King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 2:26 Mean?

1 Kings 2:26 in the King James Version says “And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art worthy of death: b... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art worthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the Lord GOD before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted. worthy: Heb. a man of death

1 Kings 2:26 · KJV


Context

24

Now therefore, as the LORD liveth, which hath established me, and set me on the throne of David my father, and who hath made me an house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death this day.

25

And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him that he died.

26

And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art worthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the Lord GOD before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted. worthy: Heb. a man of death

27

So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being priest unto the LORD; that he might fulfil the word of the LORD, which he spake concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.

28

Then tidings came to Joab: for Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art worthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the Lord GOD before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of david's death and solomon's consolidation of power, within the book's focus on succession narrative and establishment of Solomon's reign.

The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. This passage describes events around 970 BCE during the transition from David to Solomon.

Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage illustrate the importance of clear succession planning and communication in leadership transitions?
  2. What does Solomon's consolidation of power reveal about the relationship between justice, mercy, and political necessity?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
וּלְאֶבְיָתָ֨ר1 of 31

And unto Abiathar

H54

ebjathar, an israelite

הַכֹּהֵ֜ן2 of 31

the priest

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

אָמַ֣ר3 of 31

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ4 of 31

the king

H4428

a king

עֲנָתֹת֙5 of 31

thee to Anathoth

H6068

anathoth, the name of two israelites, also of a place in pal

לֵ֣ךְ6 of 31
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

עַל7 of 31
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שָׂדֶ֔יךָ8 of 31

unto thine own fields

H7704

a field (as flat)

כִּ֛י9 of 31
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אִ֥ישׁ10 of 31

for thou art worthy

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מָ֖וֶת11 of 31

of death

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

אָ֑תָּה12 of 31
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וּבַיּ֨וֹם13 of 31

but I will not at this time

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּ֜ה14 of 31
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

לֹ֣א15 of 31
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֲמִיתֶ֗ךָ16 of 31

put thee to death

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

כִּֽי17 of 31
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

נָשָׂ֜אתָ18 of 31

because thou barest

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֶת19 of 31
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲר֨וֹן20 of 31

the ark

H727

a box

אֲדֹנָ֤י21 of 31

of the Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִֹה֙22 of 31

GOD

H3069

god

לִפְנֵי֙23 of 31

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

דָּוִ֣ד24 of 31

David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אָבִֽי׃25 of 31

in all wherein my father

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְכִ֣י26 of 31
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הִתְעַנָּ֖ה27 of 31

and because thou hast been afflicted

H6031

to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)

בְּכֹ֥ל28 of 31
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶֽׁר29 of 31
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הִתְעַנָּ֖ה30 of 31

and because thou hast been afflicted

H6031

to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)

אָבִֽי׃31 of 31

in all wherein my father

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Kings 2:26 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Kings 2:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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