1 Kings 2 39

1 Kings 2:39 kjv

And it came to pass at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away unto Achish son of Maachah king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, Behold, thy servants be in Gath.

1 Kings 2:39 nkjv

Now it happened at the end of three years, that two slaves of Shimei ran away to Achish the son of Maachah, king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, "Look, your slaves are in Gath!"

1 Kings 2:39 niv

But three years later, two of Shimei's slaves ran off to Achish son of Maakah, king of Gath, and Shimei was told, "Your slaves are in Gath."

1 Kings 2:39 esv

But it happened at the end of three years that two of Shimei's servants ran away to Achish, son of Maacah, king of Gath. And when it was told Shimei, "Behold, your servants are in Gath,"

1 Kings 2:39 nlt

But three years later two of Shimei's slaves ran away to King Achish son of Maacah of Gath. When Shimei learned where they were,

1 Kings 2 verses

1 Kings 2 39 Meaning

The verse states that after a period of three years had elapsed, two of Shimei's servants deserted him and fled to Achish, the king of Gath. This specific event directly set in motion the circumstances leading to Shimei's violation of King Solomon's explicit command and subsequent death. It serves as the trigger point for the climax of Shimei's story, leading to the fulfillment of King David's instructions to Solomon.

1 Kings 2 39 Context

This verse is embedded in King Solomon's early reign, specifically following his father David's deathbed instructions. David had urged Solomon to handle various individuals who had shown disloyalty or violence against the throne, including Shimei (1 Ki 2:8-9). Solomon had placed Shimei under a strict oath, confining him to Jerusalem on pain of death if he left (1 Ki 2:36-38). This seemingly minor event—the flight of servants—is crucial as it creates the pretext for Shimei to violate the solemn oath, thereby giving Solomon the just cause to execute him and fully consolidate his power, eliminating potential threats to his divinely appointed throne. The period of three years implies that Shimei had ample time to reflect and commit to his oath.

1 Kings 2 39 Word analysis

• And it came to pass (וַיְהִי - va·ye·hi): This is a very common Hebrew narrative connective, typically translated as "and it happened" or "now it came about." It signifies a progression in the storyline, introducing a new event that naturally follows or arises from previous circumstances. In this context, it signals the start of the critical incident.
• at the end of three years (מִקְצֵה שָׁלֹשׁ שָׁנִים - mik·tseh sha·losh sha·nim): This precise temporal marker is highly significant. It emphasizes the passage of a considerable, defined period since Shimei swore his oath. It highlights Solomon's patience or perhaps a period of probation granted to Shimei. It demonstrates that Shimei had ample opportunity to comply with the command, making his eventual transgression deliberate and inexcusable. The specific duration adds weight to the inevitability of the impending judgment.
• that two (שְׁנֵי - she·nei): The specific number "two" is noted, indicating precise details of the incident. While seemingly minor, it highlights the tangible and concrete nature of the loss that prompted Shimei's decisive (and ultimately fatal) action.
• of the servants (עֲבָדִים - 'a·va·dim): Servants were valuable assets in ancient society, representing wealth and labor. Their flight represented an economic loss and a challenge to Shimei's authority within his household. His willingness to violate his oath for their retrieval reveals his priorities and possibly a deeper resentment or disregard for Solomon's authority.
• of Shimei (לְשִׁמְעִֽי - le·shim·'i): Clearly identifies the central character whose fate is about to be sealed. This connects directly to David's previous command concerning Shimei's fate.
• ran away (בָּרְח֤וּ - ba·re·chu): This verb implies desertion, fleeing, or escape. It suggests a swift and deliberate departure. The urgency of the servants' flight potentially necessitated an immediate response from Shimei, playing into his downfall.
• unto Achish (אֲכִ֥ישׁ - 'a·chish): The specific Philistine king to whom the servants fled. Achish of Gath was a well-known Philistine ruler who had previously given refuge to David when he was fleeing from Saul (1 Sam 21, 27). This connection adds an ironic layer, as David himself had sought refuge there, but Shimei's journey to this very place would seal his doom at the hands of David's son.
• son of Maachah (בֶן־מַעֲכָֽה - ven-ma·'a·chah): Standard genealogical identifier for a king. While seemingly common, it ensures proper identification of the Philistine monarch, perhaps to distinguish him from any other "Achish."
• king of Gath (מֶֽלֶךְ־גַּֽת - me·lekh-gat): Gath was one of the five primary Philistine city-states, a historic enemy of Israel and home to figures like Goliath. By going to Gath, Shimei not only crossed the Kidron Valley (violating Solomon's direct geographical command in 1 Ki 2:37) but entered into a pagan, formerly hostile, foreign territory, further compounding his transgression and emphasizing his blatant disregard for the boundaries set by the Israelite king.

• "at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away": This phrase sets the stage for the dramatic fulfillment of judgment. The specific timeframe (three years) suggests a probationary period, a testament to Solomon's initial leniency or observation. The flight of servants, a seemingly minor household issue, becomes the divinely orchestrated means by which Shimei's hidden contempt for authority is exposed, making his ensuing punishment appear perfectly just.
• "ran away unto Achish son of Maachah king of Gath": The destination is crucial. Gath was explicitly outside Jerusalem's confined boundaries, and traveling there involved crossing the forbidden Kidron Valley, and deeper into Gentile territory. The Philistine identity of Achish further accentuates the violation, as it would likely entail commerce and association with non-Israelite elements, actions against the spirit of a solemn oath tied to loyalty to the Israelite throne.

1 Kings 2 39 Bonus section

The "three years" could also subtly hint at a full, completed period, similar to the concept of a full measure of time or a waiting period (e.g., Exod 23:10-11, Lev 19:23). Shimei's past curse upon King David (2 Sam 16:5-13) remained an unaddressed stain on David's reign in the eyes of the law, which Solomon, guided by David's final wishes, was bound to rectify. Shimei's decision to travel to Gath, the home of King Achish, a king with whom David had found asylum and formed a complex relationship, adds an intriguing layer of historical irony to Shimei's violation. This act was not merely leaving Jerusalem; it was crossing into historically enemy territory, perhaps a sign of lingering anti-Davidic sentiments or at least a complete disregard for the Israelite kingdom's defined boundaries and his loyalty to its king. The narrative underscores that no solemn oath made before the king, especially one pertaining to the security of the kingdom, can be broken without severe consequences, for "the king's word is ultimate."

1 Kings 2 39 Commentary

1 Kings 2:39 presents the precise trigger for Shimei's inevitable demise, highlighting Solomon's meticulous and deliberate consolidation of his kingdom. After three years of apparent adherence to his confinement within Jerusalem, Shimei's priorities shifted when two of his servants absconded to Gath. His choice to pursue these valuable assets over the sacredness of his oath to Solomon, given with a clear understanding of the life-or-death stakes, proved his true allegiance and the enduring rebellious spirit within him (stemming from his initial defiance of David). This event demonstrates divine providence at work, setting up circumstances that expose latent rebellion and provide just cause for a king's decisive action, ensuring the stability and purity of the throne as mandated by God's covenant with David.