1 Kings 2

The book of 1 Kings begins with the Lord's promise to David (see 2 Samuel 7:11–16). Solomon was the rightful and God-chosen heir to what God gave his father David. The problems during Solomon's rise to power suggested there would be more troubles later in his reign and between Israel and Judah in the future(1 Kings 1:1–2:46; 11:12–43).

David gave Solomon his final advice in two parts:

• personal guidance for spiritual living (1 Kings 2:2–4) and

• directions about people David had interacted with (1 Kings 2:5–9).

So be strong and prove yourself a man: God and Moses gave this same advice to Joshua during the conquest (Deuteronomy 31:6–7; Joshua 1:6–7, 9). Joshua and Hezekiah encouraged the Israelite forces when facing enemies (Joshua 1:16–18; 10:24–28; 2 Chronicles 32:7). David understood the importance of courage from God (Psalms 27:13–14; 31:23–24).

When Paul urged Christians to be brave and strong (1 Corinthians 16:13), he used the same words found in the Greek Old Testament for the advice given by Moses, Joshua, Hezekiah, and the Lord. A similar situation occurred during Bishop Polycarp’s martyrdom. As he was led to execution, Polycarp heard a voice from heaven saying, “Be strong, Polycarp, be a man!” (Martyrdom of Polycarp 9:1).

• David advised Solomon to follow the spiritual and ethical rules from Deuteronomy and the covenant through Moses (see Leviticus 18:4–5; Deuteronomy 5:33; 6:4–5; 8:6; 10:12). He also mentioned the promises of the covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:12–16, 25). If Solomon followed God's rules, his heir would receive God's blessings and pass them to future generations (Psalm 89:3–4, 20, 24, 27–37).

• The most important heir of David was the Messiah. The Messiah would:

  • show true righteousness (Isaiah 11:1–5),

  • gain all the benefits of the covenant (Jeremiah 33:14–16), and

  • create a new covenant with Israel and Judah (Jeremiah 31:31–34; Ezekiel 34:24–31; 37:24–28).

  The New Testament identifies Jesus as that son of David who has come (Matthew 1:1; Romans 1:1–4). He will return to fulfill Old Testament prophecies and bless everyone (Luke 1:67–79; Galatians 3:26–29; Revelation 3:21).

Joab had supported David's rise to kingship but became too ambitious. He murdered former military rivals Abner (2 Samuel 3:22–30) and Amasa (2 Samuel 20:10), as well as David's son Absalom (2 Samuel 18:1–18). Involved in David's murder of Uriah the Hittite (2 Samuel 11:14–27), Joab became very powerful (2 Samuel 20:23), and his support for Adonijah was a serious threat to Solomon.

at your table: Like he did for Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:6–13), David took care of Barzillai and his family. This privilege ensured their continued loyalty.

Barzillai strongly supported David during his conflict with Absalom, while Shimei openly opposed David (2 Samuel 16:5–13; 19:6–23).

Mahanaim was where David found safety during Absalom's rebellion (2 Samuel 17:24). The Egyptian pharaoh, Shishak, attacked it when Rehoboam was king (see 1 Kings 14:25).

David died peacefully after ruling for forty years, confident that Solomon, his chosen heir, would lead the kingdom. People have suggested different locations for David’s tomb, but none are confirmed (see Acts 2:29). Royal tombs were in use at least until the time of Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:21).

Adonijah showed he was not peaceful when he claimed, "You know that the kingship was mine."

Let him give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife: Having the king’s concubine showed royal authority. When David became king, he received Saul’s wives (2 Samuel 12:7–8). The rebellious Absalom took David’s concubines (2 Samuel 16:20–22).

Solomon realized Adonijah's true intentions with his small request. Adonijah wanted to marry Abishag to strengthen his claim to the throne, regardless of her status in David's harem.

Adonijah broke his agreement to submit to Solomon (1 Kings 1:52–53). So the king told Benaiah to execute him (see 1 Kings 1:8, 26, 38).

Abiathar had supported Adonijah in his attempt to make himself king (1 Kings 1:7, 25). But he was removed from his position instead of being killed because he had:

• carried the ark (2 Samuel 15:24, 29, 35),

• supported David, and

• shared in David's hardships.

Abiathar's removal from the priesthood fulfilled God's word about Eli's family line through Ithamar (1 Samuel 2:30–35). Zadok's appointment (1 Kings 4:2) restored the high priesthood to Eleazar's line, as it was before Eli (Numbers 20:22–28; 25:11–13; 2 Samuel 8:17; 1 Chronicles 6:1–8, 50–53; Ezra 7:2–5) and continued during Israel's divided kingdom (2 Chronicles 31:10; Ezekiel 43:19).

Solomon believed that Adonijah's main supporters, Abiathar and Joab, were still part of Adonijah's plans, so he took action against them too.

Joab followed Adonijah's example (1 Kings 1:50). Joab hoped for mercy by holding onto the altar's horns, as allowed by the law of Moses (Exodus 21:12–14; Numbers 35:22–25; Deuteronomy 19:4–5). However, because Joab was a murderer, he could not receive mercy (see 2 Samuel 3:27; 18:14; 20:10).

Shimei was confined so that he could not go to his relatives in Benjamin and cause problems for the king.

Shimei went to Gath to find his runaway slaves. This broke the agreement he made. He did no cross the Kidron Valley, but both parties knew the penalty applied if he went anywhere else. Shimei broke his promise to the Lord (1 Kings 2:43) and had a history of hostility toward David (2 Samuel 16:5–13; 19:16–23). Because of this, Solomon told Benaiah to execute him.