Slices
Prepare
Different leaders bring different skills to their roles. David was obviously not good at dealing with challenges to his authority, so he asks Solomon to deal with unfinished business. How willing are you to receive from others where your gifts are lacking?
Bible passage
David’s charge to Solomon
2 When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son.
2 ‘I am about to go the way of all the earth,’ he said. ‘So be strong, act like a man, 3 and observe what the Lord your God requires: walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go 4 and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: “If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.”
5 ‘Now you yourself know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me – what he did to the two commanders of Israel’s armies, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He killed them, shedding their blood in peacetime as if in battle, and with that blood he stained the belt round his waist and the sandals on his feet. 6 Deal with him according to your wisdom, but do not let his grey head go down to the grave in peace.
7 ‘But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead and let them be among those who eat at your table. They stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom.
8 “And remember, you have with you Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, who called down bitter curses on me the day I went to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord: “I will not put you to death by the sword.” 9 But now, do not consider him innocent. You are a man of wisdom; you will know what to do to him. Bring his grey head down to the grave in blood.’
10 Then David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. 11 He had reigned for forty years over Israel – seven years in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. 12 So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his rule was firmly established.
Solomon’s throne established
13 Now Adonijah, the son of Haggith, went to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother. Bathsheba asked him, ‘Do you come peacefully?’
He answered, ‘Yes, peacefully.’ 14 Then he added, ‘I have something to say to you.’
‘You may say it,’ she replied.
15 ‘As you know,’ he said, ‘the kingdom was mine. All Israel looked to me as their king. But things changed, and the kingdom has gone to my brother; for it has come to him from the Lord. 16 Now I have one request to make of you. Do not refuse me.’
‘You may make it,’ she said.
17 So he continued, ‘Please ask King Solomon – he will not refuse you – to give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife.’
18 ‘Very well,’ Bathsheba replied, ‘I will speak to the king for you.’
19 When Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah, the king stood up to meet her, bowed down to her and sat down on his throne. He had a throne brought for the king’s mother, and she sat down at his right hand.
20 ‘I have one small request to make of you,’ she said. ‘Do not refuse me.’
The king replied, ‘Make it, my mother; I will not refuse you.’
21 So she said, ‘Let Abishag the Shunammite be given in marriage to your brother Adonijah.’
22 King Solomon answered his mother, ‘Why do you request Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? You might as well request the kingdom for him – after all, he is my older brother – yes, for him and for Abiathar the priest and Joab son of Zeruiah!’
23 Then King Solomon swore by the Lord: ‘May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if Adonijah does not pay with his life for this request! 24 And now, as surely as the Lord lives – he who has established me securely on the throne of my father David and has founded a dynasty for me as he promised – Adonijah shall be put to death today!’ 25 So King Solomon gave orders to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he struck down Adonijah and he died.
Explore
The notes in the ‘Explore’ sections of this series in 1 Kings are written as the diary of a fictional courtier in King Solomon’s court (but look carefully at the Bible passages to check out his accounts!). As he observes, questions and comments on what he sees happening in Solomon’s life, he tries to discern God’s hand at work – and challenges us to do the same in our families, churches, communities and societies.
‘Since appointing Solomon his successor, David seems to have regained some energy and has been dealing with some matters of state that had been neglected recently. As I entered David’s chamber this afternoon, I realised Solomon was with him, and they were discussing priorities for Solomon once David passes away. I was about to withdraw quietly when I heard them mention Joab.
‘I was quite young at the time of Absalom’s rebellion, but I remember the outrage that Joab might have ignored David’s order not to harm Absalom and yet still retain his job as commander of the army. Maybe family pressure meant that David could not sack his nephew. A few years later, David did try to promote another one of his nephews over Joab. However, Joab apparently murdered him and still managed to keep his role. I noted that Joab had sided with Adonijah. Was he just a career man with no morals? Was he loyal to no one but himself?
‘What a contrast with David’s advice to Solomon to observe what God requires and to walk in obedience with him.’
Respond
What leadership roles do you have? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Ask the Lord to equip you for the roles he has given you.
Deeper Bible study
‘A charge to keep I have, / a God to glorify, / a never-dying soul to save, / and fit it for the sky.’1
At ordination services it is usual for a charge to be read. David gives such a charge to Solomon, with classic Deuteronomistic overtones of faithfulness to the Law which will result in blessing on his reign and on the kingdom. Later in Israel’s history, it will be common for each king to have their reign summarised and evaluated, based on faithfulness to the covenant promises. The charge to Solomon is a charge to us as well. All of God’s people are charged to ‘walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands’, watching our lives closely that we might continue to live faithfully before the Lord (vs 3,4).
David, the hero of yesteryear, has now died and Solomon sits on his throne (v 12). The establishment of Solomon, whose name means ‘peace’, emphasises that, despite the schemes of others, including David, Solomon is God’s choice. He stands as a symbol of God’s grace in choosing us, who are all undeserving. Whatever the efforts of humans, God remains sovereign. He sometimes works through the efforts of human beings and sometimes despite them. Even in the uncertainty of world events, the King above all kings remains unchanged and unmoved. The fulfilment of the prophetic hope in Solomon’s kingship shows us something of the hope of God’s kingdom.
Even Solomon’s coronation doesn’t stop others from scheming. Joab has a history of shady dealings (vs 5,6) and now Adonijah is on manoeuvres. Solomon will need all his charisma, wisdom and skill to navigate the difficult terrain of a new monarchy. He ruthlessly deals with Adonijah (v 25) who, by requesting Abishag, puts himself in David’s place. In all the plotting of humans, only God remains the true hero.
What is the charge that the Lord is laying on you today? How might the Lord show his power through you?
1 Charles Wesley, 1707–88
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Samuel 11,12; Psalm 51
Pray for Scripture Union
The SU Wales team are working on a pilot project to develop an all-age model of Revealing Jesus in a rural setting. This will include a number of outdoor contexts with individual churches and groups of churches working together. Pray that they will be able to develop clear principles and learn how to work out Revealing Jesus in rural and remote settings.
