Shimei is one of the less noble characters to emerge from the Absalom revolt. As David flees Jerusalem, he crops up, a distant relative of Saul, and proceeds to taunt David even as he pelts him with stones, accusing him of usurping the throne
of Saul. One of David's nephews is quite ready to dispatch him with a sword blow, but David says no.

The broken-hearted king says that if his own son is rebelling against him, why can't this fellow from another tribe mock him? Maybe it is all part of the plan of God. Shimei pursues him along the road, flinging stones and dirt and curses, until he has exhausted his repertoire of insults.

Interestingly, when the revolt has collapsed and David returns to Jerusalem, Shimei reappears, outwardly contrite and claiming that he is the first to welcome back the king. The same nephew still has his finger on his sword, but David again says no, and spares Shimei's life.

With the passage of time the king obviously rethinks his clemency because, years later on his deathbed, he warns Solomon about Shimei: "You will know what you ought to do to him."

Solomon does know. He orders the treacherous Shimei to live in Jerusalem and not leave the city because on the day that he crosses the Wadi Kooron, he will have forfeited his life. Shimei silkily replies: "The sentence is fair... so will I do."

Three years later he thinks otherwise. Two of his slaves have run away and Shimei wants to pursue them. Does he believe that all is forgotten? He crosses the Wadi Kedron and pays for his folly with his life.

I have wondered if he were not testing the strength of the new king to see if Solomon were all bluster and no bite. One will never know.

Bible references: 2 Sam. 16: 5-14
                          2 Sam. 19: 19-23
                          I Kings 2: 36 ff.