1 Kings Chapter 2
David’s Instructions to Solomon
1 As David’s time to die came closer, he charged Solomon,
2 “I’m going the way of all the earth. So be strong, show yourself to be a man. 3 Keep the charge of Yahveh your God, follow him, keep his statutes, commandments, ordinances, and testimonies written in the Law of Moses. Then you can succeed at everything you do. 4 Yahveh will carry out his promise to me, ‘If your descendants follow me sincerely with their heart and soul, you’ll always have one on Israel’s throne.’ 5 You also know what Joab did to me and the two commanders of Israel’s armies, Abner and Amasa that he murdered. He shed the blood of war in the time of peace. He put the blood of war on the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. 6 Act wisely; don’t let his gray hair go down to Sheol in peace. 7 But be kind to the descendants of Barzillai the Gileadite. Have them eat at your table. They helped me when I was eluding your half-brother Absalom. 8 Shimei Ben-Gera is with you. He cursed me with violent curses when I went to Mahanaim. But when he came down to me at the Jordan, I swore to him by Yahveh that I wouldn’t put him to death with the sword. 9 Don’t you let him go unpunished. You’re a wise man; send his gray hair down to Sheol with blood.”
The Death of David
10 David died and they buried him in The City of David. 11 He’d ruled Israel for 40 years, 7 in Hebron and 33 in Jerusalem. 12 Solomon sat on his throne, and his kingdom became secure.
1 Kg 2:1-12
Solomon’s Throne Established
13 Adonijah went to Bathsheba.
She said, “Are you coming in peace?”
“Yes. 14 I have something to say to you.”
“Say it.”
15 “You know that the kingdom was mine as oldest heir and that Israel supposed I would be king. But the kingdom has been turned around and become my half-brother’s; it was his from Yahveh. 16 I’m making one request. Don’t refuse me.”
“What is it?”
17 “Please speak to Solomon about giving me Abishag as a wife. He won’t refuse you.”
18 “I’ll speak to him.” 1 Kg 2:13-18
19 Bathsheba went to King Solomon, and the king rose to meet her, bowed to her, and sat down on his throne. Then he had a throne set for the queen mother on his right. 20 She said, “I’m making one small request. Don’t refuse me.”
“Ask, Mother; I won’t refuse you.”
21 “Give Abishag to Adonijah your half-brother as a wife.”
22 “Why are you asking for Abishag for Adonijah? Ask for the kingdom too—because he’s my oldest half-brother—even for him, Abiathar, and Joab!” 23 Solomon swore by Yahveh,
“God do so to me and more if Adonijah hasn’t said that against his own life. 24 As sure as Yahveh lives who made me secure on my father’s throne and made me a family like he promised, I’ll execute Adonijah today.”
25 He sent Benaiah to execute him.
26 Then the king told Abiathar,
“Go to your farm in Anathoth. You should die, but I won’t do it now; you’ve carried the Ark of the Lord Yahveh in my father’s presence and suffered everything he did.”
27 Solomon dismissed Abiathar from being priest in fulfillment of Yahveh’s word about the descendants of Eli in Shiloh. 1 Kg 2:19-27
28 The news came to Joab because Joab had followed Adonijah—though he hadn’t followed Absalom. Joab fled to Yahveh’s tent and held onto the horns of the altar. 29 King Solomon learned that he was beside the altar and sent Benaiah to execute him.
30 Benaiah went and told him, “The king says to come out.”
But he said, “I’ll die here.” Benaiah brought back word to the king.
31 “Do like he said and bury him so you can remove from me and my father’s family the blood he shed for no reason. 32 Yahveh will be bringing his blood back on his own head. He fell on two men more upright than he was and killed them with the sword unbeknownst to my father: Abner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa, commander of Judah’s army. 33 Their blood will come back on the head of Joab and his descendants permanently. But may David, his descendants, his dynasty, and throne have lasting peace from Yahveh.” 1 Kg 2:28-33
34 Benaiah went up and fell on him, and they buried him at his house in the country. 35 The king appointed Benaiah over the army and Zadok as priest to replace Abiathar.
36 The king called for Shimei, “Build a house in Jerusalem and live here. 37 If you cross the Kidron, you’ll be responsible for your own death.”
38 “All right.” He lived in Jerusalem a good while. 1 Kg 2:34-38
39 But three years later, two of his servants ran away to Achish Ben-Maacah, king of Gath. People told him his servants were in Gath. 40 He saddled his donkey, went to Achish in Gath to look for them, and brought them back. 41 Solomon found out he’d gone, 42 so he called him in,
“Didn’t I make you swear by Yahveh and solemnly warn you that the day you went anywhere else you’d surely die? You agreed. 43 Why not keep your oath to Yahveh and my command? 44 You’ve acknowledged your sin against my father; Yahveh will bring it back on your own head. 45 But I’ll be blessed, and David’s throne will be secure with Yahveh permanently.”
46 The king told Benaiah to execute him. That’s how the kingdom became secure for Solomon.
1 Kg 2:39-46