A reading from the book of first kings.

When David's time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son saying,

I am about to go the way of all the earth.

Be strong and show yourself a man.

And keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes,

his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written

in the law of Moses that you may prosper and all that you do, and wherever you turn, that the Lord

may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, if your sons pay close attention to their

way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart, and with all their soul, you shall not

lack a man on the throne of Israel.

Moreover, you also know what Joab, the son of Zeruya, did to me, how he dealt with the two

commanders of the armies of Israel, Abner the son of Nur, and Amasa the son of Jethar, whom he killed,

avenging in time of peace for blood that had been shed in war, and putting the blood

of war on the belt around his waist and on the sandals on his feet. Act, therefore, according

to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace, but deal loyally with

the sons of Barzolai, the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table.

For with such loyalty they met me when I fled from Absalom, your brother, and there is also

with you Shemiay, the son of Gira, the Benjaminite from Bihura, who cursed me with a grievous

curse on the day when I went to Mayanaam. But when he came down to meet me at the Jordan,

I swore to him by the Lord, saying, I will not put you to death

with the sword. Now therefore do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man. You will know what you

ought to do to him, and you shall bring his gray head down with blood to Shio. Then David slept with

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