Now therefore hold him not guiltless: for thou art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him; but his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood.
Now therefore, don't let him go unpunished. You are a wise man and know what you should do to him. Even though he has gray hair from old age, make sure he dies a violent death.
The writer is recording David's final instruction to Solomon to ensure that Shimei faces deadly consequences for his past actions, despite his old age.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative of 1 Kings, King David is on his deathbed, providing final instructions to his son Solomon as he prepares to take the throne of Israel. David specifically warns Solomon about Joab, his former military commander, who had committed murders against Abner and Amasa, urging him not to let such actions go unpunished to ensure a stable and just reign. This advice reflects the turbulent political environment of ancient Israel, where securing power often involved dealing with loyalists and rivals from previous conflicts.
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