and who shall say, Why hast thou done thus?

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς, τί ἐμοὶ καὶ ὑμῖν, υἱοὶ Σαρουίας; καὶ ἄφετε αὐτὸν, καὶ οὕτως καταράσθω, ὅτι Κύριος εἶπεν αὐτῷ καταρᾶσθαι τὸν Δαυίδ· καὶ τίς ἐρεῖ, ὡς τί ἐποίησας οὕτως;

KJVAnd the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?

JPSAnd the king said: ‘What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him: Curse David; who then shall say: Wherefore hast thou done so?’

ThomsonThen David said to Abessa, and to all his servants, Behold my own son, who is descended from my loins, seeketh my life, and how much more then may this Jeminite do it! Let him curse, for the Lord hath bidden him.

BrentonAnd David said to Abessa and to all his servants, Behold, my son who came forth out of my bowels seeks my life; still more now may the son of Benjamin: let him curse, because the Lord has told him.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Δαυὶδ πρὸς Ἀβεσσὰ καὶ πρὸς πάντας τοὺς παῖδας αὐτοῦ, ἰδοὺ ὁ υἱός μου ὁ ἐξελθὼν ἐκ τῆς κοιλίας μου ζητεῖ τὴν ψυχήν μου, καὶ προσέτι νῦν ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ Ἰεμινί· ἄφετε αὐτὸν καταρᾶσθαι, ὅτι εἶπεν αὐτῷ Κύριος.

KJVAnd David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.

JPSAnd David said to Abishai, and to all his servants: ‘Behold, my son, who came forth of my body, seeketh my life; how much more this Benjamite now? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.

ThomsonPerhaps the Lord may look on my affliction, and return me good for his cursing this day.

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

GreekΕἴπως ἴδοι Κύριος ἐν τῇ ταπεινώσει μου, καὶ ἐπιστρέψει μοι ἀγαθὰ ἀντὶ τῆς κατάρας αὐτοῦ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ.

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

JPSIt 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.’

ThomsonSo David and all his men proceeded on their march, and Semei went along the side of the mountain near him, cursing as he went, and throwing stones from the side of it, and casting up dust.

BrentonAnd David and all the men with him went on the way: and Semei went by the side of the hill next to him, cursing as he went, and casting stones at him, and sprinkling him with dirt.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπορεύθη Δαυὶδ καὶ πάντες οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ· καὶ Σεμεῒ ἐπορεύετο ἐκ πλευρᾶς τοῦ ὄρους ἐχόμενα αὐτοῦ πορευόμενος καὶ καταρώμενος καὶ λιθάζων ἐν λίθοις ἐκ πλαγίων αὐτοῦ καὶ τῷ χοῒ πάσσων.

KJVAnd as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill’s side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.

JPSSo David and his men went by the way; and Shimei went along on the hill-side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.

ThomsonAnd when the king arrived, and all the people with him, being fatigued, they refreshed themselves there.

BrentonAnd the king, and all the people with him, came away and refreshed themselves there.

GreekΚαὶ ἦλθεν ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς μετʼ αὐτοῦ ἐκλελυμένοι, καὶ ἀνέψυξαν ἐκεῖ.

KJVAnd the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.

JPSAnd the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary; and he refreshed himself there.

ThomsonNow Abessalom and all Israel had come to Jerusalem, and Achitophel with him.

BrentonAnd Abessalom and all the men of Israel went into Jerusalem, and Achitophel with him.

GreekΚαὶ Ἀβεσσαλὼμ καὶ πᾶς ἀνὴρ Ἰσραὴλ εἰσῆλθον εἰς Ἰερουσαλὴμ, καὶ Ἀχιτόφελ μετʼ αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.

JPSAnd Absalom, and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.

ThomsonAnd when Chousi, the old companion of David, came to Abessalom, Chousi said to Abessalom, God save the king!

BrentonAnd it came to pass when Chusi the chief friend of David came to Abessalom, that Chusi said to Abessalom, Let the king live.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγενήθη ἡνίκα ἦλθε Χουσὶ ὁ ἀρχιεταῖρος Δαυὶδ πρὸς Ἀβεσσαλὼμ, καὶ εἶπε Χουσὶ πρὸς Ἀβεσσαλὼμ, ζήτω ὁ βασιλεύς.

KJVAnd it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king.

JPSAnd it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom: ‘Long live the king, long live the king.’

ThomsonWhereupon Abessalom said to Chousi, Is this thy kindness for thy friend? Why hast thou not gone with thy friend?

BrentonAnd Abessalom said to Chusi, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not forth with thy friend?

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἀβεσσαλὼμ πρὸς Χουσὶ, τοῦτο τὸ ἔλεός σου μετὰ τοῦ ἑταίρου σου; ἱνατί οὐκ ἀπῆλθες μετὰ τοῦ ἑταίρου σου;

KJVAnd Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?

JPSAnd Absalom said to Hushai: ‘Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?’

ThomsonAnd Chousi said to Abessalom, shall I not follow him whom the Lord hath chosen, and this His people—even all Israel? For Him I will be; and with Him I will abide.

BrentonAnd Chusi said to Abessalom, Nay, but following whom the Lord, and this people, and all Israel have chosen,—his will I be, and with him will I dwell.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Χουσὶ πρὸς Ἀβεσσαλὼμ, οὐχὶ, ἀλλὰ κατόπισθεν οὗ ἐξελέξατο Κύριος καὶ ὁ λαὸς οὗτος καὶ πᾶς ἀνὴρ Ἰσραὴλ, αὐτῷ ἔσομαι, καὶ μετὰ αὐτοῦ καθήσομαι.

KJVAnd Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.

JPSAnd Hushai said unto Absalom: ‘Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen, his will I be, and with him will I abide.

ThomsonAnd in the next place whom should I serve? Must it not be before his son? As I have served before thy father, so will I be before thee.

BrentonAnd again, whom shall I serve? should I not in the presence of his son? As I served in the sight of thy father, so will I be in thy presence.

GreekΚαὶ τὸ δεύτερον, τίνι ἐγὼ δουλεύσω; οὐχὶ ἐνώπιον τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ; καθάπερ ἐδούλευσα ἐνώπιον τοῦ πατρός σου, οὕτως ἔσομαι ἐνώπιόν σου.

KJVAnd again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father’s presence, so will I be in thy presence.

JPSAnd again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father’s presence, so will I be in thy presence.’

ThomsonThen Abessalom said to Achitophel, Consult among yourselves what we shall do.

BrentonAnd Abessalom said to Achitophel, Deliberate among yourselves concerning what we should do.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἀβεσσαλὼμ πρὸς Ἀχιτόφελ, φέρετε ἑαυτοῖς βουλὴν τί ποιήσωμεν.

KJVThen said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.

JPS—

ThomsonThereupon Achitophel said to Abessalom, Go in unto thy father’s concubines, whom he hath left to keep his house; and all Israel will hear that thou hast dishonoured thy father, and the hands of all who are with thee will be strengthened.

BrentonAnd Achitophel said to Abessalom, Go in to thy father's concubines, whom he left to keep his house; and all Israel shall hear that thou hast dishonoured thy father; and the hands of all that are with thee shall be strengthened.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἀχιτόφελ πρὸς Ἀβεσσαλὼμ, εἴσελθε πρὸς τὰς παλλακὰς τοῦ πατρός σου, ἃς κατέλιπε φυλάσσειν τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀκούσεται πᾶς Ἰσραὴλ, ὅτι κατῄσχυνα, τὸν πατέρα σοῦ, καὶ ἐνισχύσουσιν αἱ χεῖρες πάντων τῶν μετὰ σοῦ.

KJVAnd Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father’s concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.

JPSAnd Ahithophel said unto Absalom: ‘Go in unto thy father’s concubines, that he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that thou art abhorred of thy father; then will the hands of all that are with thee be strong.’

ThomsonSo they fixed up a tent for Abessalom on the top of the house, and Abessalom went in unto his father’s concubines, in the sight of all Israel.

BrentonAnd they pitched a tent for Abessalom on the roof, and Abessalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.

GreekΚαὶ ἔπηξαν τὴν σκηνὴν τῷ Ἀβεσσαλὼμ ἐπὶ τὸ δῶμα, καὶ εἰσῆλθεν Ἀβεσσαλὼμ πρὸς τὰς παλλακὰς τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ κατʼ ὀφθαλμοὺς παντὸς Ἰσραήλ.

KJVSo they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

JPSSo they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.—

ThomsonNow the advice which Achitophel gave in those first days, was as if one had consulted the oracle of God. Such was every advice of Achitophel both with David and with Abessalom.

BrentonAnd the counsel of Achitophel, which he counselled in former days, was as if one should enquire of the word of God: so was all the counsel of Achitophel both to David and also to Abessalom.

GreekΚαὶ ἡ βουλὴ Ἀχιτόφελ, ἣν ἐβουλεύσατο ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ταῖς πρώταις, ὃν τρόπον ἐπερωτήσῃ τις ἐν λόγῳ τοῦ Θεοῦ· οὕτως πᾶσα ἡ βουλὴ τοῦ Ἀχιτόφελ καί γε τῷ Δαυὶδ καί γε τῷ Ἀβεσσαλώμ.

KJVAnd the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

JPSNow the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man inquired of the word of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.