1 Kings 2 27

1 Kings 2:27 kjv

So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being priest unto the LORD; that he might fulfil the word of the LORD, which he spake concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.

1 Kings 2:27 nkjv

So Solomon removed Abiathar from being priest to the LORD, that he might fulfill the word of the LORD which He spoke concerning the house of Eli at Shiloh.

1 Kings 2:27 niv

So Solomon removed Abiathar from the priesthood of the LORD, fulfilling the word the LORD had spoken at Shiloh about the house of Eli.

1 Kings 2:27 esv

So Solomon expelled Abiathar from being priest to the LORD, thus fulfilling the word of the LORD that he had spoken concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.

1 Kings 2:27 nlt

So Solomon deposed Abiathar from his position as priest of the LORD, thereby fulfilling the prophecy the LORD had given at Shiloh concerning the descendants of Eli.

1 Kings 2 verses

1 Kings 2 27 Meaning

This verse describes King Solomon's decisive act of dismissing Abiathar from his prominent position as a priest serving the LORD. This action is explicitly declared to be the direct fulfillment of a long-standing prophecy uttered by the LORD through His prophets concerning the degradation and ultimate downfall of the priestly line of Eli, whose household had served in Shiloh. It marks a significant and divinely ordained transition in the priestly lineage of Israel, reinforcing God's sovereignty over human institutions and the certainty of His spoken word.

1 Kings 2 27 Context

1 Kings 2:27 is part of King Solomon's calculated measures to establish and consolidate his kingdom at the very outset of his reign, immediately following King David's death and his final charges to Solomon (1 Kgs 2:1-9). Abiathar, despite having been a faithful high priest to King David during trying times (like Absalom's rebellion), had made the strategic error of supporting Adonijah's claim to the throne over Solomon (1 Kgs 1:7). Solomon's actions against Abiathar, Joab, and Shimei are critical steps in removing potential threats and asserting his royal authority. Although Abiathar was deserving of death for treason under normal circumstances, Solomon showed a measure of leniency due to Abiathar's past service to David, opting for his banishment and stripping of office (1 Kgs 2:26) rather than execution. The theological significance of this specific act is profoundly emphasized by the narrator, linking it directly to the ancient prophecy against Eli's house found in 1 Samuel 2 and 3. This removal thus represents not just a political purge but a divine fulfillment of prophecy that marked a definitive end to the prominent priestly role of Eli's descendants and solidified the line of Zadok as the high priestly succession.

1 Kings 2 27 Word analysis

• So Solomon: Shelomoh (שְׁלֹמֹה) means "peaceable." Here, it portrays King Solomon as an active and divinely-empowered monarch, initiating judgment to bring order and stability. His action, though secular in its application, aligns perfectly with God's divine purpose.
• removed: Hebrew wayegaresh (וַיְגָרֶשׁ). This verb means "to drive out," "to expel," or "to cast out." It signifies a forceful and permanent dismissal from office. Unlike a direct killing, it implies banishment, as supported by 1 Kings 2:26, sending Abiathar to his own fields.
• Abiathar: ʼAviathar (אֶבְיָתָר), meaning "my father is preeminent" or "father of abundance." He was a significant figure, the last high priest from the line of Eli to hold a prominent office, having served David faithfully through many tribulations. His personal story connects directly to the ancient prophetic warning.
• from being priest: Hebrew lhiyot kohēn (לִהְיֹות כֹהֵן). This precise phrasing underscores that his expulsion was specifically from his sacred priestly duties and office, severing his connection to serving God in an official capacity within the tabernacle/temple structure.
• to the LORD: Hebrew layhwah (לַיהוָ֑ה), referring to God, the covenant LORD of Israel. This phrase emphasizes that the priesthood was divinely instituted for service to God Himself. Thus, Abiathar’s disqualification from this role was a divine prerogative and for God's purposes.
• thus fulfilling: Hebrew ləmallē’ (לְמַלֵּא), meaning "to complete," "to bring to an end," or "to fulfill." This is a crucial theological statement, attributing Solomon's action to divine purpose. It declares the event as a direct culmination of prior divine prophecy, showing God’s meticulous planning and oversight of history.
• the word of the LORD: Hebrew dvar Yhwh (דְּבַר יְהוָה). This refers specifically to a divine utterance, a prophetic declaration spoken by God through His chosen messenger. It highlights the divine origin and infallible nature of the prophecy that would inevitably come to pass.
• that he had spoken: ʼašer dibber (אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר). This reinforces God's agency; God Himself is the ultimate speaker and the One who guarantees the performance of His words. It eliminates any notion of chance or human caprice in the fulfillment.
• concerning the house of Eli: ʻal-bēt ʻĒli (עַל־בֵּית עֵלִ֔י). This identifies the specific lineage under divine judgment—the family line of Eli, who was high priest during the early life of Samuel. The judgment stemmed from Eli's failure to discipline his corrupt sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who defiled the sacrificial system.
• in Shiloh: Hebrew bəShiloh (בְּשִׁלֹֽה). This geographical reference pinpoints the location where Eli and his sons ministered and where the initial prophecy against his house was given (1 Sam 2-3). Shiloh was the primary Israelite worship center before the rise of the monarchy, reinforcing the direct connection between the sin, the prophecy, and its fulfillment centuries later.

Words-group analysis:

• "So Solomon removed Abiathar from being priest to the LORD": This passage highlights the profound interweaving of Israelite monarchy and divine religious office. Solomon, wielding the authority of the throne, executes a decisive act against a religious leader, but the narrative immediately frames this action as something "to the LORD," implying divine sanction and purpose for the removal. This demonstrates God’s active involvement in establishing proper order, both civil and spiritual.
• "thus fulfilling the word of the LORD that he had spoken": This clause provides the theological lens through which the entire event must be viewed. It elevates Solomon's political decision to the level of divine execution of prophecy. It assures the reader that God's spoken word, regardless of the time elapsed, is dependable and effective, ultimately bringing about His decreed plan through human agents.
• "concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh": This phrase directly connects the present event to the historical context of divine judgment. It references the centuries-old prophecy against Eli's lineage due to their grave misconduct in Shiloh, where the Tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant were then located. This specific detail reinforces the precision and long memory of God's justice, demonstrating His holy standard for those serving Him.

1 Kings 2 27 Bonus section

The seemingly lenient punishment for Abiathar—banishment instead of execution for treason—highlights God's gracious remembrance of past faithful service, even amidst current unfaithfulness. Although Abiathar sinned gravely by supporting Adonijah, he had endured much hardship with David and carried the Ark of the Covenant before him. This illustrates a divine balance between strict justice for a corrupted line and personal mercy. Furthermore, this historical event foreshadows the New Covenant's shift from an imperfect, inherited priesthood (susceptible to human failings) to the perfect, unchangeable priesthood of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7), who requires no earthly successor because He lives forever and ever truly fulfills every aspect of faithful high priestly service to the LORD.

1 Kings 2 27 Commentary

1 Kings 2:27 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness to His word. Solomon's strategic removal of Abiathar from the priesthood, while seemingly a political consolidation of power following a threat to his reign, is revealed by the sacred narrative to be the divine culmination of the prophecy against Eli's house spoken centuries prior in Shiloh (1 Sam 2:27-36; 1 Sam 3:11-14). This highlights that human events, even those driven by political motives, unfold according to God's sovereign plan. God's patience may be long, but His justice is precise and His prophecies are guaranteed. This shift purifies the high priesthood, ending the era of a lineage tainted by unfaithfulness and solidifying the legitimate Zadokite line, chosen by God to serve in His new Temple, reinforcing the divine standard for consecrated service and establishing a model for righteous priestly leadership. It is a powerful example of divine judgment, the consequences of sin in leadership, and God’s enduring commitment to the integrity of His sanctuary.