1 Kings 2:9

7 But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother.

8 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.

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.

10 So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.

11 And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Now therefore, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man. You know what you ought to do to him to bring his gray head down to Sheol in blood.”
KJV
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.
WEB
Now therefore don’t hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man; and you will know what you ought to do to him, and you shall bring his gray head down to Sheol with blood.”
ASV
Now therefore hold him not guiltless, for thou art a wise man; and thou wilt know what thou oughtest to do unto him, and thou shalt bring his hoar head down to Sheol with blood.
DARBY
And now hold him not guiltless; for thou art a wise man, and thou shalt know what thou oughtest to do to him; but bring his hoar head down to Sheol with blood.
BLB
And now do not hold him guiltless, for you [are] a wise man, and you will know what you ought to do to him, and you shall bring down his gray hair in blood to Sheol.”
ÅB
Men la ham nå ikke bli ustraffet! Du er en vis mann og vil nok vite hva du skal gjøre med ham, så du lar hans grå hår fare med blod ned i dødsriket.
OTB
Men nå, anse ham ikke som uskyldig, for du er en vis mann og vil vite hva du bør gjøre med ham; og du skal bringe hans grå hår ned til graven med blod."
B1930
Men la ham nu ikke bli ustraffet! Du er en vis mann og vil nok vite hvad du skal gjøre med ham, så du lar hans grå hår fare med blod ned i dødsriket.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Kings 2:6

    Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 44:31

    It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 42:38

    And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.

    Read in context
  • Exodus 22:28

    Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

    Read in context
  • Numbers 32:23

    But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

    Read in context
  • Exodus 20:7

    Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 3:28

    And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 3:12

    Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.

    Read in context