2:1 When David was close to death, 1 he told 2 Solomon his son: 2:2 “I am about to die. 3 Be strong and become a man! 2:3 Do the job the Lord your God has assigned you 4 by following his instructions 5 and obeying 6 his rules, commandments, regulations, and laws as written in the law of Moses. Then you will succeed in all you do and seek to accomplish, 7 2:4 and the Lord will fulfill his promise to me, 8 ‘If your descendants watch their step 9 and live faithfully in my presence 10 with all their heart and being, 11 then,’ he promised, 12 ‘you will not fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’ 13
2:5 “You know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me – how he murdered two commanders of the Israelite armies, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. 14 During peacetime he struck them down like he would in battle; 15 when he shed their blood as if in battle, he stained his own belt and the sandals on his feet. 16 2:6 Do to him what you think is appropriate, 17 but don’t let him live long and die a peaceful death. 18
2:7 “Treat fairly 19 the sons of Barzillai of Gilead and provide for their needs, 20 because they helped me 21 when I had to flee from your brother Absalom.
2:8 “Note well, you still have to contend with Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, 22 who tried to call down upon me a horrible judgment when I went to Mahanaim. 23 He came down and met me at the Jordan, and I solemnly promised 24 him by the Lord, ‘I will not strike you down 25 with the sword.’ 2:9 But now 26 don’t treat him as if he were innocent. You are a wise man and you know how to handle him; 27 make sure he has a bloody death.” 28
2:10 Then David passed away 29 and was buried in the city of David. 30 2:11 David reigned over Israel forty years; he reigned in Hebron seven years, and in Jerusalem 31 thirty-three years.
2:12 Solomon sat on his father David’s throne, and his royal authority 32 was firmly solidified.
2:13 Haggith’s son Adonijah visited Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother. She asked, “Do you come in peace?” He answered, “Yes.” 33 2:14 He added, 34 “I have something to say to you.” She replied, “Speak.” 2:15 He said, “You know that the kingdom 35 was mine and all Israel considered me king. 36 But then the kingdom was given to my brother, for the Lord decided it should be his. 37 2:16 Now I’d like to ask you for just one thing. Please don’t refuse me.” 38 She said, “Go ahead and ask.” 39