1 Kings Chapter 2

At a Glance

  • This chapter continues the dynastic transition with David’s final instructions and the handling of prominent threats to Solomon’s throne.
  • Historically & Literary Context.
  • 1 Kings 2 is part of the closing section of David’s reign and the onboarding of Solomon’s rule.
  • - Covenant fidelity and obedience: Solomon is urged to walk in the Law of Moses for prosperity.
  • - Judgment and mercy in rule: The handling of Joab, Shimei, and Barzillai’s family reflects a balance between stern justice and mercy.

Chapter Overview

This chapter continues the dynastic transition with David’s final instructions and the handling of prominent threats to Solomon’s throne. As David’s life wanes, he charges Solomon to be strong, walk in the ways of the Lord, keep the commandments, and adhere to the covenant. The text then shifts to addressing specific personal and political debts: do not show mercy to Joab and Shimei for past violence and treachery, respectively, while ensuring kindness to Barzillai's family. David forecasts a grim judgment for Joab’s killings and for Shimei’s curses, signaling that justice—executed carefully and with wisdom—will mark Solomon’s reign. The narrative establishes Solomon’s legitimacy not merely through birthright but through disciplined governance, personal discernment, and strategic retribution balanced by mercy to loyal families.

Historically & Literary Context

1 Kings 2 is part of the closing section of David’s reign and the onboarding of Solomon’s rule. The chapter blends legalistic instruction, political decision-making, and familial justice. It reflects the Deuteronomistic historian’s pattern: a king who follows the Lord prospers; disobedience triggers consequences. The text also foregrounds the use of wisdom in governance, the handling of old allies and enemies, and the weightiness of promises made to mothers of kings (Bathsheba’s earlier role). This chapter anchors Solomon’s legitimacy through David’s explicit commands and the justice framework that will shape his administration.

Key Themes

- Covenant fidelity and obedience: Solomon is urged to walk in the Law of Moses for prosperity.

- Judgment and mercy in rule: The handling of Joab, Shimei, and Barzillai’s family reflects a balance between stern justice and mercy.

- Leadership with wisdom and discernment: David’s charge sets the tone for Solomon’s governance, with a focus on prudence in dealing with political threats.

- Family and loyalty in the royal court: The fates of key figures reveal how loyalty or betrayal shapes a king’s capacity to rule.

- The continuity of the monarchy: The chapter reinforces that the throne remains under divine oversight, not merely human ambition.

Modern Application

For readers today, 1 Kings 2 speaks to responsible leadership and the ethical handling of conflict. It underscores the necessity of setting clear expectations for successors, exercising prudent justice, and balancing accountability with mercy where appropriate. The text invites reflection on how leaders differentiate between vindictive judgment and principled justice, especially when addressing past betrayals or violence. It also emphasizes the importance of wisdom in governance and the lasting impact of one’s decisions on a nation’s future. In personal life, the call to uphold covenant faithfulness—walking in God’s ways and keeping His commands—calls believers to integrity in all spheres, including family, work, and community life.

Cross-References

- Deuteronomy 29-30 (covenant faithfulness and blessing for obedience)

- 1 Samuel 24 and 26 (Saul’s and David’s handling of enemies and justice)

- 2 Samuel 3:39; 3:28-29 (David’s justice for Joab and Abner)

- Psalm 101 (a king’s vow to govern with integrity)

- Proverbs 3:5-7 (trust in the Lord in leadership)

Recommended Personas

- David: The elder statesman shaping the transition with strategic discernment.

- Nathan the Prophet: The conscience and moral compass offering counsel on justice and integrity.

- Joab and Shimei: Complex advisors who illustrate consequences of violent alliances and treachery.

- Solomon: The promised heir whose future decisions will reveal the depth of wisdom and governance.

- A modern pastor or counselor: Bridging ancient governance with present-day leadership ethics and pastoral care.

Chapter Text

1

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

2

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

3

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:

4

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.

5

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.

6

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

7

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.

8

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.

9

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.

10

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

11

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.

12

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

13

And Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. And she said, Comest thou peaceably? And he said, Peaceably.

14

He said moreover, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And she said, Say on.

15

And he said, Thou knowest that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel set their faces on me, that I should reign: howbeit the kingdom is turned about, and is become my brother’s: for it was his from the LORD.

16

And now I ask one petition of thee, deny me not. And she said unto him, Say on.

17

And he said, Speak, I pray thee, unto Solomon the king, (for he will not say thee nay,) that he give me Abishag the Shunammite to wife.

18

And Bathsheba said, Well; I will speak for thee unto the king.

19

Bathsheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king’s mother; and she sat on his right hand.

20

Then she said, I desire one small petition of thee; I pray thee, say me not nay. And the king said unto her, Ask on, my mother: for I will not say thee nay.

21

And she said, Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother to wife.

22

And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.

23

Then king Solomon sware by the LORD, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life.

24

Now therefore, as the LORD liveth, which hath established me, and set me on the throne of David my father, and who hath made me an house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death this day.

25

And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him that he died.

26

And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art worthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the LORD God before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted.

27

So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being priest unto the LORD; that he might fulfil the word of the LORD, which he spake concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.

28

Then tidings came to Joab: for Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.

29

And it was told king Solomon that Joab was fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD; and, behold, he is by the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go, fall upon him.

30

And Benaiah came to the tabernacle of the LORD, and said unto him, Thus saith the king, Come forth. And he said, Nay; but I will die here. And Benaiah brought the king word again, saying, Thus said Joab, and thus he answered me.

31

And the king said unto him, Do as he hath said, and fall upon him, and bury him; that thou mayest take away the innocent blood, which Joab shed, from me, and from the house of my father.

32

And the LORD shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, my father David not knowing thereof, to wit, Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah.

33

Their blood shall therefore return upon the head of Joab, and upon the head of his seed for ever: but upon David, and upon his seed, and upon his house, and upon his throne, shall there be peace for ever from the LORD.

34

So Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up, and fell upon him, and slew him: and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness.

35

And the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his room over the host: and Zadok the priest did the king put in the room of Abiathar.

36

And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Build thee an house in Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go not forth thence any whither.

37

For it shall be, that on the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook Kidron, thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt surely die: thy blood shall be upon thine own head.

38

And Shimei said unto the king, The saying is good: as my lord the king hath said, so will thy servant do. And Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days.

39

And it came to pass at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away unto Achish son of Maachah king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, Behold, thy servants be in Gath.

40

And Shimei arose, and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants: and Shimei went, and brought his servants from Gath.

41

And it was told Solomon that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath, and was come again.

42

And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Did I not make thee to swear by the LORD, and protested unto thee, saying, Know for a certain, on the day thou goest out, and walkest abroad any whither, that thou shalt surely die? and thou saidst unto me, The word that I have heard is good.

43

Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the LORD, and the commandment that I have charged thee with?

44

The king said moreover to Shimei, Thou knowest all the wickedness which thine heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father: therefore the LORD shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head;

45

And king Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the LORD for ever.

46

So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; which went out, and fell upon him, that he died. And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.

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