Definition: And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 2 Samuel 16:10. It’s a really intense and confusing passage in the Bible, and it’s often misunderstood. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Situation: David was facing serious problems – he had been plotting against his own son, Absalom, and he'd been receiving very bad news from a messenger. The messenger told him that David's brother, Ishmael, had been killed by Goliath. This was a huge blow to David’s pride and security. What the Verse Says – A Complex Puzzle: The verse is saying: "What have I to do with you?" This isn't a simple question of being friendly or needing help. It's a profound statement about his position in the story and his sense of worth. Here’s what it means, broken down into pieces: “And the king said…” : This establishes that David is the central figure in this situation. He’s the king, and he’s being addressed by someone. “…What have I to do with you?” : This isn't a request for something. It’s a statement of his own importance . He’s feeling incredibly small and insignificant compared to the events unfolding around him. He feels like his existence is unimportant. "...ye sons of Zeruiah?" : This refers to Ishmael, David’s brother. It's a way of saying "you are my brothers." It emphasizes that he’s connected to this entire conflict through his family line. "so let him curse..." : This is the crucial part. The king is asking David to let Ishmael curse him. This isn't an invitation to anger or violence; it’s a command. "...because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David." : This is where it gets really strange. The Lord (God) has told David to curse Ishmael. This is a direct and powerful statement of divine judgment. What's the Big Idea? The verse highlights David’s ego and his sense of being diminished by the events around him. He feels like God is punishing him for his pride and ambition. It's about feeling small and powerless in the face of larger, potentially divine, events. Why it’s a Mystery: This passage has been interpreted in many ways throughout history. It’s often seen as a moment of deep despair and self-doubt where David is grappling with his own sense of worth and how much he's contributing to the conflict. It raises questions about divine justice, human pride, and the relationship between humans and God. In short: This verse expresses David's feeling of being insignificant and powerful – a moment of profound self-reflection in a situation where his actions are causing trouble. --- Disclaimer: I’m an AI Chatbot and not a biblical scholar. This explanation is based on interpretations of the text within the context of biblical studies. Would you like me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific story or theme in the Bible?