1 Kings 2:39

39 After three years, however, two of Shimei’s slaves ran away to Achish son of Maacah, ^[a] king of Gath. And Shimei was told, “Look, your slaves are in Gath.”

1 Kings 2:39 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 2:39

And it came to pass, at the end of three years
He had dwelt at Jerusalem:

that two of the servants of Shimei ran away to Achish the son of
Maachah king of Gath; and they told Shimei, saying, behold, thy servant
[be] in Gath;
he being a churlish, ill-natured man, always cursing or beating them, or imposing too hard service upon them, or not allowing them the necessaries of life; wherefore they broke away from him, and fled to Gath, and put themselves under the protection of the king of that place, who was now at peace with Israel, and a tributary to them: if this Achish was the same that was David's friend, who sheltered him when persecuted by, Saul, he must be an old man; for that was between forty or fifty years ago; and as he seems to be, since he is called the son of Maoch, ( 1 Samuel 27:2 ) ; which may be thought to be the same with Maachah here.

1 Kings 2:39 In-Context

37 On the day you go out and cross the Kidron Valley, know for sure that you will die; your blood will be on your own head.”

38 “The sentence is fair,” Shimei replied. “Your servant will do as my lord the king has spoken.” And Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time.

39 After three years, however, two of Shimei’s slaves ran away to Achish son of Maacah, king of Gath. And Shimei was told, “Look, your slaves are in Gath.”

40 So Shimei saddled his donkey and set out to Achish at Gath in search of his slaves, and he brought them back from Gath.

41 When Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and had returned,

Footnotes

• [a]. Maacah is a variant of Maoch; see 1 Samuel 27:2.