1 Kings 2:25

And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him that he died.

And king {H4428} Solomon {H8010} sent {H7971} by the hand {H3027} of Benaiah {H1141} the son {H1121} of Jehoiada {H3077}; and he fell {H6293} upon him that he died {H4191}.

King Shlomo commissioned B'nayah the son of Y'hoyada, and he struck him down, so that he died.

So King Solomon sent the order to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who struck down Adonijah, and he died.

And king Solomon sent by Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him, so that he died.

Commentary

1 Kings 2:25 details a pivotal moment in the early reign of King Solomon, as he decisively consolidates his power by executing Adonijah, his half-brother and rival for the throne.

Context

This verse follows a series of events after King David's death and Solomon's ascension. Adonijah, who had previously attempted to usurp the throne (1 Kings 1:5), was initially spared by Solomon. However, Adonijah later made a request to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, to be given Abishag the Shunammite, who had served King David in his old age, as his wife. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, taking a deceased king's concubines or wives was a symbolic act of claiming the throne and succession rights. Solomon, understanding this subtle but potent challenge to his authority (1 Kings 2:22), perceived it as a renewed act of rebellion and a direct threat to the stability of his new kingdom. Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, served as Solomon's chief military commander and executor of royal decrees, a role he would perform throughout Solomon's early reign in establishing the king's authority.

Key Themes

  • Consolidation of Power: Solomon's swift action demonstrates his determination to establish and secure his reign, eliminating any potential rivals to the throne. This was crucial for the stability of the newly unified kingdom of Israel.
  • Justice and Judgment: From Solomon's perspective, Adonijah's request was not innocent but a deliberate act of sedition. The execution served as a decisive act of justice against a continued threat to the divinely appointed king.
  • Consequences of Rebellion: Adonijah's repeated attempts to undermine Solomon's rule ultimately led to his demise, illustrating the severe consequences of defying royal and, implicitly, divine authority.
  • The Nature of Monarchy: This event highlights the often brutal realities of ancient kingship, where the elimination of rivals was a common method for securing a dynasty.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "he fell upon him that he died" is a concise and direct way of describing the execution. In Hebrew, it implies a swift and decisive act, leaving no doubt about the finality of Adonijah's fate. Benaiah's role here is that of a trusted enforcer, carrying out the king's will without hesitation, a characteristic seen in his later actions as well (e.g., 1 Kings 2:34).

Practical Application

While the immediate context is one of ancient monarchy, this verse offers insights into principles of leadership and consequences. It underscores the importance of clear authority and the need for leaders to address threats to order and stability. For believers, it can serve as a reminder of the seriousness of rebellion against God's established order and the ultimate consequences of resisting His will. It also speaks to the discernment needed to recognize hidden motives and threats, as Solomon did with Adonijah's seemingly innocuous request.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 8:18

    And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada [was over] both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.

  • 1 Kings 2:34

    So Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up, and fell upon him, and slew him: and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness.

  • 1 Kings 2:31

    And the king said unto him, Do as he hath said, and fall upon him, and bury him; that thou mayest take away the innocent blood, which Joab shed, from me, and from the house of my father.

  • 2 Samuel 4:12

    And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged [them] up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried [it] in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.

  • 1 Samuel 15:33

    And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.

  • Judges 8:20

    And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, [and] slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he [was] yet a youth.

  • Judges 8:21

    Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man [is, so is] his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that [were] on their camels' necks.
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