John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. And behold [thou hast] with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim , etc.] Of whom, and of his native place, (see Gill on “ 2 Samuel 16:5”); he was now at Jerusalem, and so with Solomon, or near at hand; and was on his side, and of his party; (see 1 Kings 1:8); but not to be trusted, or looked upon as a real friend: which cursed me with a grievous curse, when I went to Mahanaim ; a place on the other side Jordan, of which place, and the curses this man cursed David, with, (see 2 Samuel 16:7,8 17:24); but he came down to me at Jordan ; after the defeat of Absalom, and when David was returning, and humbled himself to him, and begged his pardon: and I sware unto him by the Lord, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword ; but this oath was not binding upon his successor, and especially should he commit a new crime.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 5-11 - These dying counsels concerning Joab and Shimei, did not come from personal anger, but for the security of Solomon's throne, which was the murders he had committed, but would readily repeat them to carry an purpose; though long reprieved, he shall be reckoned with at last. Tim does not wear out the guilt of any sin, particularly of murder Concerning Shimei, Hold him not guiltless; do not think him any tru friend to thee, or thy government, or fit to be trusted; he has no les malice now than he had then. David's dying sentiments are recorded, a delivered under the influence of the Holy Ghost, 2Sa 23:1-7. The Lor discovered to him the offices and the salvation of that glorious personage, the Messiah, whose coming he then foretold, and from whom he derived all his comforts and expectations. That passage gives a decide proof that David died under the influence of the Holy Ghost, in the exercise of faith and hope.
Original Hebrew והנה2009 עמך5973 שׁמעי8096 בן1121 גרא1617 בן הימיני1145 מבחרים980 והוא1931 קללני7043 קללה7045 נמרצת4834 ביום3117 לכתי1980 מחנים4266 והוא1931 ירד3381 לקראתי7125 הירדן3383 ואשׁבע7650 לו ביהוה3068 לאמר559 אם518 אמיתך4191 בחרב׃2719
