1 Kings 2:40

40 And Shimei rose up, and saddled his ass (and saddled up his donkey), and went to Achish, into Gath, to seek his servants; and he brought them (back) again from Gath.

1 Kings 2:40 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 2:40

And Shimei arose, and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to
Achish to seek his servants
And demand them; through the passion he was in with his servants, and his hurry to get them home, and the covetous disposition which prevailed on him, he might forget, or be tempted to neglect, the prohibition he was under not to go out of Jerusalem; or he might think Solomon had forgot it; or that he could come and go secretly without his knowledge; or if he should know of it, he might hope he would never punish him with death for so small a fault; however, so it was ordered by the providence of God leaving him to his own lust, and the temptations of Satan, that he might suffer just punishment for cursing David:

and Shimei went and brought his servants from Gath;
for the king being at peace with Israel, and a tributary to them also, did not choose to detain them, but delivered them up lest it should be resented, and bring him into trouble.

1 Kings 2:40 In-Context

38 And Shimei said to the king, The word of the king is good; as my lord the king spake, so thy servant shall do. And so Shimei dwelled in Jerusalem many days.

39 But it was done after three years, that the servants of Shimei fled to Achish, the son of Maachah, king of Gath; and it was told to Shimei, that his servants had gone into Gath.

40 And Shimei rose up, and saddled his ass (and saddled up his donkey), and went to Achish, into Gath, to seek his servants; and he brought them (back) again from Gath.

41 And it was told to king Solomon, that Shimei had gone to Gath from Jerusalem, and had come (back) again.

42 And Solomon sent, and called him, and said to him, Whether I witnessed not to thee by the Lord, and before-said to thee, In whatever day thou shalt go out hither and thither, know thou that thou shalt die; and thou answeredest to me, The word is good, which I heard? (And Solomon sent, and called for him, and said to him, Did I not make thee swear by the Lord? and did I not say to thee, On whatever day that thou shalt go out here and there, know thou that thou shalt die? and didest thou not answer to me, The word, which I heard, is good?)