SUMMARY
King DavidSecond king of Israel, David united the northern and southern kingdoms. More offers his final instructions and advice to SolomonThird king of Israel who was known for wisdom and building the first Temple. More before his death.
ANALYSIS
Often in stories of biblical families, a patriarch will offer a final prayer, advice, and/or instructions to the next generation before his death. IsaacSon born to Abraham and Sarah in fulfillment of God's promise. More calls for his son EsauSon of Isaac and Rebekah and the older twin brother of Jacob. More in Genesis 27; JacobThe son of Isaac and Rebekah, renamed Israel, became the father of the twelve tribal families. More calls for his sons in Genesis 48; all of Deuteronomy is presented as Moses’ final farewell exhortation before his death toward the end of the book. Here at the beginning of 1 Kings, David offers his final instructions to his successor, Solomon. He begins by stating the reality of his passing (to “go the way of all the earth”), and then charges Solomon with the most important (Deuteronomistic) job of a king: to walk in the way of God’s covenantA covenant is a promise or agreement. In the Bible the promises made between God and God's people are known as covenants; they state or imply a relationship of commitment and obedience. More. This Deuteronomistic emphasis is evident in the phrase the “TorahThe Torah is the law of Moses, also known as the first five books of the Bible. To many the Torah is a combination of history, theology, and a legal or ritual guide. More of MosesProphet who led Israel out of Egypt to the Promised Land and received the law at Sinai. More” (v. 3) and the specific list of words that Solomon is supposed to keep: God’s ways, statutes, commandments, ordinances, and testimonies. God’s promise to maintain the Davidic line on the throne is dependent upon his descendants’ ability to respect the boundaries of God’s covenant. David needs to impress this grave importance on the next ruler of Israel. This reminder foreshadows the tragedy of the future monarchs: they will not follow God’s covenant, and the kingdoms ultimately will fallThe Fall refers specifically to the disobedience of Adam and Eve when they listened to Satan rather than adhering to God's command not to eat the fruit from the tree. When people act contrary to God's will, they are said to fall from from grace... More.
The careful reader will note that exhorting Solomon to follow God’s will is not the only thing on the aged king’s mind. He also urges Solomon to kill two of David’s enemies who injured, insulted, or harmed him in some way in his life. David’s request serves both as an attempt to protect his son’s rule and as a final act of vengeance against those who have shamed him. The ambiguous nature of this final speech is a fitting capstone to a life that is filled with shades of gray. Dubbed a leader after God’s own heart and mind (1 SamuelThe judge who anointed the first two kings of Israel. More 13:14), David’s hands are nevertheless covered with blood throughout his life and his abuses of power are legion. Even from the grave, the most famous king of Israel reaches out with faithfulness to God on his lips and a sword for his enemies in his hand.
