Then the king commanded Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck Shimei down, and he died. Thus the kingdom was firmly established in the hand of Solomon. So the king commandedThis phrase indicates the authority and responsibility of the king, Solomon, in executing justice and maintaining order in the kingdom. The Hebrew root for "commanded" is צָוָה (tsavah), which implies a directive given with authority. In the context of ancient Israel, the king was seen as God's appointed ruler, responsible for upholding divine law. Solomon's command reflects his role as a wise and decisive leader, ensuring that his kingdom is governed according to God's statutes. Benaiah son of Jehoiada
Benaiah was a loyal and valiant warrior, known for his bravery and faithfulness to King David and now to Solomon. The mention of his lineage, "son of Jehoiada," highlights the importance of family heritage and loyalty in the biblical narrative. Benaiah's actions throughout the scriptures demonstrate his commitment to God's anointed leaders, and his role in this verse underscores the importance of having trustworthy and courageous individuals in positions of authority. and he went out and struck down Shimei
The act of "striking down" Shimei is a fulfillment of justice as decreed by Solomon. The Hebrew verb נָכָה (nakah) means to strike or smite, often used in the context of executing judgment. Shimei had previously cursed King David, and although David had spared him, Solomon's decision to execute Shimei was based on his continued disobedience and potential threat to the kingdom. This action serves as a reminder of the seriousness of rebellion against God's anointed and the necessity of upholding justice to maintain peace and order. and he died
The phrase "and he died" signifies the finality of Shimei's judgment. In the biblical context, death is often seen as the ultimate consequence of sin and rebellion. This outcome serves as a sobering reminder of the wages of sin and the importance of living in obedience to God's commands. It also highlights the role of the king as the executor of divine justice, ensuring that the kingdom remains aligned with God's will. Thus the kingdom was established
The establishment of the kingdom signifies the consolidation of Solomon's rule and the fulfillment of God's promise to David. The Hebrew word כּוּן (kun) means to be firm or established, indicating that Solomon's actions have secured his reign and brought stability to the nation. This phrase reflects the divine blessing upon Solomon's kingship and the assurance that God's purposes will prevail through his leadership. in the hand of Solomon
The phrase "in the hand of Solomon" emphasizes the authority and control that Solomon now possesses over the kingdom. The "hand" symbolizes power and dominion, and in this context, it signifies that Solomon is the rightful and divinely appointed ruler. This highlights the theme of divine sovereignty and the belief that God works through human leaders to accomplish His purposes. Solomon's reign is thus seen as a continuation of God's covenant with David, ensuring the prosperity and peace of Israel under his wise and just leadership. Persons / Places / Events 1. King SolomonThe son of David and Bathsheba, Solomon is the newly anointed king of Israel. His reign is marked by wisdom, wealth, and the building of the Temple in Jerusalem. 2. Benaiah son of JehoiadaA loyal commander in Solomon's army, Benaiah is tasked with carrying out the king's orders, including the execution of Shimei. 3. ShimeiA member of the tribe of Benjamin who had previously cursed King David. Solomon initially spared him but later ordered his execution for disobedience. 4. The Kingdom of IsraelThe united monarchy under Solomon, which is being solidified through his actions and decisions. 5. JerusalemThe capital city of Israel, where Solomon's throne is established and where these events take place. Teaching Points The Importance of JusticeSolomon's actions demonstrate the necessity of justice in leadership. Leaders must uphold righteousness to establish and maintain authority. Consequences of DisobedienceShimei's fate serves as a reminder that disobedience to rightful authority has serious consequences. This principle applies to our relationship with God and earthly authorities. The Role of Divine WisdomSolomon's decisions reflect the wisdom granted to him by God. We should seek divine wisdom in our own decision-making processes. Establishing God's KingdomJust as Solomon established his kingdom, believers are called to establish God's kingdom on earth through righteous living and obedience to His commands. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Solomon's handling of Shimei reflect the biblical principle of justice, and how can we apply this principle in our own lives? 2. In what ways does the account of Shimei illustrate the consequences of disobedience, and how can this serve as a warning for us today? 3. How does Solomon's reliance on Benaiah demonstrate the importance of surrounding ourselves with trustworthy and faithful individuals? 4. What can we learn from Solomon's actions about the importance of establishing a firm foundation in our personal and spiritual lives? 5. How do the events in 1 Kings 2:46 connect with Solomon's writings in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, and what insights can we gain about the nature of wisdom and leadership? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Samuel 16Provides background on Shimei's cursing of David, which sets the stage for Solomon's later actions. 1 Kings 2:8-9Solomon's initial instructions regarding Shimei, highlighting the conditions of his pardon. Proverbs 16:12Discusses the importance of righteousness in establishing a throne, reflecting Solomon's actions to secure his kingdom. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8Solomon's own writings on the seasons of life, including a time for judgment and justice. 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 Authority, Benaiah, Benai'ah, Chargeth, Commanded, Complete, Death, Died, Dieth, Established, Falleth, Falling, Fell, Firmly, Hands, Jehoiada, Jehoi'ada, Killed, Kingdom, Orders, Shimei, Solomon, Solomon's, Struck, ThusDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 2:46 7346 death penalty
8404 commands, in OT 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 2:46 NIV1 Kings 2:46 NLT1 Kings 2:46 ESV1 Kings 2:46 NASB1 Kings 2:46 KJV
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