New English Translation
1 Kings 2:6
6Do to him what you think is appropriate, but don’t let him live long and die a peaceful death.
1 Kings 2:6 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace.
- New International Version (NIV)Deal with him according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to the grave in peace.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Act therefore according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore do according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray hair go down to the grave in peace.
Context of 1 Kings 2:6
4and the Lord will fulfill his promise to me, ‘If your descendants watch their step and live faithfully in my presence with all their heart and being, then,’ he promised, ‘you will not fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’ 5“You know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me – how he murdered two commanders of the Israelite armies, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. During peacetime he struck them down like he would in battle; when he shed their blood as if in battle, he stained his own belt and the sandals on his feet. Do to him what you think is appropriate, but don’t let him live long and die a peaceful death. 7“Treat fairly the sons of Barzillai of Gilead and provide for their needs, because they helped me when I had to flee from your brother Absalom. 8“Note well, you still have to contend with Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, who tried to call down upon me a horrible judgment when I went to Mahanaim. He came down and met me at the Jordan, and I solemnly promised him by the Lord, ‘I will not strike you down with the sword.’
Read all of 1 Kings 21 Kings 2:6 word by word
וְעָשִׂ֖יתָ כְּחָכְמָתֶ֑ךָ וְלֹֽא־תוֹרֵ֧ד שֵׂיבָת֛וֹ בְּשָׁלֹ֖ם שְׁאֹֽל׃ סRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 1 Kings 2:6
- 1 Kings 2:9But now don’t treat him as if he were innocent. You are a wise man and you know how to handle him; make sure he has a bloody death.”
- Proverbs 20:26A wise king separates out the wicked; he turns the threshing wheel over them.
- 1 Kings 2:23King Solomon then swore an oath by the Lord, “May God judge me severely, if Adonijah does not pay for this request with his life!
- Genesis 9:6“Whoever sheds human blood, by other humans must his blood be shed; for in God’s image God has made humankind.”
- Numbers 35:33“You must not pollute the land where you live, for blood defiles the land, and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed there, except by the blood of the person who shed it.
- Proverbs 28:17The one who is tormented by the murder of another will flee to the pit; let no one support him.
- Ecclesiastes 8:11When a sentence is not executed at once against a crime, the human heart is encouraged to do evil.
- Isaiah 65:20Never again will one of her infants live just a few days or an old man die before his time. Indeed, no one will die before the age of a hundred, anyone who fails to reach the age of a hundred will be considered cursed.
- Genesis 42:38But Jacob replied, “My son will not go down there with you, for his brother is dead and he alone is left. If an accident happens to him on the journey you have to make, then you will bring down my gray hair in sorrow to the grave.”
- 2 Kings 22:20‘Therefore I will allow you to die and be buried in peace. You will not have to witness all the disaster I will bring on this place.’”’” Then they reported back to the king.
- Psalms 37:37Take note of the one who has integrity! Observe the godly! For the one who promotes peace has a future.
- Isaiah 48:22There will be no prosperity for the wicked,” says the Lord.
- Isaiah 57:2Those who live uprightly enter a place of peace; they rest on their beds.
Commentaries on 1 Kings 2:6
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 6Let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace - It would have been an insult to justice not to have taken the life of Joab. David was culpable in delaying it so long; but probably the circumstances of his government would not admit of his doing it sooner. According to the law of God, Joab, having murdered Abner and Amasa, should die. And had not David commanded Solomon to perform this act of justice, he could not have died in the approbation of his…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 6His hoar head - Joab, though the nephew of David, was probably not very greatly his junior, David being the youngest of the family, and Zeruiah, as is most likely, one of the eldest.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. 5-6Joab had supported David's rise to kingship but became too ambitious. He murdered former military rivals Abner (2 Samuel 3:22–30) and Amasa (2 Samuel 20:10), as well as David's son Absalom (2 Samuel 18:1–18). Involved in David's murder of Uriah the Hittite (2 Samuel 11:14–27), Joab became very powerful (2 Samuel 20:23), and his support for Adonijah was a serious threat to Solomon.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 5-65-6. thou knowest also what Joab ... did--The insolent and imperious conduct of that general had not only been deeply offensive to the feelings (2Sa 18:5-15; 19:5-7), but calculated to bring reproach on the character, to injure the prospects, and endanger the throne of David. Passing over the injuries committed directly against himself, David dwelt with strong feelings on the base assassination of Abner and Amasa. shed the blood of war in peace, &c.--The…Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Kings 2:6
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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