Day 177 – 1 Kings 2:1-12

Scripture Review

1 Kings 2:1-12

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

(1 Kings 2:1)

David does not ignore the reality of death or pretend that his strength will return. He uses his remaining time to prepare Solomon. The verse says David "charged" him. A charge is interpreted as a solemn command, duty, or responsibility entrusted to someone. These are not casual suggestions from an elderly father. They are the final instructions of a king to the son who will carry the kingdom forward.

"I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;"

(1 Kings 2:2)

David says, "I go the way of all the earth." He means that he is going to die. Death is the way of all the earth because no earthly position exempts a person from it. David had survived Saul's spear, Philistine armies, wilderness dangers, Absalom's rebellion, and many other threats. But he could not avoid the final path traveled by all mankind.

David then says, "Be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man." Biblical manhood is not measured by physical intimidation or the ability to control others. My heart yearns for all those impacted, as we read the headlines in today's news regarding Kenny Balwin. Solomon must demonstrate maturity, courage, responsibility, and faithfulness. He is inheriting a divided court, ambitious brothers, powerful officers, unresolved crimes, and the weight of governing God's people. He cannot remain passive or childish.

"And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:"

(1 Kings 2:3)

David tells Solomon to "keep the charge of the LORD thy God." Before Solomon can properly carry the responsibilities of a king, he must remain faithful to his responsibilities before God. David gives several descriptions of God's Word, "His ways" are the paths in which God commands His people to walk. "His statutes" are fixed laws or decrees established by God. "His commandments" are God's direct instructions. "His judgments" are His righteous decisions and standards concerning what is right and wrong. "His testimonies" are the truths God has declared about Himself, His will, and His covenant. All of these were written "in the law of Moses." Solomon did not have the authority to decide that being king placed him above Scripture. The law of God stood above the throne. This is where real strength begins.

David says obedience will allow Solomon to "prosper." Biblical prosperity does not merely mean becoming wealthy. It means acting wisely, fulfilling God-given responsibilities successfully, and walking under God's favor.

"That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel."

(1 Kings 2:4)

David connects Solomon's obedience with God's covenant promise concerning his family. His children must walk before God "in truth." This means with faithfulness, sincerity, integrity, and agreement with God's revealed will. They must walk with "all their heart and with all their soul." God does not desire partial devotion. A king cannot publicly honor the LORD while secretly giving his heart to pride, pleasure, greed, or false gods.

"Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet."

(1 Kings 2:5)

David now speaks of Joah and how violent, calculating, and willing to disobey the king when his own judgment or interests took control. He says Joab "shed the blood of war in peace." Joab treated peaceful encounters as opportunities for assassination. He brought battlefield violence into places where men had reason to believe they were safe.

There is a sad weakness revealed here. David condemned Joab's actions but allowed him to remain in power for years. David may have depended too heavily upon Joab's military ability, feared his influence, or felt compromised because Joab knew about David's actions concerning Uriah. Whatever the reason, delayed justice became part of Solomon's inheritance.

"Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace."

(1 Kings 2:6)

David tells Solomon to act "according to thy wisdom." This is not permission for uncontrolled revenge. Solomon must exercise sound judgment concerning Joab's crimes, influence, and continuing danger to the throne. Joab's "hoar head" means his gray or white hair. He had grown old. David says Joab must not go down to the grave in peace.

"But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother."

(1 Kings 2:7)

Barzillai the Gileadite had helped David while he fled from Absalom. David was humiliated, displaced from Jerusalem, and uncertain whether he would ever return to the throne. Barzillai provided food and assistance during that painful season. David never forgot it. Barzillai's family would continue receiving kindness because of the loyalty he had shown David in distress.

"And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword."

(1 Kings 2:8)

While David fled from Absalom, Shimei publicly cursed him, threw stones, and accused him of being a bloody man. His curse was "grievous," meaning severe, bitter, painful, and harmful. Later, when David returned to Jerusalem in victory, Shimei rushed to meet him at Jordan and begged for mercy. David swore by the LORD that he would not kill him with the sword.

But David also understood that Shimei's outward submission may have been motivated by fear rather than genuine loyalty. Shimei remained a man whose hostility toward David's house could create danger for Solomon.

"Now therefore hold him not guiltless: for thou art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him; but his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood."

(1 Kings 2:9)

David says not to "hold him guiltless." Solomon must not pretend Shimei's actions were harmless or ignore the danger he might present. The command that Shimei's gray head be brought down to the grave with blood is severe. It also feels more personal than the charge concerning Joab. David may have been concerned about Shimei's continuing threat to the throne, but there may also be traces of an old wound David had never completely released.

"So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David."

(1 Kings 2:10)

David dies. The expression "slept with his fathers" is a respectful biblical way of describing death and burial. His body rested in death and was placed among the generations that had gone before him. David was buried in the city of David, the stronghold of Jerusalem that he had captured and established as the capital of Israel.

"And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem."

(1 Kings 2:11)

David reigned for forty years. He ruled seven years in Hebron, initially over Judah. He then reigned thirty three years in Jerusalem.

"Then sat Solomon upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly."

(1 Kings 2:12)

Solomon now sits upon David's throne. God's purpose moves forward through the next generation. Solomon's kingdom is "established greatly." Established means made firm, strengthened, secured, and settled. However, the rest of the chapter will show that several threats still need to be addressed before the kingdom is completely secure. Adonijah, Abiathar, Joab, and Shimei represent unfinished dangers from David's reign. Even so, the central truth remains: David died, but God's promise did not.