Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 2:46
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.
46. which went out ] Literally ‘ and he went out,’ which reads rather better than the A.V.
in the hand of Solomon ] The conspirators who might have been dangerous were all removed, and now, though still but a youth, Solomon had gained complete hold of the reins of government. Cf. 2Ch 1:1, where it is said that he ‘was strengthened in his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him.’
The Vulgate joins on the last clause of this verse to the first verse of the next chapter; which seems to be a most natural connexion.
In the Chronicles no mention is made either of David’s dying injunctions to his son, nor of their execution. The compiler of that book appears designedly to have omitted all notice of the troubles under which David suffered, and so it does not fall within his plan to speak of the punishment of his adversaries. The religious zeal of Solomon, his wealth and wisdom, his abundant offerings and the building of the Temple were themes better suited to the time when the Chronicler compiled his narrative, and such matter therefore makes up the most part of his book.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 46. And the kingdom was established] He had neither foes within nor without. He was either dreaded or loved universally. His own subjects were affectionately bound to him, and the surrounding nations did not think proper to make him their enemy.
As there are serious doubts relative to the dying charge of David as it relates to Shimei, most believing that, in opposition to his own oath, David desired that Solomon should put him to death; I shall here insert Dr. Kennicott’s criticism on this part of the text: –
“David is here represented in our English version as finishing his life with giving a command to Solomon to kill Shimei, and to kill him on account of that very crime for which, as David here says, he had sworn to him by the Lord he would not put him to death. The behaviour thus imputed to the king and prophet, and which would be justly censurable if true, should be examined very carefully as to the ground it stands upon; and when the passage is duly considered, I presume it will appear highly probable that an injury has been here done to this illustrious character. The point to which I now beg the reader’s attention is this: That it is not uncommon in the Hebrew language to omit the negative in a second part of the sentence, and to consider it as repeated, when it has been once expressed, and is followed by the connecting particle. And thus on Isa 13:22 the late learned annotator says: ‘The negative is repeated or referred to by the conjunction vau, as in many other places.’ So also Isa 23:4. The necessity of so very considerable an alteration as inserting the particle NOT, may be here confirmed by some other instances. Ps 1:5: The ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, NOR (the Hebrew is AND, signifying and not) sinners in the congregation of the righteous. Ps 9:18: The needy shall not alway be forgotten, (and then the negative, understood as repeated by the conjunction, now dropped,) the expectation of the poor shall (NOT) perish for ever. Ps 38:1: O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath; NEITHER (AND, for and not) chasten me in thy hot displeasure. Ps 75:5: Lift not up your horn on high, (and then the negative, understood as repeated by the conjunction, now dropped,) speak (NOT) with a stiff neck. Pr 24:12, (our version is this:) Doth not he, that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth the soul, doth (NOT) he know it? and shall (NOT) he render to every man according to his works? And Pr 30:3: I neither learned wisdom, NOR (AND, for and not) have the knowledge of the holy. If then there are in fact many such instances, the question is, Whether the negative here, expressed in the former part of David’s command, may not be understood as to be repeated in the latter part; and if this may be, a strong reason will be added why it should be, so interpreted. The passage will run thus: ‘Behold, thou hast with thee Shimei, who cursed me – but I swore to him by the Lord, saying, I will not put thee to death by the sword. Now, therefore, hold him NOT guiltless, (for thou art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him,) but bring NOT down his hoar head to the grave with blood.’ Now if the language itself will admit of this construction, the sense thus given to the sentence derives a very strong support from the context. For how did Solomon understand this charge? Did he kill Shimei in consequence of it? Certainly he did not; for after he had immediately commanded Joab to be slain, in obedience to his father, he sends for Shimei, and knowing that Shimei ought to be well watched, confines him to a particular spot in Jerusalem for the remainder of his life; 1Kg 2:36-42. See also Job 23:17; Job 30:20; Job 31:20.” This is the best mode of interpreting this text.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Which went out; carrying Shimei along with him to the place of execution, which was not fit to be in the kings presence.
The kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon; his secret and worst enemies being taken out of the way.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
46. the kingdom was established inthe hand of SolomonNow, by the death of Shimei, all theleaders of the rival factions had been cut off.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, which went out,…. From the presence of the king, and took Shimei with him to the proper place of execution, it not being fitting to execute him before the king:
and fell upon him, that he died; put him to death by the sword:
and the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon; Adonijah the usurper, and Joab the general of the army, who took on his side, being both put to death; and Abiathar the high priest deposed, who was in the same conspiracy; and Shimei, a dangerous and troublesome man, dispatched, there remained none to give any disturbance; so that he now sat easy and quiet on his throne, and things with respect to the civil government were on a firm and settled foundation.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
46. The kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon By the utter crushing out of treason in the removal of those who alone were disposed to rebellion. Solomon might say from his own experience: “Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.” Pro 25:5.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Ki 2:46. Went out, and fell upon him The reader is desired to recur to the defence of David’s charge relating to Joab and Shimei, as given above. It is there asserted, that the charge was different, as it respected each of them. This difference is farther evident from the different manner in which Solomon treated them. If the charge had been the same in respect to Shimei, as it was as to Joab, what should have prevented Solomon from immediately executing Shimei as well as Joab? But this Solomon, in his wisdom, knew that he could not do; for David told him, that he had pardoned Shimei to prevent his execution; because his offence was personal, and David had a right to forgive it. But he had never pardoned Joab, nor in justice could do it, because he was deserving of death for repeated murders, by the laws of God and man. Solomon, therefore, acted wisely and justly in reference to Shimei by sparing him, but honourably confining him, that he might have the proper security for his future good behaviour. Shimei, sensible of the king’s kindness, tells him, 1Ki 2:38. The saying is good, &c. And when, upon breaking his oath, he was sent for by Solomon, the king reproached him with his perjury, in acting contrary to the condition of life which he himself had owned to be just and equitable, and for the wickedness which his heart was privy to, in his conduct to his father David; the mercy which had been shewed him in the pardon of that offence aggravating his fresh crime in violating his oath, and in transgressing the king’s command; a crime which shewed that he was of a restless spirit, and incapable of being restrained within due bounds by the most solemn oaths, or any sense of interest, gratitude, or duty whatsoever. Solomon adds, 1Ki 2:44-45. The Lord shall return thy wickedness, &c. plainly intimating, that Solomon now cut him off, as an act of prudence and justice to a restless implacable enemy to his person and government, and saw it necessary for establishing the throne of David before the Lord. Note; (1.) Perjury is a crime for which the avenging God will visit. (2.) The heart is privy to much more wickedness than ever appeared without. (3.) God knoweth the secrets of the heart, and will call men to account for their secret sins. (4.) The execution of the wicked is the establishment of the king’s throne. (5.) When the Lord Jesus Christ shall arise to judgment, he will remember the hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against himself, his cause, and people, and their own tongues shall fall on them to their eternal ruin.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
REFLECTIONS
READER! after gathering all the instructions from this chapter which the Holy Ghost graciously intended from it, for the comfort and edification of his church and people, let us direct our views to the contemplation of David; and, having here seen his end in his death and burial, first consider the character of this man as he is in himself; and, secondly, in the light in which he eminently stands in the church, a type and figure of the ever blessed Jesus.
When we consider David in his original obscurity of situation, as the son of Jesse! When we behold him brought forth and placed in a state so high and exalted! When we view him in all his private life, and public usefulness! When we see him in his most exalted seasons of piety! and when we behold him no less in his falling into sin – What a wonderful character, taken together, doth he appear! The most extraordinary perhaps that ever the Lord brought forward from among the sons of Adam. No doubt, eminently intended to be held forth as a monument in the church; that his most astonishing heights of devotion might comfort, encourage, and animate the people of God. And no less that the sad falling into sin, from which almighty grace recovered him, might encourage poor penitent transgressors to hope in his mercy, in and through Jesus.
But, when we have duly pondered over the character of David, as he was in himself, I would beg the Reader to look at him yet more leisurely and attentively, as he stands in the church, a type and figure of our ever adored Redeemer. Here he comes forward in a more eminent manner, and challenges our more serious consideration.
Chosen of God from among the sheepcotes, and from the lowest obscurity, how doth he prefigure Him who was taken from among the humblest of men, and set up in the councils of peace from everlasting. And if David was the man after God’s own heart, who can overlook in him the type of Jesus, Jehovah’s elect, in whom his soul delighteth; the man whose name is the Branch, and concerning whom a voice from heaven proclaimed him God’s well-beloved Son, in whom his soul was well pleased? Did David fight the battles of the Lord; did he conquer Goliath, and the armies of the uncircumcised Philistines? and did not Jesus obtain the victory over all the enemies of our salvation’? Was David anointed king over God’s people contrary to the wishes of Saul, and all the expectation of Israel? and was not Jesus crowned king in Zion in direct defiance of Herod, and all the expectation of the people of the Jews, who declared that they would not have this man to reign over them? Did David make his way to the throne through a series of persecution, affliction, and distress? and who can forget the sorrows, persecutions, and oppositions, dearest Jesus, by which thou didst purchase the crown of redemption, before it was put upon thy sacred head? Was David surrounded with his worthies, the captains, and elders of Israel; and what a noble army of patriarchs, prophets, and apostles, followed the Lord Jesus? Was David the sweet psalmist of Israel, and did he compose songs for the sanctuary? And what songs of salvation hath our Jesus taught his people, both in the temple service below, and in the realms of bliss above, when the redeemed of the Lord shall come to Zion with everlasting joy upon their heads, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away forever! Hail! blessed Jesus! thou hast the key of David; thou art both the root and the offspring of David! David’s son after the flesh, and David’s Lord and God in the divinity of thy nature. Truly, Lord, many kings have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Oh! may the history of all thy servants lead my soul to thee. They shall lay on thee all the glory of thy Father’s house; and on thee would I lay all the glory of my salvation!
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Ki 2:46 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.
Ver. 46. And the kingdom was established. ] Hoc est, sine aemulis regnare coepit; the contrary faction was destroyed, and none left to oppose him.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the kingdom: 1Ki 2:12, 1Ki 2:45, 2Ch 1:1, Pro 29:4
Reciprocal: 2Sa 1:15 – Go near 2Sa 16:5 – whose name 2Sa 19:23 – Thou shalt 2Sa 23:20 – Benaiah 1Ki 2:25 – he fell 1Ki 2:29 – Go 1Ki 2:34 – Benaiah Pro 17:11 – General Pro 25:5 – away Ecc 8:4 – the word
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2:46 So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; which went out, and fell upon him, that he died. And the kingdom was {x} established in the hand of Solomon.
(x) Because all his enemies were destroyed.