obedience – Page 5 – Be Still…

1 Kings 3:1-15 – What Would You Ask For?

Truth be told, Solomon was feeling a little in over his head. It’s one thing to watch your father, the king, “do his thing.” It’s quite another to actually be king! In our last reading, we saw Solomon following through with what his father had instructed. Solomon’s kingdom is now firmly sealed. Now it was time for Solomon to venture out on his own.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t a manual setting out performance expectations or rules for being king. What Solomon knew to be true from watching David was to rely on the LORD and follow the LORD’s leading. “Solomon loved the Lord and followed all the decrees of his father, David, except that Solomon, too, offered sacrifices and burned incense at the local places of worship.”

1 Kings 2:26-46 – Cleaning House

Read 1 Kings 2:26-46

soap in the shape of a heart and a brush nestled together for cleaning

Solomon is doing a great job of finishing up the “to-do” list his father, King David, had given him before he died. I can be a tad obsessed with “to-do lists.” How about you? I’ve even been known to add something to an existing list after it was done, simply to have a task to check off!

It’s always a bit troubling for me to see killing happening, even when it seems to be what the situation calls for. Many times, it’s even what God has destined for these individuals. In particular, the evil of Eli’s sons has not gone unnoticed by God.

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.

2 Samuel 5:17-25 – The Lord Bursts Through

Read 2 Samuel 5:17-25

Two people holding hands, at night, looking at what looks like an explosion in a city in the distance ahead of them

Just like that! King David’s reign is off to a great start because the Lord bursts through! In David’s own words, “He burst through my enemies like a raging flood!” The Philistines fell twice! Each time, David consulted with God first. God responded. David obeyed.

The pattern is predictable. When we ask God for something, he will answer. Sometimes the answer isn’t what we expect. For instance, David was probably pretty surprised when God gave him a game plan that was totally a sneaky, “take by surprise” kind of move. But David didn’t question it or think he had a better way. We sometimes think we have the better way, don’t we?

1 Samuel 26:1-25 – Again?

Read 1 Samuel 26:1-25

Think of the restraint! David has opportunity again to take Saul out of the picture once and for all. And again, David lets Saul, God’s anointed king, live. This is a beautiful picture of trusting God, wouldn’t you agree?

David even had to control his man, Abishai, from taking this golden opportunity. It was a teachable moment to show Abishai the importance and respect that God’s anointed one should receive. Despite Saul’s evil intention to kill David, David gives mercy once more. David affirmed his trust in God, “Surely the LORD will strike Saul down someday, or he will die of old age or in battle.”