1 Kings 2:1-4 Put God First!

 ”Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying: “I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; that the Lord may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul,’ He said, ‘you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’“

‭‭I Kings‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. I go the way of all the earth: David, son of Jesse – Israel’s greatest king, apart from the Messiah - recognized that he was but a man and shared the common destiny of all the earth. Knowing he would soon pass from this life, David gave a final charge to Solomon.

i. An expanded account of David’s charge to Solomon is in 1 Chronicles 28-29. It especially emphasizes Solomon’s duty to build the temple.

b. Be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man: Perhaps David sensed some weakness in Solomon. Perhaps he knew Solomon would be tested in far greater ways than before. Whatever the exact reason was, David knew Solomon needed strength and courage (prove yourself a man). Great responsibilities require great strength and courage.

i. From these words of David we sense that Solomon faced great challenges, whether he knew it or not. “The same expression was used by the Philistines in 1 Samuel 4:9as they encouraged one another in their battle against what they assumed to be insurmountable odds” (Patterson and Austel).

c. And keep the charge of the LORD your God: David also knew that Solomon could not be strong or courageous without obedient fellowship with God. In this place of obedient fellowship, Solomon would prosper in all that he did.

d. That the LORD may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me: David had a generalreason to exhort Solomon to obedience, but he also had a specific reason, a specific promise of God. God promised David that as long as his sons walked in obedience, they would keep the throne of Israel.

i. This was an amazing promise. No matter what the Assyrians or the Egyptians or the Babylonians did, as long as David’s sons were obedient and followed God with their heart and with all their soul, God would establish their kingdom. He would take care of the rest.

ii. We may envy the sons of David because they had such a promise, but we have a similar promise from God. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. God promises that if we put Him first, He will take care of the rest. (Guzik)

Put God First!

If we put God first by seeking, you will find! Jesus said:

”Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.“ Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Do you put God first in your life?

Blessings 

1 Kings 1:50-53 Grace and Mercy!

 ”Now Adonijah was afraid of Solomon; so he arose, and went and took hold of the horns of the altar. And it was told Solomon, saying, “Indeed Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon; for look, he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon swear to me today that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.’ ” Then Solomon said, “If he proves himself a worthy man, not one hair of him shall fall to the earth; but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die.” So King Solomon sent them to bring him down from the altar. And he came and fell down before King Solomon; and Solomon said to him, “Go to your house.”“

‭‭I Kings‬ ‭1‬:‭50‬-‭53‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. Took hold of the horns of the altar: According to almost universal custom in the ancient world, a religious altar was a place of sanctuary against justice or vengeance. An accused man might find safety if he could flee to an altar before he was apprehended. This is why Adonijah took hold of the horns of the altar.

i. It is important to understand that this ancient custom was not used in Israel to protect a guilty man. But if a man acts with premeditation against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you shall take him from My altar, that he may die (Exodus 21:14).

b. If he proves himself a worthy man, not one hair of him shall fall to the earth: Solomon gave Adonijah a limited reprieve. This went against all custom in the ancient world. It was common, even expected, that when a new king assumed the throne, he would execute every potential rival. Solomon not only let a potential rival live, but one who openly tried to subvert his reign. This was a large measure of grace and mercy on the part of Solomon, and a good start to his reign.

i. At the same time, Solomon wanted Adonijah to know that if he should show the slightest inclination towards rebellion, he would be killed instantly. Mercy would be withdrawn and justice would be delivered quickly.

c. He came and fell down before King Solomon: Adonijah knew he received great mercy from Solomon, and he wanted to show his gratitude for it and his reliance upon Solomon’s mercy. (Guzik)

Grace and Mercy!

Solomon extended grace and mercy to Adonijah with a caveat but

God extended grace and mercy to us freely for the Bible says, 

”But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,“ Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬-‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Have you accepted the gift from God?

Blessings 

1 Kings 1:41-49 Endeth In Horror?

 ”Now Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they finished eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the horn, he said, “Why is the city in such a noisy uproar?” While he was still speaking, there came Jonathan, the son of Abiathar the priest. And Adonijah said to him, “Come in, for you are a prominent man, and bring good news.” Then Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, “No! Our Lord King David has made Solomon king. The king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites; and they have made him ride on the king’s mule. So Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon; and they have gone up from there rejoicing, so that the city is in an uproar. This is the noise that you have heard. Also Solomon sits on the throne of the kingdom. And moreover the king’s servants have gone to bless our Lord King David, saying, ‘May God make the name of Solomon better than your name, and may He make his throne greater than your throne.’ Then the king bowed himself on the bed. Also the king said thus, ‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who has given one to sit on my throne this day, while my eyes see it!’ ” So all the guests who were with Adonijah were afraid, and arose, and each one went his way.“ ‭‭I Kings‬ ‭1‬:‭41‬-‭49‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. As they finished eating: The banquet wasn’t even over before Solomon was proclaimed king. Bathsheba and Nathan acted quickly and it was rewarded.

i. “Adonijah’s feast, as all wicked men’s, endeth in horror; for the last dish, is served up astonishment and fearful expectation of just revenge.” (Trapp)

b. So that all the city is in an uproar: This was very distressing to Adonijah. He had the support of some important, powerful men (those attending his banquet), but now he knew that the heart of the people belonged to Solomon.

c. Also the king said thus, “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who has given one to sit on my throne this day, while my eyes see it!” This told Adonijah that even King David was completely behind Solomon. There was no hope for his future as king.

d. All the guests who were with Adonijah were afraid, and arose, and each one went: They came for a nice dinner, and to support Adonijah. They left quickly as soon as it was clear that he would not and could not be king. Now, it was dangerous to say that you supported Adonijah as king. (Guzik)

Endeth In Horror?

We are all wicked and the Bible tells us so! But the Good News is, ”For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.“ ‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

I heard someone say yesterday “what will you have lost If I’m wrong by proclaiming the salvation through Jesus Christ?”

“But what if I’m right?” What will be your end, endeth in horror?

Blessings 

What If by Nicole Nordeman

1 Kings 1:38-40 The Earth Seemed To Split With Their Sound!

 ”So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David’s mule, and took him to Gihon. Then Zadok the priest took a horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. And they blew the horn, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!” And all the people went up after him; and the people played the flutes and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth seemed to split with their sound.“ ‭‭I Kings‬ ‭1‬:‭38‬-‭40‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. And had Solomon ride on King David’s mule: Apparently, this was the Old Testament equivalent to a presidential motorcade.

i. The mule was something special in ancient Israel. “Since Hebraic law forbade crossbreeding (Leviticus 19:19), mules had to be imported and were therefore very expensive. So while the common people rode donkeys, the mule was reserved for royalty.” (Dilday)

ii. “No subject could use any thing that belonged to the prince, without forfeiting his life. As David offered Solomon to ride on his own mule, this was full evidence that he had appointed him his successor.” (Clarke)

iii. And took him to Gihon: “Gihon, the site of the anointing, was just outside the city in the Kidron Valley, on the east bank of Ophel. It was at this time Jerusalem’s major source of water and was therefore a natural gathering place of the populace” (Patterson and Austel).

b. A horn of oil from the tabernacle: Literally, it is the horn of oil. This was a specific container of oil kept in the tabernacle for special ceremonies of anointing.

c. The people… rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth seemed to split with their sound: Though Adonijah put forth his best marketing campaign, he could not win the hearts of the people. They sensed that Solomon was the man, not Adonijah. (Guzik)

The Earth Seemed To Split With Their Sound!

I’m reminded of another time that the earth seemed to split with their sound!

”For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.“ ‭‭I Thessalonians‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

With a shout and the trumpet of God! 

I can’t wait to always be with the Lord, what about you?

Blessings 

1 Kings 1:31-37 Spiritual Eternal Level!

 ”Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and paid homage to the king, and said, “Let my Lord King David live forever!” And King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” So they came before the king. The king also said to them, “Take with you the servants of your Lord, and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule, and take him down to Gihon. There let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel; and blow the horn, and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ Then you shall come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne, and he shall be king in my place. For I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah.” Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king and said, “Amen! May the Lord God of my Lord the king say so too. As the Lord has been with my Lord the king, even so may He be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my Lord King David.”“ ‭‭I Kings‬ ‭1‬:‭31‬-‭37‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. Let my lord King David live forever: This was a customary expression of thanks and honor. Since David knew that death was near, it must have sounded strange in his ears.

b. Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah: These were three prominent leaders in Israel who did not support Adonijah as king. David knew who was loyal to him and who was not.

c. Let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king: This is a rare glimpse of all three offices in cooperation – prophet, priest, and king. Each of these offices was gloriously fulfilled in Jesus.

i. David wanted the proclamation of Solomon as successor to be persuasive. He had five points to the plan:

· Ride on my own mule.

· Let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him.

· Blow the horn.

· Say, “Long live King Solomon!”

· He shall come and sit on my throne.

ii. We might say that God is just as concerned that we know that we are destined for a throne, that we are His sons, heirs, and will reign with King Jesus.

d. Amen! May the LORD God of my lord the king say so too: Benaiah understood an important principle - that unless the LORD God said “Amen!” to the selection of Solomon, he would not stand. Benaiah sensed that this was the LORD’s will, and offered the prayer that God would in fact say so too.

e. May He be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David: This pious wish of Benaiah had an interesting fulfillment. On a human level, Solomon’s reign was indeed greater than David’s. But on a spiritual, eternal level, it was not. (Guzik)

Spiritual, Eternal Level!

David was a man after Gods own heart!

”And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’“ Acts‬ ‭13‬:‭22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

How would you rate your spiritual, eternal level?

Blessings 

1 Kings 1:28-30 As the Lord Lives!

 ”Then King David answered and said, “Call Bathsheba to me.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before the king. And the king took an oath and said, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life from every distress, just as I swore to you by the Lord God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,’ so I certainly will do this day.”“

‭‭I Kings‬ ‭1‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. As the LORD lives: This introduced a solemn oath. David would confirm the previous promise he made to Bathsheba, that her son Solomon would become the next king.

b. Solomon your son shall be king after me: David promised to settle the issue that very day. He would abdicate the throne and give the crown to Solomon. (Guzik)

As the Lord Lives!

It is an interesting oath that is only seems to be found in the Old Testament. 

Is He your Rock?

Blessings 

As The Lord Lives!

1 Kings 1:15-27 Very Old!

 ”So Bathsheba went into the chamber to the king. (Now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.) And Bathsheba bowed and did homage to the king. Then the king said, “What is your wish?” Then she said to him, “My Lord, you swore by the Lord your God to your maidservant, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’ So now, look! Adonijah has become king; and now, my Lord the king, you do not know about it. He has sacrificed oxen and fattened cattle and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of the army; but Solomon your servant he has not invited. And as for you, my Lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, that you should tell them who will sit on the throne of my Lord the king after him. Otherwise it will happen, when my Lord the king rests with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be counted as offenders.” And just then, while she was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in. So they told the king, saying, “Here is Nathan the prophet.” And when he came in before the king, he bowed down before the king with his face to the ground. And Nathan said, “My Lord, O king, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne’? For he has gone down today, and has sacrificed oxen and fattened cattle and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king’s sons, and the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest; and look! They are eating and drinking before him; and they say, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ But he has not invited me—me your servant—nor Zadok the priest, nor Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, nor your servant Solomon. Has this thing been done by my Lord the king, and you have not told your servant who should sit on the throne of my Lord the king after him?”“

‭‭I Kings‬ ‭1‬:‭15‬-‭27‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. Now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king: This is included to remind us of David’s limited capabilities as king. He needed the help of Bathsheba and Nathan brought to him in the following verses.

b. I and my son Solomon will be counted as offenders: Bathsheba began by telling David the facts about Adonijah’s actions. Then she used this tender appeal, reminding David that her life and the life of Solomon were in grave danger if Adonijah became the king.

c. Nathan the prophet came in: The last place we saw Nathan was in 2 Samuel 12, where he rebuked his friend David over the scandal with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah. Yet now, at the end of his days, David received Nathan; the sense is that he remained a trusted friend. David did not treat Nathan as an enemy when he confronted him with a painful truth.

i. “So far was David from hatred of the truth, that he loved Nathan the better for his plain dealing while he lived, gave him free access to his bed-chamber, and now nameth him a commissioner for the declaring of his successor.” (Trapp)

d. Has this thing been done by my lord the king, and you have not told your servant: Nathan also stated the facts about Adonijah, and then gave a personal appeal. He asked David - who was his dear and trusted friend – “Is it possible you have chosen Adonijah to be king and have not told me?” (Guzik)

Very Old!

If we are lucky enough to reach a ripe old age will our family ask “What is your wish?” or will they decide our remaining days without our permission?

Our pastor says he doesn’t fear dying, it’s the process he fears! 

I agree, because I know my home is in heaven and I look forward to going home but like my pastor I fear the process.

Life is short and the Bible compares our lifespan to a vapor!

”whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.“

‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Are you prepared to meet your maker?

Blessings