1 Kings 2:1

David’s Charge to Solomon

1 When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son.

1 Kings 2:1 in Other Translations

1 Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,

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

1 As the time of King David’s death approached, he gave this charge to his son Solomon:

1 When David's time to die approached, he charged his son Solomon, saying,

1 As the time approached for David to die, he instructed his son Solomon,

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.

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FOOTNOTES:

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

1 Kings 2:1 In-Context

1 When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son.

2 “I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man,

3 and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go

4 and that the LORD may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’

5 “Now you yourself know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to the two commanders of Israel’s armies, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He killed them, shedding their blood in peacetime as if in battle, and with that blood he stained the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet.

Cross References

• 1. S Genesis 27:2; S Numbers 27:13; Genesis 47:29; Deuteronomy 31:14