Then the king summoned Shimei and said to him, "Build a house for yourself in Jerusalem and live there, but do not go anywhere else. Then the king summoned ShimeiKing Solomon, the son of David, is the king referenced here. Solomon's reign is marked by wisdom and the establishment of peace and prosperity in Israel. Shimei, a member of the tribe of Benjamin, had previously cursed David during Absalom's rebellion ( 2 Samuel 16:5-13). David had spared Shimei's life, but on his deathbed, he instructed Solomon to deal with Shimei wisely ( 1 Kings 2:8-9). This summoning indicates Solomon's intention to fulfill his father's directive. and said to him,
This phrase indicates a direct communication from Solomon to Shimei, emphasizing the personal nature of the king's command. It reflects the authority of the king and the seriousness of the situation. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a king's word was law, and direct communication from the king was a matter of grave importance. “Build a house for yourself in Jerusalem
Solomon's command for Shimei to build a house in Jerusalem is significant. Jerusalem, the city of David, was the political and spiritual center of Israel. By instructing Shimei to reside there, Solomon is both restricting and protecting him. This command can be seen as a form of house arrest, ensuring Shimei's actions are monitored. The construction of a house also implies a degree of permanence and stability, suggesting a chance for Shimei to live peacefully if he obeys. and live there,
Living in Jerusalem would place Shimei under the watchful eye of the king and his court. This command underscores the importance of obedience and the consequences of past actions. It also reflects the biblical theme of justice tempered with mercy, as Shimei is given a chance to live, albeit with restrictions. The city itself, being the site of the Temple, symbolizes God's presence and the centrality of worship in Israelite life. but do not go anywhere else.
This restriction is a test of Shimei's loyalty and obedience. It serves as a protective measure for Solomon's reign, ensuring that Shimei, who had previously shown disloyalty, would not incite rebellion or cause trouble elsewhere. The command highlights the biblical principle of boundaries and the consequences of stepping outside them. It also foreshadows Shimei's eventual failure to comply, leading to his execution (1 Kings 2:39-46), illustrating the theme of divine justice. Persons / Places / Events 1. King SolomonThe son of David and Bathsheba, Solomon is the king of Israel at this time. He is known for his wisdom and is in the process of consolidating his kingdom by dealing with potential threats. 2. ShimeiA member of the tribe of Benjamin, Shimei had previously cursed King David during Absalom's rebellion. Solomon is now dealing with him to ensure his loyalty and prevent any future rebellion. 3. JerusalemThe capital city of Israel and the political and spiritual center of the nation. It is significant as the place where Shimei is commanded to stay, symbolizing both protection and restriction. 4. The CommandSolomon's directive to Shimei to build a house and remain in Jerusalem is both a test of loyalty and a means of keeping a potential adversary under surveillance. 5. The ContextThis event occurs during the early reign of Solomon as he establishes his rule and addresses unfinished business from his father David's reign. Teaching Points Wisdom in LeadershipSolomon's handling of Shimei demonstrates the need for wisdom and discernment in leadership. Leaders must balance justice with mercy and be vigilant against potential threats. Consequences of Past ActionsShimei's situation is a reminder that our past actions can have long-lasting consequences. It is important to seek forgiveness and make amends where possible. Obedience and BoundariesShimei's command to stay in Jerusalem illustrates the importance of obedience and respecting boundaries set by authority. This can be applied to our spiritual lives as we adhere to God's commands. Testing of CharacterSolomon's directive serves as a test of Shimei's character and loyalty. Similarly, our faith and character are often tested in various ways. The Role of JusticeSolomon's actions reflect the biblical principle of justice. It is crucial to uphold justice in our personal lives and communities, ensuring that wrongs are addressed appropriately. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Solomon's command to Shimei reflect his wisdom and understanding of leadership? 2. In what ways can past actions, like those of Shimei, impact our present and future? How can we address these in our own lives? 3. What are some boundaries that God has set in your life, and how do you ensure you remain within them? 4. How can we discern when to show mercy and when to uphold justice in our interactions with others? 5. Reflect on a time when your character or faith was tested. How did you respond, and what did you learn from the experience? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Samuel 16Provides background on Shimei's cursing of David, which sets the stage for Solomon's actions in 1 Kings 2. 1 Kings 2:8-9Earlier in the chapter, David instructs Solomon to deal wisely with Shimei, highlighting the importance of justice and wisdom in leadership. Proverbs 4:23Emphasizes the importance of guarding one's heart, which can be related to Solomon's need to guard his kingdom from internal threats. People Abiathar, Abishag, Abner, Absalom, Achish, Adonijah, Amasa, Anathoth, Barzillai, Bathsheba, Benaiah, David, Eli, Gera, Haggith, Jehoiada, Jether, Joab, Maacah, Maachah, Ner, Shimei, Solomon, Zadok, ZeruiahPlaces Anathoth, Bahurim, Gath, Hebron, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Kidron, Mahanaim, ShilohTopics Abide, Anywhere, Build, Calleth, Dwell, Dwelt, Forth, Hast, Jerusalem, Shimei, Shim'e-i, Summoned, Thence, Whatever, WhitherDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 2:36-37 4290 valleys 1 Kings 2:36-45 7240 Jerusalem, history Library The Horns of the Altar
WE MUST tell you the story. Solomon was to be the king after David, but his elder brother, Adonijah, was preferred by Joab, the captain of the host, and by Abiathar, the priest; and, therefore, they got together, and tried to steal a march upon dying David, and set up Adonijah. They utterly failed in this; and when Solomn came to the throne Adonijah was afraid for his life, and fled to the horns of the altar at the tabernacle for shelter. Solomn permitted him to find sanctuary there, and forgave …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 31: 1885"He Ascended into Heaven:" Believe. "He Sitteth at the Right Hand of the Father...
11. "He ascended into heaven:" believe. "He sitteth at the right hand of the Father:" believe. By sitting, understand dwelling: as [in Latin] we say of any person, "In that country he dwelt (sedit) three years." The Scripture also has that expression, that such an one dwelt (sedisse) in a city for such a time. [1791] Not meaning that he sat and never rose up? On this account the dwellings of men are called seats (sedes). [1792] Where people are seated (in this sense), are they always sitting? Is …
St. Augustine—On the Creeds Whether Curiosity Can be About Intellective Knowledge?
Objection 1: It would seem that curiosity cannot be about intellective knowledge. Because, according to the Philosopher (Ethic. ii, 6), there can be no mean and extremes in things which are essentially good. Now intellective knowledge is essentially good: because man's perfection would seem to consist in his intellect being reduced from potentiality to act, and this is done by the knowledge of truth. For Dionysius says (Div. Nom. iv) that "the good of the human soul is to be in accordance with reason," …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether the Angels have Bodies Naturally United to Them?
Objection 1: It would seem that angels have bodies naturally united to them. For Origen says (Peri Archon i): "It is God's attribute alone---that is, it belongs to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, as a property of nature, that He is understood to exist without any material substance and without any companionship of corporeal addition." Bernard likewise says (Hom. vi. super Cant.): "Let us assign incorporeity to God alone even as we do immortality, whose nature alone, neither for its own sake …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether the Natural Law Can be Changed?
Objection 1: It would seem that the natural law can be changed. Because on Ecclus. 17:9, "He gave them instructions, and the law of life," the gloss says: "He wished the law of the letter to be written, in order to correct the law of nature." But that which is corrected is changed. Therefore the natural law can be changed. Objection 2: Further, the slaying of the innocent, adultery, and theft are against the natural law. But we find these things changed by God: as when God commanded Abraham to slay …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Whole Heart
LET me give the principal passages in which the words "the whole heart," "all the heart," are used. A careful study of them will show how wholehearted love and service is what God has always asked, because He can, in the very nature of things, ask nothing less. The prayerful and believing acceptance of the words will waken the assurance that such wholehearted love and service is exactly the blessing the New Covenant was meant to make possible. That assurance will prepare us for turning to the Omnipotence …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants "The King Kissed Barzillai. " 2 Sam. xix. 39
And no wonder, for David could appreciate a real man when he saw him, and so does David's Lord. I.--LOYALTY IS PRECIOUS TO THE KING OF KINGS. In the days when the son of Jesse had but few friends, it was a precious thing to be treated in the style Barzillai and his neighbours entertained him (see 2 Sam. xvii. 27-29). They were rich farmers, and had land which brought forth with abundance, so were able to act with princely hospitality to the fugitive monarch. But plenty may live with avarice, and …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread What Manner of Man Ought not to Come to Rule.
Wherefore let every one measure himself wisely, lest he venture to assume a place of rule, while in himself vice still reigns unto condemnation; lest one whom his own guilt depraves desire to become an intercessor for the faults of others. For on this account it is said to Moses by the supernal voice, Speak unto Aaron; Whosoever he be of thy seed throughout their generations that hath a blemish, he shall not offer loaves of bread to the Lord his God (Lev. xxi. 17). And it is also immediately subjoined; …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Authorship of the Pentateuch.
The term Pentateuch is composed of the two Greek words, pente, five, and teuchos, which in later Alexandrine usage signified book. It denotes, therefore, the collection of five books; or, the five books of the law considered as a whole. 1. In our inquiries respecting the authorship of the Pentateuch, we begin with the undisputed fact that it existed in its present form in the days of Christ and his apostles, and had so existed from the time of Ezra. When the translators of the Greek version, …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Barzillai
BY REV. GEORGE MILLIGAN, M.A., D.D. "There is nothing," says Socrates to Cephalus in the Republic, "I like better than conversing with aged men. For I regard them as travellers who have gone a journey which I too may have to go, and of whom it is right to learn the character of the way, whether it is rugged or difficult, or smooth and easy" (p. 328 E.). It is to such an aged traveller that we are introduced in the person of Barzillai the Gileadite. And though he is one of the lesser-known characters …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known Fifth Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to the Fruits of Faith.
Text: 1 Peter 3, 8-15. 8 Finally, be ye all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tender-hearted, humble-minded: 9 not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For, He that would love life, And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips that they speak no guile: 11 And let him turn away from evil, and do good; Let him seek peace, and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 2:36 NIV1 Kings 2:36 NLT1 Kings 2:36 ESV1 Kings 2:36 NASB1 Kings 2:36 KJV
1 Kings 2:36 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
