Definition: And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Did I not make thee to swear by the LORD, and protested unto thee, saying, Know for a certain, on the day thou goest out, and walkest abroad any whither, that thou shalt surely die? and thou saidst unto me, The word [that] I have heard [is] good.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from 1 Kings 2:42. It’s a really important and complex verse in the Bible, and it’s often misinterpreted. Here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Story: This verse is about King David’s plan to kill Joab, his close friend and general. David was incredibly angry with Joab for betraying him. He decided to send Shimei – a young man – out to find Joab and make sure he was dead. Let’s unpack it word by word: “And the king sent and called for Shimei…” - This tells us that David made a specific task for someone. “…and said unto him, Did I not make thee to swear by the LORD, and protested unto thee, saying, Know for a certain, on the day thou goest out, and walkest abroad any whither, that thou shalt surely die? and thou saidst unto me, The word [that] I have heard [is] good.” - This is the most difficult part to understand. Let’s break it down: “Did I not make thee…” : David was telling Shimei something he had already told him. He was essentially saying, “I gave you a specific instruction.” “…swear by the LORD…” : This is a serious command – a vow or oath sworn to God. It means to obey God’s law. “And protested unto thee, saying, Know for a certain, on the day thou goest out, and walkest abroad any whither, that thou shalt surely die?” : Shimei was being told exactly what he had to do: He needed to know with absolute certainty that he would die. He was instructed to know before leaving – before going anywhere – that his life would end. “and thou saidst unto me, The word [that] I have heard [is] good.” : This is the crucial part. Shimei was saying that he had heard a message (a word) from God about this situation. And he was telling David that this word itself is good – meaning it’s true and trustworthy. The Big Picture: A Moment of Crisis & Divine Guidance This verse paints a picture of a moment of intense crisis for David. He's facing a betrayal, and God is directly intervening to protect him. Shimei's task – to know with certainty that he would die – is a sign that God is watching over him and guiding him. Important Note: The Bible doesn’t fully explain why David needed this specific instruction. It suggests it was a divine judgment, perhaps related to Joab’s betrayal. It shows the power of God's presence and how He can guide us through difficult situations. In essence, this verse is about obedience to God's will in the face of danger, and it highlights God's protective care. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific aspect of this verse further? (e.g., its significance in the story of David’s life?) Provide a different perspective on the meaning of the passage?