1Ki 2:25-46 | TNotes

Summary for 1Kgs 2:26-35: 2:26-35 ^a Solomon presumed that Adonijah’s chief supporters, Abiathar and Joab, remained involved in Adonijah’s schemes, so Solomon dealt with them as well.
Summary for 1Kgs 2:26-27: 2:26-27 ^b Abiathar had treasonously supported Adonijah (1:7 ^c, 25 ^d). But he was deposed rather than killed because he had carried the Ark (2 Sam 15:24 ^e, 29 ^f, 35 ^g), had supported David, and had shared all his hardships. Abiathar’s removal from the priesthood fulfilled the Lord’s word about the house of Eli in Ithamar’s line (1 Sam 2:30-35 ^h). Zadok’s appointment (1 Kgs 4:2 ⁱ) returned the high priesthood to Eleazar’s line as it had been before Eli (Num 20:22-28 ^j; 25:11-13 ^k; 2 Sam 8:17 ^l; 1 Chr 6:1-8 ^m, 50-53 ⁿ; Ezra 7:2-5 ^o) and as it continued throughout the divided monarchy (2 Chr 31:10 ^p; Ezek 43:19 ^q).
Summary for 1Kgs 2:28-29: 2:28-29 ^r Following Adonijah’s example (1:50 ^s), Joab hoped to find mercy by grasping the horns of the altar according to the provisions of the law of Moses (Exod 21:12-14 ^t; Num 35:22-25 ^u; Deut 19:4-5 ^v). But because Joab was a murderer, he could not claim clemency (see 2 Sam 3:27 ^w; 18:14 ^x; 20:10 ^y).
Summary for 1Kgs 2:36-38: 2:36-38 ^z The confinement of Shimei prevented him from reaching his kinsmen in Benjamin to stir up trouble for the king.
Summary for 1Kgs 2:39-46: 2:39-46 ^aa Shimei’s journey to Gath, ostensibly to recover his runaway slaves, violated his agreement. Technically, he did not cross the Kidron Valley in going to Gath, but the penalty was understood by both parties to apply to Shimei’s going anywhere else. Because Shimei violated his oath to the Lord (2:43 ^ab) and because of his past hostilities toward David (2 Sam 16:5-13 ^ac; 19:16-23 ^ad), Solomon instructed Benaiah to execute him.