(36) And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Build thee an house in Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go not forth thence any whither. (37) For it shall be, that on the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook Kidron, thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt surely die: thy blood shall be upon thine own head. (38) And Shimei said unto the king, The saying is good: as my lord the king hath said, so will thy servant do. And Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days.
By this process a foundation was laid for securing Shimei's fidelity, or opening the door for his punishment. And it should seem that those articles of agreement were entered into before the Lord, and sanctioned with his authority. I know not whether the Reader enters with me in his feelings, into a similar view of Kidron. But since Jesus passed this brook in the night of his agony in the garden, preparatory to his death, the very mention of the place raises many interesting images to the mind. To trace thy footsteps, dearest Jesus, though, like Shimei, it brought an death, oh! for faith to think nothing of the sacrifice!