2 Samuel 16:12-23
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
<05869> [affliction. or, tears. Heb. eye. requite.]
curses <07043> [cursed.]
dirt <06083 06080> [cast dust. Heb. dusted him with dust.]
It was an ancient custom, in those warm and arid countries, to lay the dust before a person of distinction, by sprinkling the ground with water. Dr. Pococke and the consul were treated with this respect when they entered Cairo. The same custom is alluded to in the well-known fable of Ph‘drus, in which a slave is represented going before Augustus and officiously laying the dust. To throw dust in the air while a person was passing was therefore an act of great disrespect; to do so before a sovereign prince, an indecent outrage. But it is probable that Shimei meant more than disrespect and outrage to this afflicted king. Sir John Chardin informs us, that in the East, in general, those who demand justice against a criminal throw dust upon him, signifying that he ought to be put in the grave: and hence the common imprecation among the Turks and Persians, "Be covered with earth," or, "Earth be upon thy head."
[there.]
Absalom <053> [Absalom.]
Long live ... king Long live ... king <02421 04428> [God save the king. Heb. let the king live.]
loyalty <02617> [Is this thy.]
go <01980> [why wentest.]
serve <06440> [should I not serve.]
Give .... advice <03051 06098> [Give counsel.]
Have sex <0935> [Go in.]
father's ....................... father <01> [unto thy.]
repulsive <0887> [abhorred.]
father's ....................... father <01> [thy father.]
support <03027> [then shall.]
support <03027> [the hands.]
roof <01406> [the top.]
<0935> [went in.]
<0376> [as if.]
prophetic <0430 01697> [oracle of God. Heb. word of God.]
advice ................. advice <06098> [so was.]
The first counsel of this sagacious but wicked man to Absalom was more like an oracle of Satan, both for subtlety and atrocity. He advised the shameless measure just detailed, in order to establish Absalom, and to preclude the possibility of a reconciliation with David. The wives of a conquered king were always the property of the conqueror; and in possessing these he appeared to possess the right to the kingdom.
advice ................. advice <06098> [all the counsel.]
David <01732> [both.]
