שמואל ב, פרק י״ט, פסוק י״ז

With the rebellion crushed and Absalom dead, the balance of power shifts dramatically. Those who took advantage of the king's moment of weakness now find themselves facing his victorious return. Shimei ben Gera, a member of the house of Saul who had cursed David during his bitter exile, realizes that David's journey back to Jerusalem puts him in great danger. He fears the king will pay him back for his insults. He understands that unless he can appease David immediately, he will suffer harm [ביאור שטיינזלץ, אברבנאל].

Driven by this fear, he sets out to meet David with the sole purpose of begging for forgiveness and seeking a pardon for his past actions [אברבנאל]. The urgency of his situation forces him to act quickly. He rushes down to greet the king, making sure to arrive ahead of the rest of the people from the house of Joseph [מצודת דוד]. In his haste, he joins the men of Judah who have already gathered to welcome King David as he reclaims his throne.