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What the Bible Says About Treason

Overview

The Bible addresses treason across 21 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in 2 Samuel, John and Matthew. Closely related themes include Amnesty, Shimei, Self-Defense and Death of Christ, the. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Shimei, Pontius Pilate, David and Jesus.

Key Bible verses about treason

Old Testament

2 Samuel

2 Samuel 19:13

And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.

2 Samuel 19:16

And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.

2 Samuel 19:17

And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king.

2 Samuel 19:18

And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king's household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan; what: Heb. the good in his eyes

2 Samuel 19:19

And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.

2 Samuel 19:20

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.

2 Samuel 19:21

But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD'S anointed?

2 Samuel 19:22

And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?

2 Samuel 19:23

Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.

New Testament

People in the Bible and treason

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying treason for yourself

  • Begin with 2 Samuel 19:13, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how 2 Samuel, John and Matthew each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Shimei, Pontius Pilate and David and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Amnesty, Shimei, Self-Defense and Death of Christ, the.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about treason?

The Bible addresses treason across 21 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in 2 Samuel, John and Matthew. Closely related themes include Amnesty, Shimei, Self-Defense and Death of Christ, the. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Shimei, Pontius Pilate, David and Jesus.

How many Bible verses are about treason?

The Bible references treason in 21 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention treason?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is 2 Samuel 19:13: “And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.”

Which people in the Bible are associated with treason?

Shimei, Pontius Pilate, David, Jesus and Joab.

Preach & teach

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