KJV ORIGINAL
So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; which went out, and fell upon him, that he died. And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
So the king gave orders to Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, who went out and struck him down, killing him. And Solomon's kingdom was now firmly established in his hands.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The writer is showing how Solomon's final act of judgment secured his throne and brought stability to his kingdom.
📚 Historical Context
This verse concludes the execution of Shimei, the last of the threats to Solomon's reign that David had warned him about before his death. Solomon had systematically dealt with his political enemies - Adonijah, Joab, and now Shimei - to consolidate his power. Benaiah was Solomon's chief executioner and military commander who carried out these royal judgments.
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