David's Instructions to Solomon

¹Not long before David died, he told Solomon:

David Dies

^10-11David was king of Israel 40 years. He ruled 7 years from Hebron and 33 years from Jerusalem. Then he died and was buried in Jerusalem.[#2 S 5.4,5; 1 Ch 3.1-4.; #2.10,11 Hebrew “the city of David.”]

¹²His son Solomon became king and took control of David's kingdom.[#1 Ch 29.23.]

Adonijah Is Killed

¹³One day, Adonijah went to see Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, and she asked, “Is this a friendly visit?”

“Yes.

¹⁴I just want to talk with you.”

“All right,” she told him, “go ahead.”

¹⁵“You know that I was king for a little while,” Adonijah replied. “And everyone in Israel accepted me as their ruler. But the Lord wanted my brother to be king, so now things have changed.

¹⁶Would you do me a favor?”

“What do you want?” Bathsheba asked.

¹⁷“Please ask Solomon to let me marry Abishag. He won't say no to you.”[#1 K 1.3,4.]

¹⁸“All right,” she said. “I'll ask him.”

¹⁹When Bathsheba went to see Solomon, he stood up to meet her, then bowed low. He sat back down and had another throne brought in, so his mother could sit at his right side.[#2.19 The place of honor.]

²⁰Bathsheba sat down and then asked, “Would you do me a small favor?”

Solomon replied, “Mother, just tell me what you want, and I will do it.”

²¹“Allow your brother Adonijah to marry Abishag,” she answered.

²²Solomon said:

²⁵“Benaiah,” Solomon shouted, “go kill Adonijah.” So Adonijah died.

Abiathar Is Sent Back Home

²⁶Solomon sent for Abiathar the priest and said:[#2 S 15.24; 1 S 22.20-23.]

And so the promise that the Lord had made at Shiloh about the family of Eli came true.

Joab Is Killed

²⁸Joab had not helped Absalom try to become king, but he had helped Adonijah. So when Joab learned that Adonijah had been killed, he ran to the sacred tent and grabbed hold of the corners of the altar for protection.[#2.28 See the note at 1.50.]

²⁹When Solomon heard about this, he sent someone to ask Joab, “Why did you run to the altar?”

Joab sent back his answer, “I was afraid of you, and I ran to the Lord for protection.”

Then Solomon shouted, “Benaiah, go kill Joab!”

³⁰Benaiah went to the sacred tent and yelled, “Joab, the king orders you to come out!”

“No!” Joab answered. “Kill me right here.”

Benaiah went back and told Solomon what Joab had said.

^31-32Solomon replied:

³⁴Benaiah went back and killed Joab. His body was taken away and buried near his home in the desert.

³⁵Solomon put Benaiah in Joab's place as army commander, and he put Zadok in Abiathar's place as priest.

Shimei Is Killed

³⁶Solomon sent for Shimei and said, “Build a house here in Jerusalem and live in it. But whatever you do, don't leave the city!

³⁷If you ever cross Kidron Valley and leave Jerusalem, you will be killed. And it will be your own fault.”

³⁸“That's fair, Your Majesty,” Shimei answered. “I'll do that.” So Shimei lived in Jerusalem from then on.

³⁹About three years later, two of Shimei's servants ran off to King Achish in Gath. When Shimei found out where they were,

⁴⁰he saddled his donkey and went after them. He found them and brought them back to Jerusalem.

⁴¹Someone told Solomon that Shimei had gone to Gath and was back.

⁴²Solomon sent for him and said:

⁴⁶“Benaiah,” Solomon shouted, “kill Shimei.” So Shimei died.

Solomon was now in complete control of his kingdom.