1 Kings 2:39 After three years, however, two of Shimei's slaves ran away to Achish son of Maacah, king of Gath. And Shimei was told, "Look, your slaves are in Gath."

◄ 1 Kings 2:39 ►

New International Version
But three years later, two of Shimei’s slaves ran off to Achish son of Maakah, king of Gath, and Shimei was told, “Your slaves are in Gath.”

New Living Translation
But three years later two of Shimei’s slaves ran away to King Achish son of Maacah of Gath. When Shimei learned where they were,

English Standard Version
But it happened at the end of three years that two of Shimei’s servants ran away to Achish, son of Maacah, king of Gath. And when it was told Shimei, “Behold, your servants are in Gath,”

Berean Standard Bible
After three years, however, two of Shimei’s slaves ran away to Achish son of Maacah, king of Gath. And Shimei was told, “Look, your slaves are in Gath.”

King James Bible
And it came to pass at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away unto Achish son of Maachah king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, Behold, thy servants be in Gath.

New King James Version
Now it happened at the end of three years, that two slaves of Shimei ran away to Achish the son of Maachah, king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, “Look, your slaves are in Gath!”

New American Standard Bible
But it came about at the end of three years, that two of Shimei’s servants ran away to Achish son of Maacah, king of Gath. And others told Shimei, saying, “Behold, your servants are in Gath.”

NASB 1995
But it came about at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away to Achish son of Maacah, king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, “Behold, your servants are in Gath.”

NASB 1977
But it came about at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away to Achish son of Maacah, king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, “Behold, your servants are in Gath.”

Legacy Standard Bible
But it happened at the end of three years, that two of the slaves of Shimei ran away to Achish son of Maacah, king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, “Behold, your slaves are in Gath.”

Amplified Bible
But it happened after three years, that two of Shimei’s servants ran away to Achish the son of Maacah, the king of Gath. And Shimei was told, “Behold, your [runaway] servants are in Gath.”

Christian Standard Bible
But then, at the end of three years, two of Shimei’s slaves ran away to Achish son of Maacah, king of Gath. Shimei was informed, “Look, your slaves are in Gath.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But then, at the end of three years, two of Shimei’s slaves ran away to Achish son of Maacah, king of Gath. Shimei was informed, “Look, your slaves are in Gath.”

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
About three years later, two of Shimei's servants ran off to King Achish in Gath. When Shimei found out where they were,

English Revised Version
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 be in Gath.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But after three years, two of Shimei's slaves fled to Gath's King Achish, son of Maacah. Shimei was told that his slaves were in Gath,

Good News Translation
Three years later, however, two of Shimei's slaves ran away to the king of Gath, Achish son of Maacah. When Shimei heard that they were in Gath,

International Standard Version
But three years later, two of Shimei's servants escaped to Maacah's son Achish, the king of Gath. Somebody told Shimei, "Look! Your servants went to Gath!"

Majority Standard Bible
After three years, however, two of Shimei?s slaves ran away to Achish son of Maacah, king of Gath. And Shimei was told, ?Look, your slaves are in Gath.?

NET Bible
Three years later two of Shimei's servants ran away to King Achish son of Maacah of Gath. Shimei was told, "Look, your servants are in Gath."

New Heart English Bible
It happened at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away to Achish, son of Maacah, king of Gath. They told Shimei, saying, "Look, your servants are in Gath."

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away to Achish son of Maachah king of Gath: and they told Shimei, saying, behold, thy servants are in Gath.

World English Bible
At the end of three years, two of Shimei’s slaves ran away to Achish, son of Maacah, king of Gath. They told Shimei, saying, “Behold, your slaves are in Gath.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass, at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei flee to Achish son of Maachah, king of Gath, and they declare to Shimei, saying, “Behold, your servants [are] in Gath”;

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, at the end of three years, that flee do two of the servants of Shimei unto Achish son of Maachah, king of Gath, and they declare to Shimei, saying, 'Lo, thy servants are in Gath;'

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be from the end of three years, and two servants to Shimei, will flee to Achish, son of Maachah, king of Gath: and they will announce to Shimci, saying, Behold, thy servants in Gath.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And it came to pass after three years, that the servants of Semei ran away to Achis the son of Maacha the king of Geth: and it was told Semei that his servants were gone to Geth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But it happened that, after three years, the servants of Shimei fled to Achish, the son of Maacah, the king of Gath. And it was reported to Shimei that his servants had gone away to Gath.

New American Bible
But three years later, two of Shimei’s servants ran away to Achish, son of Maacah, king of Gath, and Shimei was told, “Your servants are in Gath.”

New Revised Standard Version
But it happened at the end of three years that two of Shimei’s slaves ran away to King Achish son of Maacah of Gath. When it was told Shimei, “Your slaves are in Gath,”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And it came to pass at the end of three years that two of the servants of Shimei ran away to Achish the son of Maachah king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, Behold, your servants are in Gath.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And after three years, two of the Servants of Shimei fled to Akish, the son of Maaka, the King of Gath, and they revealed it to Shemei and they said to him: “Behold, your Servants are in Gath.”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass after the three years, that two servants of Semei ran away to Anchus son of Maacha king of Geth: and it was told Semei, saying, Behold, thy servants are in Geth.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Execution of Shimei
…38“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. 39After three years, however, two of Shimei’s slaves ran away to Achish son of Maacah, king of Gath. And Shimei was told, “Look, your slaves are in Gath.” 40So Shimei saddled his donkey and set out to Achish at Gath in search of his slaves, and he brought them back from Gath.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Kings 2:36-38
Then the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “Build a house for yourself in Jerusalem and live there, but do not go anywhere else. / On the day you go out and cross the Kidron Valley, know for sure that you will die; your blood will be on your own head.” / “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.

2 Samuel 15:7-9
After four years had passed, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go to Hebron to fulfill a vow I have made to the LORD. / For your servant made a vow while dwelling in Geshur of Aram, saying: ‘If indeed the LORD brings me back to Jerusalem, I will worship the LORD in Hebron.’” / “Go in peace,” said the king. So Absalom got up and went to Hebron.

1 Kings 1:50-53
But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, got up and went to take hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to Solomon: “Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon, and he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon first swear to me not to put his servant to the sword.’” / And Solomon replied, “If he is a man of character, not a single hair of his will fall to the ground. But if evil is found in him, he will die.” ...

2 Samuel 3:27
When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel.

2 Samuel 20:9-10
“Are you well, my brother?” Joab asked Amasa. And with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him. / Amasa was not on guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach and spilled out his intestines on the ground. And Joab did not need to strike him again, for Amasa was dead. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri.

1 Kings 11:14-22
Then the LORD raised up against Solomon an adversary, Hadad the Edomite, from the royal line of Edom. / Earlier, when David was in Edom, Joab the commander of the army had gone to bury the dead and had struck down every male in Edom. / Joab and all Israel had stayed there six months, until he had killed every male in Edom. ...

2 Samuel 14:24
But the king added, “He may return to his house, but he must not see my face.” So Absalom returned to his own house, but he did not see the face of the king.

2 Samuel 14:28
Now Absalom lived in Jerusalem two years without seeing the face of the king.

2 Samuel 15:13-14
Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.” / And David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Arise and let us flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! We must leave quickly, or he will soon overtake us, heap disaster on us, and put the city to the sword.”

2 Samuel 19:41-43
Soon all the men of Israel came to the king and asked, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and bring the king and his household across the Jordan, together with all of David’s men?” / And all the men of Judah replied to the men of Israel, “We did this because the king is our relative. Why does this anger you? Have we ever eaten at the king’s expense or received anything for ourselves?” / “We have ten shares in the king,” answered the men of Israel, “so we have more claim to David than you. Why then do you despise us? Were we not the first to speak of restoring our king?” But the men of Judah spoke more fiercely than the men of Israel.

Matthew 5:33-37
Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ / But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; / or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ...

Matthew 26:69-75
Meanwhile, Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came up to him. “You also were with Jesus the Galilean,” she said. / But he denied it before them all: “I do not know what you are talking about.” / When Peter had gone out to the gateway, another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” ...

Acts 5:1-11
Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. / With his wife’s full knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds for himself, but brought a portion and laid it at the apostles’ feet. / Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? ...

Acts 12:1-11
About that time, King Herod reached out to harm some who belonged to the church. / He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. / And seeing that this pleased the Jews, Herod proceeded to seize Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. ...

Acts 15:36-41
Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.” / Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark. / But Paul thought it best not to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work. ...

Treasury of Scripture

And it came to pass at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away to Achish son of Maachah king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, Behold, your servants be in Gath.

1 Samuel 21:10
And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.

1 Samuel 27:2,3
And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that were with him unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath…

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1 Kings 2

1. David, having given a charge to Solomon
3. of Reverence
5. of Joab
7. of Barzillai
8. of Shimei
10. Solomon succeeds
12. Adonijah, moving Bathsheba to ask unto Solomon for Abishag,
13. is put to death
26. Abiathar, having his life given him, is deprived of the priesthood
28. Joab fleeing to the horns of the altar, is there slain
35. Benaiah is put in Joab's room, and Zadfok in Abiathar's
36. Shimei, confined to Jerusalem, by occasion of going to Gath, is put to death.

Berean Study Bible

But it came about
This phrase indicates a transition in the narrative, suggesting the unfolding of events that are part of God's sovereign plan. The Hebrew root here, "וַיְהִי" (vayehi), often introduces significant developments in biblical stories, reminding us of the divine orchestration behind human history. It serves as a reminder that God's timing is perfect, and His plans are always fulfilled in due course.

at the end of three years
The specific mention of "three years" is significant in biblical numerology, where the number three often symbolizes completeness or divine perfection. This period marks a divinely appointed time for the fulfillment of a prophecy or a significant change. Historically, this time frame allowed for the establishment of Solomon's reign and the testing of Shimei's loyalty, reflecting God's patience and justice.

that two of Shimei’s servants
The mention of "two" servants highlights the idea of witness or testimony, as two witnesses were required to establish a matter according to Jewish law (Deuteronomy 19:15). The servants' actions serve as a testimony to Shimei's character and the unfolding of God's judgment. This detail underscores the importance of accountability and the consequences of one's actions.

ran away to Achish son of Maacah, king of Gath
Gath was one of the five Philistine cities, often associated with Israel's enemies. Achish, the king, is a historical figure known from earlier biblical accounts involving David. The servants' flight to Gath symbolizes a return to a place of opposition to God's people, highlighting the theme of rebellion and the allure of worldly refuge. This act of fleeing to a foreign king underscores the tension between Israel and its neighbors and the spiritual implications of seeking security outside of God's provision.

And Shimei was told
The passive construction here suggests that Shimei's awareness of the situation was not of his own doing but was brought to him by others. This reflects the biblical principle that truth will eventually come to light, and hidden actions will be revealed. It serves as a reminder of God's omniscience and the inevitability of divine justice.

Look, your servants are in Gath
The imperative "Look" (Hebrew "הִנֵּה," hinneh) is a call to attention, emphasizing the urgency and importance of the information. The fact that the servants are in Gath, a city of the Philistines, highlights the gravity of the situation for Shimei, who had been under a conditional promise of safety. This phrase serves as a turning point, illustrating the consequences of disobedience and the fulfillment of Solomon's warning to Shimei. It is a sobering reminder of the importance of faithfulness and the cost of straying from God's commands.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(39) Achish son of Maachah.--In 1Samuel 27:2 we read of Achish son of Maoch, king of Gath; but chronology makes it most unlikely that the same person should here be referred to. The name may have been hereditary.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 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 Shimei, saying, Behold, thy servants be in Gath.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

After
מִקֵּץ֙ (miq·qêṣ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7093: An extremity, after

three
שָׁלֹ֣שׁ (šā·lōš)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

years,
שָׁנִ֔ים (šā·nîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8141: A year

however,
וַיְהִ֗י (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

two
שְׁנֵֽי־ (šə·nê-)
Number - mdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

of Shimei’s
לְשִׁמְעִ֔י (lə·šim·‘î)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8096: Shimei -- the name of a number of Israelites

slaves
עֲבָדִים֙ (‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

ran away
וַיִּבְרְח֤וּ (way·yiḇ·rə·ḥū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1272: To bolt, to flee suddenly

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Achish
אָכִ֥ישׁ (’ā·ḵîš)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 397: Achish -- king of Gath

son
בֶּֽן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Maacah,
מַעֲכָ֖ה (ma·‘ă·ḵāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4601: Maacah -- an Israelite name, also a non-Israelite name, also a region in Syria

king
מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Gath.
גַּ֑ת (gaṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1661: Gath -- 'wine press', a Philistine city

And Shimei
לְשִׁמְעִי֙ (lə·šim·‘î)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8096: Shimei -- the name of a number of Israelites

was told,
וַיַּגִּ֤ידוּ (way·yag·gî·ḏū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

“Behold,
הִנֵּ֥ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

your slaves
עֲבָדֶ֖יךָ (‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

are in Gath.”
בְּגַֽת׃ (bə·ḡaṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1661: Gath -- 'wine press', a Philistine city

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OT History: 1 Kings 2:39 It happened at the end of three (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)