The Chosen Key Word in this Chapter is “Charge” it comes from the Hebrew Word “mishmereth” which means “charge, duty, obligation.”
With his final breaths, David gives Solomon both spiritual counsel and some unfinished business to settle. Welcome to Bible Life Basics Chapter Reviews, I am Chris and this is 1 Kings 2.
As David’s death approaches, he charges Solomon to be strong, show himself a man, and keep “the charge,” “mishmereth” in Hebrew, of the Lord, walking in His ways and keeping His statutes, so that he may prosper and the Lord may confirm His promise concerning David’s throne. David also instructs Solomon to deal with several unresolved matters, dealing wisely with Joab for his earlier murders of Abner and Amasa, showing kindness to the sons of Barzillai, and addressing Shimei, who had cursed David years earlier.
David dies after reigning forty years, and Solomon sits firmly on his father’s throne. Adonijah, still hoping to gain influence, asks Bathsheba to request Abishag as his wife, a request Solomon recognizes as effectively still pursuing the throne, and has Adonijah executed for it. Solomon banishes Abiathar from the priesthood for his earlier support of Adonijah, though sparing his life, and when Joab, hearing of these events, flees to the altar for sanctuary, Solomon has Benaiah execute him there anyway, since his own past bloodguilt disqualified him from such protection.
Solomon appoints Benaiah as military commander and Zadok as priest in Abiathar’s place. He also confines Shimei to Jerusalem under penalty of death if he ever leaves, and when Shimei eventually violates this restriction to retrieve runaway servants, Solomon has him executed as well, finally settling the last of these lingering, unresolved matters from David’s troubled reign, and “the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.”
David’s final charge to Solomon prioritized spiritual faithfulness above political security, though the practical matters he also addressed reveal just how much unfinished business a long, complicated reign can leave behind. Solomon’s swift, decisive handling of each situation established his authority firmly right from the very start of his own kingship.
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