1 Kings 2:2
Verse
Context
David Instructs Solomon
1As the time drew near for David to die, he charged his son Solomon,2“I am about to go the way of all the earth. So be strong and prove yourself a man.3And keep the charge of the LORD your God to walk in His ways and to keep His statutes, commandments, ordinances, and decrees, as is written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you turn,
Sermons
Billy SundaySummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
I go the way of all the earth - I am dying. All the inhabitants of the earth must come to the dust. In life, some follow one occupation, some another; but all must, sooner or later, come to the grave. Death is no respecter of persons; he visits the palace of the king as well as the cottage of the peasant. Pallida mors aequo pulsat pede pauperum tabernas, Regumque turres. - Hor. Odar. lib. i., od. iv., ver. 13. "With equal pace, impartial fate Knocks at the palace as the cottage gate." Francis. - Sed omnes una manet nox, Et calcanda semel via lethi. - Ib. od. xxviii., ver. 15. "One dreary night for all mankind remains, And once we all must tread the shadowy plains." Ibid. There is no respect to age or youth more than to station or external circumstance: - Mixta senum ac juvenum densantur funera: nullum Saeva caput Proserpina fugit. Ib. od. xxviii., ver. 19. Thus age and youth promiscuous crowd the tomb; No mortal head can shun the impending doom." Ibid. And it is not merely man that is subjected to this necessity; all that have in them the breath of life must lose it; it is the way of all the earth, both of men and inferior animals. - Terrestria quando Mortales animas vivunt sortita, neque ulla est Aut parvo aut magno lethi fuga. Vive memor quam sis aevi brevis. Hor. Sat. l. ii., s. vi., ver. 93. "All that tread the earth are subject to mortality; neither great nor small can avoid death. Live therefore conscious that your time is short." It is painful to the pride of the great and mighty that, however decorated their tombs may be, they must undergo the same dissolution and corruption with the vulgar dead; for the grave is the house appointed for all living: man is born to die. Omnium idem exitus est, sed et idem domicilium. "For all have the same end, and are huddled together in the same narrow house." Here emperors, kings, statesmen, warriors, heroes, and butchers of all kinds, with peasants and beggars, meet; however various their routes, they terminate in the same point. This and all other kindred sentiments on the subject are well expressed in that excellent little poem of Mr. Blair, entitled "The Grave," which opens with the following lines: - While some affect the sun, and some the shade; Some flee the city, some the hermitage; Their aims as various as the roads they take In journeying through life; the task be mine To paint the gloomy horrors of the tomb, The appointed place of rendezvous, where all These travelers meet. Show thyself a man - Act like a rational being, and not like a brute; and remember, that he acts most like a man who is most devoted to his Good.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
I go the way of all the earth--a beautiful and impressive periphrasis for death. be thou strong, . . . show thyself a man--This counsel is similar to the apostolic direction (Co1 16:13) and refers to the fortitude or strength of mind that was required to discharge the onerous functions of king.
John Gill Bible Commentary
I go the way of all the earth,.... A path which is the path of death (o), which all pass in, kings and peasants, high and low, rich and poor, great and small, good and bad; none are exempted, all must die, and do; it is the appointment of God, a decree which can never be reversed; all experience confirms it: this same phrase is used by Joshua, from whom David seems to have borrowed it, and shows that that book was written in his days, Jos 23:14; be thou strong therefore; not discouraged at my death, being a common thing, and to be expected; nor at being left alone, the Lord can give thee wisdom and counsel, assistance and strength, protection, and defence; take heart therefore, and be of good courage: and show thyself a man; in wisdom and understanding, and in fortitude of mind, though so young a man; which were necessary for the government of so great a people, and to guard against the secret intrigues of some, and the open flatteries of others, and the fear of attempts against his person and government, and the temptations he might be liable to, to do wrong things; and especially they were necessary to enable him to keep the commands of God, as follows; which required great strength of mind and of grace, considering the corruptions of nature, the temptations of Satan, and the snares of men; see Jos 1:7. (o) "------ omnes una manet nox, Et calcanda semel via lethi". Horat. Carmin. l. 1. ode 28. ver. 15, 16.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
2:2-4 David’s advice to Solomon combined the spiritual and ethical standards of Deuteronomy, the standards of the covenant through Moses (see Lev 18:4-5; Deut 5:33; 6:4-5; 8:6; 10:12), and the promises of the covenant with David (2 Sam 7:12-16, 25). If Solomon would keep God’s standards of righteousness, the promises would be transmitted to his heir, who in turn could claim God’s blessings and convey them to subsequent generations (Ps 89:3-4, 20, 24, 27-37). • The preeminent heir of David, the Messiah, would embody true righteousness (Isa 11:1-5), receive the full benefits of the covenant (Jer 33:14-16), and enact a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah (Jer 31:31-34; Ezek 34:24-31; 37:24-28). The New Testament reveals Jesus as that son of David who has come (Matt 1:1; Rom 1:1-4); he will come again to fulfill Old Testament prophecies and bless all people (Luke 1:67-79; Gal 3:26-29; Rev 3:21). 2:2 Take courage and be a man: God and Moses had given this same charge to Joshua at the time of the conquest (Deut 31:6-7; Josh 1:6-7, 9). Joshua and Hezekiah gave this admonition to Israelite forces when facing enemies (Josh 1:16-18; 10:24-28; 2 Chr 32:7). David had learned the value of godly courage (Pss 27:13-14; 31:23-24). When Paul urged Christians to be courageous (literally be men) and strong (1 Cor 16:13), he used the same words as the Greek Old Testament uses for the charges by Moses, Joshua, Hezekiah, and the Lord. An interesting parallel is found in the account of Bishop Polycarp’s martyrdom. As he was led into the stadium facing execution, Polycarp heard a voice from heaven saying, “Be strong, Polycarp, be a man!” (Martyrdom of Polycarp 9:1).
1 Kings 2:2
David Instructs Solomon
1As the time drew near for David to die, he charged his son Solomon,2“I am about to go the way of all the earth. So be strong and prove yourself a man.3And keep the charge of the LORD your God to walk in His ways and to keep His statutes, commandments, ordinances, and decrees, as is written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you turn,
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
I go the way of all the earth - I am dying. All the inhabitants of the earth must come to the dust. In life, some follow one occupation, some another; but all must, sooner or later, come to the grave. Death is no respecter of persons; he visits the palace of the king as well as the cottage of the peasant. Pallida mors aequo pulsat pede pauperum tabernas, Regumque turres. - Hor. Odar. lib. i., od. iv., ver. 13. "With equal pace, impartial fate Knocks at the palace as the cottage gate." Francis. - Sed omnes una manet nox, Et calcanda semel via lethi. - Ib. od. xxviii., ver. 15. "One dreary night for all mankind remains, And once we all must tread the shadowy plains." Ibid. There is no respect to age or youth more than to station or external circumstance: - Mixta senum ac juvenum densantur funera: nullum Saeva caput Proserpina fugit. Ib. od. xxviii., ver. 19. Thus age and youth promiscuous crowd the tomb; No mortal head can shun the impending doom." Ibid. And it is not merely man that is subjected to this necessity; all that have in them the breath of life must lose it; it is the way of all the earth, both of men and inferior animals. - Terrestria quando Mortales animas vivunt sortita, neque ulla est Aut parvo aut magno lethi fuga. Vive memor quam sis aevi brevis. Hor. Sat. l. ii., s. vi., ver. 93. "All that tread the earth are subject to mortality; neither great nor small can avoid death. Live therefore conscious that your time is short." It is painful to the pride of the great and mighty that, however decorated their tombs may be, they must undergo the same dissolution and corruption with the vulgar dead; for the grave is the house appointed for all living: man is born to die. Omnium idem exitus est, sed et idem domicilium. "For all have the same end, and are huddled together in the same narrow house." Here emperors, kings, statesmen, warriors, heroes, and butchers of all kinds, with peasants and beggars, meet; however various their routes, they terminate in the same point. This and all other kindred sentiments on the subject are well expressed in that excellent little poem of Mr. Blair, entitled "The Grave," which opens with the following lines: - While some affect the sun, and some the shade; Some flee the city, some the hermitage; Their aims as various as the roads they take In journeying through life; the task be mine To paint the gloomy horrors of the tomb, The appointed place of rendezvous, where all These travelers meet. Show thyself a man - Act like a rational being, and not like a brute; and remember, that he acts most like a man who is most devoted to his Good.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
I go the way of all the earth--a beautiful and impressive periphrasis for death. be thou strong, . . . show thyself a man--This counsel is similar to the apostolic direction (Co1 16:13) and refers to the fortitude or strength of mind that was required to discharge the onerous functions of king.
John Gill Bible Commentary
I go the way of all the earth,.... A path which is the path of death (o), which all pass in, kings and peasants, high and low, rich and poor, great and small, good and bad; none are exempted, all must die, and do; it is the appointment of God, a decree which can never be reversed; all experience confirms it: this same phrase is used by Joshua, from whom David seems to have borrowed it, and shows that that book was written in his days, Jos 23:14; be thou strong therefore; not discouraged at my death, being a common thing, and to be expected; nor at being left alone, the Lord can give thee wisdom and counsel, assistance and strength, protection, and defence; take heart therefore, and be of good courage: and show thyself a man; in wisdom and understanding, and in fortitude of mind, though so young a man; which were necessary for the government of so great a people, and to guard against the secret intrigues of some, and the open flatteries of others, and the fear of attempts against his person and government, and the temptations he might be liable to, to do wrong things; and especially they were necessary to enable him to keep the commands of God, as follows; which required great strength of mind and of grace, considering the corruptions of nature, the temptations of Satan, and the snares of men; see Jos 1:7. (o) "------ omnes una manet nox, Et calcanda semel via lethi". Horat. Carmin. l. 1. ode 28. ver. 15, 16.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
2:2-4 David’s advice to Solomon combined the spiritual and ethical standards of Deuteronomy, the standards of the covenant through Moses (see Lev 18:4-5; Deut 5:33; 6:4-5; 8:6; 10:12), and the promises of the covenant with David (2 Sam 7:12-16, 25). If Solomon would keep God’s standards of righteousness, the promises would be transmitted to his heir, who in turn could claim God’s blessings and convey them to subsequent generations (Ps 89:3-4, 20, 24, 27-37). • The preeminent heir of David, the Messiah, would embody true righteousness (Isa 11:1-5), receive the full benefits of the covenant (Jer 33:14-16), and enact a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah (Jer 31:31-34; Ezek 34:24-31; 37:24-28). The New Testament reveals Jesus as that son of David who has come (Matt 1:1; Rom 1:1-4); he will come again to fulfill Old Testament prophecies and bless all people (Luke 1:67-79; Gal 3:26-29; Rev 3:21). 2:2 Take courage and be a man: God and Moses had given this same charge to Joshua at the time of the conquest (Deut 31:6-7; Josh 1:6-7, 9). Joshua and Hezekiah gave this admonition to Israelite forces when facing enemies (Josh 1:16-18; 10:24-28; 2 Chr 32:7). David had learned the value of godly courage (Pss 27:13-14; 31:23-24). When Paul urged Christians to be courageous (literally be men) and strong (1 Cor 16:13), he used the same words as the Greek Old Testament uses for the charges by Moses, Joshua, Hezekiah, and the Lord. An interesting parallel is found in the account of Bishop Polycarp’s martyrdom. As he was led into the stadium facing execution, Polycarp heard a voice from heaven saying, “Be strong, Polycarp, be a man!” (Martyrdom of Polycarp 9:1).