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 the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,
A father who has a wise son is blessed. A father who advises his son in righteousness makes his son wiser, and blesses himself in the teaching.
2 I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;
3 And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:
4 That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.
5 Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet.
6 Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace.
7 But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother.
8 And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword.
9 Now therefore hold him not guiltless: for thou art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him; but his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood.
VERSE 2
10 So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.
11 And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.
12 Then sat Solomon upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly.
Now David did what everyone does at sometime - he died. "The wages of sin is death.." (Romans 6:23) Physical death is pronounced upon ALL mankind because it is the payment for SIN - and ALL have sinned (Romans 3:23). Please continue with us in daily Bible study.
CHAPTER 2
David realized his death was imminent. He sought to advise his son, who would be king, in certain matters that would be hard to decide without David's presence.
"My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:" (Proverbs 1:8)
There are some things that happen in our lives about which our children do not have full knowledge. It is good that we should advise them about those things. We particularly need to advise them if they will affect the children after our death.
The MOST IMPORTANT THING: FOLLOW GOD!!
"..walk in His ways, to keep His statutes..as it is written.."
The way to follow God properly is to adhere to His WORD. God promises prosperity to those who follow His will. Prosperity, as God defines it, is to fulfill His work.
VERSE 3
God has also promised to take care of our children if they will follow His will. We should remind them of this promise (Deuteronomy 29:9)
God had promised David, as long as his sons who were king obeyed God, there would always be a king on Israel's throne (verse 4). David reminds Solomon of this promise as a way of encouraging godly behavior.
VERSE 5
Joab had counteracted David's appointment of men as commander of the armies of Israel by murdering both of them. After David had worked hard for "peace," Joab had shed the blood of war. Joab was loyal to David, so David was able to keep him in check. But now that David was dying, it was time for Joab to receive the reward of a murderer - death.
Note that David commends Solomon for wisdom in just how to handle this problem (verse 6). But David's admonishment is to not allow Joab to die in peace.
"Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness."(Proverbs 25:5)
VERSE 7
Barzillai had been very kind to David and helped him when he ran from Absalom. David had taken Chimham, Barzillai's servant, with him when he returned to Jerusalem. Now he charges Solomon to care for the sons of Barzillai.
"Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not..." (Proverbs 27:10)
VERSE 8
Shimei came out and cursed David when he was running from Absalom. But when David returned, he came to David, admitted his sin, and requested pardon. David had pardoned him. But now he tells Solomon, "Be careful - he is not to be trusted." That is the meaning of "..hold him not guiltless."
Again, David commends Solomon's wisdom, and effectively said, "YOU know how to handle it - but don't let him die in peace."
Sin does not go without punishment. That is the reason we suffer physically and die.
David had pardoned men, but they had to receive just judgment. God had pardoned David, just as He does all sinners who come to Him. However, pardon does not take away consequences. ONE consequence for sin is DEATH.
"The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law." (1Corinthians 15:56)
BUT!!
"Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ." !! (1Corinthians 15:57)
There is no need for a man to walk that road of death in sorrow, because "..the GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
David had already written the song that said, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for THOU art with me..." (Psalm 23:4).
David had been king for 40 years. A feat equal to that of Moses, Joshua, Samuel.
He had been a poor shepherd - God made him a king!
He had been a warrior - but died in bed, not in war.
He had been a sinner, and had failed his purpose many times to "follow God with all his heart."
But he was REMEMBERED for fairness, justness and being a man after God's own heart.