OVERVIEW: The end of David’s reign; Adonijah’s attempt to take the throne; Solomon anointed and announced as king; David’s final charge to Solomon; Solomon executes judgment; Solomon asks for and receives an understanding heart and discernment.
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
As we enter into 1 Kings today, let’s begin by highlighting a few important details from a technical standpoint. First, note that 1 Kings continues the Old Testament narrative where the Book of 2 Samuel ended. Second, recognize that the Books of 1 and 2 Kings in our Bible appear in the Hebrew Bible as one. Third, the date of the writing of 1 Kings is approximately between 562 and 536 B.C., and though tradition has assigned its authorship to Jeremiah, it was most likely written by a Jewish captive in Babylon under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. And fourth, though the Kings and Chronicles cover the same basic time period and content, it is apparent that they were written from different perspectives: whereas the Books of 1 and 2 Kings were written from a PROPHETIC standpoint, the Books of 1 and 2 Chronicles were written from a PRIESTLY standpoint.
Whether it be in nations, corporations or churches, (actually in any organized group where there is an identifiable leader!) the time of transition from one leader to another has the profound potential of becoming an extremely volatile situation. As in chapter 1 in today’s reading, what had the potential to produce an exciting and new beginning filled with fresh vision and innovative ideas as a new king was about to be installed in Israel, quickly became a powder keg once EGOS began to vaunt themselves, and OPINIONS began to swarm like flies around a piece of raw meat. Much like Adonijah’s older brother Absalom sought to usurp the kingship from their father David, Adonijah sought to usurp the kingship from the rightful heir to the throne, their younger brother, Solomon.
It is amazing how people you think would know better, in this case Abiathar the priest, Joab the captain of the host, and all of the sons of the king (1:19), actually champion the cause of someone like Adonijah, who had an “I” problem as big and as obvious as Lucifer’s in Isaiah 14:13–14: “I will…I will…I will…I will…I will!” Yet, to this day, somehow people allow themselves to get behind self-serving, self-promoting egotists who are seeking to ramrod themselves into a position of authority. If someone is desirous to fill a leadership position, but they are violating God’s structure of authority to get there, recognize that those antics will merely be a preview of coming attractions if or when they assume the position! May God use this passage to open our eyes! When God is orchestrating the installment of a new leader, there will not be the violation of clear principles of character, integrity, and/or scripture!
It is also amazing how good men in positions of leadership, in this case, David, often fail to properly implement a smooth succession plan/strategy. Were it not for the boldness and tenacity of Bathsheba and Nathan the prophet, Israel might have missed God’s selection for their next king, Solomon. Verse 6 of chapter 1 is actually astounding: “And his (Adonijah’s) father (David) had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so?” Be it known, undisciplined children grow up to be self-seeking, self-willed, and self-indulgent adults! Adonijah is a perfect example!
As David prepares to die in chapter 2, his parting charge to his son and newly installed king was to “man up!” (2:2) With the kingdom in its present state, he was certainly going to need to do just that! His father had left some “unfinished business” that would require Solomon’s immediate attention. (2:5, 9) That “unfinished business” would actually translate into the execution of four key men in the kingdom. This, too, becomes the plight of many newly installed leaders. It often falls their lot to “clean house,” as it were, so that the new regime can actually be “established.” (2:12) Those kinds of bold moves for a new leader have the potential to be majorly misunderstood but are often necessary in order for the new leader to actually lead.
In chapter 3, Solomon becomes a great illustration of how a believer can actually love the Lord (3:3), and yet, be in the midst of making major compromises that, in time, will cause that love to wane. Solomon genuinely loves the Lord, as evidenced by his request when the Lord promises to grant that for which he would ask. Yet, the affinity he makes with the king of Egypt and the relationship with which he enters with his daughter will become the things that ultimately lead to Solomon’s demise. (3:1)
Perhaps the exorbitant amount of sacrifices (a thousand of ’em!) that Solomon offered (3:4) were an attempt to convince himself that his compromises weren’t actually infringing upon his love for the Lord. Often when people are “over-doing” their spiritual responsibilities, it can be an attempt to compensate for an area (or some areas!) of clear disobedience. Perhaps we all should put our spiritual brakes on for just a minute and stop to consider: though I love the Lord enough today to still be pursuing Him through His Word, is it possible that I am doing it as an attempt to overshadow compromises that I am making in my walk with the Lord, or violations of clear commands of Scripture, that like Solomon, could in time overtake my love for the Lord? Remember the words of Samuel under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in 1 Samuel 15:22: “Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
Through SOLOMON, the Son of David, sitting on the throne of David with his kingdom established — 1 Kings 2:12 (Luke 1:32; Mark 11:10)