David’s Charge to Solomon^(A)

2 When the time drew near for David to die,^(B) he gave a charge to Solomon his son.

² “I am about to go the way of all the earth,”^(C) he said. “So be strong,^(D) act like a man, ³ and observe^(E) what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper^(F) in all you do and wherever you go ⁴ and that the Lord may keep his promise^(G) to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully^(H) before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’

¹⁰ Then David rested with his ancestors and was buried^(A) in the City of David.^{(B) 11} He had reigned^(C) forty years over Israel—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. ¹² So Solomon sat on the throne^(D) of his father David, and his rule was firmly established.^(E)