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.

1 KINGS 2:9KJV
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1 Kings 2:9 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 2:9 mean?

1 Kings 2:9 records King David instructing his son Solomon not to let Shimei go unpunished, but to use his wisdom to deal with him, ensuring that Shimei’s old age ends in a violent death rather than a peaceful one. David is telling Solomon to hold Shimei accountable for past wrongs, rather than forgiving or overlooking them.

David is speaking to Solomon as he prepares to die, giving final advice about how to handle certain men who had caused trouble during his reign. Shimei had previously cursed David, and although David had sworn not to kill him at the time, he now urges Solomon to act wisely and ensure justice is done. The verse shows the seriousness with which David views unresolved offenses and the importance he places on Solomon’s discernment.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 2:9

  • "guiltless" (נָקִי, naqiy): This word means "innocent" or "free from blame." David is telling Solomon not to consider Shimei as innocent, highlighting that past actions still carry consequences.
  • "wise" (חָכָם, chakam): David calls Solomon "wise," emphasizing that Solomon should use discernment and good judgment in dealing with Shimei, not acting rashly but thoughtfully.
  • "grave" (שְׁאוֹל, sheol): This word refers to the realm of the dead. The phrase "bring his hoar head down to the grave with blood" is a strong way of saying that Shimei should die a violent death, not pass away peacefully.
  • "blood" (דָּם, dam): The mention of "blood" underlines that David expects Shimei’s death to be a result of judgment or violence, not natural causes.

Why 1 Kings 2:9 matters

  • This verse clarifies that David’s earlier pardon of Shimei was not unconditional or permanent; David expects Solomon to address unresolved justice.
  • The verse highlights the weight of a king’s final instructions and the expectation that Solomon will act with wisdom, not just follow orders blindly.
  • It connects to the larger theme in 1 Kings 2 of Solomon consolidating his rule by dealing with potential threats, showing the practical and sometimes harsh realities of ancient leadership transitions.

Where else these words appear

“head” Hebrew H7872 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 15:15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.
  • Deuteronomy 32:25 The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs.
  • Psalms 71:18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.

“guiltless” Hebrew H5352 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 24:8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
  • Judges 15:3 And Samson said concerning them, Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure.
  • Proverbs 19:9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

“grave” Hebrew H7585 · used in 63 verses

  • Genesis 37:35 And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.
  • Psalms 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
  • Proverbs 30:16 The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.

“wise” Hebrew H2450 · used in 133 verses

  • Genesis 41:8 And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
  • Proverbs 3:35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
  • Ecclesiastes 2:16 For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.