1 Kings 2 46

1 Kings 2:46 kjv

So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; which went out, and fell upon him, that he died. And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.

1 Kings 2:46 nkjv

So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he went out and struck him down, and he died. Thus the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.

1 Kings 2:46 niv

Then the king gave the order to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck Shimei down and he died. The kingdom was now established in Solomon's hands.

1 Kings 2:46 esv

Then the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck him down, and he died. So the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.

1 Kings 2:46 nlt

Then, at the king's command, Benaiah son of Jehoiada took Shimei outside and killed him. So the kingdom was now firmly in Solomon's grip.

1 Kings 2 verses

1 Kings 2 46 Meaning

This verse records the final and decisive act in King Solomon's consolidation of power, specifically the execution of Shimei, who had previously cursed King David and then violated a strict oath to Solomon. His death marked the complete removal of internal threats to Solomon's nascent reign, leading to the secure establishment of his kingdom.

1 Kings 2 46 Context

This verse marks the climax of Solomon's systematic purification and stabilization of his kingdom after inheriting the throne from his father, David. The previous verses (1 Kgs 2:1-11) detail David's dying charge to Solomon, specifically mentioning instructions regarding Shimei (1 Kgs 2:8-9), whose earlier act of cursing David during Absalom's rebellion (2 Sam 16:5-13) remained an unpunished affront. Solomon had confined Shimei to Jerusalem under oath (1 Kgs 2:36-38), with the explicit penalty of death if he left. Shimei's violation of this solemn oath, by pursuing runaway servants outside Jerusalem (1 Kgs 2:39-41), provided Solomon the justifiable reason to execute him, not merely as revenge but as an act of upholding the law and securing the king's authority. This execution, following those of Adonijah (1 Kgs 2:25) and Joab (1 Kgs 2:34), concludes the period of instability and ensures an unthreatened succession.

1 Kings 2 46 Word analysis

• So the king commanded: King (מֶלֶךְ, melekh) here is Solomon, acting with absolute royal authority. Commanded (וַיְצַו, vay'tzav), from the root צָוָה (tzavah), implies a firm and authoritative order, indicative of Solomon's decisive rule. This isn't a request but a decree.
• Benaiah son of Jehoiada: Benaiah (בְּנָיָהוּ, Benaiah – "Yahweh has built") serves as Solomon's trusted enforcer and chief commander, symbolizing the swift and unflinching arm of royal justice. He had also executed Adonijah and Joab, highlighting his role in establishing Solomon's authority.
• and he went out and struck him down, and he died: Went out (וַיֵּצֵא, vayyetzei) denotes immediate obedience. Struck him down (וַיִּפְגַּע־בּוֹ, vayyipga-bo). The verb פגע (paga') means to meet, encounter, or fall upon, often with violent intent. In this context, it unequivocally means to execute or kill. And he died (וַיָּמֹת, vayyamot) confirms the finality of the act. The terse, direct language emphasizes the swiftness and completion of the execution, devoid of extended explanation or emotional embellishment, characteristic of narrative focused on political resolution.
• And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon: Established (וַתִּכֹּן, vattikon), from the root כּוּן (kun), signifies firming up, making secure, preparing for permanence. It denotes a state of stability and enduring order. Kingdom (מַמְלָכָה, mamlakah) refers to the royal domain and authority. In the hand of (בְּיַד, be'yad) is an idiom denoting full control, power, and authority. This phrase encapsulates the main point of the verse: the final and definitive consolidation of Solomon's rule, achieved through the removal of his last significant internal threat. It underscores divine approval for this security, as stability in the Davidic kingdom was a fulfillment of God's covenant.

1 Kings 2 46 Bonus section

The sequential elimination of Adonijah, Joab, and Shimei forms a critical triad illustrating how Solomon secured his throne. While appearing ruthless by modern standards, these actions were consistent with ancient Near Eastern practices for a monarch to legitimate and stabilize their rule by eliminating all potential rivals and those disloyal to the new regime. In Israel, these actions also served as acts of divine justice (e.g., Shimei's original curse of David and his broken oath, Joab's past murders, Adonijah's repeated attempts to usurp the throne), underscoring that the kingdom's security was not merely human machination but also a reflection of divine order being implemented through the king's judgment. The repeated use of Benaiah as the executor emphasizes a controlled, authorized implementation of justice by the king.

1 Kings 2 46 Commentary

This verse powerfully concludes the opening chapter of Solomon's reign, emphasizing stability achieved through the decisive removal of challenges to his authority. Shimei's execution, a consequence of his violation of a kingly oath and a culmination of his earlier insolence toward David, showcases Solomon's blend of wisdom, foresight, and unyielding justice. This was not mere personal revenge, but an essential act of statecraft, affirming the sanctity of oaths, upholding the integrity of the new monarchy, and solidifying internal security. The final clause, "And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon," is pivotal. It declares that Solomon's reign, divinely appointed, now rested on an unshakable human foundation, poised for its era of peace and prosperity.