1 Kings 2 36

1 Kings 2:36 kjv

And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Build thee an house in Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go not forth thence any whither.

1 Kings 2:36 nkjv

Then the king sent and called for Shimei, and said to him, "Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and dwell there, and do not go out from there anywhere.

1 Kings 2:36 niv

Then the king sent for Shimei and said to him, "Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and live there, but do not go anywhere else.

1 Kings 2:36 esv

Then the king sent and summoned Shimei and said to him, "Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and dwell there, and do not go out from there to any place whatever.

1 Kings 2:36 nlt

The king then sent for Shimei and told him, "Build a house here in Jerusalem and live there. But don't step outside the city to go anywhere else.

1 Kings 2 verses

1 Kings 2 36 Meaning

King Solomon, asserting his newly established royal authority, issued a restrictive command to Shimei, who had previously cursed his father King David. This directive ordered Shimei to build a permanent residence within Jerusalem and strictly forbade him from leaving the city limits under any circumstance. This act was part of Solomon's consolidation of power, ensuring internal security and establishing control over lingering threats to the Davidic dynasty.

1 Kings 2 36 Context

This verse is situated within 1 Kings chapter 2, which primarily describes King David's final instructions to his son Solomon, followed by Solomon's swift and decisive actions to consolidate his power and secure his kingdom. David, on his deathbed, charged Solomon with the responsibility to establish justice and remove lingering threats, specifically mentioning Adonijah, Joab, and Shimei. David had sworn an oath to Shimei years earlier not to put him to death for cursing him during Absalom's rebellion (2 Sam 16:5-13, 2 Sam 19:23). Solomon's approach to Shimei, as detailed in this verse, shows his strategic wisdom; he does not immediately execute him, thus honoring his father's vow. Instead, he places Shimei under a strict, conditional confinement within Jerusalem, effectively giving him a controlled, probationary existence. This act underscores Solomon's systematic establishment of his reign, ensuring loyalty and eliminating potential subversion in a calculated manner, thereby securing peace and stability for his kingdom as per David's desire (1 Kgs 2:5-6).

1 Kings 2 36 Word analysis

• And the king: (וְהַמֶּלֶךְ - Veha-melech) The definitive article "the" highlights Solomon's undisputed royal authority. This opening immediately asserts his position and the source of the coming command.
• sent: (וַיִּשְׁלַח - Vayyishlach) This Hebrew verb signifies an authoritative act of dispatching or delegating. It implies a royal messenger or official being sent, demonstrating Solomon's administrative control. It's not a personal invitation but a command.
• and called for Shimei: (וַיִּקְרָא לְשִׁמְעִי - Vayyikra leshim'i) The act of "calling for" (qara') implies a summons, a mandatory appearance before the king, not an optional request. Shimei, whose name means "my fame" or "renown," was a significant figure from the tribe of Benjamin, specifically from the House of Saul's kin, and his earlier actions represented a challenge to the Davidic line.
• and said to him: (וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ - Vayyomer lo) A simple, direct declaration of the royal decree, reflecting the directness of a king's command.
• Build yourself a house: (בְּנֵה־לְךָ בַּיִת - B'neh-lekha bayit) "Build for yourself a house." The imperative "build" conveys a directive, not a suggestion. It mandates permanent residence. "Yourself" (lekha) indicates it's for his own living, though it simultaneously becomes a means of his control. This implies an investment and commitment to dwelling there.
• in Jerusalem: (בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם - Bîrūšalayim) The capital city, central to Israel's political and spiritual life. Being confined to Jerusalem places Shimei under direct royal and symbolic surveillance, eliminating his ability to incite rebellion from his own territory (Benjamin, outside Jerusalem). Jerusalem's strategic location ensures Solomon's watchful eye.
• and dwell there: (וְיָשַׁבְתָּ שָׁם - Veyashavta sham) An explicit command to reside and remain settled within the specified location. The verb "dwell" (yashav) implies a permanent, settled existence, reinforcing the sense of lifelong confinement.
• and do not go out from there anywhere: (וְלֹא תֵצֵא מִשָּׁם אָנֶה וָאָנָה - Velō tetze' mishsham 'aneh wa'anah) This is the critical, absolute prohibition. "Do not go out" (lo tetze') makes the restriction unequivocally clear. "From there" (mishsham) reinforces Jerusalem as the boundary. "Anywhere" (אָנֶה וָאָנָה - 'aneh wa'anah, lit. "hither and thither") emphasizes the strictness, indicating no movement outside the city perimeter in any direction whatsoever. This absolute ban sets the specific condition for his potential downfall.

• "Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and dwell there": This phrase mandates Shimei's compulsory relocation and permanent residency within the capital. It might appear to be an act of clemency—allowing him to live and establish himself—but it simultaneously serves as a direct means of control, binding him to the heart of the kingdom and under constant royal observation. It's a gilded cage rather than freedom.
• "and do not go out from there anywhere": This segment outlines the strict, absolute, and defining condition of Shimei's confinement. It clearly delineates the precise boundary beyond which his very life is forfeit. This serves as Solomon's primary test of Shimei's loyalty and obedience, ensuring that any transgression would be a deliberate act of defiance against the king's express command, justifying severe consequence. This highlights the severe consequence for breaking a king's explicit boundary.

1 Kings 2 36 Bonus section

• A "Living Death" Sentence: While not immediate execution, this restriction effectively became a "living death" for Shimei in a metaphorical sense. His past influence and movements were completely curtailed, making him a shadow of his former self, constantly aware of the severe penalty should he violate the terms.
• The King's Word as Law: This decree powerfully illustrates the nature of royal authority in ancient Israel. A king’s command, once uttered, carried absolute force and was to be obeyed without question. Disregarding it was an act of high treason.
• Foreshadowing of Judgment: This specific restriction and the stern warning attached to it perfectly set up the narrative for Shimei's eventual demise (1 Kgs 2:39-46). Solomon's actions were deliberate and had a predetermined outcome should the terms be broken, reflecting a principle of divine justice where clear commands precede accountability.
• Contrast with David's Era: This demonstrates a shift from the sometimes improvisational nature of David's rule, especially concerning his personal enemies, to the more systematic and institutionalized governance under Solomon, reflecting God's establishment of a firm kingdom.

1 Kings 2 36 Commentary

This verse encapsulates Solomon’s calculated and wise statecraft in securing his throne, following his father David’s final counsel. Instead of immediate execution, which would have contradicted David's oath to Shimei, Solomon cleverly establishes a seemingly lenient, yet incredibly restrictive, probationary period. By confining Shimei to Jerusalem, he keeps a potential enemy close, under constant surveillance, and away from his tribal territory where he could incite opposition. The instruction to "build a house" might offer a semblance of normal life, but it functions as a literal and figurative chain. The absolute prohibition against leaving the city is the crucial element; it's a precisely drawn boundary, making any future transgression a clear and unambiguous act of direct defiance against the king's explicit command, bringing Shimei's eventual demise upon his own head (1 Kgs 2:42-46). This demonstrates Solomon's understanding of justice, combining forbearance with a firm expectation of obedience, ensuring the stability and peace of his burgeoning kingdom.