1 & 2 Kings was originally written as a single book. It is a book of history that covers the years from the end of David's reign into the age of the divided kingdom and the appearance of Elijah. It is a period of about 150 years. We do not know who wrote it although some sources give credit to Jeremiah, the prophet.
The story begins near the end of David's life, is approximately 70 years old. The nation is waiting to see who will succeed David as King. Adonijah is logical because he is the oldest of David's remaining sons. Amnon, the 1st born, was murdered by Absalom after he raped his sister. Daniel, the 2nd born, is thought to have died before adulthood. Absalom, the 3rd born, was killed after his revolt against his father. Adonijah decides he will be king and exalts himself, proclaiming himself to be king. He is wrong to do this and there is a lesson in his failure for us. We are to walk humbly...before God and our brothers and sisters......in doing so we allow God to exalt us based upon his desire for us. when we desire the praise of our fellows it becomes covetousness. When God exalts us it is because it serves his purpose to do so Adonijah was coveting the kingship which God intended for Solomon.
Nathan and Bathsheba consult with each other and devise a plan that will help David do what God has intended and David has promised. Consider the mercy of God; Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah, the Hittite and committed adultery with David yet David uses the child of Bathsheba and David to continue the line of David and ultimately God will bless all of the world as he reveals himself to us through Christ Jesus who is humanly related to Bathsheba through the lineage of Solomon. While we are yet sinners God can redeem us and use us in his master plan to be a blessing to the world. Is that amazing or what !!!!
David sets in motion the events that need to occur to thwart Adonijah's plans and to place Solomon on the throne. His greatest and wisest advice to Solomon are found in the 2nd chapter, "be strong, show yourself a man, 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 your descendants watch how the live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and sould, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel." David had been an over indulgent parent, but this was and is good advice worthy of repeating to our own children, be strong, walk in God's ways, keep his commandments that God can be faithful to you.
Solomon becomes a very wise and wealthy ruler. We read of his dream and of his request of God that he have a "discerning" heart that he might rule God's people wisely. That should be the desire of our hearts as well, that we would discern God's will and be obedient in following that will, that God might bless us and all those that we love and care about.
We see in these early chapters one of the flaws of Solomon's character and the seeds of the eventual downfall of Israel as he takes his 1st wife, a princess of Egypt. Remember that God has directed Israel not to marry foreign wives. This is the first of many for Solomon. Eventually they (the wives) will introduce foreign Gods and these will be worshiped along side of the one true God. Walking faithfully in God's ways is difficult for we humans even for someone as wise as Solomon and yet the failure to do so causes pain and suffering, possibly for generations. Pray that we will be a faithful in our service to the King.
Hope you have a great time enjoying the promised springtime weather. I am praying for a miracle today that the Royals might win their home opener.
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