1 Kings 2:8
ESV
And there is also with you Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse on the day when I went to Mahanaim. But when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord, saying, ‘I will not put you to death with the sword.’
NIV
"And remember, you have with you Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, who called down bitter curses on me the day I went to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord: ‘I will not put you to death by the sword.’
NASB
And behold, you have with you Shimei the son of Gera the Benjaminite, of Bahurim; now it was he who cursed me with a painful curse on the day I went to Mahanaim. But when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord, saying, ‘I will not put you to death with the sword.’
CSB
"Keep an eye on Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim who is with you. He uttered malicious curses against me the day I went to Mahanaim. But he came down to meet me at the Jordan River, and I swore to him by the Lord: ‘I will never kill you with the sword.’
NLT
And remember Shimei son of Gera, the man from Bahurim in Benjamin. He cursed me with a terrible curse as I was fleeing to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan River, I swore by the Lord that I would not kill him.
KJV
And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the Lord, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword.
NKJV
“And see, you have with you Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a malicious curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim. But he came down to meet me at the Jordan, and I swore to him by the Lord, saying, ‘I will not put you to death with the sword.’
What does 1 Kings 2:8 mean?
As he nears death, David wants to settle his accounts regarding promises of mercy and justice. These are passed along to Solomon, the heir. David wants his son to bring justice on certain people, including Joab (1 Kings 2:5–6) and now Shimei.When David's son Absalom raised a rebellion and drove his father out of Jerusalem, David had a strong suspicion God was punishing him for his sins against Uriah and Bathsheba. Through Nathan, God warned David, "Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house…" (2 Samuel 12:11). When Shimei, from King Saul's family, saw David and his entourage fleeing from Absalom, he threw both curses and stones (2 Samuel 16:5–8). Joab's brother Abishai offered to take off Shimei's head. David stopped him, saying, "Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to" (2 Samuel 16:11).
When David returned to Jerusalem, Shimei greeted him with a corps of Benjaminites to bring his household back over the Jordan River, and profusely apologized. Whether because Shimei was contrite, David was looking to avoid further violence, or wanted to heal the country after Absalom's rebellion, David pardoned Shimei (2 Samuel 19:17–23).
Although David forgave the personal offense, he has not forgotten the crime against the crown. Solomon now wears that crown. His reign won't be secure if Shimei returns to his claim that David stole the kingdom from Saul (2 Samuel 16:7–8). David promised Shimei he wouldn't kill him (2 Samuel 19:23). That doesn't mean he doesn't deserve to die. David trusts Solomon to work out the details.
Mahanaim, which means "a camping place," is where David and his servants fled to, and Barzillai and others met them with food and beds (2 Samuel 17:27–29).
