1 Kings 2:1

David's Instructions to Solomon

1 ¹When David's time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying,

1 Kings 2:1 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 2:1

Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die
The number of his days fixed and determined by the Lord, ( Job 14:5 ) ; and which might be perceived as drawing nigh, both by himself and others, through the growing infirmities of old age, decline of nature, and various symptoms of an approaching dissolution which were upon him; see ( Genesis 47:29 ) . Abarbinel observes, that he is called only David, not King David; because Solomon his son was now anointed king, and reigned in his stead; so in ( 1 Kings 1:10 1 Kings 1:11 ) ; but there is another reason given by some Jews ^F14, that no man, even a king, has power in the day of death; he is no king then, he has no rule over that, but that rules over him:

and he charged Solomon his son;
gave him his last and dying charge:

saying;
as follows.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F14 Bereshit Rabba, sect. 96. fol. 83. 3.

1 Kings 2:1 In-Context

1 When David's time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying,

2 "I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man,

3 and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn,

4 that the LORD may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.'

5 "Moreover, you also know what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, how he dealt with the two commanders of the armies of Israel, Abner the son of Ner, and Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed, avenging in time of peace for blood that had been shed in war, and putting the blood of war on the belt around his waist and on the sandals on his feet.

Cross References

• 1. [Genesis 47:29]