King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 2:8 Mean?

1 Kings 2:8 in the King James Version says “And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse i... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword. grievous: Heb. strong

1 Kings 2:8 · KJV


Context

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.

8

And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword. grievous: Heb. strong

9

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.

10

So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword.

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 · 26 words
וְהִנֵּ֣ה1 of 26
H2009

lo!

עִ֠מְּךָ2 of 26
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

שִֽׁמְעִ֨י3 of 26

And behold thou hast with thee Shimei

H8096

shimi, the name of twenty israelites

בֶן4 of 26

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

גֵּרָ֥א5 of 26

of Gera

H1617

gera, the name of six israelites

בֶן6 of 26
H0
הַיְמִינִי֮7 of 26

a Benjamite

H1145

a benjaminite, or descendent of benjamin

מִבַּחֻרִים֒8 of 26

of Bahurim

H980

bachurim, a place in palestine

וְה֤וּא9 of 26
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

קִֽלְלַ֙נִי֙10 of 26

which cursed

H7043

to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)

קְלָלָ֣ה11 of 26

curse

H7045

vilification

נִמְרֶ֔צֶת12 of 26

me with a grievous

H4834

properly, to press, i.e., (figuratively) to be pungent or vehement; to irritate

בְּי֖וֹם13 of 26

in the day

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

לֶכְתִּ֣י14 of 26
H1980

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

מַֽחֲנָ֑יִם15 of 26

to Mahanaim

H4266

machanajim, a place in palestine

וְהֽוּא16 of 26
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יָרַ֤ד17 of 26

but he came down

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

לִקְרָאתִי֙18 of 26

to meet

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן19 of 26

me at Jordan

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

וָֽאֶשָּׁ֨בַֽע20 of 26

and I sware

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

ל֤וֹ21 of 26
H0
בַֽיהוָה֙22 of 26

to him by the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לֵאמֹ֔ר23 of 26

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אִם24 of 26
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אֲמִֽיתְךָ֖25 of 26

I will not put thee to death

H4191

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

בֶּחָֽרֶב׃26 of 26

with the sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement


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 2:8 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 2:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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