1 Kings 2:36-46

Shimei’s execution 2:36-46

David 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 Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Books of Kings, p. 96.] Solomon kept Shimei from reuniting with his Benjamite kinsmen. When Shimei left the city he flagrantly rebelled against Solomon’s authority. Leaving the city in itself was no great crime, but the fact that Solomon had specifically forbidden it made it very serious. Thus Shimei’s disregard for and disobedience to the will of the Lord’s anointed resulted in his death.

All of Solomon’s dealings with these enemies, who had conspired against the Lord’s anointed and violated the Mosaic Law, show that the new king had a firm commitment to keeping that Law. Moreover Solomon was also merciful and wise, traits of God Himself, who blessed Solomon with these characteristics as His son because of Solomon’s commitment to Him. This section also vividly portrays the fate of people who oppose God: disenfranchisement (in the case of Abiathar) and death (in the cases of Adonijah, Joab, and Shimei).

"Taken as a whole, 2 Samuel 9-20; 1 Kings 1-2 is one of the most powerful indictments of sin in the Bible. But this material has to do with more than judgment. Running parallel to the nemesis of judgment are the grace and providence of God. The child born of the adulterous union died, but another son was born to David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:15-25). David almost lost his kingdom to Absalom, but God defeated the counsel of Ahithophel and David regained his throne (2 Samuel 16:15 to 2 Samuel 17:14). The ultimate good in this tangle of events was the accession of that son of David whom the LORD loved ([chose] 2 Samuel 12:24-25), who ended the disruption in David’s family and established the kingdom in strength and peace. Good and evil mingle together in these events. But God is able to achieve his purposes in the midst of and in spite of evil. Even that which is meant for evil God can turn to good (Genesis 45:8; Genesis 50:20; Psalms 76:9). The supreme example of this, of course, was the turning of Good Friday into Easter." [Note: Rice, pp. 27-28. For a good discussion of the "succession narrative" that begins in 2 Samuel 9-20 and concludes with 1 Kings 1-2, see Patterson and Austel, p. 38.]

"The major canonical and theological issue this section raises is the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant." [Note: House, p. 103.]

"Historically, Israel is at a crossroads. From this moment on one sees a drastic shift from semidemocratic tribal rule (maintained to some extent in David’s administration) to a typical despotic city-state." [Note: DeVries, p. 44.]