1 Kings 2 40

1 Kings 2:40 kjv

And Shimei arose, and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants: and Shimei went, and brought his servants from Gath.

1 Kings 2:40 nkjv

So Shimei arose, saddled his donkey, and went to Achish at Gath to seek his slaves. And Shimei went and brought his slaves from Gath.

1 Kings 2:40 niv

At this, he saddled his donkey and went to Achish at Gath in search of his slaves. So Shimei went away and brought the slaves back from Gath.

1 Kings 2:40 esv

Shimei arose and saddled a donkey and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants. Shimei went and brought his servants from Gath.

1 Kings 2:40 nlt

he saddled his donkey and went to Gath to search for them. When he found them, he brought them back to Jerusalem.

1 Kings 2 verses

1 Kings 2 40 Meaning

1 Kings 2:40 describes Shimei's direct transgression of the solemn oath and command given to him by King Solomon. Having been forbidden to leave Jerusalem, Shimei undertook a deliberate journey to Gath, a Philistine city, to retrieve his runaway servants. This action directly violated the boundary and terms set by Solomon, immediately preceding the activation of the death penalty consequence that was promised if he were to ever leave Jerusalem.

1 Kings 2 40 Context

This verse is a pivotal moment in the narrative of King Solomon's reign, particularly in his consolidation of power and establishment of order following David's death. Chapter 2 of 1 Kings opens with David's final instructions to Solomon, emphasizing wisdom, obedience to God's law, and the need to address specific individuals for the stability of the kingdom. Shimei, who had publicly cursed King David during Absalom's rebellion (2 Sam 16:5-13), was one such individual. Though David had sworn not to kill him, he advised Solomon to bring Shimei's "hoar head to the grave with blood" (1 Kgs 2:8-9), essentially passing the responsibility for justice.

Solomon, demonstrating wisdom and firmness, called Shimei and established clear terms for his continued life: he was to build a house in Jerusalem, reside there, and never leave the city limits, especially not crossing the Kidron Valley (1 Kgs 2:36-37). Shimei, under oath, expressly agreed to these conditions, acknowledging that leaving would result in his death (1 Kgs 2:38). After three years, two of Shimei's servants escaped to Gath. Verse 2:40 recounts Shimei's actions, demonstrating his deliberate violation of this precise, known, and sworn prohibition. His departure, driven by the personal loss of servants, became the immediate and undeniable trigger for the promised consequence. The narrative carefully highlights Shimei's intentionality and success in his journey, setting the stage for Solomon's decisive action in the subsequent verses (1 Kgs 2:41-46).

1 Kings 2 40 Word analysis

Word-by-word Analysis:

• And (וְ - wə): A common conjunction, simply linking this action to the preceding context (his servants running away). It signifies the direct cause-and-effect relationship.
• Shimei (שִׁמְעִי - Shime‘i): The man specifically bound by oath. His name derives from "shema," meaning "to hear" or "to obey." Ironically, Shimei failed to "hear" and obey the king's direct command despite initially assenting (1 Kgs 2:38). His identity is central as the subject of David's earlier charge to Solomon.
• arose (וַיָּקָם - wayyāqām): From the verb קוּם (qūm), meaning "to rise" or "to stand up." Implies initiation of action and resolve. This was a deliberate act, not accidental.
• and saddled (וַיַּחֲבֹשׁ - wayyaḥăḇošt): From חָבַשׁ (ḥāḇaš), "to tie," "to bind," specifically "to saddle." This word indicates intentional preparation for a journey. Shimei did not wander out by accident; he prepared to travel a distance.
• his ass (אֶת-חֲמוֹרוֹ - ’eṯ-ḥămôrô): The common beast of burden and travel in the ancient Near East. Further emphasizes that this was a planned expedition.
• and went (וַיֵּלֶךְ - wayyēleḵ): From הָלַךְ (hālaḵ), "to go," "to walk." Simple verb of movement, but critically, movement out of Jerusalem.
• to Gath (גַּת - Gaṯ): One of the five Philistine city-states (e.g., 1 Sam 6:17). Located about 25 miles west of Jerusalem, this was significant foreign territory, not within the promised boundaries Shimei was to observe. It also highlights the considerable distance travelled.
• to Achish (אֶל-אׇכִישׁ - ’el-’āḵîš): The Philistine king of Gath. David himself had sought refuge with Achish on two occasions (1 Sam 21, 27). Shimei, a high-ranking Judahite, approaching a foreign king in this manner underscored his blatant disregard for the specific territorial restriction.
• to seek (לְבַקֵּשׁ - lǝvaqqēš): From בָּקַשׁ (bāqaš), "to seek," "to search for." This signifies a purposeful and determined endeavor. His mission was not a casual stroll across the border but a dedicated pursuit.
• his servants (אֶת-עֲבָדָיו - ’eṯ-‘ăvādāyw): The personal property that motivated his journey. This demonstrates a valuing of personal economic interest over sworn loyalty and the explicit command of the king, an act of great presumption.
• and Shimei went, and brought (וַיֵּלֶךְ שִׁמְעִי וַיָּשֶׁב - wayyēleḵ Šime‘î wayyāšeḇ): Repetition of "Shimei went" and introduction of "brought back" (from שׁוּב - šûḇ). This confirms the completion of his journey and successful retrieval, making his transgression undeniable upon his return.

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:

• "And Shimei arose, and saddled his ass": This phrase highlights Shimei's preparedness and intentionality. It wasn't a spontaneous oversight but a planned departure. The specific act of saddling his ass indicates he was getting ready for a journey. This undermines any plea of accidental transgression later on.
• "and went to Gath to Achish": This specifies the destination – a foreign, hostile city known from Israel's history (Philistine). Shimei consciously crossed the geographical and covenantal boundaries established by Solomon, emphasizing the defiance of royal authority and implicitly, God's protection promised within specific boundaries. The mention of Achish makes it clear he reached the foreign king's domain.
• "to seek his servants: and Shimei went, and brought his servants from Gath": This explains his motivation—personal property—and confirms the success of his mission. His successful retrieval of the servants means there was clear proof of his violation of the royal decree upon his return. His prioritizing these servants over his own life and oath underscores a fatal misjudgment of values. The repeated "Shimei went" reinforces the certainty and undeniable nature of his journey.

1 Kings 2 40 Bonus section

The seemingly trivial reason for Shimei's fatal journey—to retrieve two runaway servants—underscores a common human flaw: underestimating the cost of slight disobedience when immediate, tangible loss is perceived. Shimei likely weighed the personal loss of property against the abstract notion of an oath and a king's command, believing he could get away with it. This demonstrates a fundamental lack of understanding or respect for the seriousness of sacred oaths and the absolute authority of the newly established king, Solomon. Furthermore, Shimei's return to Jerusalem, having successfully completed his task, implies a brazenness or perhaps a belief that his transgression would go unnoticed or unpunished, showcasing profound misjudgment on his part. This verse thus serves as a powerful testament to the precise and exacting nature of justice in God's kingdom, as administered through His chosen king, highlighting that all covenants and commands carry ultimate consequences for disobedience.

1 Kings 2 40 Commentary

1 Kings 2:40 presents a direct and unequivocal account of Shimei’s fatal breach of an explicit command. Solomon's earlier decree (1 Kgs 2:36-38) to Shimei was both a test and an act of provisional clemency. Having spared Shimei’s life under specific conditions for three years, Solomon demonstrated a patient justice. However, Shimei, motivated by the desire to recover his runaway servants and valuing this worldly possession more than his life or sworn word to the king, deliberately departed from Jerusalem.

His actions—saddling an ass, traveling to Gath, and successfully retrieving his servants—demonstrate a conscious and premeditated act of defiance, not an accidental slip. Shimei effectively dismissed the king’s solemn oath as insignificant when faced with a personal inconvenience. This verse underlines a crucial principle: disobedience to God-appointed authority, especially when under solemn oath, carries direct consequences. It also illustrates the swift and sure execution of justice under Solomon's reign, serving as a deterrent and a statement of royal consolidation of power according to David's counsel. Shimei’s failure to grasp the gravity of his promise sealed his own fate, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness to one's word and the commands of legitimate authority.

Examples:

• Personal Integrity: Keeping a commitment even when inconvenient. If a person promises to help a neighbor and then receives a more appealing invitation, integrity demands fulfilling the initial promise.
• Spiritual Obedience: Valuing God's commands above personal desires or possessions, like sacrificing a preferred comfort for communal worship or tithes.
• Respect for Authority: A citizen honoring traffic laws even when no police are visible, acknowledging the established order.