Day 101

Solomon Becomes King

Read: 1 Kings 1-2

The book of 1 Kings tells the story of God’s Old Testament people from the beginning of the reign of Solomon through some of the kings of the divided kingdom. Books like 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings were probably divided as such simply due to the size of the scrolls required.

The Bible is very honest in describing some of the strange practices of God’s ancient people. Now that David is about to die, one of his sons, Adonijah, tries to make himself king. First Kings 1:5 says that “he exalted himself.” Again and again the Bible teaches that when someone exalts himself, God will bring him low. But if one humbles himself, God will exalt him. The passage also makes it clear that Adonijah’s foolish behavior was partly caused by the fact that his father, David, had never disciplined him.

The prophet Nathan warned Bathsheba of what was happening. They go to David to intercede for Bathsheba’s son, Solomon, to whom David had promised the kingdom. Upon David’s instructions, Solomon is proclaimed king. David advised Solomon to obey God’s commandments, but he also gave him instructions on how to settle the score with certain enemies of his who were still alive, so that they will not be in a position to undermine his authority. Later in New Testament times, God through Jesus taught his people to deal with their enemies in better ways.

PRAYER
Father, give us the grace to humble ourselves before you, knowing then that you will give us success. In Christ. Amen.