¹When David was about to die, he instructed his son Solomon, ²“I’m about to leave this world. Be strong and mature. ³Fulfill your duty to the Lord your God. Obey his directions, laws, commands, rules, and written instructions as they are recorded in Moses’ Teachings. Then you’ll succeed in everything you do wherever you may go. ⁴⸤You’ll succeed⸥ because the Lord will keep the promise he made to me: ‘If your descendants are faithful to me with all their hearts and lives, you will never fail to have an heir on the throne of Israel.’

⁵“You know what Joab (Zeruiah’s son) did to me and to the two commanders of Israel’s army—Abner, son of Ner, and Amasa, son of Jether. Joab killed them. When there was peace, he shed blood as if it were wartime. With their blood he stained the belt around his waist and the shoes on his feet. ⁶Use your wisdom. Don’t let that gray-haired, old man go to his grave peacefully.

⁷“Be kind to the sons of Barzillai from Gilead. Let them eat at your table. They helped me when I was fleeing from your brother Absalom.

⁸“Shimei, son of Gera from Bahurim in Benjamin, is still with you. He cursed me repeatedly when I went to Mahanaim. But when he came to meet me at the Jordan River, I took an oath by the Lord and said, ‘As long as I’m king, I won’t have you killed.’ ⁹Now, don’t let him go unpunished. You are wise and know what to do to him: Put that gray-haired, old man into his grave by slaughtering him.”

¹⁰David lay down in death with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. ¹¹He ruled as king of Israel for 40 years. He ruled for 7 years in Hebron and for 33 years in Jerusalem.

Solomon Establishes His Authority

¹²Solomon sat on his father David’s throne, and his power was firmly established.

¹³Then Adonijah, son of Haggith, went to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother. “Is this a friendly visit?” she asked.

“Yes,” he answered. ¹⁴Then he added, “I have a matter ⸤to discuss⸥ with you.”

“What is it?” she asked.

¹⁵He said, “You know the kingship was mine. All Israel expected me to be their king. But the kingship has been turned over to my brother because the Lord gave it to him. ¹⁶Now I want to ask you for one thing. Don’t refuse me.”

“What is it?” she asked.

¹⁷He said, “Please ask King Solomon to give me Abishag from Shunem as my wife. He will not refuse you.”

¹⁸“Very well,” Bathsheba answered. “I will talk to the king for you.”

Read in Logos