Shimei faced the consequences of a broken vow in the realm of a wise king.
King Solomon, who reigned from approximately 970 to 931 B.C., calls for Shimei in Jerusalem, the primary city of worship and governance in ancient Israel. Solomon had previously confined Shimei to Jerusalem under threat of death should he leave. Reflecting this arrangement, we read: “Then the king sent and called for Shimei and said to him, ‘Did I not make you swear by the LORD and solemnly warn you, saying, “Know for certain that on the day you depart and go anywhere, you shall surely die”? and you said to me, “The word which I have heard is good.”’” (v.42) Solomon’s words underline the seriousness of this warning, recalling the vow Shimei gave and the life-threatening consequences of breaking it.
The mention of Shimei connects to earlier encounters in King David’s reign, specifically where Shimei cursed David and later sought his mercy (2 Samuel 16:5-13). By the time Solomon comes to power, he holds Shimei accountable, illustrating a principle of divine justice working through the throne of Israel. “Did I not make you swear by the LORD” (v.42) reminds us that vows in ancient Israel were not merely verbal promises, but binding commitments invoking the Lord’s name. Jesus later taught about honor and integrity in one’s words, saying, “let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’” (Matthew 5:37), reaffirming the sacredness of our promises.
Solomon reiterates the stipulation: “Know for certain that on the day you depart…you shall surely die” (v.42) to emphasize that Shimei’s continued life hinges on obedience. The phrase signals the just nature of Solomon’s rule, where consequences follow willful disobedience. Geographically, Jerusalem serves as both a symbol of God’s covenant presence (the location of the Temple) as well as the seat of God’s anointed king. In this environment, oaths sworn by the LORD held heightened weight, as Shimei acknowledged when he earlier responded, “The word which I have heard is good” (v.42).
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1 Kings 2:42 meaning
King Solomon, who reigned from approximately 970 to 931 B.C., calls for Shimei in Jerusalem, the primary city of worship and governance in ancient Israel. Solomon had previously confined Shimei to Jerusalem under threat of death should he leave. Reflecting this arrangement, we read: “Then the king sent and called for Shimei and said to him, ‘Did I not make you swear by the LORD and solemnly warn you, saying, “Know for certain that on the day you depart and go anywhere, you shall surely die”? and you said to me, “The word which I have heard is good.”’” (v.42) Solomon’s words underline the seriousness of this warning, recalling the vow Shimei gave and the life-threatening consequences of breaking it.
The mention of Shimei connects to earlier encounters in King David’s reign, specifically where Shimei cursed David and later sought his mercy (2 Samuel 16:5-13). By the time Solomon comes to power, he holds Shimei accountable, illustrating a principle of divine justice working through the throne of Israel. “Did I not make you swear by the LORD” (v.42) reminds us that vows in ancient Israel were not merely verbal promises, but binding commitments invoking the Lord’s name. Jesus later taught about honor and integrity in one’s words, saying, “let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’” (Matthew 5:37), reaffirming the sacredness of our promises.
Solomon reiterates the stipulation: “Know for certain that on the day you depart…you shall surely die” (v.42) to emphasize that Shimei’s continued life hinges on obedience. The phrase signals the just nature of Solomon’s rule, where consequences follow willful disobedience. Geographically, Jerusalem serves as both a symbol of God’s covenant presence (the location of the Temple) as well as the seat of God’s anointed king. In this environment, oaths sworn by the LORD held heightened weight, as Shimei acknowledged when he earlier responded, “The word which I have heard is good” (v.42).