Keep an eye on Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim who is with you. He called down bitter curses against me on the day I went to Mahanaim, but when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the LORD: 'I will never put you to the sword.' Keep an eye on Shimei the son of GeraShimei, a member of the tribe of Benjamin, is a significant figure due to his actions during King David's reign. His lineage as the son of Gera places him within the context of the Benjamite tribe, which had historical tensions with the tribe of Judah, from which David hailed. This tension is rooted in the rivalry between Saul, the first king of Israel from the tribe of Benjamin, and David. Shimei's actions and David's instructions to Solomon highlight the ongoing political and tribal complexities in Israel. the Benjamite from Bahurim who is with you
Bahurim is a village in the territory of Benjamin, located near the Mount of Olives. It is mentioned in several biblical accounts, including the story of David's flight from Absalom. The geographical location of Bahurim is significant as it was a place of refuge and conflict. Shimei's presence in Solomon's court suggests a continued political alliance or oversight, reflecting the delicate balance of power and the need for vigilance in maintaining the kingdom's unity. He called down bitter curses against me on the day I went to Mahanaim
This refers to the incident recorded in 2 Samuel 16:5-13, where Shimei cursed David as he fled from his son Absalom. Mahanaim, a city east of the Jordan River, served as a refuge for David during Absalom's rebellion. The act of cursing a king was a serious offense, reflecting deep-seated animosity and the political instability of the time. Shimei's actions were not only personal but also symbolic of the broader dissent against David's rule. but when he came down to meet me at the Jordan
After Absalom's defeat, Shimei sought forgiveness from David as he returned to Jerusalem, crossing the Jordan River. This act of contrition at the Jordan, a significant geographical and spiritual boundary in Israel's history, symbolizes repentance and the hope for reconciliation. The Jordan River often represents transitions and new beginnings, as seen in the Israelites' crossing into the Promised Land and Jesus' baptism. I swore to him by the LORD: ‘I will never put you to the sword.’
David's oath to Shimei, invoking the name of the LORD, underscores the seriousness and binding nature of his promise. In the ancient Near Eastern context, oaths were sacred and often irrevocable. David's decision to spare Shimei reflects his merciful character and reliance on divine justice. However, this mercy is tempered by the need for Solomon to address potential threats to the kingdom, illustrating the tension between personal forgiveness and political prudence. Persons / Places / Events 1. Shimei son of GeraA Benjamite from Bahurim who cursed King David during Absalom's rebellion. His actions and subsequent pardon by David are significant in understanding the themes of mercy and justice. 2. DavidThe King of Israel who, despite being cursed by Shimei, showed mercy by sparing his life. This reflects David's complex character and his reliance on God's justice. 3. BahurimA village in the territory of Benjamin, significant as the home of Shimei and a place of refuge for David during Absalom's rebellion. 4. MahanaimA city where David sought refuge during Absalom's rebellion. It symbolizes a place of safety and divine provision during times of trouble. 5. The Jordan RiverA significant geographical and spiritual landmark in Israel's history, representing transitions and new beginnings, such as the crossing into the Promised Land. Teaching Points Mercy and JusticeDavid's interaction with Shimei teaches us about the balance between mercy and justice. While David showed mercy, he also recognized the need for accountability, which Solomon later addresses. The Power of WordsShimei's curses remind us of the power of words to harm or heal. As believers, we are called to speak life and blessings rather than curses. Forgiveness and ReconciliationDavid's initial forgiveness of Shimei demonstrates the importance of reconciliation. However, it also shows that forgiveness does not always remove consequences. Trusting God's TimingDavid's decision to spare Shimei reflects a trust in God's timing and justice. We are encouraged to wait on the Lord rather than taking matters into our own hands. Legacy and LeadershipDavid's instructions to Solomon about Shimei highlight the importance of addressing unresolved issues and ensuring justice as part of a godly legacy. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's treatment of Shimei reflect the biblical principles of mercy and justice, and how can we apply these principles in our own lives? 2. In what ways does the account of Shimei and David challenge us to consider the power of our words and their impact on others? 3. How can we balance forgiveness with the need for accountability in our relationships, as seen in David's handling of Shimei? 4. What lessons can we learn from David's trust in God's timing and justice when dealing with those who have wronged us? 5. How does David's instruction to Solomon regarding Shimei inform our understanding of leadership and the importance of addressing unresolved issues? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Samuel 16:5-13This passage provides the background of Shimei's cursing of David, highlighting the tension and the eventual act of mercy by David. 2 Samuel 19:18-23Describes the encounter between David and Shimei at the Jordan, where Shimei seeks forgiveness, and David swears not to kill him. Matthew 5:44Jesus' teaching on loving enemies and praying for those who persecute you can be seen as a New Testament reflection of David's mercy towards Shimei. Romans 12:19Paul's exhortation to leave vengeance to God echoes David's decision to spare Shimei, trusting in God's justice. 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 Bahurim, Bahu'rim, Behold, Benjaminite, Benjamite, Bitter, Curse, Cursed, Curses, Death, Gera, Grievous, Hast, Jordan, Mahanaim, Mahana'im, Meet, Oath, Reviled, Reviling, Saying, Shimei, Shim'e-i, Sware, Swear, Sword, Swore, ViolentDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 2:1-12 5087 David, reign of 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 2:8 NIV1 Kings 2:8 NLT1 Kings 2:8 ESV1 Kings 2:8 NASB1 Kings 2:8 KJV
1 Kings 2:8 Commentaries
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