"And there is also with you Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjaminite of Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse on the day when I went to Mahanaim; but when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the LORD, saying, 'I will not put you to death with the sword.'" — Shimei (*Shimi*) cursed David during Absalom's rebellion, but David swore an oath not to execute him. The phrase *biarah qilelah* (grievous/bitter curse) recalls Shimei's invective against David (2 Sam 16:5–8). Yet David bound himself with an *oath* (*nishbatti lo be-YHVH*, I swore to him by the LORD) promising Shimei's life. The oath constrained David's hand; he could not break it without violating the sacred word. David now passes this problem to Solomon: the oath binds the dynasty, but it does not prevent eventual judgment.

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