John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die , etc.] The number of his days fixed and determined by the Lord, ( Job 14:5); and which might be perceived as drawing nigh, both by himself and others, through the growing infirmities of old age, decline of nature, and various symptoms of an approaching dissolution which were upon him; (see Genesis 47:29). Abarbinel observes, that he is called only David, not King David; because Solomon his son was now anointed king, and reigned in his stead; so in ( 1 Kings 1:10,11); but there is another reason given by some Jews f20 , that no man, even a king, has power in the day of death; he is no king then, he has no rule over that, but that rules over him: and he charged Solomon his son ; gave him his last and dying charge: saying ; as follows.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 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 livin God. God promised David that the Messiah should come from his descendants, and that promise was absolute; but the promise, that ther 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 orde hereunto, he must take heed to his way. (1Ki 2:5-11)
Original Hebrew ויקרבו7126 ימי3117 דוד1732 למות4191 ויצו6680 את853 שׁלמה8010 בנו1121 לאמר׃559
