Shimei Curses David

⁵ As King David approached Bahurim,^(A) a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei^(B) son of Gera, and he cursed^(C) as he came out. ⁶ He pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David’s right and left. ⁷ As he cursed, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel! ⁸ The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned.^(D) The Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!”^(E)

⁹ Then Abishai^(F) son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog^(G) curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.”^(H)

¹⁰ But the king said, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah?^(I) If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’”^(J)

¹¹ David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son,^(K) my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to.^{(L) 12} It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery^(M) and restore to me his covenant blessing^(N) instead of his curse today.^(O)”

¹³ So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt.

¹⁷ With him were a thousand Benjamites, along with Ziba,^(A) the steward of Saul’s household,^(B) and his fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed to the Jordan, where the king was. ¹⁸ They crossed at the ford to take the king’s household over and to do whatever he wished.

When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell prostrate before the king ¹⁹ and said to him, “May my lord not hold me guilty. Do not remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem.^(C) May the king put it out of his mind. ²⁰ For I your servant know that I have sinned, but today I have come here as the first from the tribes of Joseph to come down and meet my lord the king.”

²¹ Then Abishai^(D) son of Zeruiah said, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this? He cursed^(E) the Lord’s anointed.”^(F)

²² David replied, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah?^(G) What right do you have to interfere? Should anyone be put to death in Israel today?^(H) Don’t I know that today I am king over Israel?” ²³ So the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king promised him on oath.^(I)

²⁴ Mephibosheth,^(J) Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely.