1 Kings 2:1
ESV
When David 's time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying,
NIV
When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son.
NASB
As David’s time to die drew near, he commanded his son Solomon, saying,
CSB
As the time approached for David to die, he ordered his son Solomon,
NLT
As the time of King David’s death approached, he gave this charge to his son Solomon:
KJV
Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,
NKJV
Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying:
What does 1 Kings 2:1 mean?
David had many sons (1 Chronicles 3:1–9). Two have died (2 Samuel 13:28–29; 18:14–15). One has either died or inherited his mother's first husband's estate (1 Samuel 25). The fourth, Adonijah, tried to take the crown , but David held him off, and Solomon was crowned just in time (1 Kings 1).Now that Solomon is king, David needs to make sure he's a good one. Solomon must follow God's commandments in the Mosaic law. This will ensure that God will bless him, David's line, and Israel. Notably, Solomon needs to worship only God. Despite David's shortcomings, there's no indication that David ever considered worshiping a pagan god. In the 1 Kings account, David focuses on the promise that "you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel" (1 Kings 2:4). That is, if David's line obeys God, the king of Israel will always be a descendant of David.
But this isn't the only part of the Davidic Covenant that David is concerned about. The stories in 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings are often more personal than those in 1 and 2 Chronicles. First and Second Kings were written to remind the Jews of the sins that led to their exile in Babylon. The Chronicles were written to remind the returning exiles of their heritage as God's people. In that broader story, David wants Solomon to build the temple (1 Chronicles 22:6–19; 28:10). David goes to extraordinary lengths to set Solomon up for success. He gathers supplies (1 Chronicles 29:1–9) and laborers (1 Chronicles 22:2–5); designs the structure and furnishing (1 Chronicles 28:11–19); and organizes Levites (1 Chronicles 23), priests (1 Chronicles 24), musicians (1 Chronicles 25), and government officials (1 Chronicles 26). David orders them all to accept Solomon as their king and YHWH as their God and to build the temple (1 Chronicles 28:1–8).
When Solomon was anointed king the first time, David was so weak it appears he didn't leave his chambers (1 Kings 1:1–4, 38–40). David apparently rallies and gives his son a proper coronation (1 Chronicles 29:10–25).
