And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David — and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right and on his left — Shimei's cursing escalates to violence: he throws stones (*saqal*—to stone, the punishment for severe transgression). The mention of David's right and left with soldiers emphasizes David's military power: he could easily have Shimei killed, yet he refrains. The contrast between Shimei's weakness and David's strength makes David's forbearance more striking.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a note on this verse