1 Kings 1:1 – 2:27
Well after a break from the story to explore the Psalms we’re back to the narrative, picking up where 2 Samuel left off. King David is old, his blood flow isn’t what it used to be and even the blankets can’t do the job of keeping him warm at night. But that’s nothing a beautiful young virgin can’t fix! Once again, we’re left with a lot of questions!!!
But then suddenly the action moves to the intrigue surrounding the question of who will be king after David’s blood stops circulating altogether. One of his sons, Adonijah opts for a bloodless coup and sets himself up as king. But some of David’s most faithful men hear about it and immediately respond by getting David to confirm another son, Solomon as the rightful heir. Chapter 2 contains the last words of Kind David to his son and heir Solomon and then the story of how the new king, Solomon, went about getting rid of those who had been involved in Adonijah’s coup.
So, what’s it all about?!
Well, one thing is obvious – it’s not easy being the king! You’ll always have plenty of enemies and even being the Lord’s anointed doesn’t mean that your reign is going to be trouble-free! But it’s not by the sword that the king will triumph. Did you notice that before all the advice about who to keep an eye on and who to get rid of etc., David explains to Solomon the thing that must become the key feature of his reign if it is to be successful:
1 Kings 2:1-4 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, show yourself a man, 3 and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, 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 man on the throne of Israel.’
What does it mean to “show yourself a man”? It means to listen to God and do what he says. This is the definition of true manhood and the definition of godly leadership. We’ll have to keep reading to see if Solomon takes his Father’s advice…
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