Keraia
1 Kings 2

1 Kings 2:8

David Instructs Solomon · 1 Kings 2:1–9
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Translations

Modern
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.’
Traditional
And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the Lord, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword.
Literal
And behold, with you is Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim. And he cursed me with a bitter curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim. And he came down to meet me at the Jordan, and I swore to him by YHWH, saying, ‘I will not put you to death by the sword.’
Latin
Habes quoque apud te Semei filium Gera filii Jemini de Bahurim, qui maledixit mihi maledictione pessima quando ibam ad castra: sed quia descendit mihi in occursum cum transirem Jordanem, et juravi ei per Dominum, dicens: Non te interficiam gladio:

Original

Hebrew
English
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.’

Notes

1 Kings 2:8

Mahanaim was where David found safety during Absalom's rebellion (2 Samuel 17:24). The Egyptian pharaoh, Shishak, attacked it when Rehoboam was king (see 1 Kings 14:25).

1 Kings 2:7–9

Barzillai strongly supported David during his conflict with Absalom, while Shimei openly opposed David (2 Samuel 16:5–13; 19:6–23).

1 Kings 2:1–12

David gave Solomon his final advice in two parts:

1 Kings 1:1–2:12

The book of 1 Kings begins with the Lord's promise to David (see 2 Samuel 7:11–16). Solomon was the rightful and God-chosen heir to what God gave his father David. The problems during Solomon's rise to power suggested there would be more troubles later in his reign and between Israel and Judah in the future(1 Kings 1:1–2:46; 11:12–43).

Theme notes and profiles

Abiathar Bathsheba David Solomon

Parallels

Psalm 37:1–40

People

Benjamin: Youngest son of Jacob and Rachel Gera: Benjamite; cursed David during Absalom's rebellion; later sought forgiveness Shimei: Benjamite who cursed David during Absalom's rebellion

Places

Bahurim: Village near Jerusalem, home of Shimei, who cursed David Jordan: A river and region, significant in Israel's history Mahanaim: A place east of the Jordan; David's refuge

Glossary

Amasa Baharum, Baharumite, Bahurim Gera Ithra Jether Joab Kings, Books of First and Second Samuel, Books of First and Second Shimei Solomon (Person) Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs

Topics

Bahurim: A Village Between the Fords of the Jordan River and Jerusalem David: King of Israel: Delivers his Charge to Solomon Death: Scenes of Death of David Forgiveness: David Forgives Shimei Gera: The Son of Bela Mahanaim: David Lodges At, at the Time of Absalom's Rebellion Malice: Shimei Punishments: Sometimes Deferred for a Considerable Time Retaliation: David on Shimei Will: A Testament of David