Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 16:12
It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.
12. mine affliction ] This reading is supported by the Sept. and Vulg. and is probably right. Cp. Psa 25:18. The Qr has mine eye, which is explained to mean my grief, but the expression is unparalleled. The Kthbh gives mine iniquity, meaning, ‘perhaps the Lord will look graciously upon my guilt and pardon it,’ but this does not suit the following clause so well.
will requite me good ] Cp. Psa 109:26-28.
for his cursing ] The E. V. follows the Qr. The Kthbh has my cursing, i.e. the curse invoked upon me.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
His cursing – Another reading has my curse, i. e., the curse that has fallen upon me. David recognizes in every word and action that he was receiving the due reward of his sin, and that which Nathan had foretold.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
It may be; he speaks doubtfully, because he was conscious that by his sins he had forfeited all his claim to Gods promises.
The Lord will look on mine affliction with an eye of commiseration.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
It may be that the Lord will look on mine affliction,…. Through the rebellion of his son, and now aggravated by the cursing of Shimei; that is, with an eye of pity and commiseration, and deliver him out of it: or “look upon my eye” x; for there is a various reading; the tear of mine eye, as the Targum; so Jarchi and R. Isaiah; the tears in it, which fell plentifully from it, on account of his troubles, and particularly the curses and reproaches of Shimei:
and that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day; he does not speak with assurance, yet with hope; he knew his sins deserved such treatment, but also that God was gracious and merciful, and pitied his children, and resented all ill usage of them; and therefore hoped he would favour him with such intimations of his love as would support him, comfort, refresh him, and do him good, see Ro 8:28.
x “in oculum meum”, Montanus; “oculum meum lachrymantem”, Munster.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(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.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
“Handfuls of Purpose”
For All Gleaners
“It may be that the Lord will look on mine affliction, and that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day.” 2Sa 16:12 .
David thus shows how thoroughly he had entered into the divine spirit. He had seen that all resentment and self-defence amounted to nothing. The resources of one man can be overcome by the resources of another man. We only have resources equal to every emergency in life when we feel that at our disposal are the unsearchable riches of Christ. “Commit thy way unto the Lord: avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.” Here is Christianity before the Christian era. What more can any Christian do than David did when he was cursed and stoned by Shimei? Jesus Christ says, “If thine enemy smite thee on the one cheek, turn to him the other also.” David seems to have entered into the spirit of that injunction, for, instead of taking the case into his own hand, he commended himself to the keeping and protection of God. Cursing well borne may lead to the bestowal of blessing from on high. A great principle is involved in this possibility. We undertake our own defence far too much. We are fretful, resentful, anxious to see justice inflicted upon those who have been cruel towards us; whereas if we lived in the very Spirit of Christ, we should remit all such matters to the providence of God, assured that if a man do evil he will bring that evil upon himself, and he will fall into the pit which he has digged for others. How lovely is a quiet spirit, how beautiful is patience, how noble is resignation! How much greater a man is David in this case than if he had called for a sword and pursued the fool who cursed him! Prayer is mightier than controversy; patience is grander than revenge; we can only be taught the supreme value of moral qualities and attributes after long study in the school of Christ. Resignation is never weakness. The spirit that can resign itself to the providence of God is a spirit that can take a large view of life, that can connect the seedtime and the harvest, the beginning and the end, and that never rushes at conclusions, but patiently abides the evolution of the divine will. By examining ourselves on this ground we see exactly what progress we have made in the Christian course.
Fuente: The People’s Bible by Joseph Parker
2Sa 16:12 It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.
Ver. 12. It may be the Lord will look on mine affliction. ] Heb., On mine eye, or tears; for Iisdem quibus videmus oculis flemus; et lachrymas angustiae exprimit Crux.
And that the Lord will requite good for his cursing.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
look on mine affliction. This is one of the eighteen emendations of the Sopherim (App-33). The primitive text reads “Jehovah will behold with His eye”. This was thought to be too anthropomorphic, and so was altered, and the alteration recorded.
requite. Compare Psa 109:26-28.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the Lord: Gen 29:32, Gen 29:33, Exo 2:24, Exo 2:25, Exo 3:7, Exo 3:8, 1Sa 1:11, Psa 25:18
affliction: or, tears, Heb. eye
requite: Deu 23:5, Isa 27:7, Mat 5:11, Mat 5:12, Rom 8:28, 2Co 4:17, 2Th 1:7, Heb 12:10, 1Pe 4:12-19
Reciprocal: Exo 32:30 – peradventure Deu 26:7 – looked 1Sa 14:6 – it may be 2Ki 19:4 – the Lord Job 1:21 – taken away Psa 39:12 – hold Psa 42:3 – tears Psa 109:16 – slay Psa 119:132 – Look Psa 131:2 – quieted Pro 20:22 – wait Pro 25:22 – the Lord Pro 26:2 – so Isa 37:4 – It may Isa 37:17 – hear Lam 1:9 – behold Amo 5:15 – it may Oba 1:13 – looked Mic 7:9 – bear Zec 9:8 – for Mar 9:24 – with
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Sa 16:12. It may be the Lord will look on mine affliction, &c. He means that, although this was a chastisement from God upon him, yet if he bore it as became him, it might become a means of mercy to him. His humble submission and resignation might call down the divine commiseration upon his patience and penitence.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
16:12 It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will {g} requite me good for his cursing this day.
(g) Meaning, that the Lord will send comfort to his, when they are oppressed.