2 Samuel 19:23

23 The king said to Shimei, "¹You shall not die." Thus the king swore to him.

2 Samuel 19:23 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 19:23

Therefore the king said unto Shimei, thou shalt not die
This day by my hands, or order, or by the sword, ( 1 Kings 2:8 ) ;

and the king sware unto him;
that he should not die for that offence, or for that only; but if he committed a new one, this oath was no longer binding on him, and not at all upon his heir and successor.

2 Samuel 19:23 In-Context

21 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah said, "Should not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD'S anointed?"

22 David then said, "What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah, that you should this day be an adversary to me? Should any man be put to death in Israel today? For do I not know that I am king over Israel today?"

23 The king said to Shimei, "You shall not die." Thus the king swore to him.

24 Then Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king; and he had neither cared for his feet, nor trimmed his mustache, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace.

25 It was when he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said to him, "Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?"

Cross References

• 1. 1 Kings 2:8