Read Today’s Scriptures.

1 Kings 1.

Today, I say goodbye to King David, my favorite Bible character after the Lord Jesus. 

He has been many things:  a shepherd boy, giant killer, court musician, psalm/songwriter, lover of God, soldier, compassionate leader, architect for the Temple, humble, honorable, repentant, promise-keeper, “the sweet psalmist of Israel,” “a man after God’s heart,” “the lamp (hope) of Israel“, and a loyal lover of God and His Word.

He was also a great sinner. He did not discipline any of his sons (and paid the price); he lied; he lusted and committed adultery; he committed selfish murder.

But, unlike any king of Israel that followed him, he never EVER looked to or worshiped any god but the LORD God. He built no idols, poles, or temples to pagan gods.  Yes, a sinner, but never apostate. And God loved him dearly. He promised David that “His Messiah” would come through his line, the King of kings!

Hebrews 11:32-34 lists David as a man of faith, “who (with others) conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, escaped the edge of the sword, became mighty in war, and put foreign armies to flight. 

WOW.  My man!

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1 Kings 1.

David’s old age, last deeds, and his death.

The book begins with a natural state of advanced age.  David’s muscles were wasted; he was thin and “cold all the time.”  Even a pile of blankets couldn’t warm him in a Jerusalem winter. And so, a beautiful young woman named Abishag was brought to him to look after him and lay beside him when he was cold.  Abishag’s own body heat would warm him.  And NO, there was no sex involved. (verse 4)  Kind of pitiful, right?  But there were no electric blankets.

Then we read of the final coup.

We’ve read how both the LORD and David had declared and planned for Solomon to be David’s successor. David organized the building materials and plans so Solomon could build the House for God. He organized all the priests, gatekeepers, Levites, musicians, “providers and protectors” for the Temple and when/how they would serve.  All for Solomon. 

• (Do you get the feeling that Solomon was VERY young, both in age and in readiness to rule the nation? He definitely was NOT a military man, and he didn’t seem to be aware of any danger to himself or the kingdom.)   Solomon was a man of peace, a builder, and a wise judge and author.  He indulged himself and amassed huge mountains of wealth, women, and praise.  The very opposite of his father.)

Anyway, while he sat at home doing — what? —, his older brother Adonijah decided HE would be king in place of David. He attempted a coup. David knew nothing about it either.  But it was told to Bathsheba and the prophet, Nathan.  They approached King David in a sneaky way and got some action.  David rose to the occasion, instructed Nathan, Zadok the priest, and Benaiah (head of his personal bodyguard) to Take Solomon to the public square, make sacrifices to God, and officially anoint and crown him king in his father’s place.

They did, and the new king sat on David’s throne.

Adonijah and his followers (including the priest Abiathar and Commander Joab) were afraid. Solomon’s brother came to him and asked for mercy, which the peaceful Solomon granted.  However, he told him, “Bro, you have to straighten up and fly right. Any misdemeanor, and your toast!” Adonijah agreed.

But, after David died, he came to Bathsheba and requested Abishag (body warmer of the king, also considered his concubine) as his own wife.  Um, NOPE!  Solomon recognized just what it was, an attempt to steal the kingdom by “sleeping with the former king’s concubine.”  So…. “off with his head.”

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1 Kings 2.

David finally realized he was about to die, and like all the patriarchs before him, he summoned his son to his bed for a final blessing.  He charged and encouraged Solomon to stay true to God and to walk in all His ways, statutes, commandments, rules and testimonies as written in the “Law of Moses.”  In doing that, Solomon would be blessed, and his son’s after him too, if they did the same.

You can picture young Solomon nodding.

Then, I think because David knew Solomon was not street-wise in the ways of politics, he commanded the young man to “clean house.”  

• “You know, Joab, Commander of the Army?  Do not let his gray head go down to the grave in peace.” (kill him)

1. “You’ve heard about how Shimei cursed me and threw stones at me all the way to the Jordan when I was escaping from Absalom?  You know what you ought to do to him. You shall bring his gray head down with blood to the grave.”

• “About Barzillai, he showed me much loyalty when I was escaping.  You deal loyally with his sons; let them eat at your table.”

(David did not instruct Solomon about the priest Abiathar, who had sided with Adonijah “because the priest had carried the Ark of the Lord GOD and because he had helped David when he had to escape Absalom.  Solomon later just expelled him from Jerusalem and service as priest.) 

And then the Prince of Israel died.  He had reigned over Israel for forty years.  They buried him in Jerusalem, “the city of David.”  Solomon sat on the throne of his father, and his kingdom was firmly established.

Then, Solomon took care of business just like David had instructed.  Joab was killed, and Chief Bodyguard Benaiah, was made Commander of the Army.  Abiathar was sent home.  Shimei was given house arrest, and lived as long as he stayed home.  When he ventured out, he was killed. 

Done and Dusted.

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Psalm 37.

• Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! They will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.
• Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the LORD; trust in HIM, and He will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your justice as the noonday.

Can’t you hear David saying this to Solomon?  And the rest of the Psalm as well.

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Psalm 71.

• My mouth is filled with Your praise, and with Your glory all the day.  Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.
• O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.  So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, Your power to all those to come.
• O Holy One of Israel, My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to You; my soul also, which You have redeemed.

We’ve seen David’s old age, still praising his God.

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Psalm 94.

• Blessed is the man whom You discipline, O LORD, and whom You teach out of your law. to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked.  For the LORD will not forsake His people; he will not abandon His heritage.