1 Kings 2:36 Meaning and Explanation
“And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Build thee an house in Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go not forth thence any whither.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Solomon confines Shimei to Jerusalem, ordering him to build a house and never leave the city.
What Does 1 Kings 2:36 Mean?
Solomon turns to the last unfinished matter from David's charge: Shimei. Rather than striking him down at once, the king sets a boundary -- Shimei must build a house in Jerusalem and 'go not forth thence any whither.' His life is granted on the condition that he stay within the city.
This is judgment laced with mercy and grace given a clear limit. Shimei is spared, yet placed under a plain command whose terms he fully understands. The arrangement tests whether he will honor the line drawn for him. The verse pictures the mercy that gives a guilty man room to live, while making the boundary of that mercy unmistakable.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 2:36
What does 1 Kings 2:36 mean?
Solomon confines Shimei to Jerusalem, ordering him to build a house and never leave the city.