2 When David knew that his death was close, he instructed his son Shelomoh, 2 “I’ll soon be coming to my end, but you must be strong and sensible. 3 You must maintain your God Yahweh’s charge to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, his commands, his judgments, and his testimonies, according to what is written in Mosheh’s instructions, so that you’ll be wise in everything you do and everywhere that you turn, 4 so that Yahweh’s promise to me that he’d keep one of my descendants on Israel’s throne, will stand because he gave the condition, ‘If your descendants will obey me and worship me in truth with all their hearts and with all their souls.’

5 “Also you’re aware of what Tseruyah’s son Yoav did to me—what he did to two of the commanders of Israel’s armies—to Ner’s son Abner and to Yeter’s son Amasa. He murdered them, shedding blood in peace-time as if it was in a war, and the blood guilt is on him from head to toe.[ref] 6 So use your own wisdom, but don’t let Yoav get old and die peacefully.

7 However, return loyal kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and invite them to join you at your table because they helped me when I was fleeing from your brother Abshalom.[ref]

8 Then there’s Gera’s son Shimei, the Benyamite from Bahurim. He cursed me horribly when I was going to Mahanaim. Then he went down to meet me at the Yordan, and I promised him by Yahweh that I wouldn’t execute him,[ref] 9 so don’t leave him unpunished now. You’re a wise man and you’ll know how to handle him. Although he’s old, make sure he has a bloody death.