1 & 2 Kings – Page 20

1 Kings 2:1-12 – A Legacy

looking down on feet with tennis shoes, walking toward a set of arrows signifying a decision in new direction must be made

Following in the footsteps of a father like David would be difficult. What must Solomon be thinking as he receives his final instructions from his father. I suppose there is probably a little fear, some excitement, and probably a bit of pride thrown in for good measure.

When we read of David’s passing, it seems more than just a matter of fact. Don’t you feel a bit like a friend has died? We can probably all identity to some degree with what David did and how he did it. Our circumstances, of course, are completely different (unless you happen to be an Israelite king)! David left a legacy, and that’s probably our intention, too.

1 Kings 1:49-53 – Making Mistakes

Read 1 Kings 1:49-53

Adonijah did much more than make a mistake when he declared himself king. He opened the door to hatred and revenge from his brother, the true king, and severe disappointment from his father. Sometimes we avoid doing things for fear of what “other people might think.”

I’m the first to admit I’ve had that worry a time or two or two thousand during my life. I’m a people pleaser, and I want to fix things. Pretty much everything that crosses my path gets “fixed” if I have much to do with it. It’s a behavior I’ve worked on controlling for many years.

1 Kings 1:28-48 – True Succession

Read 1 Kings 1:28-48

benches surrounded by orange and yellow leaves of fall season

Realizing his own avoidance or possibly forgetfulness, David rises to the occasion here and finally proclaims the new king. We see a climax in this reading as the “true” succession will now take place. David’s other son, Adonijah, will soon learn he jumped the gun and is not the rightful heir to the throne. After all, it is God who gifted the people with a king. It was up to God who was “up next.” David obediently sets up Solomon to be the next king.

David said to his wife, Bathsheba, “As surely as the Lord lives, who has rescued me from every danger, your son Solomon will be the next king and will sit on my throne this very day, just as I vowed to you before the Lord, the God of Israel.” David doesn’t waste any time. He knows he needs to take fast action before the people desert him again and follow Adonijah. It is Solomon’s time to shine.

1 Kings 1:5-27 – Who Will Be King?

Read 1 Kings 1:5-27

Talk about taking advantage of a situation. We see one of David’s sons, Adonijah, decide to make himself king. Adonijah is not the first of David’s sons to pull a stunt like this. The passage doesn’t say anything about God blessing Adonijah’s plan. David hadn’t reprimanded Adonijah either, but appears he may not have known this was all going on.

Adonijah’s plans become known to the king thanks to his wife, Bathsheba and his trusted prophet, Nathan. Both fear that the king will soon die leaving the throne in the hands of Adonijah. We don’t know Adonijah’s motives, but certainly he is enjoying the attention, the feasting, and tricking everyone to follow him as new king. Didn’t anybody wonder why David was not involved in the announcement? Why do you think some of David’s trusted inner circle chose to help Adonijah?

1 Kings 1:1-4 – Growing Old

Read 1 Kings 1:1-4

A gray-haired couple walking away from camera with back packs, holding hands

As we approach 1 Kings, it will help if we remember this is history. It’s not just historical facts, figures, and events either. Many people may question whether it’s relevant to us today. After all, these are battles fought long ago in a land far away (for most of us). The book focuses on its first audience and their orientation to God. For us, let’s enjoy the storytelling!

These first few chapters will close out the story of King David. For more on David’s life story, refer to 1 and 2 Samuel. In this passage, we see a very old and fragile King David. Having just spent some time in a nursing home recently with my father, I can just imagine how hard it is for the people to see David declining in this way. Once a mighty warrior, yet always a man seeking after God.