When David’s time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying,
Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die,.... The number of his days fixed and determined by the Lord, Job 14:5; and which might be perceived as drawing nigh, both by himself and others, through the growing infirmities of old age, decline of nature, and various symptoms of an approaching dissolution which were upon him; see Gen 47:29.
The anointing of Solomon as king, which was effected by David’s command (1 Kings 1), is only briefly mentioned in 1Ch 23:1 in the words, “When David was old and full of days, he made his son Solomon king over Israel;” which serve as an introduction to the account of the arrangements made by David during the closing days of his life.
Commenting on 1 Kings 2:1-3