1 Kings 2:41
ESV
And when Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and returned,
NIV
When Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and had returned,
NASB
And it was reported to Solomon that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath, and had returned.
CSB
It was reported to Solomon that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and had returned.
NLT
Solomon heard that Shimei had left Jerusalem and had gone to Gath and returned.
KJV
And it was told Solomon that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath, and was come again.
NKJV
And Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and had come back.
What does 1 Kings 2:41 mean?
To control the influence Shimei has over his fellow Benjaminites, Solomon placed him under house arrest in Jerusalem. Among the stipulations is that Shimei isn't to cross the Kidron toward his home. He knew he shouldn't leave Jerusalem at all (1 Kings 2:36), even when two of his servants ran in the opposite direction of Kidron, to Gath. Solomon had told him that if he left, he forfeited his life. Shimei agreed that Solomon's terms were very fair. But three years passed, and the thought of those servants led Shimei to a foolish decision (1 Kings 2:36–40).In many ways, David was a complacent king. He was ferocious against foreign enemies, but he overlooked domestic offenses, levying little to no real punishment. This was the pattern in many high-profile incidents in David's rule. Amnon raped his own half-sister (2 Samuel 13:7–14). Absalom murdered Amnon (2 Samuel 13:28–29). Adonijah enjoyed a lifetime of being spoiled (1 Kings 1:5–6). Joab, David's nephew and general, murdered two men (2 Samuel 3:27; 20:9–10). Shimei cursed King David, declared his kingship had been stolen from Saul, and threw rocks at him (2 Samuel 16:5–8). Even when one of the great Israelite warriors asked to remove Shimei's head, David told him to stand down (2 Samuel 16:9–12).
David's son Solomon is wiser and more decisive. He doesn't have his father's military reputation to fall back on, so he moves quickly and fairly. He executes Adonijah and Joab for conspiracy, exiles their co-conspirator outside Jerusalem, and places Shimei under house arrest inside Jerusalem (1 Kings 2:25–27, 35–37).
Solomon hears that Shimei has left the city. Solomon calls him and convicts him with his own words (1 Kings 2:43–46). As Shimei hears the king sentence him to death, Solomon reveals he is not a complacent king.
