1 Kings 2:1-7

David's Instructions to Solomon

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

2 ²"I am about to go the way of all the earth. ³Be 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, ⁴that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn,

4 that the LORD may ⁵establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, ⁶'If your sons pay close attention to their way, ⁷to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, ⁸you shall not lack^[a] a man on the throne of Israel.'

5 "Moreover, you also know what Joab the son of Zeruiah ⁹did to me, how he dealt with the two commanders of the armies of Israel, ¹⁰Abner the son of Ner, ¹¹and Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed, avenging^[b] in time of peace for blood that had been shed in war, and putting the blood of war^[c] on the belt around his^[d] waist and on the sandals on his feet.

6 Act therefore ¹²according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace.

7 But deal loyally with the sons of ¹³Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be ¹⁴among those who eat at your table, ¹⁵for with such loyalty^[e] they met me when I fled from Absalom your brother.

1 Kings 2:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KING 2

This chapter gives an account of the charge David gave to his son Solomon, a little before his death, to walk in the ways of the Lord, 1Ki 2:1-4; and of some instructions delivered to him concerning some particular persons he should either show favour to, or execute justice on, 1Ki 2:5-9; and the next account in it is concerning his death and burial, and the years of his reign, 1Ki 2:10,11; after which it relates an address of Bathsheba to Solomon in favour of Adonijah, which was refused, and the issue of it was his death, 1Ki 2:12-25; and the deposition of Abiathar from the priesthood, 1Ki 2:26,27; and the putting of Joab to death for his treason and murders, 1Ki 2:28-34; in whose post Benaiah was put, as Zadok was in the place of Abiathar, 1Ki 2:35; and lastly the confinement of Shimei in Jerusalem, who had cursed David, 1Ki 2:36-38; who upon transgressing the orders given him was put to death, 1Ki 2:39-46.

Cross References

• 1. [Genesis 47:29]
• 2. Joshua 23:14
• 3. See Joshua 1:6, 7
• 4. Deuteronomy 29:9; 1 Chronicles 22:12, 13
• 5. 2 Samuel 7:25
• 6. Psalms 132:12
• 7. [1 Kings 3:6; 1 Kings 9:4; 2 Kings 20:3]
• 8. 1 Kings 8:25; 1 Kings 9:5; 2 Samuel 7:12, 13
• 9. 2 Sam. 18:5, 12, 14; [2 Samuel 3:39]
• 10. ver. 32; 2 Samuel 3:27
• 11. 2 Samuel 20:10
• 12. [ver. 9]
• 13. See 2 Samuel 19:31-38
• 14. 2 Samuel 9:7, 10
• 15. 2 Samuel 17:27-29

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew there shall not be cut off for you
• [b]. Septuagint; Hebrew placing
• [c]. Septuagint innocent blood
• [d]. Septuagint my; twice in this verse
• [e]. Or steadfast love