1 Kings 2:8

_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._ Thou hast with thee Shimei. Though David promised him a pardon, which, being enforced by the presence of a thousand followers, could not have been well refused, he warned his son against Shimei as a turbulent and dangerous character....

5-11 These dying counsels concerning Joab and Shimei, did not come from personal anger, but for the security of Solomon's throne, which was the murders he had committed, but would readily repeat them to carry any purpose; though long reprieved, he shall be reckoned with at last. Time does not wear out the guilt of any sin, particularly of murder. Concerning Shimei, Hold him not guiltless; do not think him any true friend to thee, or thy government, or fit to be trusted; he has no less malice now than he had then. David's dying sentiments are recorded, as delivered under the influence of the Holy Ghost, 2 Samuel 23:1. The Lord discovered to him the offices and the salvation of that glorious personage, the Messiah, whose coming he then foretold, and from whom he derived all his comforts and expectations. That passage gives a decided proof that David died under the influence of the Holy Gh...

Verse 1 Kings 2:8. _THOU HAST WITH THEE SHIMEI_] See on 2 Samuel 16:5, c., and the notes on 2 Samuel 19:18-10....

EXPOSITION THE LAST WORDS AND DEATH OF DAVID.—The death of David, and of course the charge which preceded it, did not follow immediately (as the casual reader might be tempted to suppose) on the events related in 1 Kings 1:1. We find from 1 Chronicles 23-29:23, that the aged king recovered sufficient strength to leave his sick room, to gather round him the princes of Israel (1 Chronicles 23:9), to make a number of fresh arrangements respecting the priests and Levites and the services of the sanctuary, and even to "stand up upon his feet" (1 Chronicles 28:2) and address a la

AND BEHOLD [THOU HAST] WITH THEE SHIMEI THE SON OF GERA, A BENJAMITE OF BAHURIM,.... Of whom, and of his native place, 2 Samuel 16:5; he was now at Jerusalem, and so with Solomon, or near at hand; and was on his side, and of his party; see 1 Kings 1:8; but not to be trusted, or looked upon as a real friend: WHICH CURSED ME WITH A GRIEVOUS CURSE, WHEN I WENT TO MAHANAIM; a place on the other side Jordan, of which place, and the curses this man cursed David, with, see 2 Samuel 16:7; BUT HE CAME DOWN TO ME AT JORDAN; after the defeat of Absalom, and when David was returning, and humbled himself to him, and begged his pardon: and I sware unto him by the Lord, s

3. DAVID'S CHARGE TO SOLOMON AND DAVID'S END CHAPTER 2:1-11 _ 1. David's charge (1 Kings 2:1)_ 2. David's end (1 Kings 2:10) We call attention again to 1 Chronicles 28 and 29 where we find the record of the great assembly of all the princes of Israel and David's great address to them. He then made known to all Israel that the LORD had chosen Solomon to occupy the throne. He speaks there of the covenant promise, that his son should build the house of the LORD and His courts. He exhorted the people to keep the commandments and then spoke in tenderest words to young Solomon. “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind .

DEATH OF DAVID; SOLOMON ESTABLISHED ON HIS THRONE. The main source of this chapter is the same as that of 1, but interspersed are Deuteronomic additions (1 Kings 2:3 f., 1 Kings 2:10; 1 Kings 2:27). The authenticity of David's advice to Solomon has been disputed, especially the reasons given for procuring Joab's execution. Judged by any standard it places his character in an unamiable light. Solomon was advised to find a pretext for putting Joab and Shimei to death, and perfidy is inculcated as wisdom (1 Kings 2:6; 1 Kings 2:9). Without attempting to justify its mo

SHIMEI. Compare 2 Samuel 16:5; 2 Samuel 19:18. I SWARE. Compare 2Sa. 19-23....

thou hast _with thee Shimei_ Shimei was not at present living in Jerusalem (see 1 Kings 2:36), but that his conduct might be more closely watched Solomon compelled him to come and dwell in the city. _Bahurim_ Besides its connexion with the story of Shimei, this place is mentioned (2 Samuel 17:18) as the spot where Jonathan and Ahimaaz were concealed in the well, or cistern, to avoid the pursuit of Absalom's servants; and in the account of Phaltiel's separation from Michal when she was sent back to David (2 Samuel 3:16) by Ishbosheth. It must have been situate near the road from Jerusalem to the fords of the Jordan, but it is not mentioned in Joshua, nor has its situation been identified. _Mahanaim_

THOU HAST—SHIMEI—HIS HOAR HEAD BRING THOU DOWN TO THE GRAVE WITH BLOOD— The reader will not forget who Shimei was; see 2 Samuel 16:5; 2 Samuel 19:16. It appears by the expression, _Behold, thou hast with thee,_ that he was now in Jerusalem; and therefore David thought this a proper opportunity for confining him, that he might not spread disaffection to Solomon's government among those of his own tribe, or of any of the other tribes of Israel: a precaution the more necessary in the infancy of Solomon's reign, as some of his brethren were inclined to dispute with him the succession to the crown; and it is far from being improbable, that he was in the party with Adonijah against Solomon, as he was in that of Absalom against David: and this is the true reason of those words, But do not thou hold hi