This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.
Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.
Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears. If you miss a day, you may contact us and request that devotion. Please send your request, along with $.50 (p&h) for each page to:
Bruce McGee,Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418
HERE
Bro. Bruce's commentaries for the
books of Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just mail your request for
COMMENTARY ON GENESIS to the address above.
1Kings
1 Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat.
2 Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat.
3 So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.
4 And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.
It is sad, but sure, that we must grow old and become less than what we once were. Here lies David, the great warrior and man of courage, ability and honor. Yet, he has grown old, and now lies weak and cold in his death bed. His mental faculties are yet good, but he suffers.
5 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.
6 And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom.
Adonijah is David's fourth son. His first-born (Amnon) was killed by Absalom. His third son, Absalom, was killed by Joab. Both had been rebellious in nature, and Adonijah seems to follow their pattern.
7 And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him.
8 But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.
9 And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by Enrogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants:
10 But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.
Adonijah made friends with Joab and Abiathar. But others were not fooled by his overt friendliness (verse 8).
11 Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not?
12 Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon.
13 Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign?
14 Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words.
The "prophet" (Christian of today) ought to have his "ear to the ground," so to speak, and know when political and social things are leading people astray. Nathan noticed. He heard, and he understood. He was familiar with God's WORD, and knew that Adonijah was doing wrong.
We'll finish the rest of this chapter in tomorrow's lesson. Please continue with us in daily Bible study.
INTRODUCTION:
The books of 1Kings and 2Kings were originally one work. Actually, they may have at one time been the third and fourth section of a greater work which included 1Samuel and 2Samuel.
The first time these books were divided was when they wer translated from Hebrew into Greek (Septuagint). There, 1Samuel and 2Samuel were 1Kingdoms and 2Kingdoms; and 1Kings and 2Kings were 3Kingdoms and 4Kingdoms.
Moses first introduced the need to HAVE a book of the law before the king, and for all things to be recorded in respect to God's Word (Deuteronomy 17:18-20).
Samuel first introduced the prophet school and the recording of the deeds of the people of Israel.
Many references are made to a person known as a "scribe," who possibly wrote accounts of kingdom actions in relationship to the Deuteronomic Code.
Therefore, there was a "systematic" recording of the acts of judges and kings long before we come to this eleventh book of the Bible.
Along with this understanding we take into account that some scholars recognize Jeremiah as the appropriate author for most of First and Second Kings. Since Jeremiah was the son of a pries (Jeremiah 1:1), and also a prophet, we might more readily see that the recording of the actions of leaders in the nation of Israel was from a spiritual perspective. The history is good, but the books were not written for an historical account. They were written to relate how Israel strayed, how God called them to repentance, and eventually how God destroyed their world influence because of their idolatry.
We are all sinners and deserve death. Only God's mercy allows us to live and grow so that we might come to know HIM through Jesus Christ.
It is because of our own sin that we must die. And it is a just and merciful God who determines HOW we die. Blessed is the man who faces death with all his faculties, even though he suffers with phyisical pain.
David probably had circulation problems. They covered him with blankets, but he remained cold.
Thank God for medicine. But we ought to consult God BEFORE the doctor. Abishag actually becaue David's wife, but the Bible says they had no sexual relationship. Her function was to be his nurse, and to help him stay warm.
However, she was very young and beautiful. Later, after David's death, this is going to cause a problem.
The Bible tells us that David "had not displeased him at any time." (verse 6) In other words, David had not trained him complete with chastisement. This seems to be a pattern with some of David's sons. They didn't learn how to curtail their selfish desires.
Many a godly leader has fallen short in the area of parental discipline. Remember Jacob? Eli? Samuel?
Yet it was David's son, Solomon who wrote:
"Withhold not correctioin from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell." (Proverbs 23:13-14)
This young man determined that HE would take over the kingdom (verse 5). And yet, I'm sure he knew the prophecy that Solomon was to be king. Adonijah's actions showed he respected no authority: not his father's, nor even God's.
Perhaps the lesson we find about parental discipline in Proverbs were the result of David's and Solomon's experience with Amnon, Absalom and Adonijah.
"Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction will drive it far from him."(Proverbs 22:15)
He made a great feast and invited a lot of influential guests. But those whom he could not sway, he didn't invite (verse 10).
Many a would-be leader will try to influence all whom he can; but those he cannot he will avoid. For the "well-grounded" man cannot be swayed.
But the "prophet" (Christian of today) ought also to have a REMEDY for a wrongful situation. Nathan did; he had a PLAN. He went to Bathsheba and asked her if David had really told Adonijah he could be king. Of course David had not.
So Nathan then knew that David was unaware of Adonijah's plot. And he had a plan to bring the truth to light. He gave Bathsheba some good advice as to how the situation could be changed.
She was to go to the king and remind him that God had promised for Solomon to be king, and ask why Adonijah was acting like he was king. Then Nathan would come in and confirm what she had said.
Remember, Christian, keep your "ear to the ground" about political and social situations. Be informed. And study God's Word so that you might offer meaningful solutions.