1 Kings 2:32
And the LORD shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, my father David not knowing thereof, to wit, Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah.
Original Language Analysis
וְהֵשִׁיב֩
shall return
H7725
וְהֵשִׁיב֩
shall return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 33
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
יְהוָ֨ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֨ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 33
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 33
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דָּמ֜וֹ
his blood
H1818
דָּמ֜וֹ
his blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
4 of 33
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 33
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רֹאשׁ֗וֹ
upon his own head
H7218
רֹאשׁ֗וֹ
upon his own head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
6 of 33
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 33
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
פָּגַ֣ע
who fell
H6293
פָּגַ֣ע
who fell
Strong's:
H6293
Word #:
8 of 33
to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity
אֲ֠נָשִׁים
H376
אֲ֠נָשִׁים
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
10 of 33
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
וְטֹבִ֤ים
and better
H2896
וְטֹבִ֤ים
and better
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
12 of 33
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
מִמֶּ֙נּוּ֙
H4480
מִמֶּ֙נּוּ֙
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
13 of 33
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
בַּחֶ֔רֶב
them with the sword
H2719
בַּחֶ֔רֶב
them with the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
15 of 33
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
וְאָבִ֥י
my father
H1
וְאָבִ֥י
my father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
16 of 33
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
18 of 33
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדָ֑ע
not knowing
H3045
יָדָ֑ע
not knowing
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
19 of 33
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 33
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֶן
the son
H1121
בֶן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
22 of 33
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
צְבָ֥א
of the host
H6635
צְבָ֥א
of the host
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
25 of 33
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
26 of 33
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
27 of 33
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֶן
the son
H1121
בֶן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
29 of 33
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יֶ֖תֶר
of Jether
H3500
יֶ֖תֶר
of Jether
Strong's:
H3500
Word #:
30 of 33
jether, the name of five or six israelites and of one midianite
Cross References
Judges 9:24That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren.Psalms 7:16His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.2 Chronicles 21:13But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself:Judges 9:57And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.1 Kings 2:5Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet.
Historical Context
First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. This passage describes events around 970 BCE during the transition from David to Solomon.
Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage illustrate the importance of clear succession planning and communication in leadership transitions?
- What does Solomon's consolidation of power reveal about the relationship between justice, mercy, and political necessity?
- How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the LORD shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, my father David not knowing thereof, to wit, Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah.
This verse contributes to the broader narrative of david's death and solomon's consolidation of power, within the book's focus on succession narrative and establishment of Solomon's reign.
The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.