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." On the day you go out and cross the Kidron ValleyThe Kidron Valley is a significant geographical location in biblical history, situated east of Jerusalem between the city and the Mount of Olives. It often served as a boundary marker. In this context, Solomon is setting a clear boundary for Shimei, who had previously cursed David. The Kidron Valley is also mentioned in connection with Jesus' journey to the Garden of Gethsemane, symbolizing a place of decision and consequence ( John 18:1). Crossing it represents a deliberate act of defiance against the king's command. know for sure that you will die
This phrase underscores the certainty and seriousness of the consequence. In the ancient Near Eastern context, oaths and commands from a king were binding and carried severe penalties if broken. The certainty of death for disobedience reflects the justice system of the time, where the king's word was law. It also echoes the biblical principle that sin leads to death (Romans 6:23), emphasizing the gravity of rebellion against divine or kingly authority. your blood will be on your own head
This expression indicates personal responsibility for one's actions. In biblical terms, it means that the individual is accountable for their own fate due to their choices. This concept is seen throughout Scripture, where individuals bear the consequences of their actions (Ezekiel 18:13). It also reflects the justice of God, where each person is responsible for their own sin, and it foreshadows the ultimate accountability before God. In a typological sense, it contrasts with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who took upon Himself the penalty for sin, offering redemption and life instead of death. Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonThe king of Israel, son of David, who is establishing his rule and ensuring the stability of his kingdom by dealing with potential threats. 2. ShimeiA member of the tribe of Benjamin who had previously cursed King David. Solomon places him under house arrest in Jerusalem with the condition that he must not leave, especially not to cross the Kidron Valley. 3. Kidron ValleyA significant geographical location east of Jerusalem, often associated with boundaries and transitions. It serves as a physical and symbolic boundary in this account. 4. DavidThe former king of Israel and father of Solomon, whose legacy and instructions influence Solomon's actions. 5. JerusalemThe capital city of Israel, where Solomon reigns and where Shimei is confined. Teaching Points Obedience and ConsequencesShimei's situation illustrates the importance of obedience to authority and the consequences of disobedience. In our lives, we must heed God's commands and the guidance of spiritual leaders. Boundaries and ProtectionBoundaries, both physical and spiritual, are set for our protection. Crossing them can lead to dire consequences, as seen with Shimei. We should respect the boundaries God places in our lives. Justice and MercySolomon's handling of Shimei reflects a balance of justice and mercy. As Christians, we are called to uphold justice while extending mercy, following the example of Christ. Legacy and InfluenceSolomon's actions are influenced by his father David's legacy. Our actions can have lasting impacts on future generations, emphasizing the importance of living a life of integrity. Bible Study Questions 1. What does Shimei's confinement in Jerusalem teach us about the importance of obedience to God's commands and the authorities He places over us? 2. How can the Kidron Valley serve as a metaphor for the boundaries God sets in our lives? What are some boundaries you need to respect? 3. In what ways does Solomon's treatment of Shimei reflect the balance between justice and mercy? How can you apply this balance in your relationships? 4. How does the legacy of David influence Solomon's decisions? What kind of legacy are you building for those who come after you? 5. Reflect on a time when you faced consequences for crossing a boundary. How did that experience shape your understanding of obedience and God's protection? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Samuel 16Provides background on Shimei's cursing of David, which sets the stage for Solomon's actions in 1 Kings 2. 1 Kings 2:8-9Solomon's instructions from David regarding Shimei, highlighting the importance of justice and wisdom in leadership. John 18:1Jesus crosses the Kidron Valley, drawing a parallel to the themes of obedience and consequence. 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 Blood, Brook, Certainly, Cross, Death, Die, Forth, Goest, Hast, Kidron, Overtake, Pass, Passed, Passest, Stream, Sure, Surely, Torrent, ValleyDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 2:36-37 4290 valleys 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 2:37 NIV1 Kings 2:37 NLT1 Kings 2:37 ESV1 Kings 2:37 NASB1 Kings 2:37 KJV
1 Kings 2:37 Commentaries
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