Bible Strands
1 Kings 2:1
As the time drew near for David to die, he charged his son Solomon,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David speaks to his son Solomon at the moment his own time of death approaches.
The words — וַיִּקְרְבוּ (va-yi-krevu) translates literally as "and they drew near," pointing to the days of David. וַיְצַו (va-y-tzav) means "and he commanded," marking the formal charge issued to Solomon.
The thread — The pattern of a dying leader issuing a final charge to a successor runs through Genesis 47:29, Deuteronomy 31:14, and Numbers 27:19, while the explicit chronological marker of approaching death appears in Genesis 47:29 and Deuteronomy 31:14.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to recognize that leadership transition occurs under the weight of mortality and demands immediate obedience to the departing authority's instructions.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,
Cross-references
- Genesis 47:29 When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise to show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt,
- Deuteronomy 31:14 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, the time of your death is near. Call Joshua and present yourselves at the Tent of Meeting, so that I may commission him.” So Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves at the Tent of Meeting.
- Numbers 27:19 Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation, and commission him in their sight.
- Deuteronomy 3:28 But commission Joshua, encourage him, and strengthen him, for he will cross over ahead of the people and enable them to inherit the land that you will see.”
- Deuteronomy 31:23 Then the LORD commissioned Joshua son of Nun and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land that I swore to give them, and I will be with you.”
- Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
- 1 Timothy 1:18 Timothy, my child, I entrust you with this command in keeping with the previous prophecies about you, so that by them you may fight the good fight,
- 1 Timothy 6:13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession in His testimony before Pontius Pilate:
- 2 Timothy 4:1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom:
- 2 Timothy 4:6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.