When Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and had returned, When Solomon was toldThis phrase indicates the communication of information to King Solomon, highlighting the importance of intelligence and surveillance in maintaining a kingdom. In the ancient Near Eastern context, kings often relied on messengers and informants to keep them updated on the activities within their realm. This reflects the administrative structure of Solomon's reign, which was marked by wisdom and organization. that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem
Shimei, a member of the tribe of Benjamin, had previously cursed David but was spared by him. Solomon, however, placed Shimei under house arrest in Jerusalem, forbidding him to leave. Jerusalem, the political and spiritual center of Israel, was where Solomon established his rule. Shimei's departure from the city signifies a breach of Solomon's command, which was a serious offense in the context of ancient covenantal and legal systems. to Gath
Gath was one of the five Philistine city-states and a significant location in the biblical narrative. It was known for its association with giants, such as Goliath, whom David defeated. Shimei's journey to Gath could imply seeking refuge or alliances outside of Israel, which would be seen as a potential threat to Solomon's rule. The Philistines were often adversaries of Israel, and any interaction with them could be viewed with suspicion. and had returned
Shimei's return to Jerusalem after his unauthorized departure suggests a disregard for Solomon's authority. This act of defiance would have been seen as a challenge to the king's command and a test of his resolve to enforce justice. In the broader biblical narrative, this incident foreshadows the consequences of disobedience and the importance of adhering to divine and royal decrees. Solomon's response to Shimei's actions would further establish his authority and commitment to upholding the law. Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonThe son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon is the king of Israel at this time. Known for his wisdom, Solomon is tasked with establishing his kingdom and ensuring justice and order. 2. ShimeiA member of the tribe of Benjamin, Shimei had previously cursed King David but was later forgiven. Solomon had placed him under house arrest in Jerusalem, warning him not to leave the city. 3. JerusalemThe capital city of Israel and the spiritual center for the Jewish people. It is where Solomon's palace and the future Temple are located. 4. GathA Philistine city, one of the five major Philistine cities. Shimei's journey to Gath represents a breach of Solomon's command. 5. The MessengerThough not named, the messenger plays a crucial role in informing Solomon of Shimei's disobedience, which sets the stage for the subsequent actions Solomon takes. Teaching Points Obedience to AuthorityShimei's actions remind us of the importance of obeying those in authority, especially when their commands are just and for our protection. Consequences of DisobedienceThis passage illustrates that disobedience, especially when it involves breaking a solemn promise, can lead to severe consequences. Wisdom in LeadershipSolomon's response to Shimei's actions demonstrates the need for wisdom and discernment in leadership, ensuring that justice is upheld. Guarding Against TemptationShimei's journey to Gath can symbolize the temptation to stray from God's commands. We must remain vigilant and steadfast in our commitments. The Role of AccountabilityThe messenger's role highlights the importance of accountability within a community, ensuring that individuals adhere to their commitments. Bible Study Questions 1. What does Shimei's disobedience teach us about the importance of keeping our promises, and how can this be applied in our daily lives? 2. How does Solomon's handling of Shimei's disobedience reflect the biblical principle of justice, and what can we learn from this about dealing with wrongdoing? 3. In what ways can we guard our hearts against the temptation to disobey God's commands, as illustrated by Shimei's journey to Gath? 4. How does the role of the messenger in this passage emphasize the importance of accountability in our spiritual communities? 5. Reflect on a time when you faced a similar situation of temptation or disobedience. How did you respond, and what biblical principles can guide you in future situations? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 2:8-9These verses provide context for Solomon's instructions to Shimei, highlighting the conditions of his house arrest and the consequences of disobedience. 2 Samuel 16:5-13This passage recounts Shimei's cursing of David, providing background on why Solomon might have been wary of Shimei's loyalty. Proverbs 4:23This verse emphasizes the importance of guarding one's heart, which can be related to Solomon's need to guard his kingdom against potential threats like Shimei. Matthew 5:37Jesus' teaching on letting your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No,' can be connected to the importance of keeping one's word, as Shimei failed to do. 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 Declared, Gath, Jerusalem, News, Return, Returned, Shimei, Shim'e-i, SolomonDictionary 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 2:41 NIV1 Kings 2:41 NLT1 Kings 2:41 ESV1 Kings 2:41 NASB1 Kings 2:41 KJV
1 Kings 2:41 Commentaries
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