Chapter 2: Dovid’s will for Shlomo, and taking vengeance against Adoniyahu, Yoav, and Shimi

1.      The parting words and instructions of Dovid to his son Shlomo:

• The days of Dovid’s death were nearing, and he instructed his son Shlomo the following words.
• A warning to guard the Mitzvos: I am going to pass on soon, as is the way of the world, and you shall be strong and become a man. You shall guard all of the warnings of Hashem your G-d and go in His ways, to guard his commands and his statutes as is written in the book of Moshe, in order so you be wise in all that you do. By doing so, you will merit for G-d’s word to be fulfilled which He spoke to me saying, “If your descendants follow my ways and go in front of me with truth, with all their heart and soul, then your monarchy will never be cut off.”
• An instruction to assassinate Yoav: Dovid continued with an instruction to assassinate Yoav: “You are aware of what Yoav the son of Tzeruya did to me and to the two generals of Israel, Avner Ben Ner and Amasa the son of Yeser, whom he killed as an act of war during times of peace. You shall do with your wisdom and not let him go down in old age you shall use your wisdom to make sure that he does not die of old age and in peace [which will lead him to go to^[1]] purgatory [and rather you shall find a way to put him to death].”
• An instruction to do good to the children of Barzilai Hagiladi: To the children of Barzilai Hagiladi you should do kindness and he should be amongst those who eat from your table as he came to my aid when I was fleeing from your brother Avshalom.
• An instruction to assassinate Shimi Ben Geira: Shimi Ben Geira the son of the Benjamite from the city of Bachurim is still living amongst you and he had cursed me a vigorous curse on the day that I traveled to Machanayim, however, he came towards me by the Jordan [to make amends and ask forgiveness] and I swore to him by the name of G-d saying that I will not put him to death by the sword. However, you shall not let him off free as you are a wise man, and you shall figure out what to do with him [and put him to death under other pretenses^[2]], and you shall bring blood to his old age and descend him into purgatory.

[1] Rashi 2:6

[2] Rashi 2:9