1 Kings 2:26
And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art worthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the Lord GOD before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted.
Original Language Analysis
הַכֹּהֵ֜ן
the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֜ן
the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
2 of 31
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
עֲנָתֹת֙
thee to Anathoth
H6068
עֲנָתֹת֙
thee to Anathoth
Strong's:
H6068
Word #:
5 of 31
anathoth, the name of two israelites, also of a place in pal
לֵ֣ךְ
H1980
לֵ֣ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
6 of 31
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 31
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כִּ֛י
H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 31
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִ֥ישׁ
for thou art worthy
H376
אִ֥ישׁ
for thou art worthy
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
10 of 31
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)
מָ֖וֶת
of death
H4194
מָ֖וֶת
of death
Strong's:
H4194
Word #:
11 of 31
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
וּבַיּ֨וֹם
but I will not at this time
H3117
וּבַיּ֨וֹם
but I will not at this time
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
13 of 31
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַזֶּ֜ה
H2088
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 31
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֲמִיתֶ֗ךָ
put thee to death
H4191
אֲמִיתֶ֗ךָ
put thee to death
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
16 of 31
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
17 of 31
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נָשָׂ֜אתָ
because thou barest
H5375
נָשָׂ֜אתָ
because thou barest
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
18 of 31
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לִפְנֵי֙
before
H6440
לִפְנֵי֙
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
23 of 31
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אָבִֽי׃
in all wherein my father
H1
אָבִֽי׃
in all wherein my father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
25 of 31
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וְכִ֣י
H3588
וְכִ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
26 of 31
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הִתְעַנָּ֖ה
and because thou hast been afflicted
H6031
הִתְעַנָּ֖ה
and because thou hast been afflicted
Strong's:
H6031
Word #:
27 of 31
to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
בְּכֹ֥ל
H3605
בְּכֹ֥ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
28 of 31
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶֽׁר
H834
אֲשֶֽׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
29 of 31
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Joshua 21:18Anathoth with her suburbs, and Almon with her suburbs; four cities.Jeremiah 1:1The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:Matthew 10:42And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.1 Samuel 26:16This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD'S anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.
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 unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art worthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the Lord GOD before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted.
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.