And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Did I not make thee to swear by the LORD, and protested unto thee, saying, Know for a certain, on the day thou goest out, and walkest abroad any whither, that thou shalt surely die? and thou saidst unto me, The word that I have heard is good.

1 KINGS 2:42KJV
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1 Kings 2:42 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 2:42 mean?

1 Kings 2:42 shows King Solomon confronting Shimei, reminding him that he had made Shimei swear by the LORD not to leave Jerusalem, warning that breaking this oath would mean death. Solomon points out that Shimei had agreed to these terms, acknowledging the seriousness of the promise.

In this verse, Solomon is addressing Shimei after Shimei broke the agreement by leaving the city. The king recalls the oath (a solemn promise made before God) and the clear warning he gave, emphasizing that Shimei had accepted the conditions willingly. This conversation sets up the consequences for Shimei’s actions and highlights the importance of keeping one’s word, especially when sworn before God.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 2:42

  • "Swear" (שָׁבַע, shava): This word means to make a solemn oath, often invoking God as a witness. Here, it stresses the seriousness of Shimei’s promise and why breaking it is such a grave matter.
  • "Protested" (עוּד, ud): This word can mean to warn or solemnly testify. Solomon is not just reminding Shimei, but making it clear he had strongly warned him about the consequences.
  • "Surely die" (מוּת, muth): The repetition of the word for "die" in Hebrew is a way of expressing certainty—there would be no exceptions or leniency if the oath was broken.

Why 1 Kings 2:42 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Shimei was not caught off guard; he fully understood the terms and consequences of his oath, making his later actions a clear act of disobedience.
  • The emphasis on swearing "by the LORD" shows how seriously such promises were taken in ancient Israel, linking personal integrity to faithfulness before God.
  • This moment connects to the wider passage where Solomon is establishing his rule and dealing with those who might threaten the stability of his kingdom, showing his commitment to justice and order.