i.e. The king. By this expression he minds David of his former zeal against those who offered any injury to Saul, because he was the Lord’s anointed, 1Sa_24:6 26:9; and therefore demands the same justice against Shimei for his cursing of the king, which was so expressly forbidden, Exo_22:28, and by the analogy of that law, Exo_21:17, might seem punishable with death.