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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Tuesday, 9 September 2025:
1 Kings 2:1-4 — When David’s time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, that the LORD may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’”
David’s last words to Solomon are not about politics, wealth, or power, but obedience. He exhorts his son to “be strong” — not in worldly might, but in keeping God’s commands. True manhood, true leadership, is defined by covenant faithfulness. David ties Solomon’s success and Israel’s stability to God’s Word, echoing Joshua 1:7–8. This anticipates Christ, the greater Son of David, who perfectly walked in obedience to the Father and reigns forever (Philippians 2:8–11).
David’s dying wish for his son was that he would obey God. Compare this to the king’s summation of life in Ecclesiastes: “Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:12-14) Also, compare this with Joshua’s formula for life success: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8) Finally, compare David’s wish for his son with the secret of Ezra’s success: “…for the good hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” (Ezra 7:8-10) How important is it for you to know God’s word, obey God’s word, and teach God’s word?
1 Kings 2:5-6 — “Moreover, you also know what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, how he dealt with the two commanders of the armies of Israel, Abner the son of Ner, and Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed, avenging in time of peace for blood that had been shed in war, and putting the blood of war on the belt around his waist and on the sandals on his feet. Act therefore according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace.”
David asked Solomon to settle the score with Joab (and Shimei), something David never had the moral courage to do himself. Your inheritance to the next generation should not be problems you refused to solve. However, leadership often requires doing the hard things left undone by others. Family leadership might include ending generational cycles of sin or unfruitfulness within the family – breaking a chain. For example, if you were raised within a CHINO family – Christian In Name Only – you can lead new generations of faithfulness. Joab’s violence highlights the truth that unrepented sin festers and eventually must be dealt with. Christ, unlike David, confronts sin fully and decisively at the cross.
1 Kings 2:7 — “But deal loyally with the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for with such loyalty they met me when I fled from Absalom your brother.”
David balances judgment with mercy. Those who showed kindness in Israel’s darkest hour were to be rewarded with a place at the king’s table. This points to Christ, who says to His faithful, “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table” (Luke 22:28–30).
1 Kings 2:8-9 — “And there is also with you Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse on the day when I went to Mahanaim. But when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the LORD, saying, ‘I will not put you to death with the sword.’ Now therefore do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man. You will know what you ought to do to him, and you shall bring his gray head down with blood to Sheol.”
David never really forgave Shimei the son of Gera, though outwardly he presented grace — “And the king said to Shimei, ‘You shall not die.’ And the king gave him his oath.” (2 Samuel 19:23) Have you ever offered forgiveness but inwardly harbored resentment? True forgiveness and grace is from the heart. God judges the heart. Don’t expect grace and forgiveness from God when you refuse to give it to others from your heart, not superficial forgiveness but wholehearted, complete forgiveness – “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15)
1 Kings 2:10-12– Then David slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. And the time that David reigned over Israel was forty years. He reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. So Solomon sat on the throne of David his father, and his kingdom was firmly established.
David, the shepherd-warrior, now rests with his fathers. His reign was marked by victories, failures, mercy, and judgment, but it ended in death. Yet God’s covenant promise continued through Solomon, pointing ultimately to Christ, who would reign not for forty years, but forever. Unlike David, Christ’s kingdom is unshakable and eternal (Hebrews 12:28).
1 Kings 2:13-18 — Then Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. And she said, “Do you come peacefully?” He said, “Peacefully.” Then he said, “I have something to say to you.” She said, “Speak.” He said, “You know that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel fully expected me to reign. However, the kingdom has turned about and become my brother’s, for it was his from the LORD. And now I have one request to make of you; do not refuse me.” She said to him, “Speak.” And he said, “Please ask King Solomon — he will not refuse you — to give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife.” Bathsheba said, “Very well; I will speak for you to the king.”
Adonijah’s request revealed his ambition to be king over Solomon. His requests to the king exposed what was really in his heart. He cloaked his pride in humility, but his request betrayed his intent. To take Abishag, who had attended David, would symbolically link him to the throne. Sinful ambition does not surrender easily; it disguises itself and presses forward. Pride always seeks a back door to power.
Similarly, our prayers before the Lord reveal what is really most important to us. Jesus said, “Whatever you ask in my name [in accordance with my will], this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:13) Do your prayers requests reveal what God wants or what you want? Is your desire “thy will be done,” or “my will be done”? When you want what God wants, God will absolutely give you what you want, your prayers will be answered in the affirmative. When your prayers are misaligned with God’s will, He will use the conversation to change your heart. Either way, your prayers are essential to your relationship. Communication is key to any relationship.
1 Kings 2:19-25 — So Bathsheba went to King Solomon … Then King Solomon swore by the LORD, saying, “God do so to me and more also if this word does not cost Adonijah his life! Now therefore as the LORD lives, who has established me and placed me on the throne of David my father, and who has made me a house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death today.” King Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he struck him down, and he died.
Solomon saw through Adonijah’s scheme. He discerned that rebellion against God’s chosen order must not be tolerated. To spare Adonijah further would invite division and bloodshed. Solomon’s decision underscores the seriousness of resisting God’s king. In Christ, the true Son of David, the same truth applies: to reject Him is to choose death (John 3:36). Fortunately by faith in Christ, we have eternal life, through faith, and faith gives us the freedom to put to death rebellion within us without fear of condemnation. Search your hear and listen carefully to your prayer requests – are they all about you or all about Him and the salvation of others?
1 Kings 2:26-27 — And to Abiathar the priest the king said, “Go to Anathoth, to your estate, for you deserve death. But I will not at this time put you to death, because you carried the ark of the Lord GOD before David my father, and because you shared in all my affliction.” So Solomon expelled Abiathar from being priest to the LORD, thus fulfilling the word of the LORD that he had spoken concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.
Solomon balances justice with mercy. Though Abiathar deserved death for siding with Adonijah, Solomon spared his life out of respect for his past service. Yet his priesthood was removed, fulfilling God’s prophecy of judgment on Eli’s house. God’s Word always comes true — sometimes swiftly, sometimes over generations.
1 Kings 2:28-34 — When the news came to Joab — for Joab had supported Adonijah although he had not supported Absalom — Joab fled to the tent of the LORD and caught hold of the horns of the altar. … Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up and struck him down and put him to death. And he was buried in his own house in the wilderness.
Joab sought refuge at the altar, but the altar could not protect unrepentant rebellion. Sacred places cannot shield guilty hearts. True refuge is only found in repentance and faith in God’s mercy. Joab’s death fulfilled David’s command and removed a dangerous man from Israel.
1 Kings 2:32 — The LORD will bring back his bloody deeds on his own head.
Again the biblical theme — God treats you the way you treat others.
1 Kings 2:32 — He attacked and killed with the sword two men more righteous and better than himself.
Just because you are righteous doesn’t mean God will protect you from persecution, even death. Your reward is fellowship with Jesus, now and forever more. Isn’t that enough to make your joy complete?
1 Kings 2:35-46 — The king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada over the army in place of Joab, and the king put Zadok the priest in the place of Abiathar. … Then the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck Shimei down, and he died. So the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.
Again, Solomon did not just exact revenge on Shimei but rather sought justice and mercy, giving Shimei a chance to prove himself. Shimei failed the test. One might use this outcome to justify David’s lack of forgiveness, but David had condemned Shimei prematurely.
Through these decisive acts, Solomon’s kingdom was secured. Justice was executed, mercy balanced with firmness, and rebellion rooted out. God had promised David an heir, and now Solomon’s throne was firmly established. This looks forward to Christ’s kingdom, where all rebellion will finally be subdued, every enemy defeated, and perfect righteousness established (1 Corinthians 15:24–25).
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 9 September 2025: Today, practice Christlike character by confronting — not excusing — areas of lingering rebellion or pride in your heart. Like Adonijah, pride disguises itself and seeks a way back into power. Like Joab, self-interest tries to claim refuge without repentance. Instead of tolerating these sins, bring them decisively to the cross of Christ, confess them openly, and root them out through obedience to God’s Word. Let His Spirit establish your life firmly under His reign.
Pray: “Sovereign Lord, You are the King who establishes Your kingdom in righteousness. Thank You for the example of Solomon, who secured his throne with wisdom and justice, and for Christ, the greater Son of David, who reigns forever. Expose the pride and rebellion in my own heart, Lord, and give me the courage to confront it and remove it rather than excuse it. Teach me to walk in obedience, humility, and faith, that my life may reflect Your reign. Establish me firmly in Christ today, that I may live as a loyal subject of Your eternal kingdom. In His holy name I pray, Amen.”
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 