²⁹ “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?”

⁹ Then Abishai^(A) son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog^(B) curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.”^(C)

¹⁰ But the king said, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah?^(D) If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’”^(E)

¹¹ David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son,^(F) my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to.^{(G) 12} It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery^(H) and restore to me his covenant blessing^(I) instead of his curse today.^(J)”

¹³ So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt. ¹⁴ The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted.^(K) And there he refreshed himself.