Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 19:23
Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king swore unto him.
23. the king sware unto him ] David cannot be acquitted of breaking the spirit if not the letter of his oath by the charge which he gave to Solomon (1Ki 2:8 ff.).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Thou shalt not die, to wit, this day, as Abishai desireth; nor whilst I live, nor by my hands, as it is repeated and explained, 1Ki 2:8; nor for this cause alone. For though David gave order to Solomon for his punishment after his death; nor was it fit for the public good that such a horrid crime should go unpunished; yet he would not have him punished for this fault alone, but for some other capital crime, which he presumed Shimeis temper would easily betray him to, and Solomons deep wisdom would easily find out, 1Ki 2:9.
The king sware unto him, that he would not put him to death with the sword, as it is expressed, 1Ki 2:8.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Therefore the king said unto Shimei, thou shalt not die,…. This day by my hands, or order, or by the sword, 1Ki 2:8;
and the king sware unto him; that he should not die for that offence, or for that only; but if he committed a new one, this oath was no longer binding on him, and not at all upon his heir and successor.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(23) The king sware unto him.This oath of David assuring immunity to Shimei brings to mind his dying charge to Solomon concerning him (1Ki. 2:8-9): His hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood. The whole transaction is to be viewed from a political point. Shimei had been guilty of high treason in Davids distress; at his return he had confessed his fault, and exerted himself to help on Davids restoration to the throne. He had accordingly been pardoned, and David, somewhat rashly, had confirmed this pardon with an oath, in such a way that he was unable to punish any subsequent treasonable tendencies showing themselves in Shimei. From the character of the man, however, and from Solomons address to him in 1Ki. 2:44, it is plain that he remained thoroughly disloyal. David saw this, and hindered by his oath from treating him as he deserved, pointed out the case to Solomon. Solomon settled the matter by a compact (into which Shimei willingly entered), that his life should be forfeited whenever he should go out of Jerusalem. There he was under supervision; elsewhere he could not be trusted. After a few years he violated this condition, and was executed. David had made a rash oath, and observed it to the letter, but no farther, towards a thorough traitor.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
23. The king sware unto him That during his reign he should not be put to death. But he charged Solomon to bring his hoary head to the grave with blood. 1Ki 2:8-9.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2Sa 19:23. The king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die Shimei was of the house and family of Saul, and a person of great power and influence in the tribe of Benjamin, of whom he had a thousand in his train, when he made his submission to David upon his restoration. The manner in which he accosted David, chap. 2Sa 16:13 when flying from Jerusalem, discovered the inward rancour of his heart, and his readiness to join in any measures to distress and disturb his government, and cause the crown to revert to the house of Saul. Though Abishai advised the king to put him to death, yet David, as illustrious for forgiveness, as for his piety in the Psalms, having refused before to put him to death, when he was actually cursing and stoning him, preserved the same dignity of mind, and, on his making his submission, ratified his pardon with an oath. Note; (1.) Clemency is one of the noblest qualities of a prince. (2.) When rebel sinners appear at the feet of Divine Mercy, though Satan stand to accuse them, there shall be no condemnation.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
2Sa 19:23 Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.
Ver. 23. Thou shalt not die. ] Quod me attingit tibi condono; et facti iudicium aliis relinquo: I pardon thee for my part, and leave others to judge of thy fact, and to deal with thee as is meet, for thy future offences. Thou shalt not die ex meo iussu, et iam, a by my command, and at this time.
a Piscat.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Thou shalt: 1Ki 2:8, 1Ki 2:9, 1Ki 2:37, 1Ki 2:46
sware: 1Sa 28:10, 1Sa 30:15, Heb 6:16
Reciprocal: 2Ki 25:24 – sware to them
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
19:23 Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not {k} die. And the king sware unto him.
(k) By my hands, or during my life, see 1Ki 2:8-9.