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Hosea 6:6 For I desired mercy and not sacrifice;
and the knowledge of God more than your burnt offerings.
Bible Chapter Studies
1A0I KINGS CHAPTER 2
I Kings 1 brought us the attempted usurpation of the throne by David’s third eldest son, Adonijah. He had even gone so far as to throw a coronation party at the “stone of Zoheleth,” in other words, at serpent rock, which was a type for the end of this Age, as satan too, in his role of pretend-to-be-jesus, will attempt to usurp the throne of the True King: Jesus Christ.
Anyway, also involved in this plot, were none other than Joab, the Commanding General of the entire Army of Israel; and Abiathar, one of the two High Priests of Israel. To me, it’s surprising that Abiathar was involved in this ploy, as, if you’ll recall, it was Abiathar who had come to David and his little 600 man rag-tag army, while they themselves were on the run from Saul who would attempt to kill David every time the evil spirit came upon him. The reason Abiathar had come to David, was because Doeg the Edomite, had come to the Priest’s city of Nob and slew all 85 of the Priests who were in line to be the High Priest. He did this at Saul’s command, after he had told Saul that he had been in Nob, in the High Priest Ahimelech’s house, and had witnessed Ahimelech give David the showbread and Goliath’s sword. David had taken Abiathar into his fold, so, like I said, it’s surprising to see that he has now joined in a conspiracy against David.
After it was discovered by David’s prophet Nathan what was going on down at serpent rock, he came to Bash-sheba and told her, in order to save her and her son Solomon, the man whom Father had told David would be the next man king of Israel. Bath-sheba and Nathan then worked David, who was at this time, in declining health, being now, 70 years of age and on his death-bed. David then summoned Solomon, Nathan, Zadok, Benaiah, and the Royal Guards, told them all to put Solomon on his—David’s—mule, escort him down to Gihon, where Zadok will anoint him the next king of Israel. As soon as he is anointed, they were to sound the trumpet and shout “God save king Solomon. ” The reason David commanded this take place in Gihon, was because, Gihon was right next to serpent rock, and all those in attendance at the false coronation party would hear the trumpets and shouts, and then see Solomon riding on David’s mule and know for a certainty that Solomon, not Adonijah, is king of Israel.
Adonijah, upon knowing for sure that he was not the king, ran to Father’s Tabernacle, grabbed a hold of the horns of the Altar, and declared that he would not leave until he had assurance from Solomon that he would not kill him. Solomon told Adonijah, that so long as he shew himself a worthy man, and not again attempt to usurp the throne; then, not one hair of Adonijah’s head would fall to the ground.
This then, brings us to current, where we find David on his deathbed, living out his final days before he succumbs to death, and returns Home to be with Father. He first has some final words of advice to give to his son Solomon, who has already ascended to the throne when David stepped aside in our last Chapter. In this advice, he’ll also pass-down to Solomon, some unfinished business that he’ll ask his son to finish for him.
In I Kings 2:13-17 , we’ll also find Adonijah not live up to his sworn oath of being a worthy man and not again attempt to usurp the throne from Solomon, and therefore, it will cost him his life, and in this, we’ll also see the “type” continuing from our last Chapter. Remember, Adonijah was, and is, a “type” for satan in his role of pretend-to-be-jesus.
So, without further ado, let’s get to it, I Kings 2:1:
With that introduction being said, let’s go to Father and ask Him for His Blessings on our Study of His Word: “ Father, I come to You right now and ask that You Oh LORD Lead me and Guide me as I try and teach Your Word, don’t allow me to mis-teach or mis-lead Your Children. We, Father, also come to You as a group who desire to Learn Your Word, to thank You for inviting us to Your table in order that we might be able to partake of and receive Your Spiritual Meat, and Father, as we prepare to dine on the sustenance which sustains our inner man, we ask that You Oh LORD open our ears and eyes, that we might be able to hear and see your Truths, open our hearts and minds and prepare us in order that we may receive Your Truth. We Pray for Your Understanding of Your Word, we seek Your Knowledge in Your Word, and most importantly Father, we Pray for and desire Your Wisdom from Your Word, in Jesus’ Precious name we Pray, thank You Father, Amen.”
I Kings 1:1-12:15 THE KINGDOM. United.
I Kings 12:16-II Kings 25:30 THE KINGDOM. Divided.
I Kings 1:1-12:15 THE KINGDOM. United. (Division.)
I Kings 1:1-2:11 DAVID.
I Kings 2:12-11:43 SOLOMON.
I Kings 2:1-10 ADVICE OF DAVID TO SOLOMON.
(Introversion and Alternations.)
2:1 David. End near.
1:1-4 For good. Solomon.
1A1
I Kings 2:1 Now the days of David (loving; and, well-beloved) (Daw-veedי) drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon (peaceful; and, peaceful) (shel-o-moי) his son, saying, —> Remember, David is an old man of 70 years, he had lived a rough life being a warrior all his days since a young man of 17 or so. He has already turned the reins of the throne over to his son Solomon, and now, it’s time to give young Solomon, who is 19 years old, some final instructions on how to run the kingdom.
Charged=I Like this, as it reminds me of what Father told Joshua after He had taken Moses Home, and when He charged Joshua on how to lead Israel as can be read in Joshua 1:6-9, which reads: Joshua 1:6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. —> Though the land was divided in Joshua’s day and Solomon needn’t worry about that, he does still have quite a bit to concern himself with, with running and caring for the entire kingdom. [1:7] Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. —> The first words out of Moses’ mouth in both these verses—and we’ll find in the final one I’ve included—is, “be strong and courageous,” something all leaders who have never held the position before need to learn how to do. [1:8] This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. —> This Book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth…=Father commanded that every king of Israel write their own copy of “The Law” in order that, they learn it, and learn how to follow it. [1:9] Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. —> For the LORD thy God is with thee…=Solomon was anointed by Father to be the third man king of Israel; and, so long as Solomon—as we’ll read shortly—keeps Father’s charge of Hearing, Obeying and doing His Commandments, Laws, Ordinances and Statutes, Father will not leave Solomon; however—and sadly, this does come to pass—should Solomon turn from following and worshiping Father, then, Father will no longer be with Solomon. It’s the same with us today brethren, if we Follow, Serve and Worship Father, He will never leave us nor forsake us.
David=For a detailed description of David, including his birth, history, the etymology of his name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of his name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
Solomon=For a detailed description of Solomon, including his birth, history, the etymology of his name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of his name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
1A2
I Kings 2:2 “I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; —> I go the way of the earth…=In other words, I, like all other fleshly things, am coming to the end of my days walking in the flesh, and am about to return Home; in simpler words, David is telling Solomon: “I’m dying.”
…Shew thyself a man…=A lot of people think, that because Solomon was not a warfighter like his father, David; but instead, a peaceful man, he therefore, was a fearfully weak man, which really isn’t true. David isn’t telling Solomon to grow a pair of brass horns here; he’s telling him—like Father’s words to Joshua just after Father took Moses Home—to “be strong.” These were good words for a father to a son, what David is actually saying, is for his son to be resolute, as that is what this word “strong” is in the original manuscripts. We find that in the Strong’s Concordance, it is Hebrew word number: H2388, - חזק, - châzaq, pronounced - khaw-zakי, and means: A primitive root; to fasten upon; hence to seize, be strong (figuratively courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer: - aid, amend, X calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage (-ous, -ly), encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered, repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong (-er), be sure, take (hold), be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand. Total KJV occurrences: 290. So, we see that David was telling his son that it was time to grow up and be a man, to encourage himself and be strong.
1A3
I Kings 2:3 And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, and His commandments, and His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: —> His ways…His sttutes…His Commandments…His Judgments…His Testimonies…=Brethren, David’s words to Solomon are just as applicable to you and I today, if we too walk in Father’s Ways, keeping His Statutes, His Commandments, His Judgments and His Testimonies, then things will go well for us. Yes, if we do these things, our adversary satan will more frequently attack us, as he doesn’t want us to do these things; but, again, Father will never leave us nor forsake us. Sadly, also today, far too many people just don’t know the difference between Father’s Commandments, Judgments, Statutes, or Testimonies. The Commandments are Father’s moral laws for our lives, and they are just as important, right, and true today, as the day Father gave them to Moses on Mount Sinai. The first five Commandments are directly related to our relationship with Father, while the last five are directed to man’s morality, to govern his relations to his fellow man. The Judgments are those things which have to do with civil law. His statutes were the ceremonial teachings and things to observe, most of the statutes were symbolic in nature, and were nailed to the cross with Jesus. His testimonies deal with the laws and regulations of special services, as Father deals with His people in their lives. We will see as both, this Chapter and Solomon’s life progresses, that, Solomon will be tested in each of these areas of instructions that David is giving to him. Following these instructions will make you a far wiser person and a better Christian, because it will bring discipline in your life. It shows us how easily we can be taken in by others, when there is no discipline in our minds. We are talking about the common sense that Father has given us, and making the right choices with the knowledge and common sense that is in our minds. If you ever expect to be Blessed by Father and prosper, than you will have to pay attention to this example that David is giving to his son. It is up to you whether you are blessed or not. This history lesson is an ensample to each of us today.
As it is written in the law of Moses=When we read these words, we should go and research where it was written and what was actually said. So, let’s do just that, let’s go to “the Law,” to Deuteronomy 17—These words and laws were given by Father to Moses some 550-600 years previous, and Father had known that eventually, Israel would seek to replace father as their king with a man; therefore, these words are the words and laws which a man king should and should not do— Deuteronomy 17:14 When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, ‘I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me; ’ —> While the Israelites were still wandering the desert for those 40 years after Father had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, He knew that they in the future would reject Him, and instead favor a man to be king over them. So, now He is going to tell them what that man king shall and shall not do: [17:15] Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother. —> Only an Israelite was and is allowed to rule over them. This is why we in the USA are in the trouble we’re in today; because, we did not hear and obey Father, but, have made us a president who is not an Israelite. If you don’t understand this, you need to research where the “lost” ten tribes of Israel are scattered to today. I’ll give you a hint, they are not in the land of Israel, and they are still scattered. [17:16] But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, ‘Ye shall henceforth return no more that way. ’ —> Horses were known to be in Egypt, and it was Egypt that Father had brought our forefathers out of; and here, He is Commanding them to not return there to get any horses, or for any other reason. [17:17] Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold. —> Horses, silver, gold, and wives, all material things to show wealth: all things Father forbade; because, He didn’t want the “man king” to think too much of himself, He wanted the man to be more focused on His People. Sadly, David started to do this, as he had several wives; however, the man who now sits on the throne, David’s son Solomon will by the end of his reign multiply to himself way too many. He accumulate 700 wives and 300 concubines, and sadly, because many of these concubines are foreigners who serve other false gods, he too will follow and serve them, and cause the nation of Israel to also follow, serve and worship them. Therefore Father will tear the kingdom in two. [17:18] And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: —> Each and every man king was to write his own copy of Father’s Law to keep it fresh in his mind, to read it every day, to use it to judge Father’s People, and so that the man king know that Father is there over him, and therefore, reverence Him. Today, if we had more “kings of their own castle”—men—do as Father commanded, and write their own copy of Father’s Law—such as I’m doing here, and that is no boast, just fact—then, we’d have a lot more people with a lot more knowledge of Father and His Word. [17:19] And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: > The man king was to do and follow Father and His Laws so that His People would also follow Father, never turning aside from Him to worship other false gods. [17:20] That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel. —> If they, and we followed, loved and worshiped Father; then, He would never leave them, nor forsake them, and things would always go well for them, and us.
As it is written=Notice the emphasis is laid on Father’s Word “written.” Dr. Bullinger writes in his parallel notes to this verse, that we should see his notes at Exodus 17:14, where we read: “Exodus 17:14 is the first occurrence of the written Word. The tablets which were found at Lachish and Tel-el-Amarna show that a writing of a high order was fully developed before the time of Moses.”, and “A “Book” this writing was afterward ordered for “the Book of the Law,” where the history of that Book is traced from the passage at Exodus 17:14 to Malachi.” he—Dr. Bullinger—also has an Appendix47 set aside specifically for this.
The LORD=This Title of Father as used here in this verse, is Father in His Role of יְהֹוָה, YHVH—from Dr. Bullinger’s Companion Bible Appendices: YHVH, YAHVEH, or YEHOVAH—the sacred and personal name of Father. While Elohim is God as the Creator of all things, YEHOVAH is the same God in covenant relation to those whom He has created (compare II Chronicles 18:31). YEHOVAH means the Eternal, the Immutable One, He Who WAS, and IS, and IS TO COME. The Divine definition is given in Genesis 21:33. He is especially, therefore, the God of Israel; and the God of those who are redeemed, and are thus now “in Christ”. We can say “My God,” but not “My YEHOVAH,” for YEHOVAH is “MY God.”.
God=As used in this verse, this is אלהים, ELOHIM—from Dr. Bullinger’s Companion Bible Appendices,: ELOHIM—the genus God, in other words, Father in His role of Creator of all things. From Dr. Bullinger’s Companion Bible, Appendix 4: “ELOHIM occurs 2,700 times. Its first occurrence connects it with creation, and gives it its essential meaning as the Creator. It indicates His relation to mankind as His creatures (see note on II Chronicles 18:31, where it stands in contrast with YEHOVAH as indicating covenant relationship). ELOHIM is God the Son, the living “WORD” with creature form to create (John 1:1; Colossians 1:15-17; Revelation 3:14); and later, with human form to redeem (John 1:14). “Begotten of His Father before all worlds; born of His mother, in the world.” In this creature form He appeared to the Patriarchs, a form not temporarily assumed.”. Dr. Bullinger further notes in his Companion notes to this verse, that “(with Art.) = the [true] God.”.
1A4
I Kings 2:4 That the LORD may continue His Word which He spake concerning me, saying, ‘If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee’ (said He) ‘a man on the throne of Israel (he will rule as YAH; or, the prince that prevails with YAH) (Yis-raw-aleי) (secondary map).’ —> …There shall not fail thee a man on the throne of Israel=We read in II Samuel 7, that Father had made the Promise to David, that there would always be a man from his house to sit upon the throne of Israel. Father made this Promise after He had defeated all David’s and Israel’s enemies round about them. After having peace, David was sitting in his house one day and he looked out his window and saw Father’s Tabernacle, and he thought to himself, that it was wrong for him to be sitting in a house, while Father dwelt in a “curtain,” fabric Tabernacle. Therefore, he was going to change that, and build a “house” for Father. So, he called the prophet Nathan and asked Nathan if he thought it a good idea to do so. Nathan, without first seeking Father, told David to do all that his heart desired. However, that night, Father came to Nathan and told him otherwise, to go and tell David, that He never asked or required any man to build a house for Him; that, it was He Who took Israel out of Egypt, led the Priests—the Judges—of Israel, until Hophni and Phinehas has so profaned the Priesthood, that the People no longer trusted the Priests; therefore, they cried out for a man to be set over them as king. Father first gave them Saul, a man who, when we first were introduced to him, couldn’t find his ass, he pretty much stayed that way through his reign too; Father then gave Israel him—king David—and now, his son Solomon. Father will continue to fulfill His Promise, but at this time of the kings of Israel, this Promise is not yet complete, nor is it complete to this day, as the Promise will only be fulfilled when His Son Jesus sits in His Rightful Place as King of kings.
Israel=For a detailed description of Israel, including his birth, his and the Nation’s history, the etymology of the name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of the name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
2:5 For retribution. Joab.
1A5
I Kings 2:5 Moreover thou knowest also what Joab (YHVH fathered; and, whose father is YHVH) (yo-awbי) the son of Zeruiah (wounded; or, balsam) (tser-oo-yawי) did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner (father of light; and, father of light) (ab-ee-nerי) the son of Ner (lamp; or, a light or lamp) (nare), and unto Amasa (a burden; or, a burden) (am-aw-sawי) the son of Jether (excellence; and, his excellence) (yehי-ther), 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. —> Joab…Zeruiah=Joab was David’s nephew, his own sister’s son.
…did to me=Notice in this verse, David does not mention his son—Absalom’s—name, probably because he was deserving of death; but still, as far as he is concerned, this was Joab’s worst sin, the sin of his nephew Joab, killing his own son Absalom, as can be read in II Samuel 18:5-12, after he commanded him to deal gently with the young man, even though he was trying to usurp his father’s throne from him. The death of Abner can be read in II Samuel 3:27,39; and the death of Amasa can be read in II Samuel 20:9-11 and I Chronicles 2:17.
Follow David’s instructions to Solomon carefully, for David is warning Solomon of those who are presently still living in his kingdom, and of the evil acts which they have committed before. If they had acted in such a manner before, then surely, they will do so again; only this time, it will be to you. So, Solomon, wake up and look around you, know the people by the things which they say and the things which they do. At the same time, David is pleading with Solomon to even the score for him, by doing so, they will not likely deal in the same manner with you; these things must be made right before peace and security can exist in your kingdom. These men did not follow the Commandments, Judgments and Statutes of Father, and therefore, they were not faithful to their own word. If you expect to have peace in your kingdom, then you must tend to these things from the start.
Joab=Of the 125 verses mentioning him, and the 146 matches for his name and the Strong’s Hebrew word number—H3097—associated with his name, Joab, is the most spoken about of David’s three nephews by his sister Zeruiah; three of those 125 verses and 146 matches—Ezra 2:6; 8:9; and Nehemiah 7:11—are of Joab’s descendants. Joab was Zeruiah’s middle son, with Abishai being the older, and Asahel being the younger. Some of Joab’s more notable facts are: Before David became king of the entire House of Israel; while Saul’s son Ish-bosheth was king of the divided House of Israel, appointed by Saul’s captain Abner, Joab and a contingency of men met to face off with Abner and his men at the Pool of Gibeon. The men had gathered to conduct mock-war in order to prevent all-out war between the two nations; however, sadly, their simulated war of sending out 12 men from each side to fend against each other in a “winner take all” mock war sport quickly escalated into something more sinister: war, as each man grabbed his foe by the beard and they all thrust each other through with their weapons of war, killing each other. That little war-play intensified and worsened; and, the next thing they all knew, they were engaging in real war, with Joab’s 600 battle-tested warriors overpowering Abner’s men who had just suffered a major defeat at the hands of the Philistines. It was at this little mock-war which quickly turned into true war that Joab’s younger brother Asahel chased down the more experienced Abner, who warned him off three times to no avail, and when Asahel charged; Abner had no choice but to defend himself; and he slew the younger, less experienced Asahel. Joab considered it murder, and later, he conspired and murdered Abner for it. Because of his fearless courage and leading the assault on the fortress of Jebus, Joab was promoted to the rank of General as can be read in I Chronicles 11:4-6 and 27:34. † For the etymology of the name Joab, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Joab consists of two elements: The first one being יה (YAH) = יהו (YAHU) = יו (YU), which in turn are abbreviated forms of the Tetragrammaton יהוה, YHVH—from Dr. Bullinger’s Companion Bible Appendices: YHVH, YAHVEH, or YEHOVAH—the sacred and personal name of Father. While Elohim is God as the Creator of all things, YEHOVAH is the same God in covenant relation to those whom He has created (compare II Chronicles 18:31). YEHOVAH means the Eternal, the Immutable One, He Who WAS, and IS, and IS TO COME. The Divine definition is given in Genesis 21:33. He is especially, therefore, the God of Israel; and the God of those who are redeemed, and are thus now “in Christ”. We can say “My God,” but not “My YEHOVAH,” for YEHOVAH is “MY God.”—This very short abbreviation of YHVH also occurs in the names Jochebed and Jonathan. The second element of the name Joab is אב (ab): The name Joab means YAH Is Father. New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads YAHVEH Is Father. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names reads LORD Father or Whose Father Is The LORD.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H3097, - יוֹאָב, - yô'âb, pronounced - yo-awbי, and means: From H3068 and H1; Jehovah-fathered; Joab, the name of three Israelites: - Joab. Total KJV occurrences: 145.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “whose father is YHVH. The most remarkable of the three nephews of David, the children of Zeruiah, David’s sister. Joab first appears after David’s accession to the throne at Hebron. Abner slew in battle Asahel, the youngest brother of Joab; and when David afterward received Abner into favor, Joab treacherously murdered him. There was now no rival left in the way of Joab’s advancement, and at the siege of Jebus he was appointed for his prowess commander-in-chief — “captain of the host.” In the wide range of wars which David undertook, Joab was the acting general. He was called by the almost regal title of “lord,” in II Samuel 11:11 and “the prince of the king’s army” in I Chronicles 27:34. In the entangled relations which grew up in David’s domestic life he bore an important part, successfully reinstating Absalom in David’s favor after the murder of Amnon (II Samuel 14:1-20). When the relations between father and son were reversed by the revolt of Absalom, Joab remained true to the king, taking the rebel prince’s dangerous life in spite of David’s injunction to spare him, and when no one else had courage to act so decisive a part II Samuel 18:2 and 11-15. The king transferred the command to Amasa, which so enraged Joab that he adroitly assassinated Amasa when pretending to welcome him as a friend in II Samuel 20:10. Friendly relations between himself and David seem to have existed afterward (II Samuel 24:2), but at the close of his long life, his loyalty, so long unshaken, at last wavered. “Though he had not turned after Absalom, he turned after Adonijah” (I Kings 2:28). This probably filled up the measure of the king’s long-cherished resentment. The revival of the pretensions of Adonijah after David’s death was sufficient to awaken the suspicions of Solomon. Joab fled to the shelter of the altar at Gibeon, and was here slain by Benaiah.”.
Zeruiah=There are 25 verses with 26 matches in Father’s Word for David’s sister Zeruiah and the strong’s Hebrew word number—H6870—associated with her name. Of these 25 verses with 26 matches, 1—I Chronicles 2:17—lists her as David’s sister, and in every other verse and match for her name, we read: “son(s) of Zeruiah”. Of the woman herself, we know nothing, not even her husband’s name. The only thing we do know for sure is, that she was indeed David’s sister, and the mother of three of David’s heroes. † For the etymology of the name Zeruiah, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “Scholars are in disagreement about the meaning and etymology of the name Zeruiah. New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List and Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary think that the name Zeruiah comes from the unused root צרה and its sole derivative, the noun צרי, meaning balsam: And thus, for a meaning of the name Zeruiah, NOBSE Study Bible Name List reads Balsam, which would require the masculine noun צרי (sari) to be made feminine by adding the regular letter ה (he). Note that by so doing our word or name terminates in יה (YAH) = יהו (YAHU) = יו (YU), which in turn are abbreviated forms of the Tetragrammaton יהוה, YHVH—from Dr. Bullinger’s Companion Bible Appendices: YHVH, YAHVEH, or YEHOVAH—the sacred and personal name of Father. While Elohim is God as the Creator of all things, YEHOVAH is the same God in covenant relation to those whom He has created (compare II Chronicles 18:31). YEHOVAH means the Eternal, the Immutable One, He Who WAS, and IS, and IS TO COME. The Divine definition is given in Genesis 21:33. He is especially, therefore, the God of Israel; and the God of those who are redeemed, and are thus now “in Christ”. We can say “My God,” but not “My YEHOVAH,” for YEHOVAH is “MY God.”—This could be an exception (others are the names Aiah, Arieh and Zibiah) but since the name Zeruiah doesn’t exist as a regular noun, this forced feminization might in fact be a reference to the Lord, and Zeruiah means Balsam Of Yah. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names won’t have any of that, and goes after an unused and hitherto unknown root צרה, which is strikingly similar to the root shown above, and which shows up in Chaldean and Syriac as a verb meaning to cleave. Hence Jones reads Cleft.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H6870, - צְרוּיָה, - tserûyâh, pronounced - tser-oo-yawי, and means: Feminine participle passive from the same as H6875, wounded; Tserujah, an Israelitess: - Zeruiah. Total KJV occurrences: 26.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Balsam. The mother of the three leading heroes of David’s army— Abishai, Joab and Asahel — known as the “sons of Zeruiah.” Of Zeruiah’s husband there is no mention in the Father’s Word.”.
Abner=Abner was the son of Ner, who was the brother of Kish, the father of the Nation of the House of Israel’s first man-king: king Saul. This then, made Abner Saul’s first cousin, and by Saul, was elevated to the possition of Commander-in-Chief of his army. Being Commanding General, he was present when David slew the giant Goliath, I say present but, it’s funny as, he was noted as being a fearless and fierce warrior, but was, like the rest of Israel’s Army, too afraid to take on the giant. After David’s infamous defeat of the giant, it was Abner who first introduced David to the court of Saul. It was Father Who had Samuel anoint David to be Israel’s second man-king and when Saul found out that his sons would not ascend to the throne, he set out to kill David, using his army, including his General. David fled and had several opportunities to kill Saul; but, David knew Saul also was Father’s anointed and knew to not touch his king, instead, when he had the chance, he would slip into his camp and remove an item or two of the king’s in order to prove he had had the opportunity to take advantage of the king. It was during one of these escapades that, the next morning David cried out to Abner from a safe distance and rebuked him for his carelessness concerning his king. After Saul died and David became king, it was Abner who took Saul’s sole surviving son: Ish-bosheth, and proclaimed him king over the Nation. War soon broke out between the two rival kings, and a “very sore battle” was fought at Gibeon between the men of Israel under Abner and the men of Judah under David’s nephew and Commanding General: Joab. Abner, escaping from the field, was overtaken by Asahel, who was the younger brother of Abishai and Joab, whom Abner thrust through, with a back stroke of his spear. Abner later married Rizpah, one of Saul’s concubines, this angered ish-bosheth because he thought it was an attempt on his throne by Abner. Abner, realizing this act may cost him his life, defected to David while David’s nephew Joab was away from Hebron. He now professed to regard David as anointed by Father to reign over all Israel. Almost unbelievably, David received him favorably, and for some unknown, strange reason, promised Abner that he would now have command of David’s armies. Upon Joab’s return, he finds out that he has been demoted and replaced by his arch rival, rightfully so, this angers him, so he conspires against Abner, calls for a secret meeting between the two, and then kills him. Biblical scholars cannot agree if this was because he had replaced him as Commanding General, or whether it was in retaliation for Abner defending himself against Asahel, whom he had to kill in self-defense after warning him three times to not try to kill him as, he was the more seasoned warrior than Asahel. † For the etymology of the name Abner, we read the following in Abarim Publications “The name Abner consists of two elements. The first part of the name comes from the common Hebrew word אב (ab), meaning father: The added letter י (yod) creates a possessive; the compound אבי (abi) may mean my father, or father of, depending on the context. The second part of the name Abner comes from the root נור (nwr), possibly meaning to shine: For a meaning of the name Abner, New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads The Father Is A Lamp. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names has Father Of Light, and Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary reads the optional My Father Is Ner or My Father Is A Lamp.. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H74, - אַבְנֵר or אֲבִינֵר, - 'abnêr or 'ăbı̂ynêr, pronounced - ab-nareי or Ab-ee-nareי, and means: From H1 and H5216; father of light (that is, enlightening); Abner, an Israelite: - Abner. Total KJV occurrences: 63.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “(father of light). Son of Ner, who was the brother of Kish I Chronicles 9:36, the father of Saul. Abner, therefore, was Saul’s first cousin, and was made by him commander-in-chief of his army I Samuel 14:51; 17:57; 26:5-14. After the death of Saul David was proclaimed king of Judah; and some time subsequently Abner proclaimed Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, king of Israel. War soon broke out between the two rival kings, and a “very sore battle” was fought at Gibeon between the men of Israel under Abner and the men of Judah under Joab I Chronicles 2:16. Abner had married Rizpah, Saul’s concubine, and this, according to the views of Oriental courts, might be so interpreted as to imply a design upon the throne. Rightly or wrongly, Ish-bosheth so understood it, and he even ventured to reproach Abner with it. Abner, incensed at his ingratitude, opened negotiations with David, by whom he was most favorably received at Hebron. He then undertook to procure his recognition throughout Israel; but after leaving his presence for the purpose was enticed back by Joab, and treacherously murdered by him and his brother Abishai, at the gate of the city, partly, no doubt, from fear lest so distinguished a convert to their cause should gain too high a place in David’s favor, but ostensibly in retaliation for the death of Asahel. David in sorrow and indignation, poured forth a simple dirge over the slain hero II Samuel 3:33,34.”.
Ner=The only thing we read in Father’s Word concerning Ner, is that he was the the son of Abiel—I Samuel 14:51—the brother of Kish—who was the father of king Saul, the first man-king of the Nation of the House of Israel—and the father of Abner, who was a fierce warrior and the Commanding General of king Saul’s army. † For the etymology of the name Ner, we read the following in Abarim Publications “The name Ner is identical to the noun נר (ner), meaning lamp: For a meaning of the name Ner, both New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List and Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names read Lamp. Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary doesn’t translate our name but does confirm that it’s the same as the word for lamp.. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H5369, - נֵר, - nêr, pronounced - nare, and means: The same as H5216; lamp; Ner, an Israelite: - Ner. Total KJV occurrences: 16.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “(A light or lamp), son of Jehiel—this Pastor and author of this website vehemently disagrees with Dr. Strong concerning who Ner’s father was—according to I Chronicles 8:33, father of Abner, and grandfather of King Saul. Abner was, therefore, uncle to Saul, as is expressly stated in I Samuel 14:50.”.
Jether=Let’s take a much deeper inspection of Amasa’s father Jether; as, the kenites have been hard at work in Father’s Word. The name “Jether” as, that is what the man is called—named—here; however, as we can read in II Samuel 17:25, he is called “Ithra.” Likewise also, here, he is correctly called an “Ishmeelite;” however, in that same verse II Samuel 17:25 he is incorrectly identified as an “Israelite.” Why the difference? As I said, the kenites have been hard at work in trying to confuse you dear brethren, this is how they operate, just like their father satan; he likes to quote scripture, only, when he does so, he twists it at the end to make it a lie — see Genesis 3:1-5, Matthew 4:3-10 and Luke 4:2-11. Had Amasa’s father “Ithra” truly been an Israelite, then, saying he was so, would be like saying that David is an Israelite — i.e., completely unnecessary; as, it’s understood he is an Israelite. So, what do we glean from this? Amasa’s mother had lain with an Ishmeelite, a non-Israelite, in other words, she had gone against Father’s Commandment of not taking a foreigner to husband. There are only 7 verses and 8 matches for the name Jether and the Strong’s Hebrew word number—H3500—associated with it. Of these 7 verses and 8 matches, only 3 are of Amasa’s father. There is nothing written of this man in Father’s Word, except of his being Amasa’s father, it really doesn’t say that he and Abigail were married; so, we have no knowledge of anything of significance concerning him. † For the etymology of the name Jesse, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Jether comes from the verb יתר (yatar), meaning to remain over, be a rest: Jether is spelled the same as the derivative meaning rest or remnant, and the one meaning more or better. For a meaning of the name Jether, Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names reads Excellence. New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List and Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary read Abundance.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, we find that it is Hebrew word number: H3500, - יֶתֶר, - yether, pronounced - yehי-ther, and means: The same as H3499 Jether, the name of five or six Israelites and of one Midianite: - Jether, Jethro. Compare H3503. Total KJV occurrences: 8.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “His excellency. The father of Amasa, captain-general of Absalom’s army. Jether is another form of ITHRA II Samuel 17:25. He is described in I Chronicles 2:17 as an Ishmaelite, which again is more likely to be correct than the “Israelite” of the Hebrew in II Samuel 17:1.”.
2:6 For retribution. Joab.
1A6
I Kings 2:6 Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace. —> David is passing on to his son, some of the things he knew he should have accomplished before turning the reigns over to his son; but, since he never had gotten around to them, he is now telling his son to not allow these men who did evil, to get away with their acts, and more specifically here, he tells Solomon to not let Joab die of natural causes in his old age.
2:7 For good. Barzillai.
1A7
I Kings 2:7 But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai (iron hearted; and, iron, that is, strong) (bar-zil-lahיee) the Gileadite (heap of testimony; and, rocky region) (ghil-aw-deeי), and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom (father of peace [that is, friendly]; and, father of peace) (ab-shaw-lomeי) thy brother. —> On the other hand, we now come to the sons of Barzillai. Barzillai was a man who was kind to David while he was leaving Jerusalem as Absalom was entering in, in order to usurp the throne from his father. See, David fled, rather than stand and fight, knowing that a fight would have meant civil war, which he knew, displeased Father. He knew also, that if it was father’s Will that he remain king of Israel, then father would restore the kingdom to him. In any case, as he was fleeing, he met up with Barzillai who treated him to food and goods. Solomon therefore, is to also treat his family as his own family, with like kindness.
In all of these instances of dealing with Joab, the sons of Barzillai, and Shimei—of whom we’ll be reading of next—we see David instructing Solomon on how to deal out punishments of revenge to those who did evil, and repayment of good for those who did righteously.
Barzillai=Our introduction to Barzillai is found in II samuel 17:27-29, where we read that Barzillai was a ally and friend of David’s who came to and assisted him with Bedding and food supplies as he was fleeing Jerusalem and on the run from his son Absalom who was trying to usurp the throne from him. After things settled down and David was returning to Jerusalem, Barzillai again came to David and David desired to take him to Jerusalem with him. However, Barzillai, who at this time was 80 years old, didn’t want to be a burden to David and he desired to stay in his own home until his death, but, he asked David to take his son Chimham with him and treat him as he would Barzillai. David agreed, and as he was returning home to Father, he passed onto his son Solomon to continue to treat Chimham as part of his own family. † Abarim Publications does not provide an etymology of the name Barzillai, as such, I cannot provide one either. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H1271, - בַּרְזִלַּי, - barzillay, pronounced - bar-zil-lahיee, and means: From H1270; iron hearted; Barzillai, the name of three Israelites: - Barzillai. Total KJV occurrences: 12.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Iron, that is, strong. A wealthy Gileadite, who showed hospitality to David, when he fled from Absalom II Samuel 17:27. He declined the king’s offer of ending his days at court II Samuel 19:32-39.”.
Gileadite
Gileadite=A Gileadite was someone who was from the territory of Gilead. Gilead was a territory which was one the East side of the Jordan River and was given for an inheritance and possession to the Tribes of Gad, Reuben and half the Tribe of Manasseh. † For the Etymology of the name Gileadite, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The territory of Gilead probably received its name from a grandson of Manasseh named Gilead, who in turn became the ancestor of the גלעדי, the Gileadites (Numbers 26:29). There are a few ways to look at the name Gilead. Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary mentions an Arabic equivalent that comes from a root meaning camel, and assumes that the mountain of Gilead was known as Camel Hump. New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List and Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names assume that the first part of the name Gilead, like that of the names Galeed and Gilgal, comes from the verb גלל (galal), meaning to roll: NOBSE Study Bible Name List appears to ignore the second part of the name and renders Rocky or Strong, but the rendition of Strong seems a bit stretchy. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names takes the first part of the name Gilead from the noun גלה (gulla), meaning spring or basin (Joshua 15:19). For the second part Jones goes to the particle עד ss(יad), meaning perpetuity (Isaiah 26:4): Note that there are quite a few different words that are spelled עד. One of them is ss(יed), which means witness. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names renders the name Gilead as Perpetual Fountain, but it means as much Heap Of Booty or As Long As We’re Rolling.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H1569, - גִּלְעָדִי, - gil‛âdı̂y, pronounced - ghil-aw-deeי, and means: Patronymic from H1568; a Giladite or descendant of Gilad: - Gileadite. Total KJV occurrences: 11.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “The Gileadites (Numbers 26:29; Judges 10:3; 12:4,5), a branch of the tribe of Manasseh, descended from Gilead.”.
Absalom=For a detailed description of Absalom, including his history, the etymology of his name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of his name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
1A8
I Kings 2:8 And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei (famous; and, renowned) (shim-eeי) the son of Gera (a grain; and, a grain) (gay-rawי), a Benjamite (patronymic from H1144) (ben-yem-ee-neeי) of Bahurim (map 2) (young men; and, low ground) (bakh-oo-reemי), which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim (double camp; and, two camps) (makh-an-ahי-yim): but he came down to meet me at Jordan (a descender; and, the descender (yar-daneי), and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, ‘I will not put thee to death with the sword.’ —> After David and his entourage had crossed over the Mount of Olives, he was met by this Shimei who was of the Tribe of Benjamin. Of course, the first man-king of Israel, Saul, was also from the Tribe of Benjamin, and when David—and not one of Saul’s sons—had ascended the throne as the next man-king of Israel, there were many in the Tribe of Benjamin who were very displeased that the throne was no longer held by a Benjamite because, once the throne was gone, so were all the perks which had come with it. Anyway, this Shimei met David and his entourage just after they came down off the Mount of Olives, and his greeting wasn’t very accepting or cordial; actually, it was just the opposite, and he was cursing David and throwing stones at him. David didn’t do anything to Shimei then; so now, David is passing down to Solomon, instructions as to what to do concerning Shimei.
Shimei
Shimei=Shimei was the son of a man named Gera, who was from the Tribe Benjamin— II Samuel 16:5. Shimei is noted in Father’s Word—II Samuel 16:6-14—for his being angry at and with David for his succession to the throne as Israel’s second man-king. First and foremost, Shimei had no right to be angry as, it was Father—not David himself—Who chose David as His anointed king; secondly, if Shimei knew Father’s Law—the first Five Books, known collectively as The Torah—then, Shimei would have known that the king was to be from the Tribe of Judah and not the Tribe of Benjamin—as Saul had been—thirdly, the reason for his anger were the lost perks which the people of the Tribe of Benjamin had been receiving with Saul as their king; fourthly, he displayed his anger by casting stones and cursing David; fifthly, as David was returning to Jerusalem—II Samuel 19:18-20—Shimei who thought that he’d never see David again, or if he did, David surely wouldn’t be the king of Israel, came to David to beg forgiveness in order to not be put to death for his previous actions of casting stones and cursing David; and lastly, when David was returning Home to Father—I Kings 2:8-9—David’s instructions to his son Solomon were to make sure that Shimei died a violent, bloody death. † For the etymology of the name Shimei, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Shimei comes from the verb שמע (shamaי), meaning to hear: For a meaning of the name Shimei, new Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads Renown. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names has Famous.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H8096, - שִׁמְעִי, - shim‛ı̂y, pronounced - shim-eeי, and means: From H8088; famous, Shimi, the name of twenty Israelites: - Shimeah [from the margin], Shimei, Shimhi, Shimi. Total KJV occurrences: 43.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Renown. Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of the house of Saul, who lived at Bahurim. When David and his suite were seen descending the long defile, on his flight from Absolom, II Samuel 16:5-13 the whole feeling of the clan of Benjamin burst forth without restraint in the person of Shimei. He ran along the ridge, cursing and throwing stones at the king and is companions. The next meeting was very different. The king was now returning from his successful campaign. Just as he was crossing the Jordan, II Samuel 19:18 the first person to welcome him was Shimei who threw himself at David’s feet in abject penitence. But the king’s suspicions were not set at rest by this submission; and on his death-bed he recalls the whole scene to the recollection of his son Solomon. Solomon gave Shimei notice that from henceforth he must consider himself confined to the walls of Jerusalem, on pain of death I Kings 3:36,37 For three years the engagement was kept. At the end of that time for the purpose of capturing two slaves who had escaped to Gath, he went out on his ass, and made his journey successfully. Ibid I Kings 2:40. On his return the king took him at his word, and he was slain by Benaiah, Ibid I Kings 2:41-46.”.
Gera
Gera=There is nothing written in Father’s Word concerning this Gera except that, he was a Benjamite and that he was the father of a man named Shemei who was famous for cursing and throwing stones at David as he was fleeing Jerusalem as his son Absalom was trying to usurp the throne from him as read in I Kings 2:8. † Abarim Publications does not provide an etymology for the name Gera and as such, neither can I. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H1617, - גֵּרָא, - gêrâ', pronounced - gay-rawי, and means: Perhaps from H1616; a grain; Gera, the name of six Israelites: - Gera. Total KJV occurrences: 9.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “A grain. One of the “sons,” i.e. descendants, of Benjamin Genesis 46:21 Gera, who is named, Judges 3:15 as the ancestor of Ehud, and in II Samuel 16:5 as the ancestor of Shimei who cursed David, is probably also the same person (though some consider them different persons)—as does this author and writer of this Bible Study, the events of Judges 3 and II Samuel 16:5 happened centuries apart.”.
Benjamite
Benjamite(s)=The descendants of Benjamin; also called, the “Tribe of Benjamin.” Benjamin was the 12th and youngest son of Jacob, born of Jacob’s First Love: Rachel, who died immediately following giving birth to and naming her second son, the younger brother to Joseph. Knowing she was in fact dying, Rachel named this son: Benoni, meaning, son of my sorrow. Upon his wife’s passing, Jacob changed his name to Benjamin. † The first we read of the sons of Benjamin is in Genesis 46:21, where we read: Genesis 46:21 And the sons of Benjamin were Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard. —> These 10 sons of Benjamin, along with their father, went down into Egypt and also received the Blessings of Jacob in Genesis 49, where we read: Genesis 49:27 Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.” —> Benjamin and his 10 sons died while in Egypt, so this Blessing went to their descendants. There is nothing written in Father’s Word concerning these 10 sons of Benjamin that any of them did while in Egypt, so I cannot write anything concerning them. Father’s Word does also not tell of any daughters of Benjamin nor does It list any names of daughters he might have had, same with his ten sons. † The first we read of the Tribe of Benjamin is when our forefathers had left Egypt and were at the base of Mount Sinai and we read in Numbers 1:11, that Abidan the son of Gideoni was the head of the Tribe. In that same Chapter, we read of Benjamin’s numbers during the first numbering, in Numbers 1:36-37 totaled 35,400; then, during the second numbering, in Numbers 26:38-41 their numbers were 45,600, an increase of 10,200. Benjamin’s numbers as compared to the rest of the Tribes after the second numbering was 9th; or, 4th from the bottom. Benjamin’s encampment as they came out of Egypt and wandered in the wilderness, was on the West side of the Tabernacle, to the North of Ephraim, who was the Standard Bearer. All of the offspring of Rachel were on the West side of the Tabernacle. The sign on their Standard was gemini—twins. † The Benjamite who accompanied the 11 other spies who were sent to check out the land of Canaan was Palti the son of Raphu—Numbers 13:9. † The prince of the Tribe of Benjamin when Father was dividing the land of Canaan unto the House of Israel, was Elidad the son of Chislon—Numbers 34:21. † During the Blessing and prophesy by Father through His servant Moses concerning all the Tribes of Israel, we the following concerning the Tribe of Benjamin in Deuteronomy 33:12: Deuteronomy 33:12 And of Benjamin he said,
“The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by Him;
And the LORD shall cover him all the day long,
And he shall dwell between His shoulders.”. During the allotment of land—see here—as the House of Israel was moving into the Promised Land, we read of the allotment given to the Benjamites in Joshua 18:11-20: Joshua 18:11 And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families: and the coast of their lot came forth between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph. —> The “House of Joseph,” which will later become known as the House of Israel, the ten northern Tribes, was the Benjamites northern border. The “House of Judah” was the Benjamites southern border. [18:12] And their border on the north side was from Jordan; and the border went up to the side of Jericho on the north side, and went up through the mountains westward; and the goings out thereof were at the wilderness of Beth-aven. [18:13] And the border went over from thence toward Luz, to the side of Luz, which is Beth-el, southward; and the border descended to Ataroth-adar, near the hill that lieth on the south side of the nether Beth-horon. [18:14] And the border was drawn thence, and compassed the corner of the sea southward, from the hill that lieth before Beth-horon southward; and the goings out thereof were at Kirjath-baal, which is Kirjath-jearim, a city of the children of Judah: this was the west quarter. [18:15] And the south quarter was from the end of Kirjath-jearim, and the border went out on the west, and went out to the well of waters of Nephtoah: [18:16] And the border came down to the end of the mountain that lieth before the valley of the son of Hinnom, and which is in the valley of the giants on the north, and descended to the valley of Hinnom, to the side of Jebusi on the south, and descended to En-rogel, [18:17] And was drawn from the north, and went forth to En-shemesh, and went forth toward Geliloth, which is over against the going up of Adummim, and descended to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben, [18:18] And passed along toward the side over against Arabah northward, and went down unto Arabah: [18:19] And the border passed along to the side of Beth-hoglah northward: and the outgoings of the border were at the north bay of the salt sea at the south end of Jordan: this was the south coast. [18:20] And Jordan was the border of it on the east side. This was the inheritance of the children of Benjamin, by the coasts thereof round about, according to their families.. † Sadly, because of sottishness and desiring perversion, we almost lost the entire tribe of Benjamin. We read in Judges 19:14 and Judges 20, that when a Levitical Priest’s concubine had returned home to her father and the Levite when to bring her back home to him again, as they were returning, they stopped for the night in Gibeah, which belonged to the Tribe of Benjamin. An old man took the Levite and his concubine in for the night. During the night, some of the men of the city, who were men of belial—whether these men were actual Benjamites or men who the Benjamites allowed into their city, Father’s Word does not outright say, but in either case, these men were sick, demented, evil men who should have been dealt harshly with before these events came to pass—beset about the man’s house, banging on his door demanding he send the Levite out so that they could have their way with him sexually, in other words, they wanted to rape the Levite. The old man and the Levite refused, and instead, sent out the Levite’s concubine, whom the sick perverts raped all night till she died—this is something else I’ll never be able to get my head around, how the Levite and the old man could send this poor woman out to these sick men to do what they did. The next morning, Levite picked up her lifeless body, put it on his ass and returned home, where, after he arrived, he cut her body into 12 peices and sent a piece to each of the 12 Tribes of Israel demanding vengeance. Eleven of the twelve Tribes responded and took up arms against the men of Gibeah. Sadly, the Benjamites decided to defend the actions of the perverts and civil war came upon the Nation of the House of Israel. After having 2 semi victories over their brethren of the eleven Tribes, Father finally delivered the Benjamites into the hands of the eleven Tribes who almost completely wiped out the Tribe of Benjamin man, woman and child. When they were through destroying the evilness, only 600 men of the Tribe remained. The men of the eleven Tribes, knowing that if they didn’t do something, the Tribe of Benjamin would perish forever, so they made some of their daughters go to Shiloh where there was an annual dance and the men of Benjamin took the daughters of the eleven Tribes and and married these daughters. † The Benjamites fulfilled the prophesies of both Genesis 49 and Deuteronomy 33:12 as they did indeed become as ravening wolves as, both king Saul, and over a thousand years later Paul, whom Father renamed Saul, were both from the Tribe of Benjamin, and we can see how Benjamin’s descendant—Saul—responded when the need arose when we read I Samuel 11:6-11, what happened in I Samuel 11:6-11? An enemy named Nahash, a Ammonite king came against our forefathers; and, when they agreed to surrender to him, he told them that he would only accept their surrender if they voluntarily allowed him to cut out each man’s right eye. That thought got their attention as, nobody wanted that; so, they sent messengers to king Saul and we’ll allow Father’s Word to chronicle what happened: I Samuel 11:6 And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly. —> …And the Spirit of God came upon Saul…=Father wasn’t going to take any chances with His People, He immediately placed His Spirit—rūach—upon Saul in order for him to have the intestinal fortitude to stand against this aggression of Nahash and the Ammonites. …Came…=Came mightily, as It did back in I Samuel 10:6-10. …His anger was kindled greatly…=Righteous indignation! How many times have you heard Christian pastors and Christians say that we shouldn’t become angry or get mad at things or people? That we should do “as Christ told us” and “love them” and “turn the other cheek?” We’ll that isn’t how Father wants us to be; as, if something is against Him, His Plan, or His Will, or even against correct moral righteousness, we are allowed and expected to get angry, stand up for, and fight for, what is right. Love them yes; but, sometimes that love requires “tough love,” and you need to take the correcting rod to them in order to make them “do right.” I Samuel 11:7 And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, “Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen.” And the fear of the LORD fell on the People, and they came out with one consent. —> Saul did the correct thing by cutting and dividing—hewing—this oxen for two reasons: (1) he knew by his statement of his cutting theirs if they didn’t show-up; that, he’d be getting into their wallets, and no man wants that; and (2) it also would assist in their no longer being able to provide for themselves. Fear of the LORD fell on the People=Again, Father’s ruach touched the Israelites, and they came out as “one man” and consented to go to war and fight for what was right. I Samuel 11:8 And when he numbered them in Bezek (lightening; and, lightening) (behי-zek), the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. —> …Children of Israel…men of Judah…=Here, we have the start of the dividing of the two Houses of Israel: House of Israel — ten tribes to include Reuben, Simeon, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Ephraim and half of Manasseh, with a sprinkling of Levitical Priest hood, and House of Judah — two tribes to include Judah and, Benjamin, with half of Manasseh and a sprinkling of the Levites. If you are going to understand Father’s Word, you must fix in your mind, the division to each of these separate groups of people; for, Father deals with each of these houses separately. In Jeremiah 3:8, because of their idolatry, Father divorced Israel whom He had taken to wife in Ezekiel 16:8. It was through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, that Father now draws all his people of the house of Israel back to him. These two Houses will not be joined back together until the prophecy of Ezekiel 37 comes to pass, and that event will transpire at the entering into the Millennium Age when the kingdom of Jesus Christ is established right here on earth. Men of Judah thirty thousand=In Numbers 1:27, the number of those who were twenty years and older which were able to go to war; was, 74,600, then in Numbers 26:22 that number increased by one thousand nine hundred; up to, 76,500; however, now, approximately 450 years later, all they can muster is a mere, 30,000 warfighters. Why? Because Saul knew of the division that was started back in Genesis 48-50, and thus he treats Israel—all of the tribes except Judah—as separate from Judah. There were three hundred thousand warfighters of the house of Israel, and only thirty thousand of Judah. Remember, Benjamin was very limited because most of their tribe had been killed off right there in Gibeah, three hundred years prior to where we read in I Samuel 11:11. I Samuel 11:9 And they said unto the messengers that came, “Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabesh-gilead, ‘To morrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have help.’ ” And the messengers came and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad. —> …Help…=Deliverance, or salvation. …And they were glad…=Yeah, I bet they were happy that their man king was mustering the troops and going to come to their rescue. They wouldn’t have to wait long either; for, as the messengers had told them — “by the time the sun gets hot tomorrow, the army will be there ready to fight.” I Samuel 11:10 Therefore the men of Jabesh said, “To morrow we will come out unto you, and ye shall do with us all that seemeth good unto you.” —> They’re getting a little cocky, aren’t they? But, I guess if you have an army of three hundred plus thousand coming to back your claims up, you have the luxury to be slightly cocky. They tell Nahash and the Ammonites, that tomorrow, “you won’t even have to come to us as we’ll come out, and you can pluck out the eyes of all you can” — just a little covertness on their part, that they don’t mention the three hundred thousand man backing they’ll have. I Samuel 11:11 And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the People in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together. —> …Saul put the People in three companies…=See how you immediately become more intelligent when Father’s Spirit comes upon you? Saul himself would never have known how to plan this military strategy and operation. Saul divided the Army into three divisions and they arrived at the outskirts of Jabesh sometime between 3AM and 6AM, just prior to the sun coming up, and they went right into battle. They attacked and slew the Ammonites while they were least expecting it; for the Ammonites thought they had already won the battle. They had let their guard down; and because of it, now the Ammonites were either dead, lying on the battlefield, or scattered to the four corners of the earth. Samuel, the man of God, was with them and had brought Father YHVH’s blessings with Saul and the Israelite Army. Israel—just like we today—always has the victory when they have Father’s blessings on their side. This is something our —the United States Military of today, 2017, better start considering. It seems our top brass have completely forsaken Father YHVH, and they are allowing the removal of Father YHVH’s name from all their logos and sayings, and also allowing itself to be run by these same children of belial in their acceptance of homosexuals, all in order to be politically correct. But, we see how strong they became when they became as ravening wolves as prophesied in Genesis 49:27. As for Benjamin’s descendant Paul, Paul was a Benjamite, as recorded in Romans 11:1, which reads: Romans 11:1 I say then, Hath God cast away His People? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. —> The thing that is between your shoulders, is your heart, the thing which sits atop your shoulders, is your head, and between your ears, is your mind which does your thinking and guides you in all that you do and think. Paul too was as a ravening wolf in his zeal to persecute Christians, at least he was until Father got a hold of him; then, his zeal changed and be became as a ravening wolf in trying to spread the Truth of Father’s Word. † For the etymology of the name Benjamin, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Benjamin consists of two elements, the first one being the common Hebrew noun בן (ben), meaning son: The second part of the name Benjamin comes from the noun ימין (yamin), meaning right hand or right side, from the root ימן: The name Benjamin means Son Of The Right Hand (meaning, Son Of Strength, Son Of The South).”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, we find that it is Hebrew word number: H1144, - בִּנְיָמִין, - binyâmı̂yn, pronounced - bin-yaw-meneי, and means: From H1121 and H3225; son of (the) right hand, Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and it’s territories (map): - Benjamin. Total KJV occurrences: 166.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “son of the right hand. The youngest of the children of Jacob. His birth took place on the road between Bethel and Bethlehem, near the latter. His mother, Rachel, died in the act of giving him birth, naming him with her last breath Ben-oni (son of my sorrow). This was by Jacob changed into Benjamin Genesis 35:16,18. Until the journeys of Jacob’s sons and Jacob himself into Egypt we hear nothing of Benjamin. Nothing personal is known of him. Henceforward the history of Benjamin is the history of the tribe.”.
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