It is in 1 Chronicles, chapters 28-29 where we find the record of the great gathering of all the princes of Israel, and David’s great address to them.  David spoke of how he desired to build God’s temple, but the Lord forbid him (1 Chronicles 28:2-3).  In verses 5-6, David told how the Lord had chosen his son, Solomon to rule Israel and to build the temple.  He made known to all Israel that the LORD had chosen Solomon to occupy his throne as we read in 1 Chronicles 29:1, “Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.” 

In 1 Kings 2, David instructs Solomon privately.  I encourage you to read 1 Kings 2 in its entirety to see how the main purpose of David’s charge to his son was to exhort him to punish Joab and Shimei and to show kindness unto the sons of Barzillai.  While some have attacked David for his quest for revenge, it does seem appropriate because Joab had killed Abner and Amasa (verse 5). Shimei had in great vileness cursed God’s anointed King, David (verse 8).  Plus, we read in verse 7, “But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother.”  Because of their loyalty to the king, kindness was to be shown to Barzillai’s family.  It appears David’s decisions were based, not on revenge, but on justice. 

In this, we have a very good lesson of David being a type of the Lord Jesus in His rejection during this day of grace in which we live.  Solomon, therefore, is a type of the Lord Jesus as the true King reigning in His Millennial Kingdom.  When the Lord returns to the earth to set up His kingdom, He will destroy His enemies and purge out of His kingdom everything that offends, even as Solomon was instructed to do. (Read Matthew 25:31-46).  (CC)  (601.6)