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1 Kings 2:44

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 2:44 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The king said moreover to Shimei, Thou knowest all the wickedness which thy heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father: therefore Jehovah shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The king said moreover to Shimei, Thou knowest all the wickedness which thy heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father: therefore Jehovah shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head.
1 Kings 2:44 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
41And it was told Solomon that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath, and was come again.
42And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Did I not adjure thee by Jehovah, and protest unto thee, saying, Know for certain, that on the day thou goest out, and walkest abroad any whither, thou shalt surely die? and thou saidst unto me, The saying that I have heard is good.
43Why then hast thou not kept the oath of Jehovah, and the commandment that I have charged thee with?
44The king said moreover to Shimei, Thou knowest all the wickedness which thy heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father: therefore Jehovah shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head.
45But king Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before Jehovah for ever.
46So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he went out, and fell upon him, so that he died. And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The king said moreover to Shimei, etc.] Not as another reason for his putting him to death, but to remind him of his former sins, and to observe to him the providence of God in suffering him to fall into others, that justice might take place upon him for them also: thou knowest all the wickedness which thine heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father; which conscience must bear witness to, and accuse him of, not only of the words and actions themselves uttered and done by him, but of the malice and wickedness from whence they sprung: therefore the Lord shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head; the punishment of it; which though not directly inflicted for that, yet in…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thine heart - For which thine own conscience accuseth thee, and there is no need of other witnesses. The Lord - God hath punished thee for thy former wickedness, by suffering thee to expose thyself to thy deserved death. Next: 3 Kings (1 Kings) Chapter 3”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Thou knowest: Sa2 16:5-13; Joh 8:9; Rom 2:15; Jo1 3:20 return: Kg1 2:32, Kg1 2:33; Psa 7:16; Pro 5:22; Eze 17:19; Hos 4:9 \*marg. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 2:45”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Kings 2 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification