Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi
Looks like we'll do 1 Kings in 4 chunks; the narrative is long and the pieces don't really mesh with each other. I could put the 1st two weeks together, but there are a lot of verses in part 2 so in the interest of tying to keep from writing all night, lol, I'll just keep this bit to the verses dealing with Solomon becoming king.
David had apparently made his intentions to pass the throne to Solomon known to at least a few folks (Nathan, Bathsheba), but his oldest living son, Adonijah, had his eye on the throne himself. Furthermore, he had the support of Joab and Abiathar, the priest. I suspect Joab figured he had a better chance of retaining his power with Adonijah...in any case, once again, he believed he knew better than David. I have no guess as to why Abiathar, whose support saved David when Absalom revolted, decided to ally with Adonijah. Anyway, there was a feast with sacrifices and dignitaries, all with the intention of proclaiming Adonijah king before David could abdicate in favor of Solomon. David, however, got word and beat them to the punch, publicly passing the crown to Solomon with a grand celebration before all the people. They raised such a sound that the would-be usurpers heard the celebration. THAT party came to a screeching halt when Abiathar's son, Jonathan (who had warned David to cross the Jordan before dawn when he was fleeing Absalom) told the people at Adonijah's event what had happened down in the city. Adonijah famously ran to the altar and grabbed the horns and begged for his life...which he was granted, so long as he behaved himself.
All of that is important as it plays into what Solomon did after David's death to consolidate his power. And all of it was according to David's directions.
But first, David instructs him to be strong and follow God:
"and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go, and that the LORD may keep his promise to me: 'If you 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 man on the throne of Israel.' " -- 1 Kings 2:3-4 (Heart: one we have seen several times before, Strong's H 3824)
Then, David proceeded to give him instructions regarding folks who had supported him -- or not -- in his critical moments. Solomon was instructed to kill Joab, for his murderous past, and Shimei, for his attack on David when he was fleeing Absalom; and to be kind to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead, who stood with David in that same revolt. Solomon promised to do so; but he waited until Adonijah messed up by asking to marry the young woman who had been the companion of David in his final years (Remember, this is a whole power grab thing regarding wives/ concubines in that culture). Adonijah was executed for this backhanded attempt to legitimize his claim to the throne. Abiathar, being a priest, was removed from the priesthood and exiled to his land; and Joab was killed at the altar, to which he had run to try and obtain mercy. Shemei, who had agreed not to leave the city of Jerusalem on pain of death, lived there three years and then apparently forgot?...Or thought Solomon forgot?...and left town to go after some runaway slaves. Solomon had he brought before him:
The king also said to Shemei, "You know in you heart all the wrong you did to my father David. Now the LORD will repay you for your wrongdoing." -- 1 Kings 2:44 (Heart: also H 3824)
Shemei was immediately executed, and we read in 1 Kings 2:46 that 'the kingdom was now fully established in Solomon's hands.'
And he went up to Gibeon, where the Tabernacle and the altar made in the wilderness during the Exodus had been set up. There, God appeared to him in a dream and said, basically, 'Ask me for whatever you want'. Solomon's reply is famous.
Solomon answered, "You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day. Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?" -- 1 Kings 3:6-9 (Heart: 1st reference is H 3824 again, the second one is both Strong's H 3820, which we've seen even more than H 3824)
Whether or not Solomon picked the absolute best thing or not is kinda up for debate, but he did choose well and God was pleased.
"I will do what you have asked I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be." -- 1 Kings 3:12 (Strong's H 3820 again)
Of course, God also promised Solomon the things he DIDN'T ask for...like wealth, fame. power, etc., but the number one thing we ALL think of when we think of Solomon is his renowned wisdom...his discerning heart.
So, Solomon was exhorted by his dad to seek God with all his heart, he reminded an old antagonist of his father's of the ill intent of his heart long ago, and he asked for, and was given, a discerning heart to be able to govern the people.
Sounds like he was soundly prepared to lead his people. Might be a couple of good points there for any one of us who might be moving into a leadership position...
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