David's nephew, Abishai, one of the bravest of his captains, could not listen patiently to Shimei's insulting words. "Why," he exclaimed, "should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head." But the king forbade him. "Behold," he said, "my son . . . seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the Lord hath bidden him. It may be that the Lord will look on mine affliction, and that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day."

Davids nevø Abisjaj, som var en af hans tapreste mænd, fandt sig ikke roligt i, at Simei fornærmede kongen. "Hvorfor," sagde han, "skal denne døde hund have lov at forbande min herre kongen? Lad mig gå hen og hugge hovedet af ham!" Men kongen forbød ham det. "Når min egen søn ..... står mig efter livet, hvad kan man da ikke vente af denne benjaminit! Lad ham kun forbande, når Herren har budt ham det ! Måske vil Herren se til mig i min nød og gøre mig godt til gengæld for hans forbandelse i dag!"