1 Kings 4:18
Shimei the sonne of Elah in Beniamin: 1 Kings 4:18 (KJV)
The passage is part of a larger list that records officials appointed by King Solomon. Some readings indicate that Shimei was administrator over the hill country of Ephraim, not Benjamin. The Masoretic Text identifies him as the son of Elah, though this reading is debated because of variations in ancient manuscripts.
Other scholars note that a similar verse appears in 1 Chronicles chapter 4, where it records members of the tribe of Benjamin. In that context the verse is not part of the Solomon administration list but serves a genealogical purpose, emphasizing Shimei’s familial connection to Benjamin.
The name Shimei occurs elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., 2 Samuel 16:5‑14; 1 Kings 2:8‑9). It is unclear whether those references denote the same individual as the Shimei mentioned here.
Benjamin was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descending from Jacob’s youngest son. During Solomon’s reign the kingdom was united, so Benjamin was part of the unified monarchy. After the death of King David the united kingdom split into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah, with the territory of Benjamin lying within the southern kingdom.
Elah is named as Shimei’s father; apart from this verse Elah is not noted elsewhere in this genealogical context. A different figure named Elah appears later in 1 Samuel as a king of Israel, but that individual is distinct from the Elah mentioned here.
While the verse does not offer extensive spiritual teachings or moral lessons, it provides valuable historical and genealogical information about the organization of the tribe of Benjamin during the biblical period. The verse contributes to the overall narrative and context of Scripture, helping readers understand the lineage and tribal affiliations recorded in the biblical record.
