21 When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son.
21 Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,
21 When David's time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying,
21 When David's time to die approached, he charged his son Solomon, saying,
21 Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying:
21 As the time of King David's death approached, he gave this charge to his son Solomon:
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 2:1
Commentary on 1 Kings 2:1-4
(Read 1 Kings 2:1-4)
David's charge to Solomon is, to keep the charge of the Lord. The authority of a dying father is much, but nothing to that of a living God. God promised David that the Messiah should come from his descendants, and that promise was absolute; but the promise, that there should not fail of them a man on the throne of Israel, was conditional; if he walks before God in sincerity, with zeal and resolution: in order hereunto, he must take heed to his way.