1 Kings 2 9

1 Kings 2:9 kjv

Now therefore hold him not guiltless: for thou art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him; but his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood.

1 Kings 2:9 nkjv

Now therefore, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man and know what you ought to do to him; but bring his gray hair down to the grave with blood."

1 Kings 2:9 niv

But now, do not consider him innocent. You are a man of wisdom; you will know what to do to him. Bring his gray head down to the grave in blood."

1 Kings 2:9 esv

Now therefore do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man. You will know what you ought to do to him, and you shall bring his gray head down with blood to Sheol."

1 Kings 2:9 nlt

But that oath does not make him innocent. You are a wise man, and you will know how to arrange a bloody death for him. "

1 Kings 2 verses

1 Kings 2 9 Meaning

King David, in his final instructions to his son Solomon, commanded that Shimei, who had cursed David during Absalom's rebellion, should not be allowed to die peacefully of old age, nor should his past offenses be overlooked. David acknowledged Solomon's God-given wisdom, trusting him to know the appropriate time and method for executing judgment upon Shimei, ensuring that his life would end violently as a consequence of his disloyalty and persistent threat, rather than being considered innocent.

1 Kings 2 9 Context

This verse is part of King David's dying commands to his son and successor, Solomon. These instructions are crucial for consolidating Solomon's new kingdom and ensuring its stability. The entire chapter outlines how Solomon is to manage various figures from David's past, distinguishing between those to be shown kindness (like Barzillai's sons) and those to face justice for their past disloyalty and potential future threats. Shimei the Benjamite had a significant past interaction with David. During Absalom's rebellion (2 Sam 16:5-8), Shimei cursed David bitterly and threw stones at him, siding against the rightful king. When David returned to Jerusalem after Absalom's defeat, Shimei sought clemency, which David granted with an oath not to put him to death on that very day (2 Sam 19:18-23). However, David remembered Shimei's malice. His instruction to Solomon suggests that while David refrained from personal revenge at that immediate time of triumph, Shimei's persistent enmity and the need to secure Solomon's throne against any lingering threats demanded final justice, but through Solomon's wisdom and at the opportune moment.

1 Kings 2 9 Word analysis

• Now therefore: Connects this specific instruction directly to David's preceding general charge for Solomon to "be strong and show yourself a man" (1 Kgs 2:2-3) and establish his kingdom securely.
• do not hold him guiltless: Hebrew: לֹא תְנַקֵּהוּ (lo tnaqqeh). The verb naqah (נקו) means "to be clean, innocent, clear." The negative "lo" emphasizes that Shimei should by no means be acquitted or allowed to escape consequences for his severe disrespect and treachery against God's anointed king. This highlights that despite David's past oath, Shimei's guilt persisted and merited ultimate accountability.
• for you are a wise man: Hebrew: כִּי אִישׁ חָכָם אָתָּה (ki ish chakham attah). "Chakham" (חָכָם) denotes practical wisdom, discernment, and administrative skill, often divinely endowed for kingship. David implicitly trusts Solomon's judgment to handle this sensitive situation with appropriate timing and means, recognizing that an immediate execution might have caused unrest during David's own time or during Solomon's nascent reign, but justice would ultimately prevail.
• and know what you ought to do to him: Solomon's wisdom is not just theoretical but practical, knowing how to execute justice precisely and effectively. This indicates David left the how and when to Solomon's discerning judgment.
• but bring his hoary head down: Hebrew: וְהוֹרַדְתָּ אֶת־שֵׂיבָתוֹ (v'horadta et-seivato). "Horadta" is the hiphil causative form of "yarad" (יָרַד), meaning "to cause to go down, bring down." "Seivato" (שֵׂיבָה) refers to "gray hair" or "old age." This implies an active, intentional act of putting him to death, regardless of his advanced years. It contrasts the natural descent into the grave in peace with a violent, state-sanctioned execution.
• to the grave: Referring to Sheol, the common place of the dead.
• with blood: Hebrew: בְּדָמִים (b'damim). Emphasizes that his death is to be a violent, bloody execution, implying capital punishment, not natural death or peaceful transition.

Words-group analysis:

• "do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man": This pairing directly links Solomon's required action (punishing Shimei) with his core characteristic (wisdom). It's not a vengeful dictate, but an act of securing the kingdom, wisely managed. The delay from David's immediate clemency to Solomon's action highlights the exercise of judicial wisdom in knowing when to act.
• "bring his hoary head down to the grave with blood": This vivid phrase contrasts the expected peaceful end of an old man's life with a mandated violent death. It underscores the severity of Shimei's crimes against the anointed king and the necessity of complete eradication of threats to the throne. It symbolizes the comprehensive nature of justice demanded by divine kingship.

1 Kings 2 9 Bonus section

• David's Oaths and Kingly Authority: David's earlier oath to Shimei (2 Sam 19:23) "You shall not die" applied to that specific moment of triumph. David, as the ultimate authority under God, reserved the right to deal with ongoing threats or to instruct his successor to do so at an opportune time. His final command demonstrates that a king's oath does not necessarily nullify future accountability for actions, especially if the offender's heart or potential threat remains. This differentiates an immediate clemency from a permanent absolution.
• Securing the Kingdom: David's instructions regarding Joab, Shimei, and others served to establish Solomon's reign without residual opposition from the previous era. The elimination of those who could undermine the new king's authority or conspire against him was a crucial step in ensuring stability for the Davidic line. This shows that the Davidic covenant involved not only divine promises but also human responsibility in administration of justice.
• Fulfillment of God's Justice: Although it may seem harsh, this action aligns with the Old Testament principle that sin against God's anointed carries grave consequences. God often works through human rulers to bring about His justice and secure His covenant purposes. Shimei's later death, triggered by his own disregard for Solomon's terms, validated David's foresight and Solomon's wise execution of the charge.

1 Kings 2 9 Commentary

David's command concerning Shimei reveals the complex nature of biblical justice, royal authority, and divine wisdom. It is not mere personal vengeance, for David had spared Shimei's life and made an oath in the moment of his triumphal return. However, a kingdom established by God must deal decisively with sedition and persistent threats to its stability and to the sanctity of the king's person as God's anointed. Shimei's prior actions were direct assaults on God's established order. By leaving the execution of this judgment to Solomon and invoking his "wisdom," David indicated that this was not a matter for impulsive revenge but for discerning, strategic statecraft to ensure the security of the throne and uphold the righteous standards of the kingdom. Solomon's later actions (1 Kgs 2:36-46), putting Shimei under house arrest and only executing him when he willfully violated the terms, perfectly exemplify this wisdom: granting grace but enforcing boundaries, waiting for Shimei to reveal his enduring rebellious heart, thus justifying the pre-ordained capital punishment not as an arbitrary act, but as a consequence of continued, willful disobedience. This also demonstrated that no one, regardless of age or previous partial pardon, was above the law of the king, God's representative.