What Noticed Today (1 Kings 1-2; Psalms 37, 71, 94)
There is a short introduction available for the book of 1 Kings. You can read it here.
1 Kings 1
David’s last days and the issue of planning a successor to the throne.
In verses 1-4, David was old and could no longer stay warm, so a search was done for a beautiful young virgin to care for David. Abishag, the Shunammite was brought to David, and she became his caregiver, but he was not intimate with her.
In verses 5-10, Adonijah, David’s son, kept exalting himself, saying, “I will be king.”
Note: Adonijah was David’s fourth son and probably the oldest of David’s remaining sons.
- Adonijah prepared chariots, cavalry, and had 50 men run ahead of him.
- Apparently, this had been going on for some time, but David said nothing to him. Adonijah grew bolder and bolder.
- Eventually, he conspired with Joab and Abiathar, the priest.
- He even planned a coronation party for himself with sacrificed animals. He invited the royal household, the men of Judah, and servants of the king. However, he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the warriors, or his brother Solomon.
In verses 11-40, about that time, Nathan, the prophet, stepped in to let Bathsheba know what Adonijah had planned.
- Nathan and Bathsheba told David about Adonijah and asked if he intended to let Adonijah become king rather than Solomon (as he had promised).
- David made good on his earlier promise to Bathsheba and ordered Solomon crowned as king.
In verses 41-53, Adonijah learns of Solomon’s coronation.
- Jonathan, son of Abiathar, the priest, came and told Adonijah that David and made Solomon king.
- When Adonijah’s supporters heard that David made Solomon king, they deserted him.
- Adonijah was afraid and went to grab hold of the horns of the altar near the tabernacle.
- Solomon told Adonijah he would be shown mercy if he demonstrated loyalty to the throne and was no longer rebellious.
- Adonijah promised loyalty to Solomon, and Solomon sent him home.
Note: Adonijah soon rebelled against Solomon and was killed (1 Kings 2:13-25).
1 Kings 2
1 Kings 2 contains David’s final instructions to Solomon.
In verses 1-9, David encouraged Solomon to be faithful to God, walk in His ways, and keep His statutes.
- David gave Solomon a list of people who had betrayed him, as well as those who had been faithful to him.
- David died, having ruled Israel 40 years, seven years in Hebron, and 33 years in Jerusalem.
In verses 10-25, Adonijah came to Bathsheba and asked her to ask Solomon to give him Abishag (David’s caregiver) as a wife.
Note: It was the tradition for a king to take over the concubines of their predecessor as a sign of power. So Adonijah’s request was very bold and symbolized taking David’s power.
- Solomon wisely refused and ordered Benaiah to kill Adonijah.
Some thoughts for additional consideration:
- David certainly seemed to have a soft spot in his heart for his rebellious/traitorous children. First, Absalom tried to take his throne; then, Adonijah tried to take the throne. In both cases, David let the action go until it caused bigger problems for him and others. Even after David died, Adonijah continued to try to extend his authority, but Solomon wisely saw through his ploy and took decisive action.
- Sometimes it is easy to know what to do when it involves someone else, but when it involves our own flesh and blood, we lose the strength of our convictions. We may feel like we are loving and gracious by letting out children find their way. Sometimes we think if we just ignore their behavior, they will see the error of their ways and stop. That is usually not the case. Seldom does ignoring and hoping a problem will go away actually resolve anything. There are times when decisive action is the best way to deal with a difficult action.
Psalm 37
Psalm 37 is a build on Psalm 36.
In verses 1-8, David tells believers to continue to trust in the Lord despite the presence of evil, sinful people. The righteous should not envy the wicked who succeed, nor should they concern themselves with their success because that leads only to anger and evil.
In verses 9-11, David describes how the wicked will soon be cut off, and that the meek will inherit the earth.
Verses 12-22, build on verses 9-11 with five contrasting examples: wicked devise evil but the Lord laughs at them, the wicked attack the meek but their own violence will destroy them, it is better to be poor than to be wicked and have wealth, the Lord protects the righteous, but the wicked will perish, and the wicked are selfish, but the poor are generous.
In verses 23-31, David describes the blessings of the Lord upon the righteous. He provides food for them, and loves and protects them. The righteous are just and wise because the law of God is in their hearts.
Concluding in verses 32-40, David warns that the wicked lie in wait to destroy the righteous, but the Lord will protect and uphold the righteous and destroy the wicked. The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord, who helps and delivers them from the wicked.
Psalm 71
Psalm 71 combines elements from four other psalms (Psalms 22, 31, 35, and 40).
In verses 1-4, the psalmist prays for deliverance from God, his rock, and fortress providing security from the wicked.
In verses 5-13, the psalmist confirms his confidence and hope in the Lord. He asks God to continue to care for and protect him from those who would harm him and bring shame, scorn, and disgrace upon them.
In verses 14-24, the psalmist’s hope remains in the Lord, and he will continue to praise Him and tell others of His mighty deeds. As the aging psalmist closes, he vows to continue to praise God as the “Holy One of Israel.”
Psalm 94
Psalm 94 recognizes vengeance belongs to the Lord.
In verses 1-7, the psalmist prays for the wicked who oppose God to be judged. He laments the oppression inflicted on the righteous by the wicked because they think the Lord does not see their actions.
In verses 8-15, the psalmist tells the wicked fools that surely the God that created them can hear and see them and knows their wickedness. He warns them that the Lord will not forsake his people and will bring justice to the righteous.
In verses 16-23, the psalmist describes relying on the Lord for help and encouragement. The Lord was his stronghold and refuge.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
