1 Kings2
English Standard Version
Tap any underlined word for the original Hebrew or Greek.
1 When to drew , he his , ,
2 I am about to the of all the . Be , and show yourself a ,
3 and the of the Lord your , in his and his , his , his , and his , as it is in the of , that you may in all that you and wherever you ,
4 that the Lord may his he me, , your pay to their , to me in with all their and with all their , you shall not a on the of .
5 Moreover, you what the of to me, he with the of the of , the of , and the of , whom he , avenging in time of for that had been in , and the of on the around his and on the on his .
6 therefore according to your , but do let his to in .
7 But with the of the , and let them be among those who at your , for with such loyalty they me when I your .
8 And is also you the of , the from , who me with a on the when I to . But when he to me at the , I to him by the Lord, , I will not with the .
9 therefore do hold him , you are a . You will what you ought to to him, and you shall his with to .
10 Then with his and was in the of .
11 And the that over was . He in and in .
12 So on the of his , and his was .
13 Then the of to the of . And she , Do you ? He , .
14 Then he , I have something to to you. She said, .
15 He , You that the was mine, and that all me to . However, the has and become my , it was his from the Lord.
16 And I have to of you; do . She to him, .
17 And he , — will —to me the as my .
18 , Very ; I will for you to the .
19 So to to to him on of . And the to her and to her. Then he on his and had a for the , and she on his .
20 Then she , I have to of you; do . And the to her, Make your , my , I will .
21 She , the be to your as his .
22 his , And do you the for ? for him the also, for he is my , and on his side are the and the of .
23 Then by the Lord, , to me and does not cost his !
24 therefore as the Lord , who has me and me on the of my , and who has me a , as he , shall be .
25 So the of , and he him down, and he .
26 And to the the , to , your , you . But I will at this , you the of the God my , and you in my .
27 So from being to the Lord, thus the of the Lord that he had the of in .
28 When the — had although he had not — to the of the Lord and of the of the .
29 And when it was , has to the of the Lord, and , he is the , the of , , , strike him .
30 So to the of the Lord and to him, The , Come . But he , , I will . Then the , , , and thus he me.
31 The to him, as he has , strike him and him, and thus take from me and from my the for the that .
32 The Lord will his his own , , the of my , he and with the more and than himself, the of , of the of , and the of , of the of .
33 So shall their on the of and on the of his . But for and for his and for his and for his there shall be the Lord .
34 Then the of and and . And he was in his own in the .
35 The the of the in of Joab, and the the in the of .
36 Then the and and to him, yourself a in and , and do to any .
37 For on the you and the , for that . Your shall be on your own .
38 And to the , you is ; as my the has , will your . So in .
39 But it happened at the of that of to , of , of . And when it was , , your are in ,
40 and a and to to to his . and his from .
41 And when was that had from to and ,
42 the and and to him, Did I make you by the Lord and you, , for that on the you and to any , you shall ? And you to me, you is ; I will .
43 then have you your to the Lord and the with I you?
44 The also to , You in your own the that you to my . So the Lord will your on your own .
45 But shall be , and the of shall be the Lord .
46 Then the the of , and he and , and he . So the was in the of .
People in this chapter — 31
All people →Study
1 Kings 2Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Kings 2. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: David's dying charge to Solomon. (1–4). David's charge as to Joab and others. (5–11). Solomon reigns, Adonijah aspiring to the throne is put to death. (12–25). Abiathar banished, Joab put to death. (26–34). Shimei is put to death. (35–46).
vv1-4
David's charge to Solomon is, to keep the charge of the Lord. The authority of a dying father is much, but nothing to that of a living God. God promised David that the Messiah should come from his descendants, and that promise was absolute; but the promise, that there should not fail of them a man on the throne of Israel, was conditional; if he walks before God in sincerity, with zeal and resolution: in order hereunto, he must take heed to his way. (1Ki 2:5-11)
vv5-11
These dying counsels concerning Joab and Shimei, did not come from personal anger, but for the security of Solomon's throne, which was the murders he had committed, but would readily repeat them to carry any purpose; though long reprieved, he shall be reckoned with at last. Time does not wear out the guilt of any sin, particularly of murder. Concerning Shimei, Hold him not guiltless; do not think him any true friend to thee, or thy government, or fit to be trusted; he has no less malice now than he had then. David's dying sentiments are recorded, as delivered under the influence of the Holy Ghost, 2Sa 23:1–7. The Lord discovered to him the offices and the salvation of that glorious personage, the Messiah, whose coming he then foretold, and from whom he derived all his comforts and expectations. That passage gives a decided proof that David died under the influence of the Holy Ghost, in the exercise of faith and hope.
vv12-25
Solomon received Bathsheba with all the respect that was owing to a mother; but let none be asked for that which they ought not to grant. It ill becomes a good man to prefer a bad request, or to appear in a bad cause. According to eastern customs it was plain that Adonijah sought to be king, by his asking for Abishag as his wife, and Solomon could not be safe while he lived. Ambitious, turbulent spirits commonly prepare death for themselves. Many a head has been lost by catching at a crown.
Key Words
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
יוֹם: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)
מוּת: to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
קָרַב: to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
צָוָה: (intensively) to constitute, enjoin
שְׁלֹמֹה: Shelomah, David's successor
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
הָלַךְ: to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
דֶּרֶךְ: a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
Cross References
1 Kings 2Fulfilled in Solomon thrusting out Abiathar, removing the high priesthood from the lineage of Eli.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The foundational covenant promise made to David regarding his lineage and the perpetual throne.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The law denying altar asylum to willful murderers like Joab who killed in peace.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Identical phrasing used by Joshua for his own death, calling it 'the way of all the earth'.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Moses' law commanding kings to write and keep God's statutes to ensure prolonged reigns.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
David's historical complaint regarding Joab's insolence and his inability to easily punish him.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Specific details of Joab treacherously murdering Amasa, leaving blood on his girdle and shoes.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Details of Joab's treacherous murder of Abner under the pretense of peace.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The historical context of Shimei cursing David and receiving a provisional oath of safety.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Historical context of Barzillai showing kindness to David during his flight from Absalom.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Peter's sermon references David's death and sepulchre, which remains 'with us unto this day'.
Supported by JFB
Ahithophel's advice shows taking a king's concubines was a public claim to the throne.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Establishes Adonijah's faction with Joab and Abiathar, explaining why Solomon links them in conspiracy.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Zadok replacing Abiathar fulfills the promise of a faithful priest who does God's will.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Abiathar bearing the ark before David, which Solomon cites as a reason to spare his life.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole