21. Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered, “Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord’s anointed?”
22. But David said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should this day be as an adversary to me? Shall anyone be put to death in Israel this day? For do I not know that I am this day king over Israel?”
23. And the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king gave him his oath.
24. And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king. He had neither taken care of his feet nor trimmed his beard nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came back in safety.
25. And when he came to Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, “Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?”
26. He answered, “My lord, O king, my servant deceived me, for your servant said to him, ‘I will saddle a donkey for myself, that I may ride on it and go with the king.’ For your servant is lame.
27. He has slandered your servant to my lord the king. But my lord the king is like the angel of God; do therefore what seems good to you.