DAVID GIVES CHARGES TO SOLOMON

PROCLAMATION

“Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; he charged Solomon his son, saying, ‘… Be thou strong … keep the charge of The Lord … as written in the law of Moses … thou knowest what Joab did to me … and … Shimei … which cursed me … thou art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him …’ ”  1 Kings 2:1-9 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although some Bible scholars attribute The Bible Books of First and Second Kings to the prophet Jeremiah.  As King David drew near his death, he charged his son Solomon to be strong, to be a man, to walk in the ways of The Lord and keep His commandments. (1 Kings 2:1-4)  David also reminded Solomon that Joab killed the two captains of the army of Israel then told him to deal with Joab as he saw fit.  David told Solomon to show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite because they helped him when he fled from Absalom.  He also told Solomon to deal with Shimei who cursed him when he went to Mahanaim. (1 Kings 2:5-9)  King David reigned over Israel for forty years before He died and Solomon sat on the throne.  Then Adonijah went to Bathsheba to ask her for a favor.  He wanted King Solomon to give him Abishag the Shunammite to be his wife. (1 Kings 2:10-17)  Bathsheba agreed and spoke to Solomon regarding Adonijah’s request.  Solomon was upset remembering what Adonijah had done with Joab and Abiathar the priest, then he sent Benaiah to kill Adonijah. (1 Kings 2:18-25)  Solomon felt that Abiathar also deserved to die but he would not kill him because he was a priest who carried the ark of God for David. (1 Kings 2:26-27)  Solomon then sent Benaiah to kill Joab who ran into the tabernacle for safety, but Solomon told Benaiah to kill him there and then bury him. (1 Kings 2:28-34)  Solomon sent for Shimei and told him to build himself a house in Jerusalem and to stay there.  He told him if he leaves the house he will die.  Shimei agreed and dwelt in Jerusalem for three years.  Then he left the house to pursue two of his servants who had run away.  When Solomon heard that Shimei had left the house he sent Benaiah to kill him.  Thus Solomon fulfilled all of the charges that David had given him and he established his kingdom. (1 Kings 2:35-46)

APPLICATION

People place a lot of importance on promises made to a loved one who is on their death bed.  We should place even more importance on promises we make to The Lord God.  Unfortunately, we make promises to God when we are going through bad times which we forget when things get better.  It is a good thing for us that God does not treat us like we treat Him.  The Lord God always keeps His promises. (Joshua 21:45)