1 Kings 2 43

1 Kings 2:43 kjv

Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the LORD, and the commandment that I have charged thee with?

1 Kings 2:43 nkjv

Why then have you not kept the oath of the LORD and the commandment that I gave you?"

1 Kings 2:43 niv

Why then did you not keep your oath to the LORD and obey the command I gave you?"

1 Kings 2:43 esv

Why then have you not kept your oath to the LORD and the commandment with which I commanded you?"

1 Kings 2:43 nlt

Then why haven't you kept your oath to the LORD and obeyed my command?"

1 Kings 2 verses

1 Kings 2 43 Meaning

This verse captures King Solomon's direct confrontation with Shimei, accusing him of deliberately breaking a solemn oath made to the Lord and a specific command given by Solomon. It signifies Shimei's direct disobedience and betrayal of a sacred commitment, which seals his fate. The rhetorical question serves to highlight the indefensibility of Shimei's actions, justifying the swift judgment about to be meted out by the king.

1 Kings 2 43 Context

This verse occurs during the early reign of King Solomon, a period marked by his consolidation of power and the removal of threats to his newly established throne. David, Solomon's father, had left specific instructions regarding individuals who posed potential future challenges, including Joab and Shimei (1 Ki 2:5-9). Shimei, a Benjamite, had bitterly cursed David during Absalom's rebellion (2 Sam 16:5-13) but was later pardoned by David on his return (2 Sam 19:16-23).

Solomon, honoring his father's final counsel and acting with wisdom and authority, had placed Shimei under a strict house arrest, prohibiting him from leaving Jerusalem on pain of death (1 Ki 2:36-37). Shimei had explicitly sworn by the Lord to obey this command, acknowledging its justice (1 Ki 2:38). However, after three years, Shimei's servants fled to Gath, and Shimei chose to pursue them, thereby directly violating the king's order and his own sacred oath (1 Ki 2:39-40). Upon his return, Solomon summoned him, leading to the piercing rhetorical question of verse 43, which serves as the immediate precursor to Shimei's execution for his intentional and willful transgression.

1 Kings 2 43 Word analysis

• Why then: This phrase functions as a rhetorical question, indicating Solomon's incredulity and stern rebuke. It's not a request for an explanation, but an affirmation of Shimei's guilt and lack of any conceivable excuse. It underscores the deliberateness of Shimei's violation.
• have you not kept: The Hebrew verb for 'kept' is shamar (שָׁמַר), meaning "to watch, guard, preserve, observe." Its use here emphasizes a failure to maintain or abide by the agreed-upon conditions. Shimei did not merely forget; he actively disregarded or neglected a specific commitment.
• the oath of the Lord: This refers to shevu'at YHWH (שְׁבוּעַת יְהוָה). An "oath of the Lord" was an incredibly solemn vow, sworn in God's name, effectively invoking God as a witness and guarantor of the promise. Breaking such an oath was not just an offense against the king but a sacrilege against God, inviting divine judgment. This makes Shimei's transgression exponentially graver. The divine dimension elevates the king's subsequent action from mere human vengeance to an execution of divine justice.
• and the commandment: The Hebrew word mitswah (מִצְוָה) means "command, precept, order." This refers to Solomon's specific injunction given to Shimei that he was not to leave Jerusalem. It highlights the direct, explicit nature of the instruction that Shimei disobeyed.
• that I laid on you: The phrase "I laid on you" or "I charged you with" (וָאֲעִידֶךָ wa'a'ideka - "I adjured you" or "I made you testify") further emphasizes Solomon's direct personal authority and Shimei's personal accountability. Solomon had clearly communicated the terms and the dire consequences. It underscores that Shimei acted with full knowledge and conscious choice.
• Why then have you not kept the oath of the Lord and the commandment: This whole phrase is a powerful indictment. It combines both the divine aspect of the broken oath and the kingly authority of the disregarded command. It portrays Shimei's sin as a dual transgression against God and His anointed king. The rhetorical "Why then" implies that no valid reason could exist for such a betrayal, hence the immediate justice.

1 Kings 2 43 Bonus section

The immediate fulfillment of David's dying charge to Solomon concerning Shimei underscores the seamless continuation of divine justice and kingly authority from David's reign into Solomon's. Shimei's execution served not merely as a personal vendetta but as a crucial step in the consolidation of the united monarchy under Solomon, eliminating residual threats from the previous era. His death was a necessary act to secure the kingdom and ensure peace, signaling to all that the new king would tolerate no challenge to his divinely-sanctioned rule, and that breaking sacred vows carried the gravest consequences. It highlights Solomon's character as one who meticulously carried out his duties and judgments.

1 Kings 2 43 Commentary

Solomon's question in 1 Kings 2:43 is less an inquiry and more a declarative condemnation. Shimei's act was not one of ignorance or accidental oversight but a conscious violation of a sworn oath made before the Lord and a direct royal command. By leaving Jerusalem, Shimei displayed a defiant disregard for both God's sanctity and Solomon's authority, effectively testing the king's resolve and jeopardizing the stability of his newly formed kingdom.

Solomon's response is swift and uncompromising, reflecting his divine wisdom and firmness in establishing justice and order. His actions ensure the consolidation of his throne, as prescribed by David, removing the last potential source of civil unrest. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of vows and the severe consequences of disloyalty, particularly when one has pledged allegiance "by the Lord." It exemplifies a foundational principle: disregard for divine or divinely-ordained human authority carries inevitable and weighty repercussions.

Practical usage can be seen in the importance of:

• Integrity: Honoring one's commitments, especially those made solemnly.
• Obedience: Respecting established authority, both divine and human, as long as it aligns with God's will.
• Consequence: Understanding that deliberate choices against known truth or commands lead to certain outcomes.