1 Kings 2:44 Meaning and Explanation
“The king said moreover to Shimei, Thou knowest all the wickedness which thine heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father: therefore the LORD shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Solomon reminds Shimei of his old wrongdoing against David, declaring that the LORD will bring that guilt back on him.
What Does 1 Kings 2:44 Mean?
Solomon brings the old account into view: the 'wickedness which thine heart is privy to,' Shimei's cursing and wrongdoing against David. That long-standing guilt, never truly answered, now returns upon Shimei's own head by the LORD's hand.
The phrase 'thine heart is privy to' reaches into the conscience, naming what Shimei himself knows but others may not fully see. God's justice reaches the hidden things of the heart. The breaking of the oath becomes the occasion for the older debt to be settled. The verse testifies that wrongs we imagine forgotten are remembered before God, and that the conscience bears witness to the truth.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 2:44
What does 1 Kings 2:44 mean?
Solomon reminds Shimei of his old wrongdoing against David, declaring that the LORD will bring that guilt back on him.