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.” Berean Literal Bible Perhaps YHWH will look on my affliction and YHWH and will return me with good for his cursing this day.” 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.” Berean Annotated Bible Perhaps the LORD {YHWH} will see my affliction and repay me with good for the cursing I receive today. 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!" 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BiblePerhaps the LORD will see my affliction and repay me with good for the cursing I receive today.” 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 Versionit may be YHWH looks on my affliction, and YHWH has turned back good to me for his reviling this day.” Berean Literal Bible Perhaps YHWH will look on my affliction and YHWH and will return me with good for his cursing 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 BiblePerhaps 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 BibleIt 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 1917It 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 (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) 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 Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction Psalm 31:7 I will be glad and rejoice in Your loving devotion, for You have seen my affliction; You have known the anguish of my soul. Genesis 31:42 If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, surely by now you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my affliction and the toil of my hands, and last night He rendered judgment.” Exodus 3:7 The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings. and repay me with good 1 Samuel 24:19 When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go away unharmed? May the LORD reward you with good for what you have done for me this day. 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. Romans 8:28 And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. for the cursing I receive today.” Psalm 109:28 Though they curse, You will bless. When they rise up, they will be put to shame, but Your servant will rejoice. Numbers 23:8 How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the LORD has not denounced? Proverbs 26:2 Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. 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.” 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 WrongsJump to Next Affliction Cursed Cursing Distress Eye Good Instead Look Note Perhaps Receiving Repay Requite Reviling Today Turned Wrong Wrongs2 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 Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction Fleeing Jerusalem during Absalom’s revolt, David endures humiliation and danger. He leaves judgment in the LORD’s hands, trusting that God sees the suffering brought upon him. Psa 31:7 I will be glad and rejoice in Your loving devotion,… and repay me with good David hopes the LORD will answer his present hardship with mercy and restoration. Rather than seeking immediate revenge, he relies on God to bring justice and good from his distress. 1Sa 24:19 When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go?… for the cursing I receive today.” Shimei of Saul’s clan publicly curses David as he departs. David restrains his servants from silencing him, recognizing that the LORD may be using the insult to humble him in light of his own sin. Psa 109:28 Though they curse, You will bless. When they rise up,… Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe King of Israel, who is fleeing from his son Absalom. In this verse, David is responding to the cursing of Shimei. 2. Shimei A member of the house of Saul who curses David as he flees from Absalom, throwing stones and dust at him. 3. Absalom David's son, who has rebelled against his father and taken over Jerusalem, forcing David to flee. 4. The LORD (Yahweh) The God of Israel, whom David trusts to see his affliction and potentially bring about justice. 5. Bahurim The location where Shimei curses David, a village in the territory of Benjamin. Teaching Points Trust in Divine JusticeDavid's response to Shimei's cursing demonstrates a profound trust in God's justice. Believers are encouraged to rely on God to right wrongs rather than seeking personal vengeance. Responding to Persecution David's restraint in the face of Shimei's insults is a model for Christians to respond to persecution with grace and patience, trusting God to handle the situation. God's Sovereignty in Suffering David's hope that God will see his affliction and repay him with good highlights the belief in God's sovereignty and ability to bring good out of suffering. Humility in Leadership David's humility in accepting Shimei's cursing without retaliation is a lesson in leadership, showing that true strength lies in humility and reliance on God. Hope in Redemption The verse encourages believers to maintain hope that God can transform curses into blessings, reflecting a redemptive perspective on life's challenges. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 16:12?2. How does 2 Samuel 16:12 demonstrate David's trust in God's justice? 3. What can we learn about humility from David's response in 2 Samuel 16:12? 4. How does David's attitude in 2 Samuel 16:12 connect to Romans 12:19? 5. How can we apply David's patience in adversity to our own challenges? 6. In what ways does 2 Samuel 16:12 encourage reliance on God's sovereignty? 7. How does 2 Samuel 16:12 reflect God's justice and mercy in difficult situations? 8. What does 2 Samuel 16:12 reveal about David's faith in God's plan? 9. How does 2 Samuel 16:12 challenge our understanding of suffering and divine retribution? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 16? (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." David, unjustly cursed, looks past the moment to the LORD who sees, judges, and ultimately blesses. His humble “perhaps” models trust without presumption. By leaving vindication to God, David reflects a heart confident that the Sovereign Judge can transform present affliction into future good—an assurance still given to every believer who endures mistreatment for righteousness’ sake. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Perhapsאוּלַ֛י (’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 Additonal Resources 2 Samuel 16:12 Blue Letter Bible2 Samuel 16:12 Bible Gateway 2 Samuel 16:12 Bible.com 2 Samuel 16:12 NIV |
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