Definition: And, behold, [thou hast] with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from 1 Kings 2:8. It’s a really important and dramatic verse in the story of David and Saul. Here's what it means, explained simply: The Basic Story: David is traveling to Mahanaim: David was on his way to a place called Mahanaim, which was a border region near the coast. Shimei is sent to harass him: A man named Shimei, who lived in Gerash (a city in Israel), was tasked by Saul (the king) to spy on David and cause trouble. He was instructed to meet David at Jordan River. David makes a solemn vow: David knew this man was dangerous. He made a very serious promise – he wouldn’t let Shimei harm him with the sword. What's Happening in the Verse: “And, behold…” : This is a way of saying “and here is what happens” or “this is the result.” “…[thou hast] with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim…” : This tells us that Shimei was sent to David. “Thou hast” means “you have” – it’s a direct address to David. "Shimei the son of Gera" is a specific name for this man. "Benjamite of Bahurim" describes where he came from – he was a person from the region of Bahurim, which is in northern Israel. "...a cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim:" : This is the crucial part. Saul (the king) had been planning to kill Shimei for a long time. This verse says that Saul specifically cursed David with a very bad fate – he was going to be severely punished for this encounter. "...but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword." : This is where David makes his oath. He says, "I will not let you harm me with the sword." This is a powerful declaration of protection. What’s the Significance? This verse is a key moment in the story because it shows: David's Protection: It highlights that David wasn't just being visited; he was actively protecting himself. Saul’s Anger: It demonstrates Saul's anger and his determination to punish Shimei. The Beginning of a Larger Conflict: This event sets the stage for a larger conflict that would eventually lead to Saul’s downfall and ultimately, the death of David. In short, this verse describes a dangerous encounter between David and a man who was sent to harass him, and David made a solemn promise to protect himself. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this passage in more detail? Relate it to a specific event or story from the Bible?