1 Kings 2:39

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 2:39

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 2:39

And it came to pass at the of three years that two of the servants of Shimei ran away [it has been thought by some that their flight was preconcerted with their master. But the narrative does not favour this supposition] to Achish, son of Maachah, king of Gath. [This may well have been the "Achish, son of Maoch" ( 1 Samuel 21:11 ; 1 Samuel 27:2 ), to whom David fled fifty years before. Longer reigns than this are not unknown to history. Or it may have been his grandson]. And they told... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 2:39

Achish - Possibly the Achish of the marginal reference, but more probably the grandson of the former Achish. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 2:39-40

1 Kings 2:39-40. Achish king of Gath A king, but subject and tributary, first to David, and then to Solomon: permitted to enjoy the title and honour of a king, but not the full power: whence it was, that Achish could not keep these servants, though they had fled to him for protection; but suffered Shimei to take them away from his royal city. Shimei arose and went to Gath to seek his servants In three years’ time he thought Solomon might have forgotten his injunction, or he presumed he... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:1-46

Opponents of Solomon executed (2:1-46)As he saw his death approaching, David passed on to Solomon advice aimed at ensuring stability to his reign and good government for God’s people. The first and most important point was a reminder to be faithful to God. God’s promises of a prosperous kingdom and a lasting dynasty required David and his successors to be obedient to God’s will. Without obedience, there was no guarantee of blessing (2:1-4; 1 Chronicles 22:6-16).David’s second piece of advice to... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Kings 2:39

Gath. Sixty-four miles away. Therefore the expression "in the day" must refer to a longer period. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Kings 2:39

"And it came to pass at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away unto Achish, son of Maacah, king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, Behold, thy servants are in Gath. And Shimei arose, and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to Achish, to seek his servants; and Shimei went and brought his servants from Gath. And it was told Solomon that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath, and was come again. And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Did I not... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Kings 2:13-46

1. Solomon’s purges 2:13-46Solomon wrote that the fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7; cf. Ecclesiastes 12:13; Psalms 111:10). At the very beginning of his reign he gave evidence of being wise by the way he dealt with his political enemies. His wise decisions at this time resulted in peace and prosperity for Israel for the next 40 years (971-931 B.C.). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Kings 2:36-46

Shimei’s execution 2:36-46David had warned Solomon to keep Shimei under close observation and to put him to death (1 Kings 2:8-9). Evidently David realized, because of Shimei’s past actions, that it would only be a matter of time before he would do something worthy of death, probably rebel against Solomon’s authority. Solomon therefore made Jerusalem Shimei’s prison. Jerusalem was only "a small acropolis city, whose circumference has been estimated at 4500 feet." [Note: James A. Montgomery, A... read more

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