Read: 1
Kings 2
1 Kings 2 tells us how Solomon consolidated his
power as king. The chapter begins with David on his deathbed. As is often the
case with people facing long-term illness, David knows his death is drawing
near. He calls Solomon and bestows a final fatherly charge: serve God and lead
your kingdom. David exhorts Solomon to obey the Law in everything he does. Further,
he gives Solomon practical advice on leading his kingdom, in particular how to
deal with political threats. After guiding his beloved son, David passes away
and is buried in Jerusalem.
The rest of chapter 2 unfolds with Solomon
fulfilling the second half of his father’s charge. First, Solomon deals with
his rebellious half-brother, Adonijah. The story begins when Adonijah requests
Abishag the Shunammite as a wife. Adonijah approaches Bathsheba, Solomon’s
mother, as a way of avoiding a direct request to the king. Solomon puts
Adonijah to death for this request. This decision seems odd from a modern,
Western perspective. However, Abishag was considered part of King David’s
harem, even though she remained a virgin. Marrying her would be a symbolic
attempt to lay claim to the throne (for other examples of marriage as a royal
claim, see 2 Samuel 3:6-7, 12:7-8, and 16:20-24). This request proved that
Adonijah was unrepentant and disloyal. If Solomon did not punish him, Adonijah
would continue to rebel and attempt to take the throne.
Second, Solomon removes Abiathar from the
priesthood for siding with Adonijah in the rebellion. Solomon says, “... you
deserve to die [for your rebellion], but I will not put you to death at this
time, because you carried the ark of the Lord God before my father David, and
because you were afflicted in everything with which my father was afflicted.”
Solomon shows mercy for Abiathar’s former service, while acknowledging that
punishment is necessary for his recent actions. Third, Solomon orders that Joab
be put to death for murdering Abner and Amasa (v 5). Finally, Solomon punishes
Shimei for cursing David at Mahanaim (v 8). David had promised not to kill
Shimei for this curse, so Solomon devises a clever scheme. He forbids Shimei from
ever leaving Jerusalem. Three years later, Solomon knows immediately when
Shimei goes to Gath, indicating that Solomon was keeping close watch on him.
For breaking the terms of his house arrest, Shimei is put to death.
Solomon has now defeated these threats to his reign
and “the kingdom is firmly in his hands” (v 46). Defeating his opponents will
give Solomon the liberty to diligently lead his kingdom instead of constantly
vying for power. It will free his time, energy, and resources to be used for
governing, rather than fighting.
Prayer and
Journaling
1. This chapter shows that rebellion carries
serious consequences. Ask God to search your heart. Are there any situations
where you are rebelling (outwardly – through action, or inwardly – through
thoughts and motives) against your family, employer or other leaders?
2. If Solomon had ignored the disloyal people
around him, he might have had to spend a great deal of his reign quashing
rebellions. This would limit him from doing beneficial things for the kingdom. Is there a situation in your life that you are
avoiding dealing with? Ask God to show you any good things this is keeping you
from. Also, ask Him how He would like you to deal with the situation.
3. Pray for government today. Pray that God would
empower our leaders (locally, provincially and nationally) to focus on
governing instead of vying for political power. Pray that God would give them
wisdom, insight and creativity in their positions. Pray that many of our
leaders would choose to submit themselves as tools to advance God’s kingdom in
our nation.
