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1 Kings 2:1

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 2:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,
1 Kings 2:1 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,
2I am going the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and show thyself a man;
3and keep the charge of Jehovah thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, [and] his commandments, and his ordinances, and his testimonies, according to that which is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself.
4That Jehovah may establish his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die, etc.] The number of his days fixed and determined by the Lord, (<181405>Job 14:5); and which might be perceived as drawing nigh, both by himself and others, through the growing infirmities of old age, decline of nature, and various symptoms of an approaching dissolution which were upon him; (see <014729> Genesis 47:29). Abarbinel observes, that he is called only David, not King David; because Solomon his son was now anointed king, and reigned in his stead; so in (<110110>1 Kings 1:10,11); but there is another reason given by some Jews f20, that no man, even a king, has power in the day of death; he is no king then, he has no rule over that,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“DAVID DIES. (Kg1 2:1-11) David . . . charged Solomon his son--The charge recorded here was given to Solomon just before his death and is different from the farewell address delivered in public some time before (Ch1 28:2-9). It is introduced with great solemnity.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The events related in 1 Chr. 28–29 had occurred in the interval which separates the last and this present chapter. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:1-12 David gave his final charge to Solomon in two sections: personal advice for spiritual living (2:2-4) and instructions about people David had dealt with (2:5-9).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the days: Gen 47:29; Deu 31:14, Deu 33:1; Ti2 4:6; Pe2 1:13-15 charged: Num 27:19; Deu 3:28, Deu 31:23; Act 20:28-31; Ti1 1:18, Ti1 6:13; Ti2 4:1 3 Kings (1 Kings) 2:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The anointing of Solomon as king, which was effected by David's command (1 Kings 1), is only briefly mentioned in Ch1 23:1 in the words, "When David was old and full of days, he made his son Solomon king over Israel;" which serve as an introduction to the account of the arrangements made by David during the closing days of his life. After these arrangements have been described, there follow in 1 Chron 28 and 29 his last instructions and his death. The aged king gathered together the tribe-princes and the rest of the dignitaries and superior officers to a diet at Jerusalem, and having introduced Solomon to them as the successor chosen by God, exhorted them to keep the commandments of God, and…”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification