1 Kings 2:1 - Printer Friendly

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

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

NASB: As David’s time to die drew near, he commanded his son Solomon, saying,

CSB: As the time approached for David to die, he ordered his son Solomon,

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

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

NKJV: Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying:

David had many sons (1 Chronicles 3:1–9). Two have died (2 Samuel 13:28–29; 18:14–15). One has either died or inherited his mother's first husband's estate (1 Samuel 25). The fourth, Adonijah, tried to take the crown , but David held him off, and Solomon was crowned just in time (1 Kings 1).

Now that Solomon is king, David needs to make sure he's a good one. Solomon must follow God's commandments in the Mosaic law. This will ensure that God will bless him, David's line, and Israel. Notably, Solomon needs to worship only God. Despite David's shortcomings, there's no indication that David ever considered worshiping a pagan god. In the 1 Kings account, David focuses on the promise that "you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel" (1 Kings 2:4). That is, if David's line obeys God, the king of Israel will always be a descendant of David.

But this isn't the only part of the Davidic Covenant that David is concerned about. The stories in 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings are often more personal than those in 1 and 2 Chronicles. First and Second Kings were written to remind the Jews of the sins that led to their exile in Babylon. The Chronicles were written to remind the returning exiles of their heritage as God's people. In that broader story, David wants Solomon to build the temple (1 Chronicles 22:6–19; 28:10). David goes to extraordinary lengths to set Solomon up for success. He gathers supplies (1 Chronicles 29:1–9) and laborers (1 Chronicles 22:2–5); designs the structure and furnishing (1 Chronicles 28:11–19); and organizes Levites (1 Chronicles 23), priests (1 Chronicles 24), musicians (1 Chronicles 25), and government officials (1 Chronicles 26). David orders them all to accept Solomon as their king and YHWH as their God and to build the temple (1 Chronicles 28:1–8).

When Solomon was anointed king the first time, David was so weak it appears he didn't leave his chambers (1 Kings 1:1–4, 38–40). David apparently rallies and gives his son a proper coronation (1 Chronicles 29:10–25).

First Kings 2:1–4 is David's advice for Solomon to step into the covenant God made with David (2 Samuel 7:5–16). He just needs to obey: to follow God's laws. If he and each generation can obey God, Israel will always have a man from David's line on the throne. Solomon manages to follow David's instructions for a while. But hundreds of wives turn his heart to idolatry, and God takes half the kingdom from his son and gives it to another (1 Kings 11:1–8; 26–39).

In 1 Kings 2, Solomon establishes his kingdom. David tells Solomon to follow God and to deal justly with his officials. After David dies, Solomon executes his rival Adonijah and the murderer Joab. He sends the conspiring priest Abiathar to house arrest and deals with the Benjamite Shimei, who cursed David. Benaiah becomes the military commander, and Zadok the lead priest. Next, Solomon will offer his famous prayer for wisdom (1 Kings 3:6–9).

David's reign ends as his health begins to fail. Watchful rivals try to take advantage of this, attempting to install their preferred heir to the throne (1 Kings 1). This fails, and Solomon is crowned. In 1 Kings 2, Solomon begins the work of inheriting God's covenant with David. Before David dies, he advises Solomon on how to follow God, respond to conspirators, and build the temple (1 Chronicles 22:6–19; 28:9–21). David also throws a more formal coronation ceremony (1 Chronicles 29:22–25). After dealing with the men who would take his crown, Solomon asks God for wisdom; God promises to add honor and wealth (1 Kings 3:6–14).

This was originally the first half of a combined text. First Kings records the end of David's reign and the rule of Solomon. After this, the kingdom is split in two. The northern nation of Israel no longer submits to the king of the southern nation, called Judah. The prophet Elijah first appears in this book. The kings mostly fail to honor the Lord. They participate in idolatry and other sins. This will eventually result in their conquest and exile, as depicted throughout the books of Chronicles.