2nd Samuel Chapter 19 verse 23 Holy Bible
And the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.
read chapter 19 in ASV
So the king said to Shimei, You will not be put to death. And the king gave him his oath.
read chapter 19 in BBE
And the king said to Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king swore to him.
read chapter 19 in DARBY
Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.
read chapter 19 in KJV
Therefore the king said to Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king swore to him.
read chapter 19 in WBT
The king said to Shimei, You shall not die. The king swore to him.
read chapter 19 in WEB
And the king saith unto Shimei, `Thou dost not die;' and the king sweareth to him.
read chapter 19 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 23. - The king sware unto him. David's magnanimity was not the result merely of policy, but also of joyful feeling at seeing all the tribes so readily welcome him back to the throne. But in spite of his oath, he orders Solomon to execute him, regarding what he had done as a sin past forgiveness. In so doing we can hardly acquit David of breaking his oath, even granting that Shimei's repentance was insincere, and that the motive of his actions was the desire simply to save his life. But we must remember that our Lord described his injunction, "that ye love one another," as "a new commandment" (John 13:34); and the utmost that can be said in David's favour is that his character was generous and full of chivalry. A half excuse may be found for his order in the supposition that Shimei was an inveterate conspirator, and dangerous to Solomon's peace. This view seems confirmed by the command given to Shimei to build a house at Jerusalem (1 Kings 2:36), where he would always be under surveillance. But had not David himself praised the man who "sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not" (Psalm 15:4)?
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(23) The king sware unto him.--This oath of David assuring immunity to Shimei brings to mind his dying charge to Solomon concerning him (1Kings 2:8-9): "His hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood." The whole transaction is to be viewed from a political point. Shimei had been guilty of high treason in David's distress; at his return he had confessed his fault, and exerted himself to help on David's restoration to the throne. He had accordingly been pardoned, and David, somewhat rashly, had confirmed this pardon with an oath, in such a way that he was unable to punish any subsequent treasonable tendencies showing themselves in Shimei. From the character of the man, however, and from Solomon's address to him in 1Kings 2:44, it is plain that he remained thoroughly disloyal. David saw this, and hindered by his oath from treating him as he deserved, pointed out the case to Solomon. Solomon settled the matter by a compact (into which Shimei willingly entered), that his life should be forfeited whenever he should go out of Jerusalem. There he was under supervision; elsewhere he could not be trusted. After a few years he violated this condition, and was executed. David had made a rash oath, and observed it to the letter, but no farther, towards a thorough traitor.
