1 Kings 2

Final Words & the Throne Secured

1 David knew his time was almost up, so he called Solomon in to give him some real father-to-son game.

2 He said, “I am about to go the way all men go. Be strong, son, act like a man.”

3 “Keep God’s commandments. Walk in His ways. Follow what is written in the Law of Moses, do that, and you will succeed in everything.”

4 “If you do right, God will keep His promise: ‘If your kids stay faithful, your family will always have someone on the throne.’”

Handle Old Business

5 “You remember what Joab did to me, He killed Abner and Amasa, two innocent commanders. He shed blood like it was nothing.”

6 “Handle him smart. Do not let him die peacefully of old age.”

7 “But show love to the sons of Barzillai, they had my back when I was on the run. Let them eat at your table.”

8 “And do not forget Shimei, the dude who cursed me out when I fled Jerusalem. I swore not to kill him, but…”

9 “You are wise, son. You will know what to do. Do not let him go to the grave in peace.”

David Dies

10 David passed away and was buried in the City of David.

11 He reigned 40 years, 7 in Hebron, 33 in Jerusalem.

12 Solomon took over the throne, and the kingdom was locked in solid.

Adonijah Tries Again

13 Adonijah came to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mom. She said, “You come in peace,”

He Said, “Yeah, Peaceful.”

14 “I got a request.”

She Said, “Say What You Need.”

15 He said, “You know I was supposed to be king, everybody thought so. But it flipped, and God gave it to Solomon.”

16 “Now please ask Solomon to let me marry Abishag (the girl who cared for David). He will not say no to you.”

17 Bathsheba said, “Alright. I will talk to him.”

Solomon Reacts

18 She told Solomon.

19 He stood up, bowed to her, and had a throne placed next to his for her to sit.

20 She said, “I got a small request. Do not deny me.”

He Said, “Speak, Mama.”

21 She said, “Let Adonijah marry Abishag.”

22 Solomon snapped: “Why are you asking for Abishag like that, Might as well give him the kingdom! He is my older brother, and Joab and Abiathar already backed him!”

23 Solomon swore, “As the Lord lives, Adonijah just signed his own death warrant.”

24 “God put me on this throne. And today, Adonijah is going to die.”

25 So Solomon sent Benaiah, and he put Adonijah down.

Next: Abiathar

26 Then Solomon said to Abiathar the priest, “Go back to your land. You deserve death, but I will not kill you today, you carried the Ark and suffered with my father.”

27 So Solomon fired Abiathar, kicked him out the priesthood, fulfilling the word the Lord gave about Eli’s house.

Joab Gets What Is Coming

28 Joab heard and ran to the altar, holding the horns, same move Adonijah tried.

29 Solomon heard Joab was at the altar and said, “Send Benaiah, strike him down.”

30 Benaiah got there and said, “Come out!” Joab said, “Nah, I am dying here.”

Benaiah Went Back and Told Solomon.

31 Solomon said, “Do it right there. Joab spilled innocent blood. Let that stain fall back on him, not on me.”

32 “God’s settling the score, Joab murdered Abner and Amasa in cold blood.”

33 “So let the blood be on Joab and his kids forever, but let peace rest on David’s line.”

34 Benaiah struck Joab down at the altar and buried him at his house in the wilderness.

35 Solomon made Benaiah the new army commander, and Zadok replaced Abiathar as priest.

Last: Shimei

36 Then Solomon called Shimei and said, “Build a house in Jerusalem. Stay here. Do not cross the river.”

37 “If you leave and cross that line, you will die, no excuses.”

38 Shimei said, “Cool. Your word is law.” And he stayed in Jerusalem for years.

39 But three years later, two of his servants ran away. Shimei left town to chase them.

40 He went to Gath, found them, and brought them back.

41 Solomon heard Shimei broke the deal.

42 He called him and said, “Did I not tell you what had happen if you left town, Did you not agree?”

43 “Why did you break your word and disobey God’s command?”

44 “You remember all the dirt you did to my father. God’s bringing it back on your head.”

45 “But my throne will stand strong. God has got my back.”

46 Then Solomon gave the order, and Benaiah put Shimei down. The kingdom was secure in Solomon’s hands.