📖 1 Kings — Chapter 2 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
1 Kings 2:1 Now Rthe days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,
1 Kings 2:2 RI go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;
1 Kings 2:3 RAnd keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest Tprosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:
1 Kings 2:4 RThat the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not Tfail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.
1 Kings 2:5 Moreover thou knowest also what RJoab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and Tshed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet.
1 Kings 2:6 Do therefore Raccording to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace.
1 Kings 2:7 But shew kindness unto the sons of RBarzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother.
1 Kings 2:8 And, behold, thou hast with thee RShimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a Tgrievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword.
1 Kings 2:9 Now therefore Rhold him not guiltless: for thou art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him; but his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood.
1 Kings 2:10 RSo David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.
1 Kings 2:11 And the days that David Rreigned over Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.
1 Kings 2:12 Then Rsat Solomon upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly.
1 Kings 2:13 And RAdonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. And she said, Comest thou peaceably? And he said, Peaceably.
1 Kings 2:14 He said moreover, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And she said, Say on.
1 Kings 2:15 And he said, RThou knowest that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel set their faces on me, that I should reign: howbeit the kingdom is turned about, and is become my brother’s: for it was his from the LORD.
1 Kings 2:16 And now I ask one petition of thee, RTdeny me not. And she said unto him, Say on.
1 Kings 2:17 And he said, Speak, I pray thee, unto Solomon the king, (for he will not say thee nay,) that he give me RAbishag the Shunammite to wife.
1 Kings 2:18 And Bathsheba said, RWell; I will speak for thee unto the king.
1 Kings 2:19 Bathsheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king Rrose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king’s mother; and she sat on his right hand.
1 Kings 2:20 Then she said, RI desire one small petition of thee; I pray thee, say me not nay. And the king said unto her, Ask on, my mother: for I will not say thee nay.
1 Kings 2:21 And she said, RLet Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother to wife.
1 Kings 2:22 And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And Rwhy dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.
1 Kings 2:23 Then king Solomon sware by the LORD, saying, RGod do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life.
1 Kings 2:24 Now therefore, Ras the LORD liveth, which hath established me, and set me on the throne of David my father, and who hath made me an house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death this day.
1 Kings 2:25 And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and Rhe fell upon him that he died.
1 Kings 2:26 And unto RAbiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art Tworthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the LORD God before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted.
1 Kings 2:27 So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being priest unto the LORD; Rthat he might fulfil the word of the LORD, which he spake concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.
1 Kings 2:28 Then tidings came to Joab: for RJoab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.
1 Kings 2:29 And it was told king Solomon that Joab was fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD; and, behold, Rhe is by the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go, fall upon him.
1 Kings 2:30 And Benaiah came to the tabernacle of the LORD, and said unto him, Thus saith the king, Come forth. And he said, Nay; but I will die here. And Benaiah brought the king word again, saying, Thus said Joab, and thus he answered me.
1 Kings 2:31 And the king said unto him, Do as he hath said, and fall upon him, and bury him; Rthat thou mayest take away the innocent blood, which Joab shed, from me, and from the house of my father.
1 Kings 2:32 And the LORD shall Rreturn his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, my father David not knowing thereof, to wit, Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah.
1 Kings 2:33 Their blood shall therefore Rreturn upon the head of Joab, and upon the head of his seed for ever: but upon David, and upon his seed, and upon his house, and upon his throne, shall there be peace for ever from the LORD.
1 Kings 2:34 So RBenaiah the son of Jehoiada went up, and fell upon him, and slew him: and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness.
1 Kings 2:35 And the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada Rin his room over the host: and Zadok the priest did the king put in the room of Abiathar.
1 Kings 2:36 And the king sent and called for RShimei, and said unto him, Build thee an house in Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go not forth thence any whither.
1 Kings 2:37 For it shall be, that on the day thou goest out, and passest Rover the brook Kidron, thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt surely die: thy blood shall be upon thine own head.
1 Kings 2:38 And Shimei said unto the king, RThe saying is good: as my lord the king hath said, so will thy servant do. And Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days.
1 Kings 2:39 And it came to pass at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away unto RAchish son of Maachah king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, Behold, thy servants be in Gath.
1 Kings 2:40 And Shimei Rarose, and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants: and Shimei went, and brought his servants from Gath.
1 Kings 2:41 And it was told Solomon that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath, and was come again.
1 Kings 2:42 And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, RDid I not make thee to swear by the LORD, and protested unto thee, saying, Know for a certain, on the day thou goest out, and walkest abroad any whither, that thou shalt surely die? and thou saidst unto me, The word that I have heard is good.
1 Kings 2:43 RWhy then hast thou not kept the oath of the LORD, and the commandment that I have charged thee with?
1 Kings 2:44 The king said moreover to Shimei, RThou knowest all the wickedness which thine heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father: therefore the LORD shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head;
1 Kings 2:45 And king Solomon shall be Rblessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the LORD for ever.
1 Kings 2:46 So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; which went out, and fell upon him, that he died. And Rthe kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Kings 2:1–12 — David’s final charge and death
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
David urges Solomon to obey the LORD according to Moses’ law. He also gives instructions concerning Joab, Barzillai’s sons, and Shimei. These include gratitude and severe judgments rooted in past events. David dies and Solomon succeeds him. Read the royal instructions in their historical setting rather than as permission for private revenge.
Key Truth: Obedience to God belongs at the center of leadership.
Check What You Remember
1. Whose law did David tell Solomon to follow? (1 Kings 2:3)
Find it in 1 Kings 2:3 (KJV).
2. Whose sons were to receive kindness? (1 Kings 2:7)
Find it in 1 Kings 2:7 (KJV).
3. Where was David buried? (1 Kings 2:10)
Find it in 1 Kings 2:10 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Kings 2:13–35 — Adonijah’s request and the removal of rivals
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Adonijah asks through Bathsheba to marry Abishag. Solomon interprets the request as a claim connected to the throne and orders his death. Abiathar is removed from the priesthood, and Joab is executed for the bloodshed Solomon names. Benaiah and Zadok take their positions. These events describe consolidation of an ancient kingdom, not a pattern for eliminating personal opponents.
Key Truth: A narrative of royal judgment must not become an excuse for personal violence.
Check What You Remember
1. Whom did Adonijah ask to marry? (1 Kings 2:17)
Find it in 1 Kings 2:17 (KJV).
2. Where was Abiathar sent? (1 Kings 2:26)
Find it in 1 Kings 2:26 (KJV).
3. Who replaced Joab over the host? (1 Kings 2:35)
Find it in 1 Kings 2:35 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Kings 2:36–46 — Shimei breaks his agreed restriction
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Solomon requires Shimei to remain in Jerusalem and warns him of the penalty for leaving. After three years, Shimei travels to Gath to recover servants. Solomon confronts him with his broken oath and orders his execution. The kingdom is established, but the severity of these events should be read with care.
Key Truth: An agreement must be taken seriously even when keeping it becomes inconvenient.
Check What You Remember
1. In which city was Shimei required to live? (1 Kings 2:36)
Find it in 1 Kings 2:36 (KJV).
2. Where did Shimei go after his servants? (1 Kings 2:40)
Find it in 1 Kings 2:40 (KJV).
3. Who carried out Solomon’s final order? (1 Kings 2:46)
Find it in 1 Kings 2:46 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Deuteronomy 17:19 — The law for Israel’s king emphasizes learning to fear the LORD and keeping His words.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Which responsibilities have you agreed to keep? Consider how obedience and gratitude should shape your use of authority without turning ancient royal judgments into personal retaliation.
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How does David define strength in his charge to Solomon?
2. Why does David distinguish Joab’s killings from ordinary wartime conduct?
3. How does Solomon interpret Adonijah’s request for Abishag?
4. Why is Abiathar spared death yet removed from priesthood?
5. What makes Shimei’s departure a breach of the stated condition?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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