I Kings 2  David gives instructions to Solomon before he dies.  " .. keep the charge of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the law of Moses, that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn, so that the Lord may carry out His promise which He spoke concerning me, saying, If your sons are careful of their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel." ( v3-4)   David's primary concern for Solomon was his spiritual walk with God.  Everything hinged on Solomon's relationship with Yahweh.

David also left some practical instructions for Solomon as to the kingdom.  The enemies of David had to be dealt with.. Joab, Shimei, Adonijah, and Abiathar.  

Joab, who had been a friend of David, had made himself an enemy by acting out of revenge and anger, killing Abner and Amasa.  His punishment was ordered and he was killed.

Shimei, had cursed David when he had to leave Jerusalem because of Absolom.  David had let him live, but Solomon needed to deal with him.  Solomon allowed Shimei to live, but ordered him to never leave the gates of Jerusalem.  After 3 years Shimei disobeyed and was put to death. Solomon's verdict against him was " You know all the evil which your acknowledge in your heart, which you did to my father David; therefore the Lord shall return your evil on your own head." (v44). 

Adonijah, Solomon's brother, had begged for mercy and received it when Solomon became king.  However, he was still looking for a way to take over, believing that the throne truly belonged to him.  He tried to sneak into the position by asking Bathsheba to go to the king and ask that Abishag the Shunammite be given him as a wife.  Abishag had been David's concubine, serving as a nurse to David in his last days.  For Adonijah to ask for this woman would be the same as asking for the kingdom, so Solomon states, " And why are you asking Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him also the kingdom- for he is my older brother - even for him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah!"  Adonijah's request was a challenge for the throne.  Solomon acted wisely and immediately, ordering that he be put to death.

Abiathar the priest was dismissed from serving any more as a priest.  He was not executed, but sent away.  Solomon spared him because he had carried the ark of God.

There was one family that David asked Solomon to honor, because their father had helped David, the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite.

When Solomon had taken care of all these we are told, "Thus the kingdom was established in the hands of Solomon."

Truth:  God's desire for each of us is for us to walk before Him in truth, with all of our heart and with all of our soul.  His will is for us to "keep the charge"; to keep watch, like a sentry over our own hearts and souls; that we might walk in His ways.   The message to Solomon is the same message to each of us in Ephesians, the worthy walk - in love and in the Light, fully armored with Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and prayer.

Father in Heaven,  You are worthy of all our praise and worship, for You alone are God. Your ways are perfect and good.  We desire to do Your will, to live Your way, and to be careful to obey all of Your Word.  Help us to do this Holy Spirit, we ask in the Name of Jesus the Lord, amen.