1 Kings 2:40
ESV
Shimei arose and saddled a donkey and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants. Shimei went and brought his servants from Gath.
NIV
At this, he saddled his donkey and went to Achish at Gath in search of his slaves. So Shimei went away and brought the slaves back from Gath.
NASB
Then Shimei got up and saddled his donkey, and went to Gath to Achish, to search for his servants. And Shimei went and brought his servants from Gath.
CSB
So Shimei saddled his donkey and set out to Achish at Gath to search for his slaves. He went and brought them back from Gath.
NLT
he saddled his donkey and went to Gath to search for them. When he found them, he brought them back to Jerusalem.
KJV
And Shimei arose, and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants: and Shimei went, and brought his servants from Gath.
NKJV
So Shimei arose, saddled his donkey, and went to Achish at Gath to seek his slaves. And Shimei went and brought his slaves from Gath.
What does 1 Kings 2:40 mean?
For his crimes against David (2 Samuel 16:5–8), Solomon has placed Shimei under house arrest within the city of Jerusalem. If he doesn't "cross the brook Kidron," he will live (1 Kings 2:36–37). Kidron is on the eastern edge of Jerusalem. Shimei would need to cross it to reach his tribesmen, which is why Solomon set this as a boundary. He doesn't want Shimei to renew his rebellion against David's house. But Gath is in the opposite direction, well southwest of Jerusalem.Perhaps Shimei thought that because Solomon had forbidden him to cross the Kidron to the east of the city, the king would not care if he traveled in the opposite direction. Although Solomon did say, "Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and dwell there, and do not go out from there to any place whatever" (1 Kings 2:36). Or perhaps Shimei felt justified because his servants ran from him. The king of Gath's return of his servants indicates their departure was a significant cultural offense.
Either way, Shimei quickly learns that Solomon was serious. When he returns, Solomon makes it clear that Shimei has violated the oath he gave to Solomon. Solomon was more than fair. Shimei was free to live in Jerusalem, conduct business, and oversee his estate through representatives. He renounces his life for two servants. Benaiah now needs to perform another execution (1 Kings 2:42–46).
