1 Kings 2:5
Moreover 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.
Original Language Analysis
וְגַ֣ם
H1571
וְגַ֣ם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
1 of 36
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
יָדַ֡עְתָּ
Moreover thou knowest
H3045
יָדַ֡עְתָּ
Moreover thou knowest
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
3 of 36
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
אֵת֩
H853
אֵת֩
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 36
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 36
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשָׂ֣ה
did
H6213
עָשָׂ֣ה
did
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
6 of 36
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
בֶן
the son
H1121
בֶן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 36
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 36
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשָׂ֣ה
did
H6213
עָשָׂ֣ה
did
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
12 of 36
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
צִבְא֣וֹת
of the hosts
H6635
צִבְא֣וֹת
of the hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
15 of 36
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
יִ֠שְׂרָאֵל
of Israel
H3478
יִ֠שְׂרָאֵל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
16 of 36
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
בֶן
the son
H1121
בֶן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
18 of 36
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בֶן
the son
H1121
בֶן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
21 of 36
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יֶ֙תֶר֙
of Jether
H3500
יֶ֙תֶר֙
of Jether
Strong's:
H3500
Word #:
22 of 36
jether, the name of five or six israelites and of one midianite
וַיָּ֥שֶׂם
and shed
H7760
וַיָּ֥שֶׂם
and shed
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
24 of 36
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
דְּמֵ֣י
the blood
H1818
דְּמֵ֣י
the blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
25 of 36
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
מִלְחָמָ֗ה
of war
H4421
מִלְחָמָ֗ה
of war
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
26 of 36
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
בְּשָׁלֹ֑ם
in peace
H7965
בְּשָׁלֹ֑ם
in peace
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
27 of 36
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
וַיִּתֵּ֞ן
and put
H5414
וַיִּתֵּ֞ן
and put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
28 of 36
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
דְּמֵ֣י
the blood
H1818
דְּמֵ֣י
the blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
29 of 36
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
מִלְחָמָ֗ה
of war
H4421
מִלְחָמָ֗ה
of war
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
30 of 36
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
32 of 36
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּמָתְנָ֔יו
that was about his loins
H4975
בְּמָתְנָ֔יו
that was about his loins
Strong's:
H4975
Word #:
33 of 36
properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins
וּֽבְנַעֲל֖וֹ
and in his shoes
H5275
וּֽבְנַעֲל֖וֹ
and in his shoes
Strong's:
H5275
Word #:
34 of 36
properly, a sandal tongue; by extension a sandal or slipper (sometimes as a symbol of occupancy, a refusal to marry, or of something valueless)
Cross References
2 Samuel 3:27And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.2 Samuel 20:10But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.2 Samuel 18:5And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.2 Samuel 18:12And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.2 Samuel 3:39And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.2 Samuel 18:14Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.
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
Moreover 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.
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.