14. David touched the hearts of all the people of Judah at once. They sent a message to the king that said, “Return with all your men.”
15. Then the king returned as far as the Jordan River. The men of Judah came to Gilgal to meet him and to bring him across the Jordan.
16. Shimei son of Gera, a Benjaminite who lived in Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David.
17. With Shimei came a thousand Benjaminites. Ziba, the servant from Saul’s family, also came, bringing his fifteen sons and twenty servants with him. They all hurried to the Jordan River to meet the king.
18. The people went across the Jordan to help bring the king’s family back to Judah and to do whatever the king wanted. As the king was crossing the river, Shimei son of Gera came to him and bowed facedown on the ground in front of the king.
19. He said to the king, “My master, don’t hold me guilty. Don’t remember the wrong I did when you left Jerusalem! Don’t hold it against me.
20. I know I have sinned. That is why I am the first person from Joseph’s family to come down and meet you today, my master and king!”
21. But Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shimei should die because he cursed you, the Lord’s appointed king!”