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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"><title>1 Kings 2 CEV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/1_kings/2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/1_kings/2-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="//biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">CEV</a> > 1 Kings 2</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../1_kings/1.htm" title="1 Kings 1">◄</a> 1 Kings 2 <a href="../1_kings/3.htm" title="1 Kings 3">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading">Contemporary English Version</div><div class="chap"><h3 class="s1">David's Instructions to Solomon</h3><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_1"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.1" class="v11_2_1">1</span>Not long before David died, he told Solomon:</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v11_2_2"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.2" class="v11_2_2">2</span>My son, I will soon die, as everyone must. But I want you to be strong and brave. </span><span class="v11_2_3"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.3" class="v11_2_3">3</span>Do what the <span class="nd">Lord</span> your God commands and follow his teachings. Obey everything written in the Law of Moses. Then you will be a success, no matter what you do or where you go. </span><span class="v11_2_4"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.4" class="v11_2_4">4</span>You and your descendants must always faithfully obey the <span class="nd">Lord</span>. If you do, he will keep the solemn promise he made to me that someone from our family will always be king of Israel.</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v11_2_5"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.5" class="v11_2_5">5</span><a href="#fn" id="link_1Kgs.2.5!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> Solomon, don't forget what Joab did to me by killing Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of Israel's army. He killed them as if they were his enemies in a war, but he did it when there was no war.<a href="#fn" id="link_1Kgs.2.5!f.2" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> He is guilty, and now it's up to you to punish him </span><span class="v11_2_6"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.6" class="v11_2_6">6</span>in the way you think best. Whatever you do, don't let him die peacefully in his old age.</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v11_2_7"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.7" class="v11_2_7">7</span><a href="#fn" id="link_1Kgs.2.7!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> The sons of Barzillai from Gilead helped me when I was running from your brother Absalom.<a href="#fn" id="link_1Kgs.2.7!f.2" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> Be kind to them and let them eat at your table.</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v11_2_8"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.8" class="v11_2_8">8</span><a href="#fn" id="link_1Kgs.2.8!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> Be sure to do something about Shimei son of Gera from Bahurim in the territory of Benjamin. He cursed and insulted me the day I went to Mahanaim. But later, when he came to meet me at the Jordan River, I promised that I wouldn't kill him.<a href="#fn" id="link_1Kgs.2.8!f.2" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> </span><span class="v11_2_9"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.9" class="v11_2_9">9</span>Now you must punish him. He's an old man, but you're wise enough to know that you must have him killed.</span></p><h3 class="s1">David Dies</h3><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_10"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.10-1Kgs.2.11" class="v11_2_10">10-11</span><a href="#fn" id="link_1Kgs.2.10-1Kgs.2.11!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> David was king of Israel 40 years. He ruled 7 years from Hebron and 33 years from Jerusalem. Then he died and was buried in Jerusalem.<a href="#fn" id="link_1Kgs.2.10-1Kgs.2.11!f.2" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> </span><span class="v11_2_12"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.12" class="v11_2_12">12</span><a href="#fn" id="link_1Kgs.2.12!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> His son Solomon became king and took control of David's kingdom.</span></p><h3 class="s1">Adonijah Is Killed</h3><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_13"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.13" class="v11_2_13">13</span>One day, Adonijah went to see Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, and she asked, “Is this a friendly visit?”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_13">“Yes. </span><span class="v11_2_14"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.14" class="v11_2_14">14</span>I just want to talk with you.”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_14">“All right,” she told him, “go ahead.”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_15"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.15" class="v11_2_15">15</span>“You know that I was king for a little while,” Adonijah replied. “And everyone in Israel accepted me as their ruler. But the <span class="nd">Lord</span> wanted my brother to be king, so now things have changed. </span><span class="v11_2_16"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.16" class="v11_2_16">16</span>Would you do me a favor?”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_16">“What do you want?” Bathsheba asked.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_17"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.17" class="v11_2_17">17</span><a href="#fn" id="link_1Kgs.2.17!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> “Please ask Solomon to let me marry Abishag. He won't say no to you.”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_18"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.18" class="v11_2_18">18</span>“All right,” she said. “I'll ask him.”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_19"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.19" class="v11_2_19">19</span>When Bathsheba went to see Solomon, he stood up to meet her, then bowed low. He sat back down and had another throne brought in, so his mother could sit at his right side.<a href="#fn" id="link_1Kgs.2.19!f.1" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> </span><span class="v11_2_20"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.20" class="v11_2_20">20</span>Bathsheba sat down and then asked, “Would you do me a small favor?”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_20">Solomon replied, “Mother, just tell me what you want, and I will do it.”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_21"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.21" class="v11_2_21">21</span>“Allow your brother Adonijah to marry Abishag,” she answered.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_22"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.22" class="v11_2_22">22</span>Solomon said:</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v11_2_22">What? Let my older brother marry Abishag? You may as well ask me to let him rule the kingdom! And why don't you ask such favors for Abiathar and Joab?<a href="#fn" id="link_1Kgs.2.22!f.1" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> </span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v11_2_23"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.23" class="v11_2_23">23</span>I swear in the name of the <span class="nd">Lord</span> that Adonijah will die because he asked for this! If he doesn't, I pray that God will severely punish me. </span><span class="v11_2_24"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.24" class="v11_2_24">24</span>The <span class="nd">Lord</span> made me king in my father's place and promised that the kings of Israel would come from my family. Yes, I swear by the living <span class="nd">Lord</span> that Adonijah will die today.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_25"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.25" class="v11_2_25">25</span>“Benaiah,” Solomon shouted, “go kill Adonijah.” So Adonijah died.</span></p><h3 class="s1">Abiathar Is Sent Back Home</h3><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_26"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.26" class="v11_2_26">26</span><a href="#fn" id="link_1Kgs.2.26!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> Solomon sent for Abiathar the priest and said:</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v11_2_26">Abiathar, go back home to Anathoth! You ought to be killed too, but I won't do it now. When my father David was king, you were in charge of the sacred chest, and you went through a lot of hard times with my father. </span><span class="v11_2_27"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.27" class="v11_2_27">27</span><a href="#fn" id="link_1Kgs.2.27!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> But I won't let you be a priest of the <span class="nd">Lord</span> anymore.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_27">And so the promise that the <span class="nd">Lord</span> had made at Shiloh about the family of Eli came true.<a href="#fn" id="link_1Kgs.2.27!f.2" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> </span></p><h3 class="s1">Joab Is Killed</h3><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_28"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.28" class="v11_2_28">28</span>Joab had not helped Absalom try to become king, but he had helped Adonijah. So when Joab learned that Adonijah had been killed, he ran to the sacred tent and grabbed hold of the corners of the altar for protection.<a href="#fn" id="link_1Kgs.2.28!f.1" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> </span><span class="v11_2_29"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.29" class="v11_2_29">29</span>When Solomon heard about this, he sent someone to ask Joab, “Why did you run to the altar?”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_29">Joab sent back his answer, “I was afraid of you, and I ran to the <span class="nd">Lord</span> for protection.”<a href="#fn" id="link_1Kgs.2.29!f.1" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> </span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_29">Then Solomon shouted, “Benaiah, go kill Joab!”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_30"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.30" class="v11_2_30">30</span>Benaiah went to the sacred tent and yelled, “Joab, the king orders you to come out!”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_30">“No!” Joab answered. “Kill me right here.”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_30">Benaiah went back and told Solomon what Joab had said.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_31"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.31-1Kgs.2.32" class="v11_2_31">31-32</span>Solomon replied:</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v11_2_31">Do what Joab said. Kill him and bury him! Then my family and I won't be responsible for what he did to Abner the commander of Israel's army and to Amasa the commander of Judah's army. He killed those innocent men without my father knowing about it. Both of them were better men than Joab. Now the <span class="nd">Lord</span> will make him pay for those murders. </span><span class="v11_2_33"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.33" class="v11_2_33">33</span>Joab's family will always suffer because of what he did, but the <span class="nd">Lord</span> will always bless David's family and his kingdom with peace.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_34"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.34" class="v11_2_34">34</span>Benaiah went back and killed Joab. His body was taken away and buried near his home in the desert.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_35"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.35" class="v11_2_35">35</span>Solomon put Benaiah in Joab's place as army commander, and he put Zadok in Abiathar's place as priest.</span></p><h3 class="s1">Shimei Is Killed</h3><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_36"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.36" class="v11_2_36">36</span>Solomon sent for Shimei and said, “Build a house here in Jerusalem and live in it. But whatever you do, don't leave the city! </span><span class="v11_2_37"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.37" class="v11_2_37">37</span>If you ever cross Kidron Valley and leave Jerusalem, you will be killed. And it will be your own fault.”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_38"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.38" class="v11_2_38">38</span>“That's fair, Your Majesty,” Shimei answered. “I'll do that.” So Shimei lived in Jerusalem from then on.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_39"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.39" class="v11_2_39">39</span>About three years later, two of Shimei's servants ran off to King Achish in Gath. When Shimei found out where they were, </span><span class="v11_2_40"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.40" class="v11_2_40">40</span>he saddled his donkey and went after them. He found them and brought them back to Jerusalem.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_41"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.41" class="v11_2_41">41</span>Someone told Solomon that Shimei had gone to Gath and was back. </span><span class="v11_2_42"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.42" class="v11_2_42">42</span>Solomon sent for him and said:</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v11_2_42">Shimei, you promised in the name of the <span class="nd">Lord</span> that you would never leave Jerusalem. I warned you that you would die if you did. You agreed that this was fair, didn't you? </span><span class="v11_2_43"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.43" class="v11_2_43">43</span>You have disobeyed me and have broken the promise you made to the <span class="nd">Lord</span>.</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v11_2_44"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.44" class="v11_2_44">44</span>I know you remember all the cruel things you did to my father David. Now the <span class="nd">Lord</span> is going to punish you for what you did. </span><span class="v11_2_45"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.45" class="v11_2_45">45</span>But the <span class="nd">Lord</span> will bless me and make my father's kingdom strong forever.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_46"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.2.46" class="v11_2_46">46</span>“Benaiah,” Solomon shouted, “kill Shimei.” So Shimei died.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_2_46">Solomon was now in complete control of his kingdom.</span></p></div> </div> <a name="fn"></a><br /><br /><br /><b>Footnotes:<br /><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">2.5 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">war: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">See 2 Samuel 3.22-27 and 20.7-10.</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">2.7 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">Absalom: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">See 2 Samuel 17.27-29.</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">2.8 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">him: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">See 2 Samuel 16.5-14 and 19.16-23.</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">2.10,11 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">Jerusalem: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">Hebrew “the city of David.”</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">2.19 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">at his right side: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">The place of honor.</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">2.22 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">And why … Joab: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">2.27 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">the promise … came true: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">See 1 Samuel 2.27-34.</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">2.28 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">the corners … for protection: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">See the note at 1.50.</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">2.29 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">he sent someone … for protection: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">One ancient translation; these words are not in the Hebrew text.</char></note></div></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div align="center"><p><span style="font-size:11pt;">Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt;">© 2006 American Bible Society. 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