2 Samuel 19:20 Meaning and Explanation
“For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Shimei confesses that he has sinned and points out that he is the first of the northern tribes to come and meet the king.
What Does 2 Samuel 19:20 Mean?
Shimei makes a plain confession: I have sinned. He offers no defense, only acknowledgment. Then he notes that he has come first of all the house of Joseph, representing the northern tribes, to meet the returning king. His eagerness to be foremost is meant to show the sincerity of his change of heart.
Honest confession, I have sinned, is the doorway to mercy throughout Scripture. Shimei does not minimize his guilt; he names it and casts himself on the king's grace. To come first, to come quickly, to come confessing, is the posture God honors. The one who truly owns his sin and turns to the King will not be turned away.
2 Samuel 19:20 in the Original Language
chata (חָטָא), 'sinned' -- to miss the mark or transgress; the same humble confession voiced by David himself.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 19:20
What does 2 Samuel 19:20 mean?
Shimei confesses that he has sinned and points out that he is the first of the northern tribes to come and meet the king.