1 Kings 2:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And there is also with you Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse on the day when I went to Mahanaim. But when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord, saying, ‘I will not put you to death with the sword.’

NIV: "And remember, you have with you Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, who called down bitter curses on me the day I went to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord: ‘I will not put you to death by the sword.’

NASB: And behold, you have with you Shimei the son of Gera the Benjaminite, of Bahurim; now it was he who cursed me with a painful curse on the day I went to Mahanaim. But when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord, saying, ‘I will not put you to death with the sword.’

CSB: "Keep an eye on Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim who is with you. He uttered malicious curses against me the day I went to Mahanaim. But he came down to meet me at the Jordan River, and I swore to him by the Lord: ‘I will never kill you with the sword.’

NLT: And remember Shimei son of Gera, the man from Bahurim in Benjamin. He cursed me with a terrible curse as I was fleeing to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan River, I swore by the Lord that I would not kill him.

KJV: And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the Lord, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword.

NKJV: “And see, you have with you Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a malicious curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim. But he came down to meet me at the Jordan, and I swore to him by the Lord, saying, ‘I will not put you to death with the sword.’

As he nears death, David wants to settle his accounts regarding promises of mercy and justice. These are passed along to Solomon, the heir. David wants his son to bring justice on certain people, including Joab (1 Kings 2:5–6) and now Shimei.

When David's son Absalom raised a rebellion and drove his father out of Jerusalem, David had a strong suspicion God was punishing him for his sins against Uriah and Bathsheba. Through Nathan, God warned David, "Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house…" (2 Samuel 12:11). When Shimei, from King Saul's family, saw David and his entourage fleeing from Absalom, he threw both curses and stones (2 Samuel 16:5–8). Joab's brother Abishai offered to take off Shimei's head. David stopped him, saying, "Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to" (2 Samuel 16:11).

When David returned to Jerusalem, Shimei greeted him with a corps of Benjaminites to bring his household back over the Jordan River, and profusely apologized. Whether because Shimei was contrite, David was looking to avoid further violence, or wanted to heal the country after Absalom's rebellion, David pardoned Shimei (2 Samuel 19:17–23).

Although David forgave the personal offense, he has not forgotten the crime against the crown. Solomon now wears that crown. His reign won't be secure if Shimei returns to his claim that David stole the kingdom from Saul (2 Samuel 16:7–8). David promised Shimei he wouldn't kill him (2 Samuel 19:23). That doesn't mean he doesn't deserve to die. David trusts Solomon to work out the details.

Mahanaim, which means "a camping place," is where David and his servants fled to, and Barzillai and others met them with food and beds (2 Samuel 17:27–29).

First Kings 2:5–9 contains David's guidance to Solomon about politically establishing his kingdom. David has already explained that, to rule spiritually, Solomon needs to obey God (1 Kings 2:1–5). To rule without political barriers, Solomon needs to remove Joab for murder and Shimei for treason. But he also needs to honor the sons of Barzillai in payment for their father's loyalty and hospitality. Solomon will follow David's advice, but when a hint of a new rebellion arises, he must start demonstrating his strength towards his brother Adonijah and Abiathar the priest (1 Kings 2:13–27).

In 1 Kings 2, Solomon establishes his kingdom. David tells Solomon to follow God and to deal justly with his officials. After David dies, Solomon executes his rival Adonijah and the murderer Joab. He sends the conspiring priest Abiathar to house arrest and deals with the Benjamite Shimei, who cursed David. Benaiah becomes the military commander, and Zadok the lead priest. Next, Solomon will offer his famous prayer for wisdom (1 Kings 3:6–9).

David's reign ends as his health begins to fail. Watchful rivals try to take advantage of this, attempting to install their preferred heir to the throne (1 Kings 1). This fails, and Solomon is crowned. In 1 Kings 2, Solomon begins the work of inheriting God's covenant with David. Before David dies, he advises Solomon on how to follow God, respond to conspirators, and build the temple (1 Chronicles 22:6–19; 28:9–21). David also throws a more formal coronation ceremony (1 Chronicles 29:22–25). After dealing with the men who would take his crown, Solomon asks God for wisdom; God promises to add honor and wealth (1 Kings 3:6–14).

This was originally the first half of a combined text. First Kings records the end of David's reign and the rule of Solomon. After this, the kingdom is split in two. The northern nation of Israel no longer submits to the king of the southern nation, called Judah. The prophet Elijah first appears in this book. The kings mostly fail to honor the Lord. They participate in idolatry and other sins. This will eventually result in their conquest and exile, as depicted throughout the books of Chronicles.