God’s Word Translation
1 Kings 2:9
9Now, don’t let him go unpunished. You are wise and know what to do to him: Put that gray-haired, old man into his grave by slaughtering him.”
1 Kings 2:9 in other versions
- King James Version (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.
- New International Version (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.”
- English Standard Version (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."
- New King James Version (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.”
Context of 1 Kings 2:9
7“Be kind to the sons of Barzillai from Gilead. Let them eat at your table. They helped me when I was fleeing from your brother Absalom. 8“Shimei, son of Gera from Bahurim in Benjamin, is still with you. He cursed me repeatedly when I went to Mahanaim. But when he came to meet me at the Jordan River, I took an oath by the Lord and said, ‘As long as I’m king, I won’t have you killed.’ Now, don’t let him go unpunished. You are wise and know what to do to him: Put that gray-haired, old man into his grave by slaughtering him.” 10David lay down in death with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. 11He ruled as king of Israel for 40 years. He ruled for 7 years in Hebron and for 33 years in Jerusalem.
Read all of 1 Kings 21 Kings 2:9 word by word
וְעַתָּה֙ אַל־תְּנַקֵּ֔הוּ כִּ֛י אִ֥ישׁ חָכָ֖ם אָ֑תָּה וְיָֽדַעְתָּ֙ אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁ֣ר תַּֽעֲשֶׂה־לּ֔וֹ וְהוֹרַדְתָּ֧ אֶת־שֵׂיבָת֛וֹ בְּדָ֖ם שְׁאֽוֹל׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Now therefore hold him not guiltlessנָקָהnâqâh · to clearH5352
- a wiseחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
- manאִישׁ'îysh · manH376
- and knowestיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045
- what thou oughtest to doעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
- unto him; but his hoar headשֵׂיבָהώêybâh · hoary headH7872
- bring thou downיָרַדyârad · to go downH3381
- to the graveשְׁאוֹלshe'ôl she'ôl · hell: SheolH7585
- with bloodדָּםdâm · bloodH1818
Cross-references for 1 Kings 2:9
- Judges 5:30“They’re really finding and dividing the loot: A girl or two for each soldier, colorful clothes for Sisera, colorful, embroidered clothes, and two pieces of colorful, embroidered cloth for the neck of the looter.”
- 1 Samuel 2:3“Do not boast ⌞or⌟ let arrogance come out of your mouth because the Lord is a God of knowledge, and he weighs ⌞our⌟ actions.
- Psalms 1:5That is why wicked people will not be able to stand in the judgment and sinners will not be able to stand where righteous people gather.
- Psalms 9:18Needy people will not always be forgotten. Nor will the hope of oppressed people be lost forever.
- Psalms 38:1O Lord, do not angrily punish me or discipline me in your wrath.
- Psalms 75:5Don’t raise your weapons so proudly or speak so defiantly.”
- Proverbs 5:16Why should water flow out of your spring? Why should your streams flow into the streets?
- Proverbs 24:12When you say, “We didn’t know this,” won’t the one who weighs hearts take note of it? Won’t the one who guards your soul know it? Won’t he pay back people for what they do?
- Exodus 20:7“Never use the name of the Lord your God carelessly. The Lord will make sure that anyone who carelessly uses his name will be punished.
- Exodus 22:28“Never show disrespect for God or curse a leader of your people.
- Job 9:28I ⌞still⌟ dread everything I must suffer. I know that you won’t declare me innocent.
- 1 Kings 3:12So I’m going to do what you’ve asked. I’m giving you a wise and understanding heart so that there will never be anyone like you.
- 1 Kings 2:6Use your wisdom. Don’t let that gray-haired, old man go to his grave peacefully.
- Genesis 42:38Jacob replied, “My son will not go with you. His brother is dead, and he’s the only one left. If any harm comes to him on the trip you’re taking, the grief would drive this gray-haired old man to his grave!”
- Genesis 44:31and he sees that the boy isn’t ⌞with me⌟, he’ll die. The grief would drive our gray-haired old father to his grave.
- Numbers 32:23“If you don’t do all these things, you will be sinning against the Lord. You can be sure that you will be punished for your sin.
Commentaries on 1 Kings 2:9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9Hold him not guiltless - Do not consider him as an innocent man, though I have sworn to him that I would not put him to death by the sword; yet as thou art a wise man, and knowest how to treat such persons, treat him as he deserves; only as I have sworn to him, and he is an aged man, let him not die a violent death; bring not down his hoary head to the grave with blood. So Solomon understood David, and so I think David should be understood; for the…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9Hold him not guiltless - i. e. “Do not treat him as an innocent man. Punish him as in thy wisdom thou deemest best. Not capitally at once; but so that he may be likely to give thee in course of time a just occasion to slay him.” So, at least, Solomon seems to have understood the charge. (See 1 Kings 2:36-46.)Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 5-11Verses 5-11 These dying counsels concerning Joab and Shimei, did not come from personal anger, but for the security of Solomon's throne, which was the murders he had committed, but would readily repeat them to carry any purpose; though long reprieved, he shall be reckoned with at last. Time does not wear out the guilt of any sin, particularly of murder. Concerning Shimei, Hold him not guiltless; do not think him any true friend to thee, or thy government…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 7-9Barzillai strongly supported David during his conflict with Absalom, while Shimei openly opposed David (2 Samuel 16:5–13; 19:6–23).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. for thou art a wise man--Solomon had given early indications of wisdom before his miraculous endowment with the heavenly gift (see 1Ki 3:11), and his own sagacity would dictate the course that should be followed in any new offense that Shimei might commit.Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Kings 2:9
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 1 Kings 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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