1 Kings 2:37
ESV
For on the day you go out and cross the brook Kidron, know for certain that you shall die. Your blood shall be on your own head."
NIV
The day you leave and cross the Kidron Valley, you can be sure you will die; your blood will be on your own head."
NASB
For on the day you leave and cross the brook Kidron, you will know for certain that you will assuredly die; your blood will be on your own head.'
CSB
On the day you do leave and cross the Kidron Valley, know for sure that you will certainly die. Your blood will be on your own head."
NLT
On the day you so much as cross the Kidron Valley, you will surely die; and your blood will be on your own head.'
KJV
For it shall be, that on the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook Kidron, thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt surely die: thy blood shall be upon thine own head.
NKJV
For it shall be, on the day you go out and cross the Brook Kidron, know for certain you shall surely die; your blood shall be on your own head.”
What does 1 Kings 2:37 mean?
Solomon has sentenced Shimei, a Benjaminite, to house arrest in Jerusalem. Shimei cursed David years earlier, insulting his honor and implying David's kingship was illegitimate because he took the throne of Israel from Saul, Shimei's kinsman (2 Samuel 16:5–12). This was not only false but also dangerous. At that time, David's son Absalom was marching on Jerusalem, and David and his servants were fleeing (2 Samuel 15:10–14). If Shimei had rallied the Benjaminites to join Absalom, David's reign may have ended prematurely.Solomon's reign began on unsteady footing. His older brother Adonijah was crowning himself when David heard and hastily made sure Solomon sat on the throne first (1 Kings 1). After David died, Adonijah, along with Joab and Abiathar, tried again. Solomon has already had to execute his brother and his military commander, and exile the lead priest (1 Kings 2:25, 27, 34). He doesn't want to have to fight off the soldiers of the tribe where his capital city sits.
Solomon chooses not to execute Shimei for any such potential rebellion. He commands Shimei to live out his days in Jerusalem away from his own people. He establishes a specific boundary, telling Shimei he will be executed if he is ever found on the wrong side of the Kidron Brook. This is just east of Jerusalem, toward the territory of Benjamin.
Shimei agrees and manages to follow Solomon's restriction for three years. When two of his servants flee to Gath, however, he seems to think he's justified in retrieving them (1 Kings 2:39–40).
