1 Kings 2:1-12--David's Instructions to Solomon and the Death of David

1 Kings 2:1-12
English Standard Version

David's Instructions to Solomon
2 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. 6 Act therefore according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace. 7 But deal loyally with the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for with such loyalty they met me when I fled from Absalom your brother. 8 And there is also with you Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse on the day when I went to Mahanaim. But when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the LORD, saying, ‘I will not put you to death with the sword.’ 9 Now therefore do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man. You will know what you ought to do to him, and you shall bring his gray head down with blood to Sheol.”

The Death of David​
10 Then David slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. 11 And the time that David reigned over Israel was forty years. He reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. 12 So Solomon sat on the throne of David his father, and his kingdom was firmly established.

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David knew that his time to die was close at hand, so he came close to Solomon to bless him (as we have seen other patriarchs do with their children before death).  We don't see David lining all his children up and trying to bless all of them though like Isaac and Jacob did.  Instead, David has an understanding that the blessing (the covenant) and the birthright (kingdom) have both been given to Solomon by God and that Solomon is the only one that he needs to speak with.  All the other sons (and daughters) that are left will be required to serve Solomon.

David charges Solomon to be careful to walk in all the ways that the LORD has commanded in His Law, so that Solomon and the people will experience all of the blessings of the Law and none of the curses of the Law.  David also tells Solomon that this is not just an issue of outward obedience, but that this obedience must come as a result of the people loving the LORD with all their heart and soul (and mind and strength as David is making reference to a part of the Law here commanding the people to love God with all they are.  Jesus quotes this as the first and greatest commandment and says that all other commandments naturally flow from this one).

David then askes Solomon to take care of some unfinished business for him.  First, that Joab needs to be punished for the murders that he committed, especially against the two commanders of the armies of Israel that he killed in order to get the army to follow after him again.  Apparently David didn't feel strong enough to punish Joab, but asks Solomon to use his wisdom to find a just punishment so that it doesn't look like Joab went unpunished.  Second, David asks for Solomon to bless those who have been good to him and to punish those that wished evil on him during the time when Absalom seized power.  David doesn't specifically ask Solomon to put anyone to death, but knows that Solomon is wise and can figure out a way to punish someone, possibly worse than death, while not executing them that would be just for those that made themselves the enemies of David and the LORD, and Solomon can also pour out blessings that the LORD will bless him with on all those who blessed his father, David.

After saying all these things, David was at peace and died.  His reign was forty years long--7 years in Hebron just as king of Judah, and 33 years in Jerusalem over all of Israel.  Solomon then sat on the throne of his father David, and his throne was firmly established so that no one tried to challenge him for the throne.