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.
Ver. 8. Thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gerah.] Some think that, moved by David's favour in forgiving him, 2Sa 19:23 he would not take part with Adonijah. 1Ki 1:8 But if it were the same Shimei, and not rather another and better of his name, 1Ki 4:18 yet now he must answer for his old faults. So that deferring payment is no breach of bond: there will come a time wherein the Lord will have a full blow at the impenitent person, be the pretences of impunity what they will.
Which cursed me with a grievous curse.] Heb., Strong; Gr., Dolorous; Chald., Bitter. Indeed his mouth was "full of cursing and bitterness," as if he had been as far as hell to fetch every word. 2Sa 16:5-13
And I sware to him.] See on 2 Samuel 19:23 .