1 Kings 2:44

The king said moreover to Shimei, Thou knowest all the wickedness which thine heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father: therefore the Lord shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head;

Cross-reference

In 1 Kings 2:32, the same phrase 'bring back his blood on his own head' is used for Joab's judgment, reinforcing the principle of divine retribution.

1 Kings 2:33 continues the same verdict: blood returning on Joab's head — directly parallel to Shimei's punishment here.

2 Samuel 16:5–13 Historical context

2 Samuel 16:5-13 is the actual account of Shimei cursing David, providing the background for Solomon's charge here.

Psalm 7:16 Parallel

Psalm 7:16 echoes the exact image: 'his mischief returns upon his own head' — a classic statement of poetic justice.

Ezekiel 17:19 uses the same idiom 'return upon his head' for covenant-breaking — a strong parallel to the retributive justice here.

1 Samuel 25:39 has David say the LORD 'returned the evil of Nabal on his own head' — the identical phrase used here against Shimei.

Proverbs 11:6 echoes that the treacherous are caught by their own desire — just as Shimei's evil returns on his own head.

Proverbs 5:22 describes the wicked being caught in their own sin — similar theme of self-inflicted consequences, though without the head imagery.