Journal Through the Bible: Week 46 Tuesday

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I Kings chapter 2 

As David prepared to die he gave parting instructions to his son, Solomon, whom he had made king in his place. Even though Solomon was still young David recognized wisdom in his son. Perhaps the fact that his father mentioned this trait made Solomon make his well-known request of God at a later date.

This chapter deals with several loose ends from the reign of David that Solomon had to deal with early in his own reign. One of them was the treachery of his brother, Adonijah, the one who had declared himself king. Adonijah requested the hand of the maiden, Abishag the Shunammite through Solomon's mother, Bathsheba. Solomon's mother readily agreed. Perhaps Bathsheba saw no reason why the young woman who had been kept in the harem to provide bodily heat to the dying David should not be given to Adonijah. From the number of children born to Bathsheba it would appear that she was David's favorite wife so perhaps this girl stirred feelings of jealousy in Bathsheba. Or perhaps, as believed by some, Abishag the Shunammite was loved by Solomon and was therefore the woman who inspired the writing of the Song of Solomon (called the Shulamite in S. of S. 6:13) which would also add a complicated layer to Bathsheba's emotions, this time as prospective mother-in-law. All this is speculation, however, for some reason she did not find the request of Adonijah to be unreasonable although Solomon declared it treason and had his brother put to death as a result of it.

Does God issue any commands?

• Through King David God commanded King Solomon to keep the charge of the LORD, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes and commands as written in the law of Moses that he might prosper in everything he did. (This is exactly what God told Moses to write as a commandment for the kings of Israel.)

Does God make any promises?

• Through King David God reminded King Solomon of God's promise to make David's dynasty an everlasting one but that this would come through Solomon's line and any future king's line directly only if Solomon and his descendants obeyed God with all their hearts. (We know that both Mary and Joseph were descended from King David.)
• Another promise of God that was fulfilled at this time was the prior pronouncement that the descendants of Eli would be removed from the priesthood. This was accomplished when Solomon removed Abiathar from office.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• The promise stated from God by King David to King Solomon was specifically about Jesus, the One who fulfills that promise that there shall not fail to be a man upon the throne of Israel descended from David. As the descendant of David, the Messiah, Jesus, will be the eternal heir to David's throne.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• In Solomon's early reign he avenged the wrongs done to his father's kingdom in an attempt to bring justice and righteousness to his own kingdom. When Jesus ascends His throne He will likewise avenge all unrighteous works done to His Father's kingdom and the world will be set right once more.