1 Kings 2

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 2 of 22

1 And the days of David drew near for him to die. And he commanded his son Solomon, saying,

2 I am going in the way of all the earth. And you be strong, and be a man,

3 and keep the charge of Jehovah your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commands, and His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, so that you may do wisely all that you do, and there wherever you may turn,

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Chapter Summary

David gives charge to Solomon. Joab charged. David dies. Adonijah dies for boldness. Abiathar is deprived of the priesthood. Joab flees to horns of altar and is executed.

Key Hebrew Words

כִּסֵּא throne H3678 · TWOT 1007
צָוָה charge, command H6680 · TWOT 1887
דָּם blood (bloodguilt) H1818 · TWOT 436
חׇכְמָה wisdom H2451 · TWOT 647a
נָכוֹן be established H3559 · TWOT 1364c
שָׁבַע swear an oath H7650 · TWOT 2319

People & Context

Solomon

David's son and heir who is enthroned and secures the kingdom by executing his rivals

David

Dying king who charges Solomon to keep Jehovah's ways and settle accounts with Joab and Shimei

Joab

David's army commander who backed Adonijah; flees to the altar and is executed for his bloodshed

Adonijah

Solomon's elder brother; asks for Abishag and is put to death for the implied claim to the throne

Bath-sheba

Solomon's mother who carries Adonijah's request for Abishag to the king

Shimei

Benjamite who cursed David; confined to Jerusalem, then executed for breaking his oath

Timeline

David's Final Charge to Solomon

Nearing death, David charges Solomon to keep the Law of Moses, and gives him specific instructions to execute Joab, show mercy to Barzillai's sons, and not let Shimei go unpunished.

1 Kings 2:1-9
David's Death and Burial

David dies after reigning over Israel for forty years and is buried in the city of David. Solomon's throne is firmly established.

1 Kings 2:10-12
Adonijah Requests Abishag

Adonijah approaches Bath-sheba, acknowledging the kingdom is Solomon's, but asks her to petition the king to give him Abishag the Shunammite as a wife.

1 Kings 2:13-18

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