1 Kings 2:1
INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KING 2
This chapter gives an account of the charge David gave to his son Solomon, a little before his death, to walk in the ways of the Lord, 1Ki 2:1; and of some instructions delivered to him concerning some particular persons he should either show favour to, or execute justice on, 1Ki 2:5; and the next account in it is concerning his death and burial, and the years of his reign, 1Ki 2:10; after which it relates an address of Bathsheba to Solomon in favour of Adonijah, which was refused, and the issue of it was his death, 1Ki 2:12; and the deposition of Abiathar from the priesthood, 1Ki 2:26; and the putting of Joab to death for his treason and murders, 1Ki 2:28; in whose post Benaiah was put, as Zadok was in the place of Abiathar, 1Ki 2:35; and lastly the confinement of Shimei in Jerusalem, who had cursed David, 1Ki 2:36; who upon transgressing the orders given him was put to death, 1Ki 2:39.
Ver. 1. Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die,.... The number of his days fixed and determined by the Lord, Job 14:5; and which might be perceived as drawing nigh, both by himself and others, through the growing infirmities of old age, decline of nature, and various symptoms of an approaching dissolution which were upon him; see Ge 47:29. Abarbinel observes, that he is called only David, not King David; because Solomon his son was now anointed king, and reigned in his stead; so in 1Ki 1:10; but there is another reason given by some Jews {n}, that no man, even a king, has power in the day of death; he is no king then, he has no rule over that, but that rules over him:
and he charged Solomon his son; gave him his last and dying charge:
saying; as follows.
{n} Bereshit Rabba, sect. 96. fol. 83. 3.