1 Kings 2:25
1 Kings 2:25 in Multiple Translations
So King Solomon sent the order to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who struck down Adonijah, and he died.
And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him that he died.
And king Solomon sent by Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him, so that he died.
And King Solomon sent Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, and he made an attack on him and put him to death.
King Solomon sent Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, who carried out the king's orders and executed Adonijah.
And King Salomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the sonne of Iehoiada, and hee smote him that he dyed.
And king Solomon sendeth by the hand of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he falleth upon him, and he dieth.
King Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell on him, so that he died.
And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him that he died.
And king Solomon sent by the hand of Banaias the son of Joiada, who slew him, and he died.
So King Solomon gave orders to Benaiah to go and kill Adonijah, and Benaiah did that.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Kings 2:25
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Kings 2:25 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּשְׁלַח֙
הַ/מֶּ֣לֶךְ
שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה
בְּ/יַ֖ד
בְּנָיָ֣הוּ
בֶן
יְהוֹיָדָ֑ע
וַ/יִּפְגַּע
בּ֖/וֹ
וַ/יָּמֹֽת
וַ/יִּשְׁלַח֙
shâlach
H7971
to send
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
הַ/מֶּ֣לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
Art | N-ms
שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה
Shᵉlômôh
H8010
Solomon
N-proper
בְּ/יַ֖ד
yâd
H3027
hand
Prep | N-cs
בְּנָיָ֣הוּ
Bᵉnâyâh
H1141
Benaiah
N-proper
בֶן
bên
H1121
son
N-ms
יְהוֹיָדָ֑ע
Yᵉhôwyâdâʻ
H3077
Jehoiada
N-proper
וַ/יִּפְגַּע
pâgaʻ
H6293
to fall on
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בּ֖/וֹ
Prep | Suff
וַ/יָּמֹֽת
mûwth
H4191
to die
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Kings 2:25
וַ/יִּשְׁלַח֙
shâlach
H7971
"to send"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To send or depart is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which has various applications in the Bible. It can describe sending someone or something away, or letting something go.
Definition: : depart/send 1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to send 1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct 1a3) to send away 1a4) to let loose 1b) (Niphal) to be sent 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out 1c2) to let go, set free 1c3) to shoot forth (of branches) 1c4) to let down 1c5) to shoot 1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled 1e) (Hiphil) to send
Usage: Occurs in 790 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 9:27; Joshua 14:11.
הַ/מֶּ֣לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
Art | N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה
Shᵉlômôh
H8010
"Solomon"
N-proper
Shelomoh, or Solomon, was a king of Judah and successor of his father David, first mentioned in 2 Samuel 5:14 and known for his wisdom.
Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.5.14; son of: David (H1732) and Bathsheba (H1339); brother of: Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727) and Nathan (H5416); half-brother of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N); married to daughter_of_Pharaoh (H6547P) and Naamah (H5279A); father of: Taphath (H2955), Basemath (H1315) and Rehoboam (H7346); also called Jedidiah at 2Sa.12.25; § Solomon = "peace" son of David by Bathsheba and 3rd king of Israel; author of Proverbs and Song of Songs
Usage: Occurs in 263 OT verses. KJV: Solomon. See also: 2 Samuel 5:14; 1 Kings 9:25; 2 Chronicles 7:8.
בְּ/יַ֖ד
yâd
H3027
"hand"
Prep | N-cs
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
בְּנָיָ֣הוּ
Bᵉnâyâh
H1141
"Benaiah"
N-proper
Benaiah was a strong warrior and leader in the Bible, serving under King David and Solomon. His name means Jehovah has built, indicating God's strength.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezk.11.1; father of: Pelatiah (H6410J) § Benaiah = "Jehovah has built" or "Yahweh has built up" 1) one of David's mighty warriors, son of Jehoiada the chief priest, a Levite, set by David over his bodyguard, later having remained faithful to Solomon during Adonijah's attempt on the crown, was raised into the place of Joab as commander-in-chief of the army 2) the Pirathonite, an Ephraimite, one of David's thirty mighty warriors, and the captain of the eleventh monthly course 3) a Simeonite, a prince of the families of Simeon 4) a Levite in the time of David who played with a psaltery on Alamoth 5) a priest in the time of David, appointed to blow the trumpet before the ark 6) a Levite of the sons of Asaph 7) a Levite in the time of Hezekiah 8) Four Israelites in the time of Ezra who had taken strange wives 9) the father of Pelatiah
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: Benaiah. See also: 2 Samuel 8:18; 1 Chronicles 11:22; Ezekiel 11:13.
בֶן
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
יְהוֹיָדָ֑ע
Yᵉhôwyâdâʻ
H3077
"Jehoiada"
N-proper
Jehoiada means Jehovah knows, and was the name of three Israelites, including a high priest who helped King David and hid Joash from Athaliah. He is mentioned in Jeremiah 29:26.
Definition: A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at Jer.29.26 § Jehoiada = "Jehovah knows" 1) father of Benaiah, David's mighty warrior 2) leader of the priests who joined David at Hebron 3) high priest at the time of Athaliah's usurpation of the throne of Judah; hid Joash, the king's son, for six years and eventually replaced him on the throne of Judah 4) second priest, or sagan, to Seraiah the high priest
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: Jehoiada. Compare H3111 (יוֹיָדָע). See also: 2 Samuel 8:18; 1 Chronicles 11:24; Jeremiah 29:26.
וַ/יִּפְגַּע
pâgaʻ
H6293
"to fall on"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To meet or encounter, either by chance or intention, as seen in the story of Jacob and Esau in Genesis 33:1-17. It can also mean to make a request or intercede on behalf of someone. In Exodus 32:1-14, Moses intercedes for the Israelites.
Definition: 1) to encounter, meet, reach, entreat, make intercession 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to meet, light upon, join 1a2) to meet (of kindness) 1a3) to encounter, fall upon (of hostility) 1a4) to encounter, entreat (of request) 1a5) to strike, touch (of boundary) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to light upon 1b2) to cause to entreat 1b3) to make entreaty, interpose 1b4) to make attack 1b5) to reach the mark
Usage: Occurs in 43 OT verses. KJV: come (betwixt), cause to entreat, fall (upon), make intercession, intercessor, intreat, lay, light (upon), meet (together), pray, reach, run. See also: Genesis 23:8; 1 Samuel 10:5; Isaiah 47:3.
בּ֖/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
וַ/יָּמֹֽת
mûwth
H4191
"to die"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely
Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.
Study Notes — 1 Kings 2:25
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Kings 2:25 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 2:25
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 2:25
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 2:25
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 2:25
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 2:25
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Kings 2:25
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 2:25
Context — The Execution of Adonijah
23Then King Solomon swore by the LORD: “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if Adonijah has not made this request at the expense of his life.
24And now, as surely as the LORD lives—the One who established me, who set me on the throne of my father David, and who founded for me a dynasty as He promised—surely Adonijah shall be put to death today!”
25So King Solomon gave orders to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he struck down Adonijah and he died.
26Then the king said to Abiathar the priest, “Go back to your fields in Anathoth. Even though you deserve to die, I will not put you to death at this time, since you carried the ark of the Lord GOD before my father David, and you suffered through all that my father suffered.” 27So Solomon banished Abiathar from the priesthood of the LORD and thus fulfilled the word that the LORD had spoken at Shiloh against the house of Eli.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Samuel 8:18 | Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priestly leaders. |
| 2 | 1 Kings 2:46 | Then the king commanded Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck Shimei down, and he died. Thus the kingdom was firmly established in the hand of Solomon. |
| 3 | Judges 8:20–21 | So he said to Jether, his firstborn, “Get up and kill them.” But the young man did not draw his sword; he was fearful because he was still a youth. Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, “Get up and kill us yourself, for as the man is, so is his strength.” So Gideon got up and killed Zebah and Zalmunna, and he took the crescent ornaments from the necks of their camels. |
| 4 | 1 Kings 2:31 | And the king replied, “Do just as he says. Strike him down and bury him, and so remove from me and from the house of my father the innocent blood that Joab shed. |
| 5 | 2 Samuel 4:12 | So David commanded his young men, and they killed Rechab and Baanah. They cut off their hands and feet and hung their bodies by the pool in Hebron, but they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in Abner’s tomb in Hebron. |
| 6 | 1 Samuel 15:33 | But Samuel declared: “As your sword has made women childless, so your mother will be childless among women.” And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal. |
| 7 | 1 Kings 2:34 | So Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up, struck down Joab, and killed him. He was buried at his own home in the wilderness. |
| 8 | 2 Samuel 1:15 | Then David summoned one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him!” So the young man struck him down, and he died. |
1 Kings 2:25 Summary
[King Solomon had Adonijah put to death because he had tried to take the throne from him, and Solomon had promised that Adonijah would die if he did so, as seen in 1 Kings 2:23-24. This shows that Solomon was a man who took his promises seriously and was willing to carry out justice. As the Bible says in Numbers 30:2, when we make a vow to the Lord, we must not break it. This verse also reminds us that our actions have consequences, and that God is a just and fair God, as seen in Psalm 89:14.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did King Solomon have Adonijah put to death?
King Solomon had Adonijah put to death because Adonijah had plotted to take the throne from him, as stated in 1 Kings 1:5-53, and Solomon had sworn an oath that Adonijah would die if he made such a request, as seen in 1 Kings 2:23-24.
Who was Benaiah son of Jehoiada?
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a loyal and trustworthy servant of King Solomon, and a skilled warrior, as evident from his role in striking down Adonijah in 1 Kings 2:25 and his later appointment as a leader in Solomon's army in 1 Kings 4:4.
Is it just for a king to put someone to death for treason?
According to the Bible, kings and rulers have the authority to punish wrongdoing, including treason, as seen in Romans 13:1-4, where it is written that rulers do not bear the sword for no reason, but to punish the wrongdoer.
What does this verse reveal about King Solomon's character?
This verse reveals that King Solomon is a man who takes his oaths seriously and is willing to carry out justice, even when it is difficult, as seen in his fulfillment of his oath in 1 Kings 2:23-25, and also in his merciful treatment of Abiathar in 1 Kings 2:26-27.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can apply the principle of taking oaths and promises seriously in my own life, as seen in King Solomon's actions?
- How can I balance justice and mercy in my own relationships and decision-making, as King Solomon did in his treatment of Adonijah and Abiathar?
- What are some ways that I can demonstrate loyalty and trustworthiness to those in authority over me, as Benaiah son of Jehoiada did to King Solomon?
- How can I learn to trust in God's sovereignty and provision, even in difficult circumstances, as King Solomon did in his establishment as king, as seen in 1 Kings 2:24?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 2:25
And King Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada,.... Orders to execute him, and proper persons to do it; perhaps some of the Cherethites and Pelethites under him, to assist at least
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 2:25
Now therefore, as the LORD liveth, which hath established me, and set me on the throne of David my father, and who hath made me an house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death this day. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 2:25
For the execution of justice was not then committed to obscure persons, as now it is; but to persons of great honour and authority. See 4:12. He fell upon him with a sword, or other instrument of death; as below, ,34,46.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 2:25
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.Ver. 25. And he fell upon him that he died.] This was another piece of the punishment of David’ s two great sins: the small and short pleasure whereof, behold, what a train and tail of calamities it draweth after it!
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 2:25
(25) Sent by the hand of Benaiah.—The chief of the body-guard is the chief of “the executioners” (see 1 Kings 1:38), apparently, in the case of great criminals, carrying out the sentence of condemnation with his own hand. (Comp. Judges 8:20-21.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Kings 2:25
Verse 25. Solomon sent - Benaiah - and he fell upon him that he died.] Benaiah seems to have been the public state executioner, and yet he was generalissimo of all the forces. See him employed in a similar work, 1Kg 2:34; 1Kg 2:46. I suppose him to have been such another general as Suwarrow, butcher-general of the Turks and Poles to the late Empress Catharine of Russia: like mistress, like man. But they have long since been called to an impartial tribunal. That this was an act of cruelty towards Adonijah, needs no proof. He is suspected, condemned, and slain, without a hearing. Calmet vindicates all this by various assumptions, and lays down a doctrine that is calculated for the meridian of Fez or Morocco; hear him: Un prince, dans ses jugemens, ne peut pas toujours suivre les regles de la plus parfaite morale; la politique, et le bien de l'etat, obligent souvent a des choses opposees aux conseils de l'evangile; "A prince in his judgments cannot always follow the rules of the most perfect morality; policy and the good of the state often require things to be done which are contrary to the counsels of the Gospel." What a diabolic maxim is this! And is this indeed the way that French kings ruled and ministers decreed judgment? Then we need not wonder at a revolution in that state, nor of the scourge that desolated the land.
O England! magnify God for your constitution, your constitutional king, and the laws according to which he reigns.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 2:25
25. by the hand of Benaiah] To Benaiah was committed not the oversight, but the execution of the sentence. In like manner he puts to death Joab (1 Kings 2:34) and Shimei (1 Kings 2:46). Solomon was absolute as a monarch, and the command was executed as promptly as it was given. The LXX fills out the sentence thus, καὶἀπέθανενἈδωνίαςἐντῇἡμέρᾳἐκείνῃ.