Joab bowed with his face on the ground. He blessed King David, and said, “Today I know that you are pleased with me. I know because you have done what I asked.”
David came to Bahurim. A man from Saul’s family came out from Bahurim. This man’s name was Shimei son of Gera. Shimei came out saying bad things to David. And he kept saying bad things again and again.
But my servant tricked me. He {only went to you and} said bad things about me. But my lord and king, you are like an angel from God. Do whatever you think is right.
Then King David called Saul’s servant Ziba. David said to Ziba, “I have given Saul’s family and everything he owns to your master’s grandson (Mephibosheth).
“If a person tries to pay you to agree with him when he is wrong, don’t accept that payment. A payment like that can blind judges so that they can’t see the truth. And a payment like that can make good people tell lies.
“If a person is accused of doing something against the law, one witness is not enough to prove that the person is guilty. There must be two or three witnesses to prove that the person really did wrong.