1 Kings 2 - Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

David’s Dying Instructions to Solomon

2 As the time approached for David to die,(A) he ordered his son Solomon, 2 “As for me, I am going the way of all of the earth.(B) Be strong and be a man,(C) 3 and keep your obligation to the Lord your God to walk in his ways and to keep his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees. This is written in the law of Moses, so that you will have success in everything you do(D) and wherever you turn, 4 and so that the Lord will fulfill his promise that he made to me: ‘If your sons take care to walk faithfully before me with all their heart and all their soul,(E) you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’(F)

5 “You also know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me(G) and what he did to the two commanders of Israel’s army, Abner son of Ner(H) and Amasa son of Jether.(I) He murdered them in a time of peace to avenge blood shed in war. He spilled that blood on his own waistband and on the sandals of his feet.[a] 6 Act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray head descend to Sheol in peace.

7 “Show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite and let them be among those who eat at your table(J) because they supported me when I fled from your brother Absalom.(K)

8 “Keep an eye on Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim who is with you. He uttered malicious curses against me the day I went to Mahanaim.(L) But he came down to meet me at the Jordan River, and I swore to him by the Lord, ‘I will never kill you with the sword.’(M) 9 So don’t let him go unpunished, for you are a wise man. You know how to deal with him to bring his gray head down to Sheol with blood.”

10 Then David rested with his ancestors(N) and was buried in the city of David.(O) 11 The length of time David reigned over Israel was forty years: he reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.(P) 12 Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his kingship was firmly established.(Q)

Adonijah’s Foolish Request

13 Now Adonijah son of Haggith(R) came to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother. She asked, “Do you come peacefully?”

“Peacefully,” he replied,(S) 14 and then asked, “May I talk with you?” [b]

“Go ahead,” she answered.

15 “You know the kingship was mine,”(T) he said. “All Israel expected me to be king, but then the kingship was turned over to my brother,(U) for the Lord gave it to him.(V) 16 So now I have just one request of you; don’t turn me down.”[c]

She said to him, “Go on.”

17 He replied, “Please speak to King Solomon since he won’t turn you down. Let him give me Abishag the Shunammite(W) as a wife.”

18 “Very well,” Bathsheba replied. “I will speak to the king for you.”

19 So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him about Adonijah. The king stood up to greet her, bowed to her, sat down on his throne, and had a throne placed for the king’s mother.(X) So she sat down at his right hand.(Y)

20 Then she said, “I have just one small request of you. Don’t turn me down.”

“Go ahead and ask, mother,” the king replied, “for I won’t turn you down.”

21 So she said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to your brother Adonijah as a wife.”

22 King Solomon answered his mother, “Why are you requesting Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Since he is my elder brother,(Z) you might as well ask the kingship for him,(AA) for the priest Abiathar, and for Joab son of Zeruiah.”[d](AB) 23 Then King Solomon took an oath by the Lord: “May God punish me and do so severely(AC) if Adonijah has not made this request at the cost of his life. 24 And now, as the Lord lives—the one who established me, seated me on the throne of my father David, and made me a dynasty as he promised(AD)—I swear Adonijah will be put to death today!” 25 Then King Solomon dispatched Benaiah son of Jehoiada,(AE) who struck down Adonijah, and he died.

Abiathar’s Banishment

26 The king said to the priest Abiathar,(AF) “Go to your fields in Anathoth.(AG) Even though you deserve to die, I will not put you to death today, since you carried the ark of the Lord God in the presence of my father David(AH) and you suffered through all that my father suffered.”(AI) 27 So Solomon banished Abiathar from being the Lord’s priest, and it fulfilled the Lord’s prophecy he had spoken at Shiloh against Eli’s family.(AJ)

Joab’s Execution

28 The news reached Joab. Since he had supported Adonijah(AK) but not Absalom,(AL) Joab fled to the Lord’s tabernacle and took hold of the horns of the altar.(AM)

29 It was reported to King Solomon, “Joab has fled to the Lord’s tabernacle and is now beside the altar.”

Then Solomon sent[e] Benaiah son of Jehoiada(AN) and told him, “Go and strike him down!” (AO)

30 So Benaiah went to the tabernacle and said to Joab, “This is what the king says: ‘Come out!’” (AP)

But Joab said, “No, for I will die here.”

So Benaiah took a message back to the king, “This is what Joab said, and this is how he answered me.”

31 The king said to him, “Do just as he says. Strike him down and bury him in order to remove from me and from my father’s family the blood that Joab shed without just cause.(AQ) 32 The Lord will bring back his own blood on his head because he struck down two men more righteous and better than he, without my father David’s knowledge. With his sword, Joab murdered Abner(AR) son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa(AS) son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army. 33 The responsibility for their deaths will come back to Joab and to his descendants[f] forever, but for David, his descendants, his dynasty, and his throne, there will be peace from the Lord forever.”(AT)

34 Benaiah son of Jehoiada(AU) went up, struck down Joab, and put him to death. He was buried at his house in the wilderness.(AV) 35 Then the king appointed Benaiah son of Jehoiada in Joab’s place over the army,(AW) and he appointed the priest Zadok in Abiathar’s place.

Shimei’s Banishment and Execution

36 Then the king summoned Shimei(AX) and said to him, “Build a house for yourself in Jerusalem and live there, but don’t leave there and go anywhere else. 37 On the day you do leave and cross the Kidron Valley,(AY) know for sure that you will certainly die. Your blood will be on your own head.”(AZ)

38 Shimei said to the king, “The sentence is fair; your servant will do as my lord the king has spoken.” And Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time.

39 But then, at the end of three years, two of Shimei’s slaves ran away to Achish(BA) son of Maacah, king of Gath.(BB) Shimei was informed, “Look, your slaves are in Gath.” 40 So Shimei saddled his donkey and set out to Achish at Gath to search for his slaves. He went and brought them back from Gath.

41 It was reported to Solomon that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and had returned. 42 So the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “Didn’t I make you swear by the Lord and warn you, saying, ‘On the day you leave and go anywhere else, know for sure that you will certainly die’? And you said to me, ‘The sentence is fair; I will obey.’ 43 So why have you not kept the Lord’s oath and the command that I gave you?” 44 The king also said, “You yourself know all the evil that you did to my father David.(BC) Therefore, the Lord has brought back your evil on your head, 45 but King Solomon will be blessed, and David’s throne will remain established before the Lord forever.”(BD)

46 Then the king commanded Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck Shimei down, and he died. So the kingdom was established in Solomon’s hand.(BE)

Footnotes

  1. 2:5 LXX, Old Lat read on my waistband and... my feet; v. 31
  2. 2:14 Lit then said, “I have a word for you.”
  3. 2:16 Lit don’t make me turn my face
  4. 2:22 LXX, Vg, Syr read kingship for him, and on his side are Abiathar the priest and Joab son of Zeruiah
  5. 2:29 LXX adds Joab a message: “What is the matter with you, that you have fled to the altar?” And Joab replied, “Because I feared you, I have fled to the Lord.” And Solomon the king sent
  6. 2:33 Lit Their blood will return on the head of Joab and on the head of his seed

Cross references

  1. 2:1 : Gn 47:29; Nm 27:13
  2. 2:2 : Jos 23:14
  3. 2:2 : Jos 1:6–7,9; 1Sm 4:9
  4. 2:3 : Dt 29:9; 1Ch 22:12–13
  5. 2:4 : Dt 6:5; Mt 22:37
  6. 2:4 : 2Sm 7:12–13; 1Kg 8:25; 9:5
  7. 2:5 : 2Sm 18:5,12,14
  8. 2:5 : 2Sm 3:27
  9. 2:5 : 2Sm 20:10
  10. 2:7 : 2Sm 9:7; 19:28
  11. 2:7 : 2Sm 19:31–39
  12. 2:8 : 2Sm 16:5–13
  13. 2:8 : 2Sm 19:16–23
  14. 2:10 : Ac 2:29; 13:36
  15. 2:10 : 2Sm 5:7
  16. 2:11 : 2Sm 5:4–5; 1Ch 29:27
  17. 2:12 : 1Kg 2:46; 1Ch 17:14
  18. 2:13 : 1Kg 1:5,51–53
  19. 2:13 : 1Sm 16:4–5
  20. 2:15 : 1Kg 1:11
  21. 2:15 : 1Kg 1:38–46
  22. 2:15 : 1Ch 23:9–10; 28:5,7; Dn 2:21; 4:17; Jn 19:11; Rm 13:1
  23. 2:17 : 1Kg 1:3–4,15
  24. 2:19 : 2Sm 15:16; 1Kg 15:13
  25. 2:19 : Ps 110:1; Mt 20:21
  26. 2:22 : 1Kg 1:6; 1Ch 3:2,5
  27. 2:22 : 2Sm 16:20–22
  28. 2:22 : 1Kg 1:7
  29. 2:23 : Ru 1:17; 1Sm 3:17
  30. 2:24 : 2Sm 7:11–13
  31. 2:25 : 1Kg 1:8,26,38
  32. 2:26 : 1Kg 1:7,19
  33. 2:26 : Jos 21:18; Jr 1:1
  34. 2:26 : 2Sm 15:24–25,29
  35. 2:26 : 1Sm 22:20–23; 2Sm 19:11
  36. 2:27 : 1Sm 2:31–35
  37. 2:28 : 1Kg 1:7
  38. 2:28 : 2Sm 18:1–5
  39. 2:28 : Ex 21:12–14; 1Kg 1:50
  40. 2:29 : 1Kg 1:8
  41. 2:29 : Ex 12:12,14; 2Sm 3:27; 18:14; 20:10
  42. 2:30 : Ex 21:14
  43. 2:31 : Nm 35:33; Dt 21:8–9
  44. 2:32 : 2Sm 3:26–27
  45. 2:32 : 2Sm 20:8–10
  46. 2:33 : 2Sm 3:28–29
  47. 2:34 : 2Kg 2:25
  48. 2:34 : 2Sm 2:32
  49. 2:35 : 1Kg 4:4
  50. 2:36 : 2Sm 16:5–13; 1Kg 2:8–9
  51. 2:37 : Jn 18:1
  52. 2:37 : Gn 2:17; 2Sm 1:16
  53. 2:39 : 1Sm 27:2
  54. 2:39 : Jos 13:3; 1Sm 6:16–17; 21:10
  55. 2:44 : 1Kg 2:8–9
  56. 2:45 : 2Sm 7:13
  57. 2:46 : 1Kg 2:12; 2Ch 1:1

You Might Also Like:

1 Kings 2 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

2 And draw near do the days of David to die, and he chargeth Solomon his son, saying, 2 `I am going in the way of all the earth, and thou hast been strong, and become a man, 3 and kept the charge of Jehovah thy God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commands, and His judgments, and His ...
Read More

1 Kings 2 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

2 Forsooth the days of David nighed, that he should die; and he commanded to Solomon, his son, and said, 2 Lo! I enter into the way of all (the) earth; be thou strengthened (take thou courage), and be thou a strong man. 3 And keep thou the keepings and the behests of thy Lord God, that thou go in hi...
Read More

1 Kings 2 - World English Bible (WEB)

2 Now the days of David came near that he should die; and he commanded Solomon his son, saying, 2 “I am going the way of all the earth. You be strong therefore, and show yourself a man; 3 and keep the instruction of Yahweh your God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, his commandments, his ...
Read More

1 Kings 2 - The Voice (VOICE)

2 David was close to dying, so he gave direction to his son, Solomon. King David: 2 I am about to go the way all earthly things go. Be strong; demonstrate your maturity. 3 Honor the laws of the Eternal your God, and live by His truth. Be faithful to His laws, commands, judgments, and precepts—the o...
Read More

1 Kings 2 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

David’s Last Instructions2 Now when the time of David drew near to die, he charged his son Solomon, saying: 2 “I—I am going the way of all the earth. So be strong[a] and be a man. 3 Keep the charge of Adonai your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and...
Read More

1 Kings 2 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

David’s Instruction to Solomon2 When David’s time to die drew near, he charged Solomon his son, saying, 2 “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, 3 and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his ...
Read More

1 Kings 2 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

David’s Instruction to Solomon2 When David’s time to die drew near, he charged Solomon his son, saying, 2 “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, 3 and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his ...
Read More

1 Kings 2 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

David’s Instruction to Solomon2 When David’s time to die drew near, he charged his son Solomon, saying: 2 “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, be courageous, 3 and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his ordinances...
Read More

1 Kings 2 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

David’s Instruction to Solomon2 When David’s time to die drew near, he charged his son Solomon, saying: 2 ‘I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, be courageous, 3 and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his ordinances...
Read More

1 Kings 2 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

David’s Instruction to Solomon2 When David’s time to die drew near, he charged his son Solomon, saying:(A)2 “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, be courageous,(B)3 and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his ordinanc...
Read More

1 Kings 2 - New Living Translation (NLT)

David’s Final Instructions to Solomon2 As the time of King David’s death approached, he gave this charge to his son Solomon: 2 “I am going where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man. 3 Observe the requirements of the Lord your God, and follow all his ways. Keep the decrees, c...
Read More

1 Kings 2 - New Life Version (NLV)

David’s Last Words to Solomon2 When David’s time to die was near, he told his son Solomon, 2 “I am going the way of all the earth. So be strong. Show yourself to be a man. 3 Do what the Lord your God tells you. Walk in His ways. Keep all His Laws and His Word, by what is written in the Law of Mose...
Read More

1 Kings 2 - New King James Version (NKJV)

David’s Instructions to Solomon2 Now (A)the days of David drew near that he should die, and he [a]charged Solomon his son, saying: 2 (B)“I go the way of all the earth; (C)be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. 3 And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His st...
Read More

1 Kings 2 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

David’s charge to Solomon2 When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son. 2 ‘I am about to go the way of all the earth,’ he said. ‘So be strong, act like a man, 3 and observe what the Lord your God requires: walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands...
Read More

1 Kings 2 - New International Version (NIV)

David’s Charge to Solomon(A)2 When the time drew near for David to die,(B) he gave a charge to Solomon his son. 2 “I am about to go the way of all the earth,”(C) he said. “So be strong,(D) act like a man, 3 and observe(E) what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decree...
Read More

1 Kings 2 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

David Gives Orders to Solomon2 The time came near for David to die. So he gave orders to his son Solomon. 2 He said, “I’m about to die, just as everyone else on earth does. So be strong. Show how brave you are. 3 Do everything the Lord your God requires. Live the way he wants you to. Obey his order...
Read More

1 Kings 2 - New English Translation (NET)

David’s Final Words to Solomon2 When David was close to death,[a] he told[b] Solomon his son: 2 “I am about to die.[c] Be strong and become a man! 3 Do the job the Lord your God has assigned you[d] by following his instructions[e] and obeying[f] his rules, commandments, regulations, and laws as wr...
Read More