If the direct discourse of the previous verse is made indirect, this part seems to lend itself more to direct discourse since it is a specific prohibition and warning.

The brook Kidron, which runs from north to south, formed the eastern boundary of Jerusalem. Centuries later, Jesus and his disciples crossed this brook on the way to Gethsemane (John 18.1).

Know for certain translates a Hebrew construction that is literally “knowing you know.” But the meaning is “you can be absolutely sure” or “there must be no doubt in your mind.” See the discussion on reinforcing verbs in “Translating 1–2 Kings,” page 15.

Instead of you shall die, which may be interpreted as a natural death, some translators prefer “someone will kill you” (New Century Version). The Hebrew construction is literally “to die you shall die.” The meaning is “you shall surely die.”

Your blood shall be upon your own head: This common Hebrew expression is used when a person has broken a law of God and deserves to be punished by death. The sense here is that Shimei will be responsible for his own death, that is, he himself will be the one who causes his own death (compare verse 33).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .