1 Kings 2:8

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.'

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 Do what you think best with him, but by no means let him get off scot-free - make him pay.

7 "But be generous to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite - extend every hospitality to them; that's the way they treated me when I was running for my life from Absalom your brother.

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.'

9 But neither should you treat him as if nothing ever happened. You're wise, you know how to handle these things. You'll know what to do to make him pay before he dies."

10 Then David joined his ancestors. He was buried in the City of David.