1 Kings 2

1 Kings 2:1-11 . DAVID DIES.

1. David . . . charged Solomon his son--The charge recorded here was given to Solomon just before his death and is different from the farewell address delivered in public some time before ( 1 Chronicles 28:2-9 ). It is introduced with great solemnity.

2. I go the way of all the earth--a beautiful and impressive periphrasis for death.
be thou strong, . . . show thyself a man--This counsel is similar to the apostolic direction ( 1 Corinthians 16:13 ) and refers to the fortitude or strength of mind that was required to discharge the onerous functions of king.

3. keep the charge of the Lord thy God--that is, the divine law in all its ceremonial as well as moral requirements. But particular reference was intended to its political institutions, as it was only by strictly maintaining the conduct that became the Hebrew monarch ( Deuteronomy 17:10-20 ), that he would secure the blessing of peace and prosperity to his reign

4. there shall not fail thee . . . a man on the throne of Israel--a reference to the promise made to David of the sovereignty being vested perpetually in his lineage ( 2 Samuel 7:11-16 ), which was confirmed to Solomon afterwards (see 1 Kings 9:5 ), and repeated with reference to its spiritual meaning long after ( Jeremiah 33:17 ).

5, 6. thou knowest also what Joab . . . did--The insolent and imperious conduct of that general had not only been deeply offensive to the feelings ( 2 Samuel 18:5-15 , 19:5-7 ), but calculated to bring reproach on the character, to injure the prospects, and endanger the throne of David. Passing over the injuries committed directly against himself, David dwelt with strong feelings on the base assassination of Abner and Amasa.
shed the blood of war in peace, &c.--The obvious meaning is, that in peace he acted towards them as if they had been in a state of warfare; but perhaps these graphic expressions might be designed to impress Solomon's mind more strongly with a sense of the malice, treachery, and cruelty by which those murders were characterized.

6. Do . . . according to thy wisdom--Joab's immense popularity with the army required that any proceedings instituted against him should be taken with great prudence and deliberation.

8. thou hast with thee Shimei--Though David promised him a pardon, which being enforced by the presence of a thousand followers, could not have been well refused, he warned his son against Shimei as a turbulent and dangerous character. It must not be supposed that in these dying instructions David was evincing a fierce, vindictive spirit. He is rather to be considered as acting in the character of a king and magistrate, in noticing crimes which he had not been in a condition to punish, and pointing out persons of whom Solomon would be under a necessity to rid himself as dangerous to the state. The grateful mention of Barzillai's kindness [ 1 Kings 2:7 ] was, however, a personal feeling that does honor to the warmth of his heart; and his silence as to Mephibosheth, the son of his beloved Jonathan, would imply the previous death of that prince.

9. for thou art a wise man--Solomon had given early indications of wisdom before his miraculous endowment with the heavenly gift (see 1 Kings 3:11 ), and his own sagacity would dictate the course that should be followed in any new offense that Shimei might commit.