Opening Prayer
Lord, I come to my time with you looking for wisdom, encouragement, and hope. You never disappoint me—thank you!
Read 1 KINGS 2:1–25
David’s Charge to Solomon
2 When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son.
2 “I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, 3 and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go 4 and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’
5 “Now you yourself know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to the two commanders of Israel’s armies, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He killed them, shedding their blood in peacetime as if in battle, and with that blood he stained the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. 6 Deal with him according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to the grave in peace.
7 “But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead and let them be among those who eat at your table. They stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom.
8 “And remember, you have with you Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, who called down bitter curses on me the day I went to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord: ‘I will not put you to death by the sword.’ 9 But now, do not consider him innocent. You are a man of wisdom; you will know what to do to him. Bring his gray head down to the grave in blood.”
10 Then David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. 11 He had reigned forty years over Israel—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. 12 So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his rule was firmly established.
Solomon’s Throne Established
13 Now Adonijah, the son of Haggith, went to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother. Bathsheba asked him, “Do you come peacefully?”
He answered, “Yes, peacefully.” 14 Then he added, “I have something to say to you.”
“You may say it,” she replied.
15 “As you know,” he said, “the kingdom was mine. All Israel looked to me as their king. But things changed, and the kingdom has gone to my brother; for it has come to him from the Lord. 16 Now I have one request to make of you. Do not refuse me.”
“You may make it,” she said.
17 So he continued, “Please ask King Solomon—he will not refuse you—to give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife.”
18 “Very well,” Bathsheba replied, “I will speak to the king for you.”
19 When Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah, the king stood up to meet her, bowed down to her and sat down on his throne. He had a throne brought for the king’s mother, and she sat down at his right hand.
20 “I have one small request to make of you,” she said. “Do not refuse me.”
The king replied, “Make it, my mother; I will not refuse you.”
21 So she said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given in marriage to your brother Adonijah.”
22 King Solomon answered his mother, “Why do you request Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? You might as well request the kingdom for him—after all, he is my older brother—yes, for him and for Abiathar the priest and Joab son of Zeruiah!”
23 Then King Solomon swore by the Lord: “May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if Adonijah does not pay with his life for this request! 24 And now, as surely as the Lord lives—he who has established me securely on the throne of my father David and has founded a dynasty for me as he promised—Adonijah shall be put to death today!” 25 So King Solomon gave orders to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he struck down Adonijah and he died.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
‘A charge to keep I have, / a God to glorify, / a never-dying soul to save, / and fit it for the sky.’1
Think Further
At ordination services it is usual for a charge to be read. David gives such a charge to Solomon, with classic Deuteronomistic overtones of faithfulness to the Law which will result in blessing on his reign and on the kingdom. Later in Israel’s history, it will be common for each king to have their reign summarized and evaluated, based on faithfulness to the covenant promises. The charge to Solomon is a charge to us as well. All of God’s people are charged to ‘walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands,’ watching our lives closely that we might continue to live faithfully before the Lord (vv. 3, 4).
David, the hero of yesteryear, has now died and Solomon sits on his throne (v. 12). The establishment of Solomon, whose name means ‘peace’, emphasizes that, despite the schemes of others, Solomon is God’s choice. He stands as a symbol of God’s grace in choosing us, who are all undeserving. Whatever the efforts of humans, God remains sovereign. He sometimes works through the efforts of human beings and sometimes despite them. Even in the uncertainty of world events, the King above all kings remains unchanged and unmoved. The fulfillment of the prophetic hope in Solomon’s kingship shows us something of the hope of God’s kingdom.
Even Solomon’s coronation doesn’t stop others from scheming. Joab has a history of shady dealings (vv. 5, 6) and now Adonijah is on maneuvers. Solomon will need all his charisma, wisdom, and skill to navigate the difficult terrain of a new monarchy. He ruthlessly deals with Adonijah (v. 25) who, by requesting Abishag, puts himself in David’s place. In all the plotting of humans, only God remains the true hero.
Apply
What is the charge that the Lord is laying on you today? How might the Lord show his power through you?
Closing prayer
In all of the things you call me to do, I ask that you equip me, Lord. From the greatest task to the least, help me to reflect what is your best.
Last Updated on May 8, 2024 by kingstar
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