"The sentence is fair," Shimei replied. "Your servant will do as my lord the king has spoken." And Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time. "The sentence is fair,"In this phrase, Shimei acknowledges the justice of King Solomon's decree. This reflects the biblical principle of submission to authority, as seen in Romans 13:1-2, where believers are instructed to be subject to governing authorities. Shimei's acceptance of the sentence also highlights the importance of recognizing the righteousness of God's appointed leaders, a theme prevalent throughout the Old Testament. Shimei replied.
Shimei's response is significant because it shows his willingness to verbally submit to Solomon's authority. Historically, Shimei was a member of the tribe of Benjamin and had previously cursed King David (2 Samuel 16:5-13). His reply here indicates a shift from his earlier rebellious behavior, possibly out of fear or genuine repentance. This moment can be seen as a turning point in Shimei's relationship with the Davidic line. "Your servant will do as my lord the king has spoken."
This phrase underscores the hierarchical relationship between Shimei and Solomon. The use of "your servant" indicates humility and submission, which is a recurring theme in the Bible, where individuals recognize their position before God and His anointed leaders. This mirrors the attitude of believers who are called to serve Christ, the ultimate King, as seen in Philippians 2:5-8, where Jesus is described as taking the form of a servant. And Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time.
Shimei's residence in Jerusalem is significant both geographically and theologically. Jerusalem, the city of David, represents the center of Israel's religious and political life. By living there, Shimei is under the direct oversight of Solomon, ensuring his compliance with the king's command. This situation reflects the broader biblical theme of living under God's watchful eye, as seen in Psalm 121:4, which speaks of God's constant vigilance over His people. Additionally, Shimei's extended stay in Jerusalem can be seen as a period of grace, allowing him time to demonstrate his loyalty and repentance. Persons / Places / Events 1. ShimeiA member of the tribe of Benjamin who had previously cursed King David. He is now under the command of King Solomon to remain in Jerusalem as a condition for his life. 2. King SolomonThe son of David and Bathsheba, Solomon is the king of Israel at this time. He is known for his wisdom and is establishing his rule by consolidating power and dealing with potential threats. 3. JerusalemThe capital city of Israel, where the temple and the king's palace are located. It is a place of central importance in the religious and political life of Israel. 4. The CommandSolomon's directive to Shimei to stay in Jerusalem, which is a test of Shimei's obedience and loyalty to the king. 5. The CovenantAn implicit agreement between Solomon and Shimei, where Shimei's life is spared as long as he adheres to the king's command. Teaching Points Obedience to AuthorityShimei's agreement to Solomon's command highlights the importance of obedience to God-given authority. As Christians, we are called to respect and submit to those in leadership, as long as it does not contradict God's commands. Consequences of Past ActionsShimei's situation is a reminder that our past actions can have lasting consequences. It is important to seek forgiveness and make amends where possible. The Importance of Keeping PromisesShimei's promise to Solomon is a lesson in the importance of keeping our word. As believers, our integrity should reflect our commitment to truth and faithfulness. God's Justice and MercySolomon's treatment of Shimei reflects a balance of justice and mercy. God, in His wisdom, knows when to extend grace and when to enforce justice. Living in CommunityShimei's requirement to stay in Jerusalem underscores the importance of living within the boundaries set by God and community leaders for our protection and growth. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Shimei's response to Solomon's command reflect his understanding of authority and obedience? How can we apply this understanding in our own lives? 2. In what ways do our past actions affect our present circumstances, and how can we seek reconciliation and forgiveness? 3. What are some practical ways we can ensure that we keep our promises and maintain integrity in our daily interactions? 4. How can we discern when to extend mercy and when to uphold justice in our relationships, following the example of Solomon? 5. What boundaries has God set in your life that you need to respect, and how can living within these boundaries lead to spiritual growth and protection? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Samuel 16Provides background on Shimei's cursing of David, which sets the stage for his current situation under Solomon's rule. 1 Kings 2:36-46The broader context of Solomon's instructions to Shimei and the eventual consequences of Shimei's actions. Proverbs 16:7Relates to the theme of peace with one's enemies when a man's ways please the Lord, highlighting the importance of obedience and submission to authority. Ecclesiastes 8:2-5Discusses the importance of obeying the king's command, which is relevant to Shimei's situation. 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 Dwelleth, Dwelt, Jerusalem, Saying, Servant, Shimei, Shim'e-i, Spoken, StayedDictionary 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 2:38 NIV1 Kings 2:38 NLT1 Kings 2:38 ESV1 Kings 2:38 NASB1 Kings 2:38 KJV
1 Kings 2:38 Commentaries
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