not this man die
for this, that he hath cursed that king whom God hath appointed to reign
over us?" But David turned himself to him, and said, "Will you never
leave off, ye sons of Zeruiah? Do not you, I pray, raise new troubles
and seditions among us, now the former are over; for I would not have
you ignorant that I this day begin my reign, and therefore swear to
remit to all offenders their punishments, and not to animadvert on any
one that has sinned. Be thou, therefore," said he, "O Shimei, of good
courage, and do not at all fear being put to death." So he worshipped
him, and went on before him.

3. Mephibosheth also, Saul's grandson, met David, clothed in a sordid
garment, and having his hair thick and neglected; for after David was
fled away, he was in such grief that he had not polled his head, nor had
he washed his clothes, as dooming himself to undergo such hardships upon
occasion of the change-of the king's affairs. Now he had been unjustly
calumniated to the king by Ziba, his steward. When he had saluted the
king, and worshipped him, the king began to ask him why he did not
go out of Jerusalem with him, and accompany him during his flight. He
replied, that this piece of injustice was owing to Ziba; because, when
he was ordered to get things ready for his going out with him, he took
no care of it, but regarded him no more than if he had been a slave;
"and, indeed, had I had my feet sound and strong, I had not deserted
thee, for I could then have made use of them in my flight: but this is
not all the injury that Ziba has done me, as to my duty to thee, my lord
and master, but he hath calumniated me besides, and told lies about
me of his own invention; but I know thy mind will not admit of such
calumnies, but is righteously disposed, and a lover of truth, which
it is also the will of God should prevail. For when thou wast in the
greatest danger of suffering by my grandfather, and when, on that
account, our whole family might justly have been destroyed, thou wast
moderate and merciful, and didst then especially forget all those
injuries, when, if thou hadst remembered them, thou hadst the power of
punishing us for them; but thou hast judged me to be thy friend, and
hast set me every day at thine own table; nor have I wanted any thing
which one of thine own kinsmen, of greatest esteem with thee, could
have expected." When he had said this, David resolved neither to punish
Mephibosheth, nor to condemn Ziba, as havi