1 Kings 2:1-12 | David's Final Instructions | Sermon 44
Having studied the life of what could easily be called history’s greatest king, we now come to his death and burial. we witness King David confronting his impending death with both clarity and purpose, just as he had done with so many other issues he faced as King.
David Recognizes His Death (1 Kings 2: 1-2)
Recognizing one's impending death demonstrates emotional and spiritual maturity. While society often avoids discussing death, addressing it openly is beneficial. It allows for honest confrontation of reality.
A common challenge in dealing with death is the reluctance to discuss it, even when it's imminent. This avoidance can frustrate those facing death, as evidenced by a dying man's testimony about his Christian friends' unwillingness to address the subject.
We can learn from David and other biblical figures how to approach death: confront it, accept it when appropriate, and discuss it openly with loved ones.
The Bible provides examples of individuals facing death with purpose. Jacob (Genesis 47:29-30) requested burial in Canaan, honoring God's covenant. Moses (Deuteronomy 31:14, 32:48-50) accepted his fate, passing leadership to Joshua and offering final guidance. Paul (2 Timothy 4:6-8) approached his likely execution with faith, reflecting positively on his ministry.
These accounts show how acknowledging mortality can lead to meaningful actions, spiritual reflection, and legacy-building, exemplifying facing death with dignity and faith.
David addresses his impending death and turns to Solomon, a young man around 20, saying, "Be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man" (v. 2). Solomon must quickly assume leadership and fill his father's formidable role.
Modern society often struggles with discussing death and the transition to manhood. While some cultures have clear rites of passage, Western societies have become less defined in this aspect. Families might benefit from establishing clear signals for their sons' transition to manhood.
David’s Spiritual Advice(1 Kings 2:3-4)
As David continues, he tells Solomon exactly how to fulfill the instruction given in verse 2, to "shew thyself a man" (v. 2), especially as the man who is king of Israel. He instructs Solomon "to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses" (v. 3). This is a reference to Deuteronomy 29, especially verse 9. By instructing Solomon to follow these commands of the Lord and the prosperity this would bring, David is essentially guiding Solomon to enter into the covenant which God made with Israel. He wants Solomon to affirm in his own life and generation that the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was also Lord of Solomon and the kingdom he would inherit.
Modern readers should exercise caution when applying these verses directly to their lives. Without the principle of "rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15), misapplication could lead to disastrous consequences. For instance, one might observe this instruction in Deuteronomy 29, then again to Joshua in Joshua 1:8, and here in 1 Kings 2, concluding that there's strong biblical evidence to apply this instruction universally to all believers throughout history.
A person who rightly divides Scripture, however, would understand that covenant promises made to Israel aren't automatically applicable to individuals in the body of Christ. We, as members of this body, aren't bound by covenants. Instead, we live under God's grace, positioned between the old and new covenants, with Christ as our Mediator.
David’s Practical ADVICE (1 Kings 2: 5-9)
David shifts from spiritual guidance to practical advice for Solomon.
He addresses Joab (vv. 5-6), his long-serving nephew and army captain. David instructs Solomon to punish Joab for two treacherous acts: killing Abner and Amasa. Both murders were acts of vengeance outside David's orders.
Abner, formerly Saul's army captain, was killed by Joab after a representative battle where Abner had killed Joab's brother. Amasa, briefly David's captain after Absalom's rebellion, was also murdered by Joab, who then regained his position. David advises Solomon not to let Joab die peacefully, using the pejorative term "hoar head" (gray-haired).
Solomon later executes Joab for these crimes, stating that the blood guilt would fall on Joab and his descendants, while David's house would have peace (1 Kings 2:33).
David instructs Solomon to show kindness to Barzillai the Gileadite's descendants (v. 7), acknowledging Barzillai's support during Absalom's rebellion (2 Samuel 17:27-29). Though Barzillai declined David's offer to come to Jerusalem, he sent someone (possibly his son Chimham) instead. While Scripture doesn't explicitly confirm Solomon's compliance, Jeremiah 41:17 might reference this favor.
Regarding Shimei, David advises Solomon to deal with his past offense (vv. 8-9). Though the instructions are vague, David suggests that Shimei should not die peacefully.
David, No More (1 Kings 2:11-12)
1 Kings 2:11-12 concisely outlines David's 40-year reign—7 in Hebron, 33 in Jerusalem—and Solomon's smooth succession. After David's death and burial in the City of David, Solomon's kingdom was "firmly established," marking the transition from David's era to Solomon's reign.
Josephus' Antiquities of the Jews claims David was buried with great wealth, later plundered by High Priest Hyrcanus and Herod the Great. While a "Tomb of David" on Mount Zion attracts pilgrims, scholars doubt its authenticity. Biblical and early Jewish sources point to the City of David as the burial site, but no verified tomb has been found there. The Mount Zion tradition, though religiously significant, lacks historical and archaeological support.
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