21 As David's time to die drew near , he charged Solomon his son , saying , 2 " I am going the way of all the earth . Be strong , therefore, and show yourself a man . 3 "Keep the charge of the Lord your God , to walk in His ways , to keep His statutes , His commandments , His ordinances , and His testimonies , according to what is written in the Law of Moses , that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever e e you turn , 4 so that the Lord may carry out His promise which He spoke concerning me, saying , ' If your sons are careful of their way , to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul , you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel .'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 2:1-4
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.