³⁶Then the king sent for Shimei and said to him, “Build a house for yourself here in Jerusalem. Live in it and don’t leave the city. ³⁷If you ever leave and go beyond the brook of Kidron, you will certainly die—and you yourself will be to blame.”

³⁸“Very well, Your Majesty,” Shimei answered. “I will do what you say.” So he lived in Jerusalem a long time.

³⁹Three years later, however, two of Shimei’s slaves ran away to the king of Gath, Achish son of Maacah. When Shimei heard that they were in Gath, ⁴⁰he saddled his donkey and went to King Achish in Gath, to find his slaves. He found them and brought them back home. ⁴¹When Solomon heard what Shimei had done, ⁴²he sent for him and said, “I made you promise in the Lord’s name not to leave Jerusalem. And I warned you that if you ever did, you would certainly die. Did you not agree to it and say that you would obey me? ⁴³Why, then, have you broken your promise and disobeyed my command? ⁴⁴You know very well all the wrong that you did to my father David. The Lord will punish you for it. ⁴⁵But he will bless me and he will make David’s kingdom secure for ever.”

⁴⁶Then the king gave orders to Benaiah, who went out and killed Shimei. Solomon was now in complete control.

Read in Logos