Post-Pentatuch, Scripture must be scrutinized over its treatment the Ten Commandments. This treatment should consider both the reported periods of biblical history as well the period of the text’s composition. In both periods, there was an understanding of Ten Commandments. During various periods of time, it should be appreciated that meanings and applications possibly varied.
In the Book of Kings, using the Lord’s name in vain was integral to monarchical rule. The Lord’s name served as currency and capital in building and securing relationships. The Book of Kings offers two remarkable examples concerning the employment of the Lord’s name.
The initial part of the Book of Kings tackles Solomon’s succession to the monarchy. With King David advancing in age, Adonijah, another sibling, boldly made the move to declared himself as the next Israelite Kingdom ruler.
The Prophet Nathan, not having any part of Adonijah’s ambition, turned to Solomon’s mother Bathsheba to intercede. Nathan then orchestrated a guilt-filled plea from Bathsheba to get David to declare Solomon as his successor.
Nathan’s ploy worked. The Book of Kings then reports: “The king swore, and said “As the Lord lives, Who has redeemed by life from every trouble. [I swear] that I have sworn to you by the Lord, the God of Israel, saying ‘Solomon your son will reign after me and will set on my throne in my place, so shall fulfill it this very day.” Kings 1: 29-30.
After this pronouncement, Solomon was transported via a luxurious mule ride to Gihon where he was duly. Thus, King David’s decision was subject to a higher authority. Adonijah, should he have challenged David, would have also have been subjected to an offense against the Lord.
The next vow tale takes place after Solomon took the throne. Solomon instructed an individual Shimei to build a house in Jerusalem. He directed Shimei to live there and not leave. Kings 2:36. Shimei, however, did not comply with this directive. He left Jerusalem to locate two of his servants.
Upon Shimei’s return, Solomon summoned him and said, “Did I not adjure you by the Lord and warn you saying “on the day that you leave here and go to here or there, you should know well that you shall certainly die? And you answered me, ‘The word is good; I have heard.’ So why have you not kept the oath of the Lord and commandment that I commanded you?” Kings 2: 42-43. In the end, Shimei was executed.
Thus, as we move away from Mt. Sinai and the receipt of the Decalogue, the power in evoking the Lord’s name is to be appreciated. As we see in the Book of Kings, the Lord’s word was sufficient to assign a king as much as it was capable to be justification for an execution.
Discussion Topic: is this commandment, in present times, diminished in import? Why?
Be well!!
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The Ten Commandments Project 