1 Kings 2:38
New International Version
Shimei answered the king, “What you say is good. Your servant will do as my lord the king has said.” And Shimei stayed in Jerusalem for a long time.

New Living Translation
Shimei replied, “Your sentence is fair; I will do whatever my lord the king commands.” So Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time.

English Standard Version
And Shimei said to the king, “What you say is good; as my lord the king has said, so will your servant do.” So Shimei lived in Jerusalem many days.

Berean Standard Bible
“The sentence is fair,” Shimei replied. “Your servant will do as my lord the king has spoken.” And Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And Shimei said to the king, “The saying is good. As my lord the king has said, so your servant will do.” So Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days.

New American Standard Bible
Shimei then said to the king, “The word is good. Just as my lord the king has spoken, so your servant shall do.” So Shimei lived in Jerusalem for many days.

NASB 1995
Shimei then said to the king, “The word is good. As my lord the king has said, so your servant will do.” So Shimei lived in Jerusalem many days.

NASB 1977
Shimei then said to the king, “The word is good. As my lord the king has said, so your servant will do.” So Shimei lived in Jerusalem many days.

Legacy Standard Bible
Shimei then said to the king, “The word is good. As my lord the king has said, so your servant will do.” So Shimei lived in Jerusalem many days.

Amplified Bible
Shimei said to the king, “The word (ruling) is good. As my lord the king has said, so will your servant do.” So Shimei lived in Jerusalem for many days.

Christian Standard Bible
Shimei said to the king, “The sentence is fair; your servant will do as my lord the king has spoken.” And Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Shimei said to the king, “The sentence is fair; your servant will do as my lord the king has spoken.” And Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
"That's fair, Your Majesty," Shimei answered. "I'll do that." So Shimei lived in Jerusalem from then on.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Very well," Shimei answered. "I'll do just what Your Majesty said." So Shimei stayed in Jerusalem for a long time.

Good News Translation
"Very well, Your Majesty," Shimei answered. "I will do what you say." So he lived in Jerusalem a long time.

International Standard Version
Shimei replied to the king, "What your majesty has decreed is acceptable to me. I'll do what you've said." So Shimei lived in Jerusalem for quite some time.

Majority Standard Bible
“The sentence is fair,” Shimei replied. “Your servant will do as my lord the king has spoken.” And Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time.

NET Bible
Shimei said to the king, "My master the king's proposal is acceptable. Your servant will do as you say." So Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time.

New Heart English Bible
Shimei said to the king, "The saying is good. As my lord the king has said, so will your servant do." Shimei lived in Jerusalem many days.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Shimei said to 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.

World English Bible
Shimei said to the king, “What you say is good. As my lord the king has said, so will your servant do.” Shimei lived in Jerusalem many days.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Shimei says to the king, “The word [is] good; as my lord the king has spoken so your servant does”; and Shimei dwells in Jerusalem many days.

Young's Literal Translation
And Shimei saith to the king, 'The word is good; as my lord the king hath spoken so doth thy servant do;' and Shimei dwelleth in Jerusalem many days.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Shimei will say, Good the word: according to what my lord the king spake, thus will thy servant do. And Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Semei said to the king: The saying is good : as my lord the king hath said, so will thy servant do. And Semei dwelt in Jerusalem, many days.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Shimei said to the king: “The word is good. Just as my lord the king has said, so will your servant do.” And so Shimei lived in Jerusalem for many days.

New American Bible
Shimei answered the king: “I accept. Your servant will do just as my lord the king has said.” So Shimei stayed in Jerusalem for a long time.

New Revised Standard Version
And Shimei said to the king, “The sentence is fair; as my lord the king has said, so will your servant do.” So Shimei lived in Jerusalem many days.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Shimei said to the king, The saying is good; as my lord the king has said, so will your servant do. So Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Shemei said to the King: “The word that you have spoken is good, my Lord King, so your Servant shall do.” And Shemei dwelt in Jerusalem for many days
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Semei said to the king, Good is the word that thou hast spoken, my lord O king: thus will thy servant do. And Semei dwelt in Jerusalem three years.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Execution of Shimei
37On the day you go out and cross the Kidron Valley, know for sure that you will die; your blood will be on your own head.” 38“The sentence is fair,” Shimei replied. “Your servant will do as my lord the king has spoken.” And Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time. 39After three years, however, two of Shimei’s slaves ran away to Achish son of Maacah, king of Gath. And Shimei was told, “Look, your slaves are in Gath.”…

Cross References
2 Samuel 15:21
But Ittai answered the king, “As surely as the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be!”

1 Kings 2:36-37
Then the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “Build a house for yourself in Jerusalem and live there, but do not go anywhere else. / On the day you go out and cross the Kidron Valley, know for sure that you will die; your blood will be on your own head.”

1 Kings 2:42-43
the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “Did I not make you swear by the LORD and warn you, ‘On the day you leave and go elsewhere, know for sure that you will die’? And you told me, ‘The sentence is fair; I will comply.’ / So why have you not kept your oath to the LORD and the command that I gave you?”

2 Samuel 19:23
So the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king swore an oath to him.

1 Kings 1:52
And Solomon replied, “If he is a man of character, not a single hair of his will fall to the ground. But if evil is found in him, he will die.”

2 Samuel 16:5-13
As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses. / He threw stones at David and at all the servants of the king, though the troops and all the mighty men were on David’s right and left. / And as he yelled curses, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you worthless man of bloodshed! ...

2 Samuel 19:16-18
Then Shimei son of Gera, a Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David, / along with a thousand men of Benjamin, as well as Ziba the steward of the house of Saul and his fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed down to the Jordan before the king / and crossed at the ford to carry over the king’s household and to do what was good in his sight. When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell down before the king

1 Kings 2:8-9
Keep an eye on Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim who is with you. He called down bitter curses against me on the day I went to Mahanaim, but when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the LORD: ‘I will never put you to the sword.’ / Now therefore, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man. You know what you ought to do to him to bring his gray head down to Sheol in blood.”

2 Samuel 3:39
And I am weak this day, though anointed as king, and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too fierce for me. May the LORD repay the evildoer according to his evil!”

2 Samuel 19:21-22
But Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s anointed?” / And David replied, “Sons of Zeruiah, what have I to do with you, that you should be my adversaries today? Should any man be put to death in Israel today? Am I not indeed aware that today I am king over Israel?”

Matthew 5:37
Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one.

James 5:12
Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, so that you will not fall under judgment.

Matthew 26:35
Peter replied, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never deny You.” And all the other disciples said the same thing.

John 13:37
“Lord,” said Peter, “why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You.”

Acts 5:29
But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.


Treasury of Scripture

And Shimei said to the king, The saying is good: as my lord the king has said, so will your servant do. And Shimei dwelled in Jerusalem many days.

The saying

1 Kings 20:4
And the king of Israel answered and said, My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have.

2 Kings 20:19
Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?

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1 Kings 2
1. David, having given a charge to Solomon
3. of Reverence
5. of Joab
7. of Barzillai
8. of Shimei
10. Solomon succeeds
12. Adonijah, moving Bathsheba to ask unto Solomon for Abishag,
13. is put to death
26. Abiathar, having his life given him, is deprived of the priesthood
28. Joab fleeing to the horns of the altar, is there slain
35. Benaiah is put in Joab's room, and Zadfok in Abiathar's
36. Shimei, confined to Jerusalem, by occasion of going to Gath, is put to death.














The saying is good
This phrase reflects Shimei's acknowledgment and acceptance of King Solomon's decree. The Hebrew word for "good" here is "טוֹב" (tov), which often denotes something that is agreeable, pleasant, or beneficial. In the context of ancient Israel, acknowledging the king's word as "good" was not only a sign of respect but also an indication of submission to the king's authority. This acceptance is crucial, as it sets the stage for Shimei's compliance with Solomon's command, highlighting the importance of obedience to divinely appointed leadership.

Shimei replied
Shimei, a member of the tribe of Benjamin, had previously cursed King David, Solomon's father. His reply here is significant because it marks a moment of humility and recognition of Solomon's authority. The historical context is essential; Shimei's past actions had put him at odds with the royal family, and his response now is a strategic move to align himself with the new king. This moment underscores the theme of repentance and the possibility of redemption, even for those who have opposed God's anointed.

As my lord the king has said
The phrase "my lord the king" is a formal address that signifies respect and submission. In Hebrew, "אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶךְ" (adoni hamelech) conveys a deep acknowledgment of the king's sovereign authority. This reflects the hierarchical structure of ancient Israelite society, where the king was seen as God's representative on earth. Shimei's use of this phrase indicates his recognition of Solomon's divine right to rule, which is a central theme in the narrative of the Davidic monarchy.

so will your servant do
This declaration of obedience is crucial. The term "servant" (עֶבֶד, eved) in Hebrew implies not just a servant in the modern sense but often denotes a subject or vassal who is bound to serve a higher authority. Shimei's commitment to do as Solomon has commanded is a pledge of loyalty and an acknowledgment of his subordinate position. This reflects the biblical principle that true service to God and His anointed involves both action and attitude.

And Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time
The city of Jerusalem holds significant theological and historical importance as the political and spiritual center of Israel. Shimei's residence in Jerusalem, the city of David, symbolizes his integration into the heart of the kingdom and his acceptance of the king's rule. The phrase "for a long time" suggests a period of peace and stability, indicating that Shimei adhered to his promise and that Solomon's reign was marked by order and justice. This serves as a reminder of the blessings that come with obedience to God's ordained leadership.

Verse 38. - And Shimei said to the king, The saying [or thing, matter, דָּבָר, like λόγος῞ ῤῆμα, in Greek (cf. Sache, in Germ., from sagen) means

(1) word and

(2) deed] is good [Shimei cannot complain of the condition, remembering what he had done (2 Samuel 15:5-7) and that Solomon was not bound by his father's oath (2 Samuel 19:23)] as my lord the king hath said, so will thy servant do. And Shimei dwelt [in obedience to this behest] in Jerusalem many days.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“The sentence
הַדָּבָ֔ר (had·dā·ḇār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

is fair,”
ט֣וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

Shimei
שִׁמְעִ֤י (šim·‘î)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8096: Shimei -- the name of a number of Israelites

replied.
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Your servant
עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ (‘aḇ·de·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

will do
יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה (ya·‘ă·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

my lord
אֲדֹנִ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

the king
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

has spoken.”
דִּבֶּר֙ (dib·ber)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

And Shimei
שִׁמְעִ֛י (šim·‘î)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8096: Shimei -- the name of a number of Israelites

lived
וַיֵּ֧שֶׁב (way·yê·šeḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in Jerusalem
בִּירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם (bî·rū·šā·lim)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

for a long
רַבִּֽים׃ (rab·bîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

time.
יָמִ֥ים (yā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day


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OT History: 1 Kings 2:38 Shimei said to the king The saying (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
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