1 Kings 2:36-46

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 2:35-46

Here is, I. The preferment of Benaiah and Zadok, two faithful friends to Solomon and his government, 1 Kgs. 2:35. Joab being put to death, Benaiah was advanced to be general of the forces in his room, and, Abiathar being deposed, Zadok was made high priest in his room, and therein was fulfilled the word of God, when he threatened to cut off the house of Eli (1 Sam. 2:35), I will raise me up a faithful priest, and will build him a sure house. Though sacred offices may be disgraced, they shall... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:36

And the king sent and called for Shimei ,.... Who had cursed his father; he lived at Bahurim, in the tribe of Benjamin, and from thence he sent for him to him, 2 Samuel 16:5 ; and said unto him, build thee an house in Jerusalem and dwell there , and go not from thence any where ; the orders were to remove from Bahurim to Jerusalem, where he was to provide himself a dwelling house, and there continue, and never go out of the city, at least not further on any side of it than it was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:37

For it shall be, that on the day thou goest out ,.... Out of the city of Jerusalem: and passest over the brook Kidron: which is particularly mentioned, because this lay in his way to Bahurim, his native place; he must cross that to go to it, see 2 Samuel 15:23 ; and where it might reasonably be supposed he would some time or another be inclined to go, through business, or a desire to see it again: thou shalt know for certain that thou shall surely die : it may be depended on as what... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:38

And Shimei said unto the king, the saying is good ,.... It was an act of goodness in the king, and what was good, grateful, and acceptable to him; for being sent for by him, and knowing how he had used his father, and hearing of several traitors being put to death, he expected this would have been his case; and wherefore, instead of being put to death, was only obliged to leave his habitation in the country, and come and live at Jerusalem, a pleasant and delightful city, and the metropolis... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:39

And it came to pass, at the end of three years ,.... He had dwelt at Jerusalem: that two of the servants of Shimei ran away to Achish the son of Maachah king of Gath; and they told Shimei, saying, behold, thy servant be in Gath ; he being a churlish, ill-natured man, always cursing or beating them, or imposing too hard service upon them, or not allowing them the necessaries of life; wherefore they broke away from him, and fled to Gath, and put themselves under the protection of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:40

And Shimei arose, and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants ,.... And demand them; through the passion he was in with his servants, and his hurry to get them home, and the covetous disposition which prevailed on him, he might forget, or be tempted to neglect, the prohibition he was under not to go out of Jerusalem; or he might think Solomon had forgot it; or that he could come and go secretly without his knowledge; or if he should know of it, he might hope he would... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:41

And it was told Solomon ,.... By the spies he set to watch and observe his motions, or by some others who had seen him go out and return, and knew that it was contrary to the king's orders: that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath, and was come again ; which was thirty four miles from Jerusalem F8 Bunting's Travels, &c.; p. 124. ; whereas his utmost bounds, whither he might go, was the brook Kidron, about half a mile from it. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:42

And the king sent and called for Shimei ,.... He sent messengers to him, and by them ordered him to come to him, who accordingly came: and he said unto him, did not I make thee swear by the Lord ; which, though not before mentioned, was no doubt done, nor did Shimei deny it: and protested unto thee ; that is, declared before witnesses: saying, know for certain, that on the day thou goest out ; namely, out of the city of Jerusalem: and walkest abroad any whither ; further at... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:43

Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the Lord ,.... Which was made by him, and in his presence, and in which he was appealed to, and so by not keeping it was guilty of perjury: and the commandment that I have charged thee with ? and so guilty of disobedience to him as his sovereign; for which two reasons he ought to die. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:44

The king said moreover to Shimei ,.... Not as another reason for his putting him to death, but to remind him of his former sins, and to observe to him the providence of God in suffering him to fall into others, that justice might take place upon him for them also: thou knowest all the wickedness which thine heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father ; which conscience must bear witness to, and accuse him of, not only of the words and actions themselves uttered and done by him,... read more

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