David-The Death of a King

By Mary Vee
I Kings 2

From Solomon's Notes

I knew my father, king David, would soon die. He knew it too. I loves him so and didn't look forward to the days to come.

He called me into his bed chamber and said, "Solomon, my son, I will not be here much longer. You must be strong and prove yourself a man."

My dad meant so much to me. He lived to please and honor God and to help the people of our country. If only I could be as good of a king when I sit on his throne.

I gave him something to drink. He had to work so hard to swallow. He then said, "Keep the charge of the Lord your God. Walk in His ways to keep His commandments, judgements  and testimonies as it is written in the Law of Moses. When you do, you will prosper where ever your turn and the Lord will fulfill His word which He spoke to me,'If your sons will listen and learn to walk before Me in truth will all their heart and soul, there will always be a son of yours on the throne.'"

"I will, father, I will do my best."

He squirmed to get comfortable  then said,"Solomon, my son, there are some details I need to take care of for me."

"Yes, father, I will do them. What are they?"

"First, remember what Joab did to me and what he did to the two commanders of the armies of Israel, Abner and Amasa. He killed them both. He also killed during a time of peace and counted those on his war belt. Use your wisdom and don't let him go to his grave in peace. He wrongly killed those men."

"Second, show kindness to Barzillai the Gileadite and his sons. He stayed faithful to me when I hid from your brother, Absalom. Allow his sons to eat at your table."

"Third, Shimei, a Benjamite is here. He cursed me with a malicious curse back when I went to Mahanaim. He came to me, down at the Jordan, the day I returned to my throne. For the sake of those around I told him I would not put him to death for the evil he did. After I have gone, use your wisdom by punishing him for his guilt. You will know what to do to him. Send him to his grave early."

I pressed my arm on his and spoke softly. "I will take care of all these things, father."

Not long after, my father, David the King of Israel and Judah, took his last breath and rested with his fathers. We buried him in the City of David. My father reigned over Israel forty years, for seven of the years he reigned in Hebron, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty three years.

I sat on the throne during my father's last days, ruling as he would have. But now he is gone and I must rule by myself. I hardly know how to judge the people or what to do. I wish he was here...I miss him so.

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photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

1.  Who is Solomon?
2.  Who was his father?
3.  David asked Solomon to keep what?
4. David asked Solomon to punish Joab because he did what?
5. David asked Solomon to treat ______ with kindness because he __________
6. David asked Solomon to punish Shimei because he _________
7. And Solomon said he would ________