So Shimei saddled his donkey and set out to Achish at Gath in search of his slaves, and he brought them back from Gath. So Shimei aroseThe phrase "Shimei arose" indicates a decisive action taken by Shimei. In the Hebrew context, the word "arose" (קוּם, qum) often signifies a purposeful or determined action. Shimei's rising is not just physical but also a metaphorical decision to act against the command of King Solomon. This action reflects a moment of rebellion and disobedience, highlighting the human tendency to defy divine or kingly authority, which is a recurring theme in the Old Testament. saddled his donkey
Saddling a donkey was a common means of preparation for travel in ancient Israel. The donkey, a humble and sturdy animal, was often used for journeys, symbolizing readiness and intent. In the biblical narrative, the act of saddling a donkey can also imply urgency or importance. Shimei's preparation to leave indicates his determination to retrieve his slaves, despite the potential consequences of breaking his oath to Solomon. and went to Achish at Gath
Gath was one of the five Philistine cities, and Achish was a Philistine king. The mention of Gath is significant as it was a place outside the jurisdiction of Israel, representing a crossing of boundaries both physically and morally. Historically, Gath was known as a place of refuge for those fleeing from Israelite authority, as seen in the account of David. Shimei's journey to Gath underscores his desperation and willingness to seek help from Israel's traditional enemies, reflecting a lack of faithfulness to his own people and king. to look for his slaves
The phrase "to look for his slaves" reveals Shimei's motivation. In the ancient Near Eastern context, slaves were considered valuable property, and their loss would have been a significant economic and social blow. Shimei's pursuit of his slaves indicates his attachment to worldly possessions and his prioritization of personal gain over obedience to the king's command. This reflects a broader biblical theme of the dangers of materialism and the importance of spiritual obedience. And Shimei went and brought them back from Gath
Shimei's successful retrieval of his slaves from Gath demonstrates his resourcefulness and determination. However, this action also seals his fate, as it constitutes a direct violation of Solomon's command not to leave Jerusalem. The narrative highlights the consequences of disobedience and the inevitable judgment that follows. In a broader theological context, this serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to divine and kingly authority, as well as the ultimate accountability each individual faces for their actions. Persons / Places / Events 1. ShimeiA member of the tribe of Benjamin who had previously cursed King David. He was placed under house arrest by King Solomon with the condition that he would be executed if he left Jerusalem. 2. AchishThe king of Gath, a Philistine city. Achish is known from earlier biblical accounts as a ruler who had interactions with David. 3. GathA Philistine city, one of the five major Philistine cities, known for its association with giants like Goliath and its interactions with Israel. 4. SolomonThe son of David and Bathsheba, Solomon was the king of Israel at this time. He had given Shimei strict instructions not to leave Jerusalem. 5. The EventShimei's disobedience to Solomon's command by leaving Jerusalem to retrieve his runaway slaves from Gath, which ultimately led to his execution. Teaching Points The Consequences of DisobedienceShimei's account is a stark reminder of the importance of obedience to authority, especially when it comes to divine or divinely appointed authority. Disobedience can lead to severe consequences. Guarding Against ComplacencyShimei's decision to leave Jerusalem may have stemmed from a sense of complacency or underestimation of Solomon's command. Believers are encouraged to remain vigilant and not take God's commands lightly. The Importance of IntegrityShimei's actions demonstrate a lack of integrity. As Christians, we are called to live lives of integrity, ensuring our actions align with our commitments and God's expectations. Understanding AuthoritySolomon's role as king and his enforcement of justice reflect the biblical principle of respecting and understanding authority. This can be applied to how we view and respond to authority in our own lives. Bible Study Questions 1. What does Shimei's decision to leave Jerusalem reveal about his character and understanding of Solomon's authority? 2. How can Shimei's account serve as a warning about the consequences of disobedience in our own lives? 3. In what ways can we guard against complacency in our spiritual walk, ensuring we remain obedient to God's commands? 4. How does the concept of integrity play a role in our daily decisions, and what can we learn from Shimei's lack of it? 5. How can we apply the principle of respecting authority, as seen in Solomon's enforcement of justice, to our interactions with authority figures today? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 2:36-46Provides the broader context of Solomon's command to Shimei and the consequences of his disobedience. 2 Samuel 16:5-13Describes Shimei's cursing of David, which sets the stage for his later interactions with Solomon. Proverbs 4:23Emphasizes the importance of guarding one's heart, which can be related to Shimei's failure to adhere to Solomon's command. Matthew 5:37Jesus' teaching on letting your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No,' which can be connected to the importance of obedience and integrity. 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 Achish, Ass, Bringeth, Donkey, Gath, Got, Making, Ready, Riseth, Saddled, Saddleth, Search, Seek, Servants, Shimei, Shim'e-i, SlavesDictionary of Bible Themes 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 2:40 NIV1 Kings 2:40 NLT1 Kings 2:40 ESV1 Kings 2:40 NASB1 Kings 2:40 KJV
1 Kings 2:40 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
