1 Kings 2:44

44 The king said moreover to Shim`i, You know all the wickedness which your heart is privy to, that you did to David my father: therefore the LORD shall return your wickedness on your own head.

1 Kings 2:44 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 2:44

The king said moreover to Shimei
Not as another reason for his putting him to death, but to remind him of his former sins, and to observe to him the providence of God in suffering him to fall into others, that justice might take place upon him for them also:

thou knowest all the wickedness which thine heart is privy to, that
thou didst to David my father;
which conscience must bear witness to, and accuse him of, not only of the words and actions themselves uttered and done by him, but of the malice and wickedness from whence they sprung:

therefore the Lord shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head;
the punishment of it; which though not directly inflicted for that, yet in providence was brought about as a just retaliation for it.

1 Kings 2:44 In-Context

42 The king sent and called for Shim`i, and said to him, Didn't I adjure you by the LORD, and protest to you, saying, Know for certain, that on the day you go out, and walk abroad any where, you shall surely die? and you said to me, The saying that I have heard is good.

43 Why then have you not kept the oath of the LORD, and the mitzvah that I have charged you with?

44 The king said moreover to Shim`i, You know all the wickedness which your heart is privy to, that you did to David my father: therefore the LORD shall return your wickedness on your own head.

45 But king Shlomo shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the LORD forever.

46 So the king commanded Benayah the son of Yehoiada; and he went out, and fell on him, so that he died. The kingdom was established in the hand of Shlomo.