Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Kings 2:5-11

"Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did unto me, even what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet. Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to Sheol in peace. But show kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table; for so they came to me when I fled from Absalom thy brother. And, behold, there is with thee Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite, of Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim; but he came down to meet me at the Jordan, and I sware to him by Jehovah, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword. Now therefore hold him not guiltless, for thou art a wise man; and thou wilt know what thou oughtest to do unto him, and thou shalt bring his hoar head down to Sheol with blood. And David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David. And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years; seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem." — 1 Kings 2:5-11 (ASV)

These dying counsels concerning Joab and Shimei did not stem from personal anger, but were for the security of Solomon's throne. Joab had committed murders and would readily repeat them to achieve any purpose; though long reprieved, he was to be reckoned with at last.

Time does not wear out the guilt of any sin, particularly of murder.

Concerning Shimei, David's instruction was: "Do not hold him guiltless; do not consider him any true friend to you or your government, or fit to be trusted; he has no less malice now than he had then."

David's dying sentiments are recorded as delivered under the influence of the Holy Ghost (2 Samuel 23:1–7).

The Lord revealed to him the offices and the salvation of that glorious personage, the Messiah, whose coming he then foretold, and from whom he derived all his comforts and expectations.

That passage gives decided proof that David died under the influence of the Holy Ghost, in the exercise of faith and hope.