1 Kings 2:41-43
The Voice
Shimei, a known traitor, is allowed to live as long as he doesn’t leave Jerusalem and return home to Benjamin where he can muster an army. After years of supposed obedience, that same traitor tests his limits by running in the opposite direction of Benjamin to visit Philistia, Israel’s greatest enemy at the time. Even if Solomon hadn’t promised David that he would take revenge on Shimei, the man gives Solomon ample reason himself. First and foremost, he breaks his oath to Solomon and God by leaving Jerusalem; second, he has the opportunity to threaten Solomon’s new reign by fraternizing with Achish, the king whom David abandoned the last time Israel and Philistia fought. He is guilty by both deed and association.
41 Solomon received word that Shimei had traveled from Jerusalem to Gath and was back in Jerusalem. 42 King Solomon had Shimei brought to him and questioned him.
Solomon: Do you not remember the warning I gave you? Did you not swear an oath to me in the name of the Eternal that you would not leave Jerusalem or else you would most certainly die? Were you not glad at my warning? 43 So why have you broken your promise to the Eternal One? Why did you go against my warning and my instruction?
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
