King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 2:5 Mean?

1 Kings 2:5 in the King James Version says “Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of I... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet. shed: Heb. put

1 Kings 2:5 · KJV


Context

3

And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: prosper: or, do wisely

4

That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel. fail: Heb. be cut off from thee from the throne

5

Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet. shed: Heb. put

6

Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace.

7

But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet.

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 · 36 words
וְגַ֣ם1 of 36
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אַתָּ֣ה2 of 36
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

יָדַ֡עְתָּ3 of 36

Moreover thou knowest

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

אֵת֩4 of 36
H853

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

אֲשֶׁר5 of 36
H834

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

עָשָׂ֣ה6 of 36

did

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לִ֜י7 of 36
H0
יוֹאָ֣ב8 of 36

also what Joab

H3097

joab, the name of three israelites

בֶן9 of 36

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

צְרוּיָ֗ה10 of 36

of Zeruiah

H6870

tserujah, an israelitess

אֲשֶׁ֣ר11 of 36
H834

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

עָשָׂ֣ה12 of 36

did

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לִשְׁנֵֽי13 of 36

to the two

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

שָׂרֵ֣י14 of 36

captains

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

צִבְא֣וֹת15 of 36

of the hosts

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

יִ֠שְׂרָאֵל16 of 36

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לְאַבְנֵ֨ר17 of 36

unto Abner

H74

abner, an israelite

בֶן18 of 36

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

נֵ֜ר19 of 36

of Ner

H5369

ner, an israelite

וְלַֽעֲמָשָׂ֤א20 of 36

and unto Amasa

H6021

amasa, the name of two israelites

בֶן21 of 36

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יֶ֙תֶר֙22 of 36

of Jether

H3500

jether, the name of five or six israelites and of one midianite

וַיַּ֣הַרְגֵ֔ם23 of 36

whom he slew

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

וַיָּ֥שֶׂם24 of 36

and shed

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

דְּמֵ֣י25 of 36

the blood

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

מִלְחָמָ֗ה26 of 36

of war

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

בְּשָׁלֹ֑ם27 of 36

in peace

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

וַיִּתֵּ֞ן28 of 36

and put

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

דְּמֵ֣י29 of 36

the blood

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

מִלְחָמָ֗ה30 of 36

of war

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

בַּחֲגֹֽרָתוֹ֙31 of 36

upon his girdle

H2290

a belt (for the waist)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר32 of 36
H834

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

בְּמָתְנָ֔יו33 of 36

that was about his loins

H4975

properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins

וּֽבְנַעֲל֖וֹ34 of 36

and in his shoes

H5275

properly, a sandal tongue; by extension a sandal or slipper (sometimes as a symbol of occupancy, a refusal to marry, or of something valueless)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר35 of 36
H834

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

בְּרַגְלָֽיו׃36 of 36

that were on his feet

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda


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 2:5 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 2:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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