Summary: David gives a farewell speech to his son, Solomon (v.1). He summarizes the different people that are trustworthy and untrustworthy. Since his promises are null and void as king (after his death), he tells Solomon that he can enforce capital punishment. David tells Solomon to keep a close eye on Shimei (vv.8-9). David dies (v.10).
Adonijah asks for Abishag as his wife (v.17). Remember, Abishag was one of David’s concubines. Bathsheba gives Adonijah’s request to Solomon (v.20), and this sets Solomon off (v.21). Adonijah was trying to take the harem of the king, which was a power play (v.22). Solomon killed Adonijah (v.25), and he removed Abiathar from the priesthood (v.27). He also went to kill Joab, but Joab fled to the altar for amnesty (v.29). But Solomon had him killed anyhow (v.34). Solomon put trusted people in their roles (v.35).
Solomon warned Shimei not to leave his house (vv.36-37), but Shimei decided to pick up his slaves anyhow. This was a sign to Solomon that he couldn’t trust him, so he had him killed (v.46).
(2:1) David knows that he is going to die, so he gives some final advice to Solomon. Apparently, David spent a lot of time with Solomon, imparting wisdom to him (Prov. 4:3-9).
(2:2) This same expression (“show yourself a man”) was used before military battle (1 Sam. 4:9).
(2:3) David wanted Solomon to stay in the word of God. It’s interesting that he opens his final impartation of wisdom by noting this.
(2:4) David reminds Solomon of the Davidic Covenant (2 Sam. 7:12-13).
(2:5) Joab had been fiercely loyal to David in some respects, as his military general. However, Joab had also sided with Adonijah, and he went against David’s command by killing Abner (2 Sam. 3:22-27). Joab also had his own brother Abishai killed.
(2:6) David leaves this matter in Solomon’s hands, but he tells him to watch Joab carefully and not let him die a peaceful death.
(2:7) Barzillai had helped David during his brief exile (2 Sam. 19:31-39).
(2:8-9) Shimei had mocked David and called down curses on him during David’s brief exile (2 Sam. 16:5-14). David had pardoned Shimei’s crime (2 Sam. 19:18-23), but Solomon had no such contract with Shimei.
(2:10-11) With his final wisdom given to Solomon, David dies at the age of 70.
(2:12) David left Solomon with a “firmly established” kingdom. But now, will Solomon be able to keep it established?
(2:13-17) In ancient times, the king’s harem went to his successor. The Jews (2 Sam. 12:8), the Persians (Herodotus, 3.68), and the Arabs had a similar custom.[] This was a not so subtle way of making a move to take over.
(2:18-22) Solomon discerned that Adonijah was making a move for the throne (v.20).
(2:23-25) Solomon’s execution of Adonijah may seem harsh. However, we must note that Solomon only executed him for this act of treason. After all, Solomon did not kill any of the other men who had earlier moved against him (1 Kings 1:9). Patterson and Austel write, “To leave him alive with such ambitions would leave a festering sore in the kingdom.”[]
(2:26) Abiathar was the priest who originally served under David—even carrying the Ark (2 Sam. 15:24, 29). Anathoth was 3.5 miles north of Jerusalem.[] Solomon only promised to keep him alive “at this time.” Abiathar’s life would depend on whether he decided to try to turn against the throne.
(2:27) This was a fulfillment of God’s prophecy against Eli (1 Sam. 2:30-33). Zadok replaces Abiathar as high priest (v.35).
(2:28-29) Joab fled to get sanctuary or asylum at the “tent of the Lord.”
(2:30) Joab thought he was safe inside the tent of the Lord.
(2:31-34) Sanctuary or not, Solomon has Joab executed for his crimes against Abner and Amasa.
(2:35) Benaiah replaces Joab as the commander of the military.
(2:36-38) Solomon brokers a deal with Shimei: Build a house and stay there; otherwise, you will be killed. Shimei agreed with this for three years (v.39).
(2:39-40) Shimei’s servants fled to Gath, and Shimei “violated his parole”[] by going after them.
(2:41-45) Solomon doesn’t even given Shimei an opportunity to defend himself. The fact that he wasn’t in his home revealed his guilt.
(2:46) Benaiah (the new military commander) had Shimei killed.
Solomon needed to clean house after David handed the kingdom over to him. David had warned Solomon of whom he could and couldn’t trust. Therefore, in this chapter, we see Solomon acting swiftly and strongly. Solomon takes action, which is the sign of a good leader.
Patterson, R. D., & Austel, H. J. (1988). 1, 2 Kings. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job (Vol. 4, p. 37). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.
Patterson, R. D., & Austel, H. J. (1988). 1, 2 Kings. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job (Vol. 4, p. 37). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.
Patterson, R. D., & Austel, H. J. (1988). 1, 2 Kings. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job (Vol. 4, p. 39). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.
Patterson, R. D., & Austel, H. J. (1988). 1, 2 Kings. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job (Vol. 4, p. 41). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.
James is an elder at Dwell Community Church, where he teaches classes in theology, apologetics, and weekly Bible studies.
