1 Kings 1-2

Like 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings were originally one book.  We don’t really know who wrote these books, but it is thought to have been Jeremiah, Ezra, or Ezekiel.  1 Kings 1 describes the final days of David.  1 Kings 2 begins with Solomon as king and establishes himself as a strong wise leader.

1 Kings 1 – Solomon Crowned

We learned that David was not always the greatest father and we see this again in this chapter the actions of his son Adonijah.  “His father had never interfered with him by asking, ‘Why do you behave as you do?’  He was also very handsome and was born next after Absalom” – 1 Kings 1:6  He failed to discipline Absalom who committed treason, Amnon who raped his half sister Tamar, and Adonijah is now plotting to take over the throne.  This is very true today.  We’ve all heard, ‘spare the rod and spoil the child’.  This comes from Prov. 13:24, “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.”  David and his sons are perfect examples of this.  Children must be disciplined or there be bad consequences in the future.

Are you disciplining your children because you love them or are you encouraging them to be self-centered and disrespectful?

Adonijah was the 4^th son of David.  Absalom killed his brother Amnon and Joab, the captain of the army killed Absalom.  Now Adonijah was the oldest and was in line to be king.  So he decided to make himself king since David was up in his years and didn’t have long to live.  Usually it was the custom that the oldest son was considered the heir to the throne.  This was not true for Israel.  It was God who determined the next king, but Adonijah exalted himself as king.  

David was about 70 years, but it seemed he was older than his years.  He had a hard life of fighting many battles and a history marked by treachery and murder.  He was weak and couldn’t seem to stay warm so his servants brought in a beautiful young woman, Abishog to lay with him to keep him warm although they were never intimate.  In those times it was believed by keeping a person warm was a good medical treatment.

Like David and his brother Absalom, Adonijah was very handsome and appealing to the people.  He enlisted chariots, horses, and men to make himself look good and powerful.  He enlisted the support important and influential people.  Even Joab supported him.  Joab had been loyal to David, but was always selfish and cruel with strong ambitions.  None of Adonijah’s supporters consulted the Lord or David before giving their support to Adonijah.   Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and David’s special guard Benaiah did not join Adonijah. 

Adonijah sacrificed sheep and cattle and had a party hoping to encourage others to support him.  He invited all his brothers except Nathan, Benaiah and his brother Solomon.  By offering sacrifices he wanted people to think he wanted to serve God.  Nathan warned Bathsheba what Adonijah was up to and thought he might kill her and Solomon so they devised a plan to tell David.  She asked David to remember his previous promise that Solomon would become the next king and to immediately appoint him king without waiting for David’s death.  David kept his promise and made Solomon king.

Do you remember to keep your promises?

David anointed Solomon as king before Adonijah and his guests finished their meal.  David had Solomon ride on the king’s mule, be anointed by the priest.  Then the trumpet was blown and the people said, “Long live King Solomon!”  Trumpets sounded and the people shouted with joy.  When Adonijah and his guests heard the noise, they left quickly because they knew the people supported King Solomon and they were afraid they would be punished.  Adonijah ran to the altar to seek God’s protection.  When Solomon heard this he made a wise decision, because he knew Adonijah was well liked.  He decided not to punish Adonijah, but commanded him to be loyal or he would die.

Do you run to God when you know you’ve sinned?

Did you truly repent or was it only out of fear?

Solomon went against the custom of killing anyone who would tried to take over the throne.  He showed Adonijah mercy and gave him the opportunity to avoid punishment.  Jesus gives us the opportunity to avoid the punishment we deserve.  He offers us complete forgiveness and mercy.  All we have to do is ask forgiveness for our sins and believe and trust in Him.

David should have made it known to all his sons and the people that Solomon was to be the next king.  Then maybe all the threats and deceptions of his sons trying to take the throne would have not happened.

Are you like Adonijah and try to follow your own plans to get that you want?

Do you gossip and slander others so you will look good?

Do you push others out of the way to get to the place you want?

How are you preparing your children for the future?

Are you teaching them about Jesus, Savior of the world?

Principle:  God wants His children to be strong, brave and obey his Word.

1 Kings 2 – Solomon's Kingdom Established 

Before David died he gave advice to Solomon.  David knew Solomon would be tested as king and that it would require great strength and courage.  He told him to be strong and to observe what the Lord requires.  He should walk in His ways and keep His commands so he would prosper in all he does and wherever he goes. 

Do you teach your children to be strong, brave and obey God’s Word?

What is the source or your strength?

Do you tend to follow the crowd and the ways of the world?

Will you ask God to give you the will and determination to obey His Word?

David wanted Solomon to begin his reign with justice.  He should be wise in dealing with Joab, who killed 2 commanders of Israel’s army.  He didn’t mention that Joab also killed his brother, Absalom.  David knew Joab had made sacrifices for David over the years, but he also knew he was violent and ruthless.  David told him to be kind to those who had helped him. 

Then David died.  He reigned for 40 years over Israel, 7 years in Hebron and 33 in Jerusalem.  David started out as a shepherd and ended up as a king.  He was a sinner.  We can all identify with David.  Even though he knew God and tried to obey His commands he was only human and he sinned often, but always repented.  He was buried in the City of David currently known as Jerusalem.

Adonijah went to Bathsheba and ask her to ask King Solomon to give Abishog the Shunammite as his wife.  Abishog was the concubine of David’s who chosen to keep him warm in his old age and now that David was dead, he wanted her as his wife.  This was a way for him to build a claim on Solomon’s throne.  Bathsheba agreed and went to Solomon.  Solomon knew exactly what he was trying to do.  Because of Adonijah request, he was executed.  Adonijah probably thought Solomon was young and inexperienced and wouldn’t to kill him as previously promised, but he found out that Solomon was a leader who did exactly what he said he would do.

Abiathar the priest deserve death because he supported Adonijah as the next king, but Solomon showed mercy and wisdom to him by not putting him to death as this time.  He removed him from the priesthood and exiled him.  Joab heard of this and like Adonijah fled to the tent of the Lord and held on to the altar.  Joab would not leave the altar so Solomon had him executed there.

Shimei was associated with King Saul and was a threat to the house of David.  David had instructed Solomon to allow Shimei to live in peace so he was placed under house arrest.  If he left, he would die.  Shimei abused Solomon’s mercy.  When 2 of his servants ran off to Gath, he went to search for them.  Solomon heard of this, gave the order to kill him because he had broke their agreement.  Now all the conspirators were dead and Solomon’s kingdom was firmly established in his hands.  This shows the fulfillment God made to David in 2 Samuel 7:12-16 and would be ultimately fulfilled in Jesus.

Solomon showed great wisdom by not killing these men immediately.  He first tested them to see if they were loyal.  After they broke their promises, then they were killed.

When have you broken a promise that caused you consequences?

Would others consider you wise?

1 Chronicles 22 and 29 – Solomon Builds the Temple

David’s desire was to have a permanent place to worship the Lord, but the Lord would not let him build the temple.  Instead his son, Solomon was to build it.  David prayed for Solomon and encouraged him to trust God.  He gave Solomon the plans the Lord had revealed to him as to how to build the temple.  God’s work would be done according to His pattern in His way in His perfect timing.  David led by example by giving gold, silver, iron, wood, onyx, all kinds of stones and marble to be used in the temple.  He asked his leaders and the people to also give what they could.  The people gave joyfully and sacrificially.

Are you so full of gratitude that it overflows in your giving to His work?

Do you give of your time, talents, money, and energies?

David praised the Lord saying He was the God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting and for His greatness in heaven and earth.  He is head over all and ruler of all things.  He has strength and power and gives strength to all.

The 1^st time Solomon was anointed king by David to stop Adonijah.  Now he was publicly acknowledged as King of Israel.  The people gave sacrifices and offerings to the Lord.  Solomon sat on the throne of his father David.  He prospered and all Israel obeyed him.  All the officers and mighty men as well as all of David’s sons pledged their submission to King Solomon.  The Lord exalted Solomon and bestowed royal splendor such as no king over Israel ever had before.

Have you pledged your submission to King Jesus?

If not, what is keeping you from it?

Next time we will continue our study of 1 Kings.  Hope to see you here.

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2 Samuel 19-24

In our last study we saw in David’s family rape, murder, bitterness, unforgiveness, death and also rebellion as Absalom tried to take the throne.  Absalom was killed and David and the wholly army mourned.

2 Samuel 19-20 – God Restores

David mourned over the death of his son, Absalom.  The whole army mourned.  They had won the battle for Israel and for the glory of God, but they felt bad because of David’s excessive weeping and mourning.  Actually excessive mourning is rooted in unbelief.  David forgot that God was in control and that He had showed him grace and mercy in the victory.  Joab gave him a good talking to and told him to snap out of it.  He said that David was being selfish and that it wasn’t all about him.  He told him to go out and encourage the people or he would lose most of them.  David didn’t feel like doing this, but he did.

When have you be wise enough to accept the counsel or others?

David encouraged the people, but he wouldn’t force his reign on Israel.  He would only be king if the people who rejected him for Absalom agreed to bring him back.  David agreed to replace his commander, Joab with Amasa, who was the captain of Absalom’s army.  This was a gesture of reconciliation.  Amasa helped David to win the people’s hearts.  David probably took pleasure in replacing Joab, because he was the one who was responsible for killing Absalom.

Like David, God will not force His reign on us.  We have to welcome Him in our hearts.  We have the choice to reject Him or received Him as our Savior.

The northern tribes were ready to accept David as king once more, but Judah showed some hesitation.  David forgave his enemies like Shimei and rewarded those who were loyal to him like Barzillai.  Mephibosheth, who hadn’t cut his beard or washed his clothes since David left, met David.  Mephibosheth told him that Ziba had deceived him and now Mephibosheth’s land was his.  To solve the problem David had them split the land, but Mephibosheth said Ziba could have it all.  Friction between the northern tribes and Judah resulted in another revolt against David led by Sheba, which ended without a battle.

Joab was jealous of Amasa .  When Amasa was returning to Jerusalem, Joab pretended to greet him, but Joab caught him off guard and kill him.  Amasa and Joab were cousins and David was their uncle so Nathan’s prophecy in 2 Samuel 12:10 happened again.  Joab became the leader of the army again.  He removed Amasa’s body and didn’t bury it or show him any honor.  This showed Joab’s cruel character again.  He cared only about himself.  Remember he was the one who helped David kill Uriah and he was the one who killed Absalom.

Do you recognize “Joabs” in your workplace or church?

Joab pursued Sheba, son of Bicri and took the city until a woman challenged him.  Her wisdom resulted in Sheba’s death, but gave life and peace for her city and nation.

Principle:  God alone can make new what sin has torn apart.

2 Samuel 21-23 – God Rescues

Gibeonites Avenged

During David’s reign there was a 3 year famine so David sought the Lord.  He asked if the famine was because of what Saul had done.  Remember during the conquest of Canaan, Israel committed to protect the Gibeonites who were living in the land.  But Saul tried to kill all the Gibeonites.  David wanted to right this wrong so he summoned the Gibeonites and asked how he could make amends.  They wanted 7 of Saul’s male descendants to be killed.  David did as they asked, but spared Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson and Jonathan’s son.  Rizpah was Saul’s concubine who had a son also named Mephibosheth.  David gave the Gibeonites Rizpah’s 2 sons Mephibosheth and Armoni.  He also gave them 5 more sons of Saul’s daughter.  All 7 were killed.  Rizpah covered their bodies to protect them from the birds.  David then brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan and with the other bones buried them in Saul’s tomb.  After that , God answered David’s prayer.

What do you need to make right for God to answer your prayer?

David’s Song of Praise

David sings a song of praise to the Lord.  In it he says that the Lord is his rock, deliverer, refuge, shield, salvation, stronghold, and savior.  He is worthy of praise.  His enemies threatened repeatedly, but he could always call upon the Lord and was rescued.  David knew his sinfulness and God required righteousness.  None of us are righteous.  It’s only through faith in Jesus on our behalf can we be made righteous.  God saves the humble.  In other words pride has no place in God’s kingdom.

Do you recognize God’s blessings in your life and do you give Him the praise He deserves?

David was aware that God’s promise didn’t include every member of his family, but he remembered the covenant that God promised that through him there would always be a righteous ruler.  Jesus would come through the line of David.

Principle:  Only God can make new what sin has ruined.

David names his mighty men.  Some were:

Josheb-Besshebeth – killed 800 at one time

Eleazar – fought until Lord brought victory over the Philistines

Shammah – fought Philistines alone and Lord brought victory

Abishai – killed 300

Benaiah – commanded David’s bodyguard and defeated the strongest warriors and lions

Uriah the Hittite – a loyal and committed warrior

Do you recognize the efforts of others?

2 Samuel 24 – God Brings Repentance

The Lord’s anger burned against David and “he” incited David to take a census.  The “he” here can be confusing, but In 1 Chronicles 21:1 the “he” is Satan.  Satan prompted him to take a census.  God allowed this to happen.  It was wrong to take a census because Israel belonged to God and it was up to Him to command a counting. 

David was very powerful and his kingdom had grown.  He was tempted to take some of the glory for himself.  By taking the count was a way to take credit for himself.

David commanded Joab and the army to do the census.  Joab spoke up and ask why, but he and the army did as their king commanded.  It took 9 months and 20 days to do the count.  1 Chronicles 21 tells us there were 1,300,000 fighting men which estimates as 6,000,000 total people in Israel. 

After the census was taken David’s conscience began to bother him and he saw that it was his pride that caused him to do this foolish thing.  He was not sinless, but he had a heart sensitive to sin when it was committed.  He told the Lord he had sinned and asked Him to take away his guilt.  The next morning the Lord sent the prophet Gad to David and gave him 3 options to choose as his consequence – 7 years of famine, flee for 3 months from his enemies, or 3 days of plague.  David chose 3 days of plague. 

When has guilt caused you to repent and ask God for forgiveness?

A devastating plague stuck the land and 70,000 people died.  When David saw the people struck by the plague, he said that he was the one who had sinned and asked the Lord to let His hand fall upon him and this family.   He acted like a true leader by taking the responsibility and wanting the punishment to be on him and his household.  God didn’t accept David’s offer.

Gad went to David telling him that God said to build an altar to the Lord.  David built the altar and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.  The Lord withdrew the plague from Israel.  Burnt offerings were to atone for sin.  Peace offerings were to enjoy fellowship with God.  1 Chronicles 21:26 tell us that God accepted David’s sacrifice by consuming it with fire from heaven.

Principle:  Only God can rescue His people from sin and give new life.

This finishes the book of 2 Samuel.  Our study next time will in 1 Kings.  Hope to see you here.

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2 Samuel 13-18

 

In the last chapter David committed adultery, murder and used his power in the wrong way. Nathan prophesied that David’s family and his kingdom would suffer because of David’s sins.  It began with the death of David’s first child.  Now in the next chapters we see more consequences.  His sin will divide his family, the nation and threaten his throne. 

2 Samuel 13 – Rape and Murder

Absalom and Tamar were brother and sister from David’s wife Maacah.  Amnon was David’s first-born son from his wife Ahinaom and was in line to be the next king.  Amon thought Tamar was very beautiful and longed for her even though she was his half-sister.  He called it love, but it proved to be only lust.  Just as David had watched and lusted for Bathsheba, Amnon watched and lusted after Tamar.  Amnon sought advice from cousin Jonadab who was the son of David’s brother.  Jonadab told him to go to bed and pretend to be ill.  Then ask the king to send Tamar to minister to him. 

It’s interesting that David abused his power and authority to bring Bathsheba to his home and in the same way Amnon abused his power and authority when he had Tamar brought to his home.  Neither women were invited, but sent for.

When and how have you abused your authority?

David gave his permission and orders Tamar to go Amnon.  When she arrived, he sent his servants away and grabbed her and forced himself on her.  She tried to resist and begged him to not to do this evil thing, but his lust and desire was too great.  Afterward he raped her, he hated her maybe out of guilt and shame for what he’s done.  Unlike David, He had no sense of honor.  He sent her away, because she reminded him of his sin. 

The Law of Moses found in Leviticus 18:9; 20:17 says brother and sister should not have sex together and they should not be married.  Sex is only right when a man and a woman are married to each other.  God hates all types of wrong sex.  Amnon’s actions proved he didn’t love her.  His attraction for her was only lust and not love.  I think Jonadab should share in the guilt.  He was the one who helped Amnon carry out his evil deed.

When King David heard this he was very angry, but he did nothing.  Maybe he felt guilty because he didn’t do anything to protect Tamar.  He didn’t even correct Amnon.  Maybe David loved Amnon and didn’t want to punish him.  After all he was to be the next king.  Perhaps David felt guilty because he had sinned with Bathsheba and didn’t control his emotions.  Now Amnon sinned in the same way with Tamar.  Fathers are commanded to teach their sons to behave in the right way. (Deuteronomy 6:1-9 and Ephesians 6:4).  Fathers should punish their children if they do evil things, but David didn’t to this. (Proverbs 23:13-14)  So David had trouble with several of his sons.

Principle:  When sin is swept under the carpet, it always causes more misery.

Absalom realized what Amnon had done to his sister and tried to comfort her.  He hated him for what he had done and for two years plotted revenge on Amnon.  It was sheep shearing time and time for celebrating so Absolom invited Amnon and all the king’s sons to a feast.  When Amnon was drunk with wine, Absolom command his men to kill Amnon.  David instructed Joab to kill Uriah and now Absalom gave instructions to kill Amnon.   A report came to David that all his sons were dead, but later Jonadab told the king that only Amnon was killed because he had raped Tamar.

After Absolom killed Amnon, he fled to Talmai, son of Ammihud the king of Geshur.  He stayed there 3 years.  All the while David longed to go to Absalom, but his pride kept him from reconciliation with his son.

What is keeping you from swallowing your pride and doing the right thing?

2 Samuel 14 – Bitterness and Unforgiveness

Joab, commander of David’s army knew David longed for his son, Absalom.  Joab may have been looking out for himself.  By bringing David and Absalom back together, he would be in good standing for years to come.  He knew Absalom was to be the next king of Israel, but he could not if he was in a foreign county.  Joab wanted to reconcile David and Absalom so he invented a story.  This is how Nathan spoke to David in chapter 12.  But this story was not from God, it was Joab own plan.  Joab enlisted a woman to tell a sad story.  He told her how to behave and what to say.  She told a story of her son, which would affect David’s emotions and so he would understand how she felt. 

David realized that Joab had arranged this.  David then told Joab to go and bring Absalom back to Israel, but he was not to come to the palace where David could see him.  David tried to make Absalom pay for his crime by withholding love and fellowship by refusing to see him which meant he had not forgiven him.  This was David’s pride.  Either you forgive or you don’t.  Jesus warned of the dangers when you don’t reconcile matters. (Matthew 5:23-26)  Absalom lived 2 years in Jerusalem without seeing the king’s face.

Absalom sent for Joab several times, because he wanted an audience with the king.  He thought he was not guilty of any sin.  David didn’t punish Amnon so Absalom took it upon himself to do it, because he had sinned against his sister Tamar.  Absalom was a handsome man, but good looking doesn’t make a person wise or mature.  Absalom set fire to Joab’s fields to get his attention.  Absalom finally went to Joab’s house and Joab agreed to see the king on Absalom’s behalf.  At last, Absalom saw the king and gave him honor.  David kissed Absalom, but there was no forgiveness.  Absalom had too much bitterness towards his father, because David never seemed to do the right thing.   Absalom would never recover from this bitterness and would prove to be one of David’s opponents.

David had many great qualities as the leader of Israel, but he didn’t manage his own family matters very well.  He never punished Amnon for his sin or addressed Absalom’s murder of Amnon.  David did allow Absalom to come home, but he gave only partial forgiveness to Absalom.  David understood God’s forgiveness toward him, but he didn’t seem to make the connection when it came to dealing with his son, Absalom.

We can apply this lesson with each another and in our families.  Many parents make the mistake of not dealing correctly with their children’s disobedience.  They withhold love and stay angry thinking that is a punishment.  This can bring on rebellion.  With partial or conditional forgiveness the problem will only get worse.  We must totally forgive as God has forgiven us.  God forgives, but doesn’t wipe out the consequences for our sin.  If it did, we would never learn from it. 

God’s grace is free, but not cheap.  It cost God the life His only Son.   Sin is cheap, but it’s not free.  Sin enslaves and will cost in the long run.  You can’t undo your past, but you can do something about your present and future. 

Principle:  God’s grace is free, but not cheap.

Do you have bitterness toward someone?

Who is it that you need to forgive?

2 Samuel 15 –Rebellion

David restored Absalom, but 7 years of bitterness had grown up inside Absalom which would last for the rest of his life.  Absalom wanted to take David’s throne for his own.  He became a clever politician and for 4 years he stole the people’s heart from David.  He reached out to people who had complaints and made promises that would cause them to follow him.  Sounds like the politicians today.  He slowly divided David’s kingdom and wanted to overthrow the kingdom.

Do you crave what others have?

Do you believe you deserve another’s position?

If so, what lengths will you go?

How do you try to convince others to your way of thinking?

Do you stretch the truth or flatter others to get what you want?

King David didn’t want Jerusalem to become a battleground.  He loved his son and didn’t want him to be killed so he fled the city.  Fighting Absalom was not an option for David.  He left 10 concubines at the palace.  To me this shows he was only leaving for a short time and not giving up the throne. 

The priests were loyal to David.  David had them take the Ark of the Covenant and go back to the city.  David knew the Lord was with him and he put his fate in God’s hands. 

David was betrayed by his own counselor, Ahithophel.  But David had many other loyal friends who remained faithful to him.  David and the people covered their heads and wept as they went up to the Mount of Olives.  David prayed that Ahithophel’s counsel to Absalom would be foolish.

When have you chosen to flee instead of fight even though you knew you were in the right?

Where have you trusted God when all seemed lost?

2 Samuel 16-18 – Victory

Absalom and his men arrived in Jerusalem.  Ahithophel advised him to sleep with David’s concubines who remained in the palace.  So Absalom put up a tent on the palace roof for all Israel to see as a claim to the kingdom and slept with the concubines.

Then Ahithophel advised Absalom to quickly attack David while he was weak and kill only him which would minimize bloodshed.  This plan seemed good, but Absalom also asked Hushai for his advice.  Hushai was David’s friend who had pretended to be on Absalom’s side, but was actually a spy.  He told him this is not good advice, because David and his men are experienced fighters and that Ahithophel had underestimated David and his ability to defend himself and his kingdom.  With Ahithophel’s plan it would require more than David’s death.  Absalom took Hushai’s advice.  Absalom gathered his army, which gave David more time to prepare for battle.  Hushai sent word to David of the plan.  Remember David had prayed that Ahithophel’s advice would be foolish to Absalom.  God answered his prayer.  Ahithophel saw his advice had not been followed and committed suicide.

Who do you look to for good advice?

Absalom and Ahithophel didn’t want David to be their king.  By rejecting David, they rejected God’s anointed king so they are rejecting God Himself. 

What king will you serve? 

Will you serve the king of your own desires or King Jesus? 

David and his army overcame Absalom’s army and 20,000 died.  David gave order for his men to be gentle when they found Absalom.  This is very different from the advice of Ahithophel who wanted to kill David.  While in the midst of fighting, Absalom riding his donkey gets his long hair caught in a tree branch.  Joab found him caught and tangled so Joab killed him with his spear.  Again Joab did what he thought was best.  He believed murdering Absalom was for David’s good.  Joab stopped the army and they threw Absalom’s body in a pit and place large rocks over him.  David heard the news that they have won the battle, but his son is dead.  David wept.

Principle:  God’s grace is greater than sin.

Main truth of these chapters:  Only God’s power turns back the destructive process of sin.

Next time we will continue in the book of 2 Samuel.  See you here next time.

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