Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,
Parallel translations
- WEB Now the days of David came near that he should die; and he commanded Solomon his son, saying,
- BSB As the time drew near for David to die, he charged his son Solomon,
- NKJV Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying:
- NASB As David’s time to die drew near, he commanded his son Solomon, saying,
- NLT As the time of King David’s death approached, he gave this charge to his son Solomon:
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
As David nears death, he gives final charges to Solomon. The dying king prepares his son for faithful rule.
Overview
David's approaching death prompts a solemn farewell address to his heir, much as the patriarchs and Moses gave parting instructions. The setting underscores the weight of the counsel that follows. David's charge frames Solomon's reign around covenant faithfulness and unfinished obligations of justice.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Gen 47:29And 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:
- Deut 31:14And 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.
- 1 Tim 1:18This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
- Num 27:19And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight.
- Deut 3:28But 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.
- 2 Tim 4:6For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
- Deut 31:23And 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.
- 2 Pet 1:13–15Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
- Acts 20:28–31Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
- 1 Tim 6:13I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
- 2 Tim 4:1I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
- Deut 33:1And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Solomon's glory, wisdom, and temple where God's presence dwells are a shadow of the greater Son of David — 'one greater than Solomon is here' — and of the true Temple, Christ himself.
How 1 Kings 2:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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