1 Kings 2:37

37 On the day you do leave and cross the Kidron Valley, know for sure that you will certainly die.^[a] Your blood will be on your own head."

1 Kings 2:37 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 2:37

For it shall be, [that] on the day thou goest out
Out of the city of Jerusalem: and passest over the brook Kidron: which is particularly mentioned, because this lay in his way to Bahurim, his native place; he must cross that to go to it, see ( 2 Samuel 15:23 ) ( 16:5 ) ; and where it might reasonably be supposed he would some time or another be inclined to go, through business, or a desire to see it again:

thou shalt know for certain that thou shall surely die:
it may be depended on as what will be most certainly the case; no reprieve nor pardon will be granted:

thy blood shall be on thine own head;
fair warning being given, he could blame none but himself, should he be guilty and suffer.

1 Kings 2:37 In-Context

35 Then the king appointed Benaiah son of Jehoiada in Joab's place over the army, and he appointed Zadok the priest in Abiathar's place.

36 Then the king summoned Shimei and said to him, "Build a house for yourself in Jerusalem and live there, but don't leave there [and go] anywhere else.

37 On the day you do leave and cross the Kidron Valley, know for sure that you will certainly die. Your blood will be on your own head."

38 Shimei said to the king, "The sentence is fair; your servant will do as my lord the king has spoken." And Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time.

39 But then, at the end of three years, two of Shimei's slaves ran away to Achish son of Maacah, king of Gath. Shimei was informed, "Look, your slaves are in Gath."

Footnotes

• [a]. Gn 2:17