And it came to pass at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away unto Achish son of Maachah king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, Behold, thy servants be in Gath.

1 KINGS 2:39KJV
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1 Kings 2:39 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 2:39 mean?

1 Kings 2:39 describes how, after three years, two of Shimei’s servants ran away to Achish, the king of Gath, and Shimei was informed that his servants were now in Gath. This sets up a situation where Shimei learns that his servants have fled to a foreign city ruled by a Philistine king.

In the story, Shimei is a man living in Jerusalem under King Solomon’s orders not to leave the city, as a condition for his life being spared. The verse shows a test of Shimei’s obedience: when his servants escape to Gath, he is faced with the choice of whether to break Solomon’s command by leaving Jerusalem to retrieve them.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 2:39

  • שָׁלוֹשׁ (shalosh, “three”): The verse notes that three years passed before this event, emphasizing a significant period of time and showing that Shimei had kept the restriction for a while.
  • עֶבֶד (eved, “servant”): The word refers to Shimei’s household slaves, whose escape triggers the coming conflict.
  • גַּת (Gath): This is a Philistine city, highlighting that the servants fled not just out of town, but to a foreign and potentially hostile place, increasing the stakes for Shimei.

Why 1 Kings 2:39 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Shimei’s test of loyalty was not immediate but came after a period of apparent compliance, showing that obedience can be challenged unexpectedly.
  • By mentioning Gath and King Achish, the verse connects this story to the broader history of Israel’s interactions with the Philistines, adding tension and context.
  • This sets up the next part of the narrative, where Shimei’s response to his servants’ escape leads to consequences, fulfilling Solomon’s earlier warning.

Where else these words appear

“Achish” Hebrew H397 · used in 20 verses

  • 1 Samuel 21:10 And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.
  • 1 Samuel 27:5 And David said unto Achish, If I have now found grace in thine eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?
  • 1 Samuel 28:2 And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever.

“Maachah” Hebrew H4601 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 22:24 And his concubine, whose name was Reumah, she bare also Tebah, and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachah.
  • 1 Kings 15:13 And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:43 Hanan the son of Maachah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite,

“Gath” Hebrew H1661 · used in 31 verses

  • Joshua 11:22 There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.
  • 1 Samuel 27:3 And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's wife.
  • 1 Chronicles 7:21 And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath that were born in that land slew, because they came down to take away their cattle.

“Shimei” Hebrew H8096 · used in 39 verses

  • Exodus 6:17 The sons of Gershon; Libni, and Shimi, according to their families.
  • 1 Kings 2:38 And Shimei said unto the king, The saying is good: as my lord the king hath said, so will thy servant do. And Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days.
  • 1 Chronicles 8:21 And Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimhi;