1 Kings 2:8

8 “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.’

1 Kings 2:8 in Other Translations

8 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.

8 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.'

8 “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.

8 "You also will have to deal with Shimei son of Gera the Benjaminite from Bahurim, the one who cursed me so viciously when I was on my way to Mahanaim. Later, when he welcomed me back at the Jordan, I promised him under God, 'I won't put you to death.'

8 "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.'

1 Kings 2:8 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 2:8

And behold [thou hast] with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a
Benjamite of Bahurim
Of whom, and of his native place, (See Gill on 2 Samuel 16:5); he was now at Jerusalem, and so with Solomon, or near at hand; and was on his side, and of his party; see ( 1 Kings 1:8 ) ; but not to be trusted, or looked upon as a real friend:

which cursed me with a grievous curse, when I went to Mahanaim;
a place on the other side Jordan, of which place, and the curses this man cursed David, with, see ( 2 Samuel 16:7 2 Samuel 16:8 ) ( 17:24 ) ;

but he came down to me at Jordan;
after the defeat of Absalom, and when David was returning, and humbled himself to him, and begged his pardon:

and I sware unto him by the Lord, saying, I will not put thee to death
with the sword;
but this oath was not binding upon his successor, and especially should he commit a new crime.

1 Kings 2:8 In-Context

6 Deal with him according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to the grave in peace.

7 “But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead and let them be among those who eat at your table. They stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom.

8 “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.’

9 But now, do not consider him innocent. You are a man of wisdom; you will know what to do to him. Bring his gray head down to the grave in blood.”

10 Then David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David.

Cross References

• 1. ver 36-46; 2 Samuel 16:5-13
• 2. S Genesis 32:2
• 3. 2 Samuel 19:18-23