1 Kings 2:1-46

God’s lessons from history

1 Kings

Philip Smith

Chapter 2

David’s instructions to Solomon

Solomon was now the king. But before David died, he gave some special instructions to Solomon. David told Solomon to respect God and to obey his laws. That is a very important lesson for anyone who has authority. A king might make laws for other people to follow. But even a king must obey God’s laws.

v1 When David was near death, he gave these instructions to his son Solomon. v2 ‘I will die soon like everyone else’, David said. ‘Be strong and confident. v3 Do what the *Lord your God orders you to do. Obey all his laws and commands. These are in the book of the Law of Moses. Then wherever you go, you will be successful in all your actions. You will be successful wherever you go. v4 Then God will *keep the promise that he made to me. He told me that my *descendants would always rule *Israel. This would happen if they were careful to obey his commands with all their heart and *soul.’

David is telling Solomon what to do after he dies. Solomon must obey the laws of God that Moses wrote in the Book of Deuteronomy. If Solomon did so, then he would succeed. God had promised David that his *descendants would rule *Israel. This would only happen if they obeyed all his commands.

v5 ‘Now you know what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me’, David continued. ‘He killed the two leaders of *Israel’s armies, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He killed them in a time of *peace with an act of war. Joab wore his belt and shoes that had the stains of their blood on them. v6 Deal with him wisely. Do not let him die in *peace. v7 Be kind to the family of Barzillai from Gilead. Let them eat with you and share your goods. They helped me when I had to escape from your brother Absalom. v8 Remember that you have with you Shimei, son of Gera, the *descendant of Benjamin. He lived in Bahurim. He *cursed me in an angry way when I went to Mahanaim. However, later I met him at the River Jordan. I promised him this in the name of the *Lord. “I will not kill you.” v9 But now, do not let him go without punishment. You are a wise man. You know what to do. Kill him.’

v10 Then David died. They buried him in David’s city. v11 He ruled *Israel for 40 years. He ruled 7 years in Hebron and 33 years in Jerusalem. v12 So Solomon became king instead of his father. And his rule became strong.

In the ancient world, kings did not just lead the government. They were also the chief judges in their *kingdoms. Fair judgements in the law courts are essential in any country.

David had been a good king. But he was aware that, sometimes, he had not been a good judge. In particular, there were two men whom he ought to have punished. But he was too weak to punish them. And there was one family that deserved special honour. David felt that he had not sufficiently rewarded that family.

David had not been able to carry out these judgements himself. But he saw that Solomon would be a wise king. The beginning of Solomon’s rule would be a good opportunity to act.

David told Solomon that he should kill Joab and Shimei. These were powerful men who had done evil things. But they had managed to avoid punishment.

Joab had killed Abner (2 Samuel chapter 3) and Amasa (2 Samuel chapter 20). He had pretended to be their friend. Afterwards, he wore the belt and shoes that had stains of blood on them. This showed that he was not sorry for his actions. Also, he was not afraid of any punishment. David should have killed Joab himself, but David was not bold enough to do so. David told Solomon that he should kill Joab.

Barzillai was a very old man who gave food to David and his army. David tells Solomon to help Barzillai’s family as a reward. Perhaps Barzillai himself was dead.

Shimei *cursed and threw stones at David. That was when David ran away from Absalom. Kings usually killed people who *cursed them. Shimei later asked David to forgive him. David promised that he would not kill him (2 Samuel chapter 19). It seems that David considered his promise to be unwise. Shimei deserved punishment. David told Solomon that he should kill Shimei. David did not want Solomon to punish Shimei because of what Shimei had done to David personally. But it was God who appointed David to be the king. So a *curse on the king was like a *curse on God. Solomon must punish Shimei.

They buried David in his own city after he had ruled *Israel for 40 years. He achieved many things during his life. He loved God with his whole heart. He was a great king.

v13 Adonijah, son of Haggith, went to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother. She asked him, ‘Is this a friendly visit?’

He answered, ‘Yes it is.’ v14 Then he added, ‘I want to ask you something.’

‘You may’, she replied.

v15 ‘You know this’, he said. ‘I should have become king. Everyone in *Israel expected it. However, things changed and my brother has become king. This is what the *Lord wanted. v16 Now I want to request one thing. Please do not say “No.” ’

‘You may ask’, Bathsheba said.

v17 He answered, ‘Please ask King Solomon to let me have Abishag from Shunem as my wife. He will agree if you ask.’

v18 ‘Very well’, Bathsheba replied. ‘I will speak to the king for you.’

Adonijah wanted to marry Abishag. She had been like David’s mistress. But now David was dead. Abishag was a beautiful young widow.

However, Adonijah had another reason for his request. If he married David’s widow, Adonijah would have the right to be king. There was an ancient custom that a new king had the right to marry the former king’s wives. But God’s law did not allow this.

Adonijah hoped that Bathsheba would help him. He pretended to be pleased that Solomon was king. Adonijah would marry Abishag although he was not king. It was surprising that Bathsheba was happy about his request. She probably did not realise that such a marriage would affect Solomon’s authority. Perhaps she thought that it was a good solution. Perhaps she thought that she was helping Solomon. Adonijah might respect Solomon more, if Solomon was kind to him.

v19 Bathsheba went to Solomon to speak about Adonijah’s request. The king stood up to greet her and he bent down. Then he sat down on his royal seat. People fetched a royal seat for the king’s mother. She sat down at his right side.

v20 ‘I want to make a small request’, she said. ‘Please do not say “No.” ’

The king replied, ‘Ask, mother. I will not refuse.’

v21 So she said, ‘Please let your brother Adonijah marry Abishag from Shunem.’

v22 ‘You should certainly not ask me to give Abishag from Shunem to Adonijah’, answered Solomon. ‘You might as well ask me to give him the *kingdom. He can claim that right because he is my older brother. Abiathar the priest and Joab son of Zeruiah are on his side.’

v23 Then Solomon made a serious promise in the *Lord’s name. ‘Adonijah will die because of this request. If not, I pray that God will punish me severely. v24 The *Lord has made me king after my father David. He has given the *kingdom to me and to my *descendants, as he promised. I promise by the *Lord who lives. Adonijah will die today.’ v25 So King Solomon gave orders to Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. He went out and killed Adonijah.

Solomon gave Bathsheba the place of honour at his right side. She did not seem to have understood the meaning of Adonijah’s request. Solomon did, however. He immediately ordered Benaiah to kill Adonijah. Solomon would not be safe as long as Adonijah lived.

Probably, Solomon did not want to kill his brother. But Solomon saw that Adonijah would never be loyal to him. So Solomon had to act in a firm manner.

Sometimes as Christians, we too must act in a firm manner. In particular, we must make a firm decision not to allow *sin to control our lives. In Romans 8:13, Paul says this: ‘If you follow your *sinful character you will die. But if by the *Spirit you kill the *sins of the body you will live.’ We must make God the ruler of our lives. Our *sinful character must not rule our lives.

v26 The king told Abiathar the priest to go back home to work on his farm in Anathoth. ‘You deserve to die, but I will not kill you now. You used to carry God’s *Covenant Box while you were with my father David. You shared all my father’s troubles.’ v27 So Solomon punished Abiathar. He would no longer be a priest of the *Lord. So what the *Lord had said at Shiloh about the family of Eli came true.

Both Abiathar and Joab had helped Adonijah. Solomon only sent Abiathar home. He did not kill him. This was because Abiathar had helped David in his troubles. He had also been a priest to him. Solomon knew that he must respect God’s priests. However, God had told Eli that his sons would no longer be priests. This was because of their *sins (1 Samuel chapter 2). Abiathar was the last priest from the family of Eli. The new priests were from Zadok’s family.

v28 Joab had supported Adonijah although he had not supported Absalom. He ran to the tent of the *Lord when he heard the news about Abiathar. Joab held on to the corners of the *altar. v29 King Solomon heard that Joab had run to the tent. He was next to the *altar. Then Solomon ordered Benaiah the son of Jehoiada to kill Joab.

v30 So Benaiah entered the *Lord’s tent and spoke to Joab. ‘The king says, “Come out!” ’

But Joab answered, ‘No, I will die here.’ Benaiah told the king what his answer was.

v31 Then the king ordered Benaiah. ‘Do as he says. Kill him and bury him. Then my father’s family and I will not be guilty of the deaths of the innocent people whom he killed. v32 The *Lord will punish him for those murders. He killed two men without David’s knowledge. Abner son of Ner was the leader of *Israel’s army. Amasa son of Jether was the leader of *Judah’s army. Both men were innocent. And they were better men than Joab was. v33 The punishment for their murders will fall on Joab and his *descendants for always. But David, his *descendants, his family and his *kingdom will enjoy the *Lord’s *peace for always.’

v34 So Benaiah the son of Jehoiada killed Joab. He buried him at his home in the desert. v35 The king made Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, the leader of the army instead of Joab. He made Zadok the priest instead of Abiathar.

Joab held on to the corners of the *altar. He thought that he would be safe there. Solomon did not kill Adonijah at the time when he went to the *altar for protection (1:51-53). Perhaps Joab hoped that Solomon would be unwilling to kill anyone at such a *holy place. But Joab’s support for Adonijah was not his only crime. The *altar did not protect those who had murdered other people. David did not order Solomon to kill Joab because of his (Joab’s) support for Adonijah. David ordered Solomon to kill Joab because Joab was a murderer.

So Solomon carried out his father’s orders and he made *peace for himself and his family. Now nobody would say that David and his family supported Joab’s murders.

Joab believed that to hold the *altar would keep him safe. He was wrong. The Christian who trusts Christ for *forgiveness will be safe. He will enjoy God’s *peace now and for always.

v36 Then the king sent for Shimei. This is what he said to him. ‘Build a house in Jerusalem and live there. Do not go anywhere else. v37 Do not leave the city and cross the valley called Kidron. If you do, you will die. You will be responsible for your own death.’

v38 Shimei replied, ‘I agree with your decision. I will do what you say.’ So, he stayed in Jerusalem for a long time.

v39 But three years later, two of Shimei’s slaves ran away to Achish, son of Maacah king of Gath. People told him, ‘Your slaves are in Gath.’ v40 So he got on his *mule. And he went to Achish at Gath in order to find his slaves. He found them and he brought them back.

v41 And Solomon heard what Shimei had done. v42 He sent for him and spoke to him. ‘I made you promise in the *Lord’s name not to leave Jerusalem. I warned you. “If you go anywhere else you will certainly die.” You agreed and you promised to obey me. v43 But now you have not *kept the promise that you made to the *Lord. And you have not obeyed me.’ v44 The king also said to Shimei, ‘You know all the wrong things that you did to my father David. Now the *Lord will punish you for it. v45 But the *Lord will *bless King Solomon and he will make David’s family’s rule certain for always.’

v46 Then Solomon ordered Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, to kill Shimei. He did so.

Solomon was now in complete control.

Solomon ordered Shimei to stay in his own house in Jerusalem. However, when two of his slaves ran away, Shimei left Jerusalem. He found them in Gath and he brought them back. When Solomon heard about this event, he sent for Shimei. He told him that he would punish him. This punishment was also for what he had done to Solomon’s father David. So Benaiah killed Shimei. Solomon said that God would *bless King Solomon. The *curse that Shimei had put upon David could have no effect (2 Samuel 16:7-8).

David knew that Solomon would need wisdom to deal with Shimei. If Solomon had killed Shimei at once, Solomon would have seemed cruel. And Solomon would seem to be acting without honour. David had promised that Shimei would live. So Solomon, who was David’s son, should continue to perform that promise.

Solomon dealt with Shimei in a similar manner to how he dealt with Adonijah. Solomon did not punish either man immediately. Instead, he tested them to see whether they were loyal. So Solomon asked Shimei to promise not to leave Jerusalem. Shimei promised this in the *Lord’s name. So the promise was a sacred, serious promise. But Shimei did not *keep that promise. To *break such a promise was a serious crime. Shimei deserved his punishment.

Lord ~ the name of God. It can translate either of two words in Hebrew, which is the original language of this book. The word ‘Yahweh’ is God’s most holy name, and means ‘God always’. The word ‘Adonai’ means ‘master’.
descendants ~ people in your family who live after you.
Israel ~ the country or nation of people who are descendants of Jacob; the northern part of that country after it divided.
descendants ~ people in your family who live after you.
soul ~ the spiritual part of a person that exists after death.
spiritual ~ about man’s spirit or soul, not physical things.
spirit ~ the part of a person that is alive, which we cannot see. Also, there are spirits that we cannot see; such spirits can be good or bad. The word may also refer to God’s Holy Spirit.
holy ~ morally good; something people consider very important in their religion.
peace ~ the absence of war; friendship between people and groups.
curse ~ words that somebody uses in order to hurt someone else.
kingdom ~ a country or nation that a king or a queen rules.'sin/sinful ~ an action that is wrong or wicked. It is against a religious or moral law.
religious ~ about religion.'sin/sinful ~ an action that is wrong or wicked. It is against a religious or moral law.
religious ~ about religion.
spirit ~ the part of a person that is alive, which we cannot see. Also, there are spirits that we cannot see; such spirits can be good or bad. The word may also refer to God’s Holy Spirit.
holy ~ morally good; something people consider very important in their religion.
covenant ~ an agreement between two people or groups. Or, especially, the agreement between God and his people. The ‘Covenant Box’ was the most sacred object in the temple.
temple ~ the central place of worship that Solomon built in Jerusalem; or, a place where people worship a false god.
worship ~ to praise God and to give thanks to him; to show honour to God; to say that we love him very much. But some people worship false gods instead of the real God.
altar ~ a table on which people offer or burn gifts or sacrifices to a god.
sacrifice ~ something valuable that people offered to a god.
Judah ~ one of the tribes of Israel. The southern part of the *Jewish kingdom after it divided.
tribe ~ a group of people; a family or people that have the same ancestors; family from one man. Israel came from the 12 sons of Jacob. These 12 families formed the 12 tribes of Israel.
Israel ~ the country or nation of people who are descendants of Jacob; the northern part of that country after it divided.
kingdom ~ a country or nation that a king or a queen rules.
ancestor ~ any person from the past from whom the families of your father or mother have come.
descendants ~ people in your family who live after you.
holy ~ morally good; something people consider very important in their religion.
forgiveness ~ when somebody decides to forgive a person who has done something wrong. The person who forgives is not still angry with that other person.
mule ~ an animal that is born after a horse mates with a similar animal called a donkey. A mule can carry heavy burdens.
burden ~ a heavy thing to carry; or, a difficult duty.'bless/blessing ~ God does good things and protects people; or, the good things that he does.