1 Kings 2:8–9

Son of Gera, a Benjaminite, of the house of Saul. He cursed David and called him "a worthless man." He threw stones and dust at him while David was hurrying away from Jerusalem during Absalom's rebellion. But he submitted when David returned, and David did not punish him then. When David was dying, he reminded Solomon of Shimei's wickedness, because Shimei had cursed the king the Lord had anointed. Solomon later promised Shimei his life on one condition: that he never leave Jerusalem. Shimei broke the agreement, and he was put to death.

When it seemed to Shimei that David was losing to Absalom, then he felt safe in cursing him. But when David regained his authority in Israel, Shimei changed his attitude and came to David to apologise. He apologised out of fear for his own safety. But David accepted it and swore to him by the Lord that he would not kill him.

David would not take revenge for his own sake. But later, when he was near death, he charged Solomon to see that Shimei suffered for his wickedness. This was simple righteousness. After David's death, no one could say that David was only seeking revenge. Similarly, God may allow evil men to live today, but future eternal judgment awaits them.

He was then apparently restored, but if David in grace had spared him, he did not hold him innocent. Everything now depended on how he behaved under the king of righteousness. His conduct would show whether his repentance was real.

Critics have attacked David's character because of this charge. However, the charge to Solomon to carry out vengeance on these two men is not a stain on King David. The punishment was well deserved. Joab had killed Abner and Amasa. Shimei had, with great vileness, cursed God's king. Both were wicked men. David's own guilt had no doubt made him neglect the solemn duty that justice demanded.

David's own sins in the matter of Uriah and Bathsheba had weakened his hands. It has been well said that a crippled hand cannot swing a heavy sword. Besides, had he not used Joab as his tool for the murder of Uriah? As he lay dying, he charged Solomon to deal with Joab and the others he had spared. Still, the whole story is humiliating.

Throughout David's reign David tolerated these men and showed them grace. But he charges Solomon to put them to death. They must receive no mercy once David's reign of grace is over. This is solemn, sinner. David's throne, like God's at present, is a "throne of grace."

Though Shimei did not keep his promise, Solomon would keep his. Solomon also reminded him of the wickedness of his attitude toward David, and that this wickedness would come back on his own head. David had not killed Shimei, so that no one could call it personal revenge. But justice had to be done, even though David was no longer alive. Shimei's case is a warning to us not to speak evil of those in authority.

For his own sake, David would not take revenge. Yet later, near death, he charged Solomon to see that Shimei suffered for his wickedness (1 Kings 2:8-9). This was simple righteousness. After David's death, no one could say David was only seeking revenge. In the same way, God may allow evil men to live today, but eternal judgment awaits them in the future.

David's own sins over Uriah and Bathsheba had weakened his hands. There is truth in the saying, "a crippled hand cannot swing a heavy sword." Besides, had he not used Joab as his tool to murder Uriah? When he lay dying, he told Solomon to deal with Joab and the others he had spared. Still, the whole story is humiliating.

He seemed to be restored. David had spared him in grace, but he did not hold him innocent. Everything now depended on how he behaved under the king of righteousness. His conduct would show whether his repentance was real.

David, who represents grace, understood what was appropriate to a reign of righteousness. If there were no righteousness, grace itself would be nothing but guilty weakness. As a man, David showed very little ability to give each of these qualities its rightful place... God alone has found, in Christ, the way to bring these two things together: His perfect hatred for sin and His perfect love for the sinner.

Solomon is best known for his wisdom. His father joined righteousness to this divine quality. David charged his son about certain offenders he had spared until then, and said, "You are a wise man. You will know what you ought to do to him … Act therefore according to your wisdom" (1 Kings 2:6-9). Righteousness was to be carried out with divine wisdom, so there would be no mistakes.

Someone reported Shimei's trip to Solomon. Solomon called him in and reminded him of his promise to stay in Jerusalem, and of Solomon's own promise to have him killed if he broke it (vv. 41-42). Shimei did not keep his promise, but Solomon would keep his. Solomon also reminded him how wicked his attitude toward David had been, and that this wickedness would come back on his own head. David had not killed Shimei, so that nothing would look like personal revenge. But justice had to be done, even though David was no longer alive. Shimei's case warns us not to speak evil of those in authority.

This is the first mark of the king reigning in glory. He executes righteous judgment in the earth. Nothing escapes the watchfulness of this judgment. We see it in the case of Shimei.

David tolerated these men all through his reign. He showed them grace. But he charges Solomon to put them to death. Once David's reign of grace is over, they must receive no mercy. This is solemn, sinner. David's throne, like God's at present, is a "throne of grace" (Heb. 4:16). David let his enemies live. Judgment fell on those enemies when Solomon's glorious reign began, and that reign pictures the coming thousand-year reign of Christ. If you refuse God's grace and stay unreconciled, you must face judgment. In grace God lets you live now, as David let his enemies live.