1 Kings 2:1
New International Version
When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son.

New Living Translation
As the time of King David’s death approached, he gave this charge to his son Solomon:

English Standard Version
When David’s time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying,

Berean Standard Bible
As the time drew near for David to die, he charged his son Solomon,

King James Bible
Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,

New King James Version
Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying:

New American Standard Bible
As David’s time to die drew near, he commanded his son Solomon, saying,

NASB 1995
As David’s time to die drew near, he charged Solomon his son, saying,

NASB 1977
As David’s time to die drew near, he charged Solomon his son, saying,

Legacy Standard Bible
Then David’s time to die drew near, so he commanded Solomon his son, saying,

Amplified Bible
When David’s time to die approached, he gave instructions to Solomon his son, saying,

Christian Standard Bible
As the time approached for David to die, he ordered his son Solomon,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As the time approached for David to die, he instructed his son Solomon, “

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

Contemporary English Version
Not long before David died, he told Solomon:

English Revised Version
Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When David was about to die, he instructed his son Solomon,

Good News Translation
When David was about to die, he called his son Solomon and gave him his last instructions:

International Standard Version
As David's time to die approached, he addressed his son Solomon with these words:

Majority Standard Bible
As the time drew near for David to die, he charged his son Solomon,

NET Bible
When David was close to death, he told Solomon his son:

New Heart English Bible
Now the days of David drew near that he should die; and he commanded Solomon his son, saying,

Webster's Bible Translation
Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,

World English Bible
Now the days of David came near that he should die; and he commanded Solomon his son, saying,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the days of David to die draw near, and he charges his son Solomon, saying,

Young's Literal Translation
And draw near do the days of David to die, and he chargeth Solomon his son, saying,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the days of David will draw near to die; and he will command Solomon his son, saying,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the days of David drew nigh that he should die, and he charged his son Solomon, saying:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now the days of David had drawn near, so that he would die, and he instructed his son Solomon, saying:

New American Bible
When the time of David’s death drew near, he gave these instructions to Solomon his son:

New Revised Standard Version
When David’s time to die drew near, he charged his son Solomon, saying:
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
NOW the days of David to die drew near; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the days for David to die came near, and commanded Solomon his son and said to him:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying:

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the days of David drew near that he should die: and he addressed his son Solomon, saying, I go the way of all the earth:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Instructs Solomon
1As the time drew near for David to die, he charged his son Solomon, 2“I am about to go the way of all the earth. So be strong and prove yourself a man.…

Cross References
Joshua 23:14
Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know with all your heart and soul that not one of the good promises the LORD your God made to you has failed. Everything was fulfilled for you; not one promise has failed.

2 Timothy 4:6-8
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. / I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. / From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.

Genesis 49:29-33
Then Jacob instructed them, “I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite. / The cave is in the field of Machpelah near Mamre, in the land of Canaan. This is the field Abraham purchased from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site. / There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah are buried, and there I buried Leah. ...

Acts 20:24-25
But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. / Now I know that none of you among whom I have preached the kingdom will see my face again.

Deuteronomy 31:14
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, the time of your death is near. Call Joshua and present yourselves at the Tent of Meeting, so that I may commission him.” So Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves at the Tent of Meeting.

2 Peter 1:13-15
I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of my body, / because I know that this tent will soon be laid aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. / And I will make every effort to ensure that after my departure, you will be able to recall these things at all times.

1 Chronicles 22:6-13
Then David called for his son Solomon and instructed him to build a house for the LORD, the God of Israel. / “My son,” said David to Solomon, “it was in my heart to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God, / but this word of the LORD came to me: ‘You have shed much blood and waged great wars. You are not to build a house for My Name because you have shed so much blood on the ground before Me. ...

Philippians 1:23-24
I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed. / But it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

2 Samuel 23:1-2
These are the last words of David: “The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man raised on high, the one anointed by the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel: / The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; His word was on my tongue.

John 14:1-3
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well. / In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? / And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am.

1 Kings 1:1-4
Now King David was old and well along in years, and though they covered him with blankets, he could not keep warm. / So his servants said to him, “Let us search for a young virgin for our lord the king, to attend to him and care for him and lie by his side to keep him warm.” / Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king. ...

Hebrews 9:27
Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment,

1 Chronicles 28:9-10
As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. / Consider now that the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong and do it.”

Luke 2:29-32
“Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. / For my eyes have seen Your salvation, / which You have prepared in the sight of all people, ...

2 Samuel 7:12-16
And when your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. / He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. / I will be his Father, and he will be My son. When he does wrong, I will discipline him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Now the days of David drew near that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,

the days

Genesis 47:29
And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt:

Deuteronomy 31:14
And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation.

Deuteronomy 33:1
And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.

charged

Numbers 27:19
And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight.

Deuteronomy 3:28
But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.

Deuteronomy 31:23
And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.

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1 Kings 2
1. David, having given a charge to Solomon
3. of Reverence
5. of Joab
7. of Barzillai
8. of Shimei
10. Solomon succeeds
12. Adonijah, moving Bathsheba to ask unto Solomon for Abishag,
13. is put to death
26. Abiathar, having his life given him, is deprived of the priesthood
28. Joab fleeing to the horns of the altar, is there slain
35. Benaiah is put in Joab's room, and Zadfok in Abiathar's
36. Shimei, confined to Jerusalem, by occasion of going to Gath, is put to death.














As the time drew near
This phrase indicates the inevitability and approach of a significant event, in this case, the death of King David. The Hebrew root for "time" is "עֵת" (et), which often signifies an appointed or specific time. In the biblical narrative, time is not merely chronological but is often seen as divinely appointed. This moment marks a transition in Israel's history, emphasizing the importance of divine timing in the unfolding of God's plan.

for David to die
David, the second king of Israel, is nearing the end of his life. His death marks the conclusion of a significant era in Israel's history. The Hebrew word for "die" is "מוּת" (muth), which is a common term for death but also carries the weight of mortality and the human condition. David's impending death reminds readers of the transient nature of life and the importance of legacy and faithfulness to God's covenant.

he charged
The word "charged" comes from the Hebrew "צָוָה" (tsavah), meaning to command or instruct. This is not a mere suggestion but a solemn and authoritative directive. David's charge to Solomon is a pivotal moment, reflecting the passing of responsibility and the continuation of God's promises through the Davidic line. It underscores the importance of obedience and the transmission of faith and duty from one generation to the next.

his son Solomon
Solomon, whose name in Hebrew is "שְׁלֹמֹה" (Shlomo), meaning "peaceful," is the chosen successor to David. His name reflects the hope for a reign characterized by peace and prosperity. Solomon's ascension to the throne is significant in the biblical narrative, as he is the one who will build the Temple in Jerusalem, fulfilling God's promise to David. This highlights the theme of divine election and the continuation of God's covenant through David's lineage.

Verse 1. - I go the way [lit., I am walking (same word as in ver. 3) in the way] of all the earth [i.e., of all the sons of earth, all mankind (cf. 1 Samuel 17:46; 1 Kings 10:24; Psalm 66:4, etc.) The path to Sheol, the path which all his forefathers, and untold millions more, have trod, he is treading it now. The words sound like a reminiscence of Joshua 23, 24. Perhaps, too, the thought of Joshua suggested to his mind the next words]: but be thou strong, and be a man. [Similar, though not identical, words were four times addressed to Joshua (Joshua 1:6, 7, 9, 18), and David may well have thought that his son, in entering upon his difficult duties, was not at all unlike Joshua when he succeeded Moses in the leadership of Israel, and that he needed similar encouragement. It is not necessary to suppose, as Canon Rawlinson does ("Speaker's Com.," vol. 2 p. 489), that in the words, "show thyself a man," we have a reference to Solomon's youth; for words precisely similar were addressed to each other by the Philistines at Aphek (1 Samuel 4:9). The age of Solomon at his accession is very doubtful. David said, "Solomon my son is young and tender" (1 Chronicles 22:5; 1 Chronicles 29:1); and Solomon says of himself, "I am a little child" נַעַר קָטֹן (1 Kings 3:7). Josephus, probably reflecting the tradition of his time, fixes his age at fourteen; Eupolemus at twelve. I incline to think that the words "young and tender" almost forbid the favourite opinion that he was about twenty.]

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
As the time
יְמֵֽי־ (yə·mê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3117: A day

drew near
וַיִּקְרְב֥וּ (way·yiq·rə·ḇū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7126: To come near, approach

for David
דָוִ֖ד (ḏā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

to die,
לָמ֑וּת (lā·mūṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

he charged
וַיְצַ֛ו (way·ṣaw)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

his son
בְנ֖וֹ (ḇə·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

Solomon,
שְׁלֹמֹ֥ה (šə·lō·mōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8010: Solomon -- David's son and successor to his throne


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OT History: 1 Kings 2:1 Now the days of David drew near (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 1:53
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