2 Samuel 16 · Verse 19

2 Samuel 16:19

And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father’s presence, so will I be in thy presence.
2 Samuel 16:19, King James Version

2 Samuel 16:19 in other translations

BSBFurthermore, whom should I serve if not the son? As I served in your father’s presence, so also I will serve in yours.”
WEBAgain, whom should I serve? Shouldn’t I serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so I will be in your presence.”
ASVAnd again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father’s presence, so will I be in thy presence.
YLTand secondly, for whom do I labour? is it not before his son? as I served before thy father so am I before thee.'
DARBYAnd again, whom should I serve? should it not be in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence.
BBEAnd more than this! where is my place as a servant? is it not before his son? as I have been your father's servant, so will I be yours.
WebsterAnd again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence.

What does 2 Samuel 16:19 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 16:15-19

15-19. Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king--Hushai's devotion to David was so well-known, that his presence in the camp of the conspirators excited great surprise. Professing, however, with great address, to consider it his duty to support the cause which the course of Providence and the national will had seemingly decreed should triumph, and urging his friendship for the father as a ground of confidence in…

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Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Samuel 16:15-23

The wisest counsellors of that age were Ahithophel and Hushai: Absalom thinks himself sure of success, when he has both; on them he relies, and consults not the ark, though he had that with him. But miserable counsellors were they both. Hushai would never counsel him to do wisely. Ahithophel counselled him to do wickedly; and so did as effectually betray him, as he did, who was designedly false to him: for they that…

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2 Samuel 16:19 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וְהַשֵּׁנִ֗יתve.ha.she.Nitand the second [thing]H8145
לְמִי֙le.Mi<to> whom?H4310
אֲנִ֣י'a.NiIH589
אֶֽעֱבֹ֔ד'e.'e.Vodwill I serveH5647
הֲל֖וֹאha.Lo'¿ notH3808
לִפְנֵ֣יlif.Nei<to> beforeH6440
בְנ֑וֹve.Noson hisH1121
כַּאֲשֶׁ֤רka.'a.Sherjust asH834
עָבַ֙דְתִּי֙'a.Vad.tiI servedH5647
לִפְנֵ֣יlif.Nei<to> beforeH6440
אָבִ֔יךָ'a.Vi.khafather yourH1
כֵּ֖ןkensoH3651
אֶהְיֶ֥ה'eh.YehI will beH1961
לְפָנֶֽיךָ\׃\ \פli.fa.Nei.kha<to> before youH6440

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Samuel 16:19

  • 2 Samuel 15:34

    But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father’s servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.

  • Psalms 55:21

    The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

  • 1 Samuel 28:2

    And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever.

  • Galatians 2:13

    And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

  • 1 Samuel 29:8

    And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king?

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
should I not serve.
15:34; 1Sa 28:2; 29:8; Ps 55:21; Ga 2:13

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 Samuel 16:18

    And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the Lord, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.

  • 2 Samuel 16:19

    And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father’s presence, so will I be in thy presence.

  • 2 Samuel 16:20

    Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.

Read all of 2 Samuel 16

2 Samuel 16:19 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		¿Y á quién había yo de servir? ¿no es á su hijo? Como he servido delante de tu padre, así seré delante de ti.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		et de plus, qui servirai-je? Ne sera-ce pas devant son fils? Comme j’ai servi devant ton père, ainsi je serai devant toi.
German
Elberfelder 1871		und zum anderen, wem sollte ich dienen? nicht vor seinem Sohne? Wie ich vor deinem Vater gedient habe, also will ich vor dir sein.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Sed ut et hoc inferam, cui ego serviturus sum? nonne filio regis? Sicut parui patri tuo, ita parebo et tibi.