Can embracing wisdom truly lead to a life of honor and respect? Explore this and more as we journey through the profound teachings of Proverbs 4:8 and Proverbs 7:1, laying out the undeniable benefits of valuing God’s wisdom above all else. We discuss how seeking divine wisdom can guide us towards making better decisions, cultivating honorable character, and ultimately leading a life that aligns with God’s will. The insights of Solomon, revered for his unparalleled wisdom, serve as a cornerstone for our discourse, highlighting the timeless relevance of treasuring God’s commands.
In a riveting examination of one of the Bible's most complex narratives, we dissect the saga of David, Bathsheba, and Solomon. Witness the ripple effect of David’s sins on his lineage, revealing the stark consequences of personal actions. We examine the tragic yet redemptive arc of Solomon’s ascent to the throne amidst familial turmoil, underscoring God's unwavering faithfulness. The conversation delves into the messianic lineage leading to Jesus Christ, drawing parallels between historical events and their ultimate fulfillment through God's divine plan.
Finally, we navigate the drama of royal succession with Solomon’s anointment as king, orchestrated by Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba. The episode highlights the pivotal moments of prophetic intervention, divine sovereignty, and the ultimate triumph of God’s plans over human schemes. We wrap up with an inspiring call to live by God's commands, embracing His wisdom for a life filled with purpose, beauty, and eternal blessings. Tune in for a deep, motivational, and spiritually enriching exploration of these biblical narratives, encouraging you to align your life with divine wisdom and guidance.
Can embracing wisdom truly lead to a life of honor and respect? Explore this and more as we journey through the profound teachings of Proverbs 4:8 and Proverbs 7:1, laying out the undeniable benefits of valuing God’s wisdom above all else. We discuss how seeking divine wisdom can guide us towards making better decisions, cultivating honorable character, and ultimately leading a life that aligns with God’s will. The insights of Solomon, revered for his unparalleled wisdom, serve as a cornerstone for our discourse, highlighting the timeless relevance of treasuring God’s commands.
In a riveting examination of one of the Bible's most complex narratives, we dissect the saga of David, Bathsheba, and Solomon. Witness the ripple effect of David’s sins on his lineage, revealing the stark consequences of personal actions. We examine the tragic yet redemptive arc of Solomon’s ascent to the throne amidst familial turmoil, underscoring God's unwavering faithfulness. The conversation delves into the messianic lineage leading to Jesus Christ, drawing parallels between historical events and their ultimate fulfillment through God's divine plan.
Finally, we navigate the drama of royal succession with Solomon’s anointment as king, orchestrated by Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba. The episode highlights the pivotal moments of prophetic intervention, divine sovereignty, and the ultimate triumph of God’s plans over human schemes. We wrap up with an inspiring call to live by God's commands, embracing His wisdom for a life filled with purpose, beauty, and eternal blessings. Tune in for a deep, motivational, and spiritually enriching exploration of these biblical narratives, encouraging you to align your life with divine wisdom and guidance.
new, new, new, everything new. New, new, new, new, new, everything new.
Speaker 2:I'm ready to go ready for more hello, hello, it is stephanie and you are now listening into inside beauty inspires, where we motivate, encourage and inspire through biblical principles. So I want to definitely shout out my co-host, savannah grant. She cannot be the studio today, but we will hear from her on next week. I want to jump into this devotional, but before I jump into the devotional, I want to definitely give you guys a thank you, a huge thank you for listening, for supporting Inside Beauty Inspires. Wouldn't be Inside Beauty Inspires without you guys. So again, thank you so very much for being attentive without you guys. So again, thank you so very much for being attentive. I hope this word is showing you that there is more to life and that God's word will never return void. So let's just jump into this word here. It says embrace wisdom. Embrace wisdom. Prize her highly and she will exalt you. She will honor you if you embrace her. Proverbs 4, verse 8. The return on investment with wisdom is clearly outlined in our verse today. Prize it and you will be exalted. If you value the wisdom you gain by learning the word, you will be lifted up. You will reap the benefits of being wise by making good decisions, having a good reputation and being respected If you embrace your time with the word, you will become honorable in your character and overall behavior. It's a more than fair return.
Speaker 2:To some extent, we seek the approval of others. By the teenage years, for instance, peers have replaced parents as the most influential group in children's lives. God rises above all influences by instructing believers, young and old alike, to seek his wisdom as the highest authority and greatest approval. Keep me close to you, my father, so I may learn from you. Keep me in your sights so I may feel your directions and learn your wisdom and learn your wisdom. Listen, let me tell you something. Embrace wisdom, wisdom. You cannot go wrong with embracing wisdom. We all need wisdom. And here's a fun fact Did you know? The book of Proverbs was written by Solomon, which is David's son. So David had to have some wisdom, although we know he did not always use the wisdom that he had, based off of what happened with Bathsheba, which leads me to my second Proverbs.
Speaker 2:I want to speak about Proverbs 7, verse 1. Follow my advice my son Always treasure my commands. The Lord loves us so much he gave us instructions for living. He told us to treasure those commands so we would know he understands what is best for us. If we love him as well, we will put his words above our inclinations.
Speaker 2:Believers need to give their wills over to God because his wisdom and love overrides human short-sightedness and sinful nature. We can learn to submit to God by reading his word. We can learn to submit to God by reading his word. It's difficult for us to give up our strong inclinations, but as we read the wisdom in the pages of the Bible, our heart softens and the Holy Spirit moves Our eyes open to the grace of God. We become his children through the seed planted by the Spirit. Then we are capable of following God's advice and treasuring his commands. Lord, teach me your word, give me grace so I can see your truth and grow in your wisdom. Is that not something we all need Wisdom, we all need wisdom to navigate the world that we live in today.
Speaker 2:But how do you get the wisdom? It's in the word. It's in the word by following his instructions. By following his instructions and I've been on that for a minute, his instructions. I've been. I've been on there for a minute because you know he says my children perish for lack of knowledge. Because we don't know what's in the word, how can we know the benefits that come along with being in the word? How many of you guys know that decisions matter?
Speaker 2:Now, yes, we've been talking about David, we've been talking about Bathsheba. We're going to talk about their product. You know we're going to talk about the product that came from those two individuals, but before we do that, I want to talk. I want to just briefly go over, you know, basically, what we talked about last week. Decisions really do matter. Decisions matter. Bathsheba and David had a moment right. So let's just read here. And it's in 2 Samuel, chapter 11, verses 1 through 27. This is just me summarizing, okay.
Speaker 2:David's sin with Bathsheba was preceded by a decision he made to stay at home versus going off to war with his men. This choice afforded him the circumstances to take what was not his having sex with a woman whose husband was off at war. Committing adultery with Bathsheba clearly violated God's standard for righteous sexuality, in passages such as Genesis 2, verses 22 through 24, and Exodus 20, verse 14. Both of these decisions led to a truly terrible decision. David tried to hide his actions through the murder of an innocent man, bathsheba's husband, uriah, and Uriah was one of David's mighty warriors and purely innocent victim of David's horrible choices. David betrayed Uriah, an act that led to the death of his faithful comrade.
Speaker 2:Now, in this account of David's betrayal of Uriah, there's a parallel to the life of Jesus. Like Uriah, jesus was betrayed by a friend, judas, and sent to his death because of Judas' actions. But, more importantly, the story of David's act reflects all of humankind's betrayal of Jesus. Through our personal sin, each person has contributed to the collective sin for which Jesus died. 1 Peter 2, verses 22-24, demonstrates that Jesus, who was completely innocent of any wrongdoing, suffered a wrongful death. He committed no sin and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate. When he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him, who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. Quoting Isaiah 53, that Uriah was an innocent party in David's deception schemes. Jesus was an innocent recipient of the penalty due for mankind's sins.
Speaker 2:Let's talk about it for a moment, because we know that David was a man after God's own heart. We know that David loves God, god loved David, and we know that David was the elect. We know that God chose David for a time such as this during that time. But everything didn't go the way it was supposed to go, or did it? Let's talk about it Because this one act caused havoc in his home. Well, what do I mean by that? Well, it's the corrosive nature of sin, it says.
Speaker 2:The story of Amon and Tamar is the first in the narratives of David's lineage that takes the book of Samuel into a dark direction, based off of the fact of David's adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah. The nature of sin was on full display here, especially 2 Samuel 13, 15, where the false promises of sin that fueled Amon's lust led him towards destruction. Where the false promises of sin that fueled Amon's lust led him towards destruction, he hated her more than he had loved her. Here is a powerful description of destructive nature of sin and the expected consequences when sin is brought into the light. Now, I said that the corrosive nature of sin because the next story in chapter 13 talks about David's son, amon and David and David's um and Amon's son David fell in love with Tamar, which was his sister's. It was his, his sister's the beautiful sister of Absalom, son of David. So the, the sister, was not um, was not related to Amon, but his sister was related to Absalom, and Ammon had this I don't want to say obsession with his sister, tamar, and so we see these things happening. But this is all. This all happened because of what David did.
Speaker 2:You know, if we go back unto 2 Samuel, chapter 11, or, I'm sorry, if we go back to 2 Samuel, chapter 12, it says here in verse 11, chapter 12, verse 11. This is what the Lord says Out of your own household, I am going to bring chlamelity unto you Before your very eyes. I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you. He will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all of Israel. He pretty much said that he was going to divide the house, his house. Basically, if I go back up here, it says and Nathan said to David I anointed you king over Israel and I delivered you from the hands of Saul. I gave your master's house to you and your master's wives into your arms. I gave you all of Israel and Judah. And if, what did he do? He killed Uriah and he slept with his wife. That's what he did. Now you do know that Bathsheba was pregnant. Bathsheba was pregnant, so they ended up losing the baby due to what was going on with David.
Speaker 2:In chapter 12, it talks about the hope of resurrection. The death of a child is a terrible, tragic experience. Indeed, anytime a loved one or a close friend dies, deep anguish follows, as is the case here with the death of David's son. In the midst of sorrow associated with the death, believers have complete confidence to believe they will be reunited with the deceased loved one. The story of the death of David's son suggests that David believed he and his son would be reunited. David said I will go to him, but he will not return to me. Believers can hold the same hope that Old Testament believers understood that death is inevitable, but God's people will have life after death. Jesus said I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even though they die, and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. That's John 11, verses 25 through 26. Jesus's words were not empty, but rather were validated through his own resurrection. Truly, jesus has power over death, the greatest and most feared inevitability in the human experience and has promised to apply that power to his followers. So let's talk about it, because David did have a son with Bathsheba, but this was the first son that died.
Speaker 2:Okay, now, based off of what had happened already between those two, there were things that happened along the lineage of David throughout the chapter of 2 Samuel. Okay, you know, we see his sons. They're going through ups and downs. You got one trying to kill the other one. One actually killed the other one. It's so many things that you can learn when it comes down to 2 Samuel, but I want to take some time here to speak about Solomon, solomon. Well, who is Solomon? Solomon is David's son, bathsheba. And David had another son, okay, and that son's name was Solomon.
Speaker 2:Now, let's talk about Solomon for a minute, because this happened. Even though this was done and it wasn't done the right way, god still had a way of turning things around for our good right. It says throughout the reign of David's dynasty, god faithfully preserved the promises he made to David. Solomon's older brother vied to sit on the throne. His father, david sit on his father's throne, as Bathsheba pointed out. Well, let me just back up. Okay, so Solomon was going to come out on top.
Speaker 2:Let me just back up here for a minute In chapter 1, 1 Kings. So let me tell you guys where we are. We're in 1 Kings, so I wanted to skip through some of these things so that we can get into Solomon. Why did I want to talk about Solomon? Because we're going to see the lives of both godly and ungodly individuals during a defining time in history at the nation of Israel. At the nation of Israel, people such as King David, king Solomon and the Queen Sheba sought after God, though they were far from perfect in this quest. Others, such as Ahab and Jezebel, notoriously rebelled against God's commands and suffered the just consequences for their action. As a whole, the book demonstrates the implications of choosing between these two paths through the lives of good and bad kings, true and false prophets and an assortment of others whose lives shaped Israel's spiritual odyssey. The ever-present backdrop of God's unchanging faithfulness provides hope and confidence to those who seek him. Okay, now, of course, I wanted to say all of that to jump into the book of First King, because I don't want us to. I want you guys to follow what's going on. So basically, we're in the book of First King. That's where we've been studying on the prayer call, and so we learned some things here. Now, chapter one. I wasn't going to go here, but I feel like I have to go here so that I can explain what's going on in the first book, in the first, in 1st King, the chapter one. So let's get into it. Follow along as I read Now.
Speaker 2:King David now was very old and no matter how many blankets covered him, he could not keep warm. So his advisors told him. So they searched throughout the land of Israel for a beautiful girl and they found Abishgah from Shemnum and brought her to the king. The girl was very beautiful and she looked after the king and took care of him, but the king had no sexual relationships with her. About that time david's son, adojna, whose mother was hegith, began boasting I will make myself king. So he provided himself with chariots and charioteers and recruited 50 men to run in front of him.
Speaker 2:Now his father, king david, had never disciplined him at any time, even by asking why are you doing that? Adoshnah had been born next after Absalom, and he was very handsome. Don't miss this, people. Do not miss this. Just in the beginning of 1 Kings. Don't miss the fact that King David never disciplined the son at any time. We have got to discipline our children and we have got to correct them when we see them doing wrong. He said you know he had. He had never disciplined him at any time, even by asking why are you doing that Now? Adonan had been born next and had been born next after Absalom. He was very handsome. I think that's in there for a reason, because of course, you know David's lineage. So it says Adonai took Joab, son of Zariah the priest, into the confidence and they agreed to help him become king.
Speaker 2:But Zodak the priest, benaiah's son or Joadiah, nathan the prophet, shammai Re and David's personal bodyguard, refused to support Adonijah. Adonijah went to the stone of Zoheth, near the spring of Enrogel, where he sacrificed sheep, cattle and fattened calves. He invited all his brothers, the other sons of King David and all the royal officials of Judah, but he did not invite Nathan, the prophet of Benaiah, or the king's bodyguard, or his brother, solomon. Now, there's a reason why he did not invite Solomon or the prophet. Okay, again, we're about to see false versus real. Okay, is this? This is true. Okay, here we go, verse 11.
Speaker 2:Then Nathan went to Bathsheba, solomon's mother, and asked her. Haven't you heard that Haggad's son, adonai, has made himself king? And our Lord David doesn't even know about it? If you want to save your own life and the life of your son, solomon, follow my advice. Go at once to King David and say to him my Lord the king, didn't you make, didn't you make a vow to say to me your son, solomon, will be, will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne? Why, then, has Adonis become king? And while you are still talking with him, I will come and confirm everything you have said. Let's talk about it. Let's talk about it now, based off of this. Okay, because God is taking us in a different direction. I see, you know, we see one brother trying to become king before time. He doesn't even have the anointing. He's going to make himself king, he's going to set himself up Now.
Speaker 2:Y'all know I got my commentary, so I'm finna. Get ready to go to the commentary. Thank y'all for bearing with me here. Let's talk about it. We stopped here at verse 15. So, from verses 1 through 14. Yeah, verses 1 through 14. Let's talk about it. So it says the first king begins to unfold.
Speaker 2:David was advanced in age and in poor health. He was unable to keep warm, no matter how well he was covered. So the king's servants suggest that they find a young virgin who could provide him with warmth and also be his caregiver. The woman they found was Abishag from the village of Shunum in the tribal territory of Esachar. She fulfilled all of their requirements, including being of unsuppressed beauty. This fact would become important later, when Solomon's half-brother, adoshna, became attracted to her and used her to make a thinly disguised attempt to serve the throne. Let's keep going.
Speaker 2:A reason behind the forthcoming trouble in chapter 2 is revealed here. David's family drama that resulted from his past sins continued to plague him all the way to his grave. Seeing the king's great weakness at Dojna, david's fourth son and Solomon's elder decided the time was right to make his move. He probably assumed that he was a rightful heir because he was likely the eldest living son. Moreover, there is no record of David publicly declaring his choice of Solomon as his successor. Prior to this incident, it seems Adonijah had a lot in common with Absalom. First, he kept exalting himself and declared I will be king. Second, like Absalom, he won over many followers by his good looks and charm, even David's military commander Joab, his faithful supporter, abner the priest, as well as Adonis' royal brothers and all the men of Judah, sided with Adonis. So here we go.
Speaker 2:The prophet Nathan and Bathsheba soon realized how serious the situation had become, meaning David's sin with Bathsheba and its consequences. They developed a plan to convince David that, unless he acted quickly and decisively, adoshna would be king. Bathsheba approached and reminded David that he had sworn to crown Solomon their son. This promise is not mentioned elsewhere, so it may have been in a private matter between them. She also informed him that Adoshna had proclaimed himself king and was winning support, and had not invited Solomon to his banquet. That meant that when David was dead and buried, solomon and his mother would be treated as criminals, enemies of the throne.
Speaker 2:Now, how many of you guys know that God is not going to sit back and let that happen? No, he's not, especially when it's not in his will. But these are the things that were taking place, meaning a dogen that felt like he was his, he was the rightful heir, but that's not who God had anointed. But that's not who God had anointed. Let's go here to verse 22. Let's go here to verse 22. Well, no, let me just back up here. Let me back up here because I want to skip this. Okay, verse 11.
Speaker 2:Then Nathan went to Bathsheba Solomon's mother, and asked her haven't you heard that he got a son? Adojan has made himself king and our Lord David doesn't even know about it. If you want to save your own life and the life of your son Solomon, follow my advice. Go at once to King David and say to him my Lord the king didn't make you a vow? And say to me your son Solomon will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne. While then has the dogen to become king, and while you are still talking with him, I will come and confirm everything you have said. So Bathsheba went into the king's bedroom. He was very old now and Ashbag was taking care of him. Bathsheba bowed before the king. What can I do for you, he asked her. She replied my lord, you made a vow before the Lord, your God, when you said to me your son Solomon will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne, but instead Adonai has made himself king and my lord the king does not even know about it. He has sacrificed many cattle, fattened calves and sheep. He has invited all the king's sons to attend the celebration. He also invited Abner, the priest, and Joab, the commander of the army, but he did not invite your servant, solomon. And now, my lord the king, all of Israel is waiting for you to announce who will become king after you. If you do not act, my son Solomon and I will be treated as criminals as soon as my Lord the king has died.
Speaker 2:While she was still speaking with the king, nathan the prophet arrived. Y'all know who Nathan is. Nathan is the one that came to him about Bathsheba. To begin with, the king's official told him Nathan the prophet. He is here to see you. Nathan went in and bowed before the king with his face to the ground. Nathan asked my lord the king, have you decided that Adonijah will be the next king and that he will sit on your throne Today? He has sacrificed many cattle, fattened calves and sheep. He has invited all the king's sons to attend the celebration. He also invited the commanders of the army and Abnerus the priest. They are feasting and drinking with him and shouting Long live King Adonis. But he did not invite me, or Zodok, or the priest, or Benaiah, or your servant Solomon. He has, my lord the king, really done this without letting any of his officials know who should be the next king.
Speaker 2:So what do we see happening right here? We see his son doing the most. We see his son doing the most. We see his son doing the most. David isn't even died yet. Okay, and this is what the son is doing. He's trying to get the buy-in of the people, and they are actually buying into him.
Speaker 2:So here's King David's response Call Bathsheba. So she came back in and stood before the king, and the king repeated his vow as surely as the Lord lives, who rescued me from every danger, your son, solomon, will be the next king and will sit on my throne this very day, just as I vowed to you before the Lord, the God of Israel. Then Bathsheba bowed down with her face to the ground before the king and explained may my Lord, king David, live forever. Now I want you guys to understand hadn't this not happened, had Nathan nor Bathsheba went to David before he was in his, you know, feeble stages and let him know what was going on, then it wouldn't have turned out the way it was supposed to. But how many of you know that God always has a ram in the bush? Always, you can be trying to plot plan. He already knows the details. He already knows what you're going to do before you're going to do it. He's all-knowing. He's all-knowing. They had to act quickly. They had to listen to the prophets. It's important to follow instructions. Had Bathsheba not followed instructions, we wouldn't be reading this a different way. But because Bathsheba did follow instructions, we see what happens next.
Speaker 2:Then King David ordered call Jodah the priest, nathan the prophet and Benaiah, son of Joiada. When they came into the king's presence, the king said to them take Solomon and my officials down to Gihon Spring. Solomon is to ride on my own mule there. Zodok the priest and Nathan the prophet are to anoint him king over Israel. Blow the ram's horn and shout Long live King Solomon. Then escort him back here and he will sit on my throne. He will succeed me as king, for I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah. Amen. Benaiah, son of Jodiah, replied may the Lord, the God of my Lord the king, decree that it happen, and may the Lord be with Solomon, as he has been with you, my Lord the king, and may he make Solomon's reign ever greater than yours.
Speaker 2:So, zodak the priest, nathan the prophet, benaiah's son of Joiada and the king's bodyguard took Solomon down to Gion Spring, with Solomon riding on King David's own mule. There, zodak, the priest, took the flask of olive oil from the sacred tent and anointed Solomon with the oil. Then they sounded the ram's horn and all the people shouted Long live King Solomon. And all the people followed Solomon in Jerusalem, playing flutes and shouting for joy. The celebration was so joyous and noisy that the earth shook with the sound. Adojanah and his guests heard the celebrating and shouting just as they were finishing their banquet.
Speaker 2:When Joab heard the sound of the ram's horn, he asked what's going on? Why is the city in such an uproar? Why is the city in such an uproar? Now, listen, this should give somebody some courage, some encouragement to know that if God says he has his hands on you, he has his hands on you. You don't have to worry about the plots or the plans. It's going to happen the way that it's supposed to happen.
Speaker 2:At the end of the day, adoshna and his guests heard what was going on. Didn't God say I will prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemy. That's what his word says. Well, is this kind of what we're seeing? I mean, let's just think about it. He was doing something without even having the anointing to do it. Does that mean people do stuff and act out not being anointed to Absolutely? We can look at the word and tell God has his elect and then the world has their elect. It's true. Now, based off of what I'm reading here again, this is 1 Kings 1. We see the plots, the trickery, we see the underhandedness and guess what? They're David's son. So it's still happening the way it's supposed to happen, based off of what David did. There's division in his household, among his children. Do you see it?
Speaker 2:It says here in the Word Nathan, the prophet, came before the king Echo in Bathsheba's report. Then he essentially asked the king did I miss something? Did you endorse a dogen without letting us know about it? The prophet knew it was up to. You know, those are God's messengers. So you know, they know what's up, they know what's going on. But a lot of times people don't take the prophets seriously. They don't see a lot of the real prophets in an active state nowadays. You know there's a lot of people that want the anointing, just like Adoshna.
Speaker 2:He set himself up to be king, but was he God's elect? Was he the one that God chose? No, he wasn't. So it says here though David was feeble, he wasn't feeble-minded. He would keep his previous promises. Adonijah had not engaged in armed rebellion as Absalom had done. So rather than attack Adonijah and touch off a possible civil war, david reasoned rightly that the majority of the people were still loyal to him and would rally around his chosen successor. So David ordered his faithful servants to anoint Solomon, declare him as king before all the people and place him on David's throne. When they did just as David commanded, all the people rejoiced.
Speaker 2:Gihon was only about half a mile from where Adonis and his crowds were celebrating. From there, it would be hard to hear the noise that people were making. Now, david's plan, it came to pass, right, but let's keep reading. Let's keep reading. I don't want to stop. I want to give it to y'all fully, so you can understand exactly what's going on now.
Speaker 2:So here we are, verse 42. And while he was still speaking. Okay, so let me just back up here. It says why is the city in such an uproar? And while he was still speaking, jonathan, son of Abder, the priest, arrived. Come in. Adonis said to him for you are a good man, you must have good news? Not at all. Jonathan replied. Our Lord, king David, has just declared Solomon king.
Speaker 2:The king sent him down to Gideon Springs with Zodak, the priest, nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, son of Joiah, protected by the king's bodyguard. They had him ride on the king's own mule and Zodak and Nathan have anointed him at Gihon Spring as the new king. They have just returned and the whole city is celebrating and rejoicing. That's what all the noise is about. What's more, solomon is now sitting on the throne, the royal throne as king, and all the royal officials have gone to King David and congratulated him, saying May your God make Solomon's fame even greater than your own and may Solomon's reign be even greater than yours. Then the king bowed his head in worship as he lay in his bed and he said Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who today has chosen a successor to sit on my throne while I am still alive, to see it.
Speaker 2:Can you imagine how those people felt? The ones that was in alignment with the Dojna, the ones that was in alignment with the dojna Yep? He had his people that was in alignment with him, thinking that he was doing the right thing because hey, that is my daddy Right, but he wasn't the chosen one. He wasn't. He started moving before time, and so this should let you know. Whenever you try to get in front of God, he has a way of sitting you down. He has a way of sitting you down. They had no idea. You got to understand that they were in the midst of, actually in the company of trying to be anointed as king.
Speaker 2:He felt like he had everybody and everything that he needed, but he did not have the approval of God, he did not have the stamp of God, he did not have Nathan, the prophets, giving him instructions. Here you have David. Yes, david made this mistake, but David messed up and he repented. He had remorse. So God never left David. God never left David.
Speaker 2:He had to make sure that this lineage would come through. Jesus, would come through the line of David. So Solomon had to be the next king. He had to be the next king, the next successor to sit on the throne, and just imagine how you would feel being in a dogenous group. Let's read what it says here in verse 49.
Speaker 2:Then all of the dogenous guests jumped up in a panic from the banquet table and quickly scattered. A dogenous was afraid of Solomon. So he rushed to the sacred tent, grabbed on to the horns of the altar. Word soon reached Solomon that Adulginus had seized the horns of the altar in fear and that he was pleading Let King Solomon swear today that he won't, that he will not kill me. Solomon replied if he proves himself to be loyal, not a hair on his head will be touched, but if he makes trouble he will die. So King Solomon summoned Adonis and they brought him down from the altar. He came and bowed respectfully before the King Solomon, who dismissed him, saying go home. God has a way. That's mighty sweet. He do. He has a way that's mighty sweet, he do. He has a way that's mighty sweet.
Speaker 2:Listen at what it says in the commentary. It says david's plan had the desired effect. When adojna, joab and all the guests of the illegitimate coronation banquet heard the sound of the ram's horn announcing solomon's coronation, they knew something big was happening. When jon Jonathan, son of Abathur, this priest, showed up, adonijah felt better for a moment, hoping he was bringing good news. Unfortunately not. Jonathan answered him, which is one of the greatest understatements in Scripture. He then proceeded to tell Adonijah, step by step, how David had established Solomon as king of Israel. He even bowed in his bed At the news.
Speaker 2:Adonis' former loyal followers fled like rats from a sinking ship. While Adonis ran to the tabernacle in Jerusalem, he grabbed the horns of the altar as a way of pleading for his life. Solomon granted Adonis a reprieve on the condition that he proves himself loyal. When he stood before Solomon and paid homage, the king sent him home. It was an uneasy peace and it wouldn't last long. It wouldn't last long.
Speaker 2:Now, listen, I want us to understand what's going on here. Okay, because in chapter two and yeah, we're going to get in chapter two because I want you to hear the instructions that David gave Solomon before he, to hear the instructions that David gave Solomon before he transitioned. He did, he gave David, david gave his son instructions, and he also had Nathan. He had the priest. So you got to understand.
Speaker 2:When you're in alignment with God, he's going to make sure that everything and everyone is in alignment as well. You're not going to be out here by yourself. You just have to follow the instructions of the Lord. You have to follow the instructions of those that he's sending to you Now. God forbid someone. You're praying and you're talking to God about something and he sends someone to give you a word and you dismiss them because you don't think that they're qualified, then you don't even know that you just dismissed your blessing. So this is a warning Don't be so quick to dismiss the message or the message looking at the messenger. Okay, get the message, because God speaks through people when he wants to give you a word. He speaks to people and they are his elect.
Speaker 2:Let's go to chapter two, 1 Kings. Chapter two, it says in the law of Moses, so that you will be successful in all that you do, wherever you go. If you do this, then the Lord will keep the promise he made to me. He told me if your descendants live as they should and follow me faithfully with all their heart and soul, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel. Now, don't miss that message, because it's a message for you as well. Oh, yes, it's a message for you as well, because you got to understand when I was reading this. I'm thinking about Moses.
Speaker 2:Remember, god gave Moses decrees and regulations on what was to be done and what was to be said, and Moses gave those rules and regulations to the people. The people had a choice. It's in Deuteronomy 17,. Deeronomy 28. It talks about the curses and the blessings. But I said before you blessings and curses, life and death, you get to choose.
Speaker 2:So it's not, it's not by coincidence that David is giving these same things over, sounding just like Moses, to his son. Could it be that David has God's spirit as well? Uh yeah, because he's telling them the same keep the decrees, commands, regulations and laws written in the law of Moses, so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go. That's us too. That's us too. It says if you do this, then the Lord will keep the promise he made to me If you do this. So if you do this, then God is going to do this. If you do this, then the Lord will keep the promise he made to me If you do this. So if you do this, then God is going to do this. If you do that, then God is going to do this. There's blessings and curses, there's life and death, and guess who has the ultimate choice? You do.
Speaker 2:And there's something else you know what Joab, son of Zariah, did to me when he murdered my two army commanders, abner, son of Nir, and Mamasa, son of Jeth? He pretended that it was an act of war, but it was done in a time of peace, staining his belt and sandals with innocent blood. Do with him what you think best, but don't let him grow old and go to his grave in peace. Be kind to the sons of Brazil, of Galad. Make them permanent guests at your table, for they took care of me when I fled from your brother Absalom. And remember Shammai, son of Ger, the man from Berhum in Benjamin. He cursed me with a terrible curse as I was fleeing Manahem. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan River, I swore by the Lord that I would not kill him, but that oath does not make him innocent. You are a wise man and you will know.
Speaker 2:Now we're going to continue to go. We're going to continue to read down here, because I want y'all to know what the Lord, what happens next. Okay, so now we have. David has transitioned. David has gone to a place where we all will go one day. Okay, we all will go here one day. It says here, verse 13,.
Speaker 2:One day, a Dojna, whose mother was Hagrid, came to see Bathsheba, solomon's mother. Have you come with peaceful intentions? She asked him. Yes, he said I come in peace. In fact, I have a favor to ask of you. What is it, she asked? He replied as you know, the kingdom was rightfully mine. All Israel wanted me to be the next king, but the tables were turned and the kingdom went to my brother instead. For that is what the way the Lord wanted it. So now I have just one favor to ask of you Please don't turn me down. What is it, she asked? He replied Speak to the king Solomon on my behalf, for I know he will do anything you request. Ask him to let me marry Ashbahag, this girl from Shunu. All right, bathsheba replied I will speak to the king for you.
Speaker 2:So Bathsheba went to the king Solomon to speak on the dogeness' behalf. The king rose from his throne to meet her. He bowed down before her. When he sat down on his throne again, the king ordered that a throne be brought for his mother. She said it is right here.
Speaker 2:I have one small request to make of you, she said. I hope you won't turn me down. What is it my mother? He asked. You know I won't refuse you. Then let your brother Adojna marry Apshigat, the girl from Shnum. She replied how can you possibly ask me to give Ashphag to Adojna, king Solomon demanded you might as well ask me to give him the kingdom. You know that he is my older brother and that he has Abathur the priest and Joab, the son of Zariah, on his side. Then King Solomon made a vow before the Lord May God strike me and even kill me if Adonai has not sealed his fate with this request. The Lord has confirmed me and placed me on the throne of my father, david. He has established my dynasty as he promised. So as surely as the Lord lives, adonai will die this very day. So King Solomon ordered Benaiah's son of Jodah, to execute him, and Adonai was put to death. Then the king said to Abner the priest Go back to your home in Athron. You deserve to die, but I will not kill you now because you carried the ark of the sovereign Lord for David. My father and you shared all his hardships. So Solomon disposed Abner from his position as priest of the Lord, thereby fulfilling the prophecy the Lord had given Eshallah concerning the descendants of Eli, by fulfilling the prophecy the Lord had given Eshallah concerning the descendants of Eli.
Speaker 2:Joab had not joined Absalom's earlier rebellion, but he had joined Adonis' rebellion. So when Joab heard about Adonis' death. He ran to the sacred tent of the Lord and grabbed on the horns of the altar. When this was reported to King Solomon, he sent Benaiah, son of Joab, to execute him. Benaiah went to the sacred tent of the Lord and said Joab, the king orders you to come out. But Joab answered no, I will die here. So Benaiah returned to the king and told him what Joab had said Do as he said. The king replied kill him there beside the altar and bury him. This will remove the guilt of Joab's senseless murders from me and from my father's family.
Speaker 2:Verse 2. Commander of the army of Judah, may their blood be on Joab and his descendants forever, and may the Lord grant peace forever to David, his descendants, his dynasty and his throne. So Benaiah, son of Joab, returned to the sacred tent and killed Joab, and he was buried at his home in the wilderness. Then the king appointed Benaiah to command the army in place of Joab and he installed Zodak, the priest, to take the place of Abner. The king then sent for Shammai and told him build a house here in Jerusalem and live there, but don't step outside the city to go anywhere else. On the day you so much as cross the Kidron Valley, you will surely die and your blood will be on your own head on your own head. Shammai replied your sentence is fair. Your sentence is fair. I will do whatever my Lord, the King, commands. So Shammai lived in Jerusalem for a long time. But three years later two of Shammai's slaves ran away to King Eshah, son of Makai of Gath. And when Shammai learned where they were, he settled his donkeys and went to Gath to search for them. When he found them, he brought them back to Jerusalem.
Speaker 2:Solomon heard that Shammai had left Jerusalem and had gone to Gath in return. So the king sent for Shammai and demanded Didn't I make you a swear? Didn't I make you swear by the Lord and warn you not to go anywhere else, or you would surely die? And you replied the sentence is fair, I will do just as you say. Then why haven't you kept your oath to the Lord and obeyed my commands? The king also said to Shammai you certainly remembered all the wicked things you did to my father, david. May the Lord now bring that evil on your head. But may I, king Solomon, receive the Lord's blessing and may one of David's descendants always sit on this throne in the presence of the Lord. Then, at the king's command, Benaiah, son of Jonah, took Shammai outside and killed him. So the kingdom was now firmly in Solomon's grip.
Speaker 2:Now, that was a lot. That was a lot to read. But here's the thing You're not going to know what's in the word of God If you're not reading, If you're not seeking, if you're not listening to his word. You're not going to know what the benefits are. You're not going to know that he is who he says he is. You're not going to know how this thing works. Nobody knows how things work. It's all a mystery to everybody. But guess who knows everything? God does.
Speaker 2:And he gave us this book of instructions and if we read it and we read the stories of those who have gone on to be with the Lord, we'll know that it's very true. Everything leading up to first Kings that we've read, that we've discussed, from Genesis to Exodus, to Deuteronomy, to Numbers, all of them, they all are in alignment with one another. They're all in alignment with one another. The Lord said this, moses said this, moses did this. The Lord said this. And then people want to hear God speak. How do you hear God speak, getting your word? He's speaking throughout the whole entire book. So how do you hear God speak, getting your word? He's speaking throughout the whole entire book. He's given it to us in a way that we can learn and know it for real. You know he chose me for a time such as this.
Speaker 2:What I do want to speak about before we end this broadcast is I want to talk about David transitioning and what he gave his son. Before he transitioned, david realized his days were few and left his final instructions to Solomon for the wise administration of his kingdom. These are divided into two parts Solomon's walk with the Lord and is dealing with the people who could bring harm to his throne. The most important thing David said to his son was this Be strong and be a man and keep your obligations to the Lord, your God. To walk in your ways, no, to walk in his ways, his ways. How would Solomon know how to walk in God's ways? How would Solomon know how to walk in God's ways by keeping his statues, commands, ordinance and decrees that were written in the law of Moses?
Speaker 2:If Solomon were careful to opt to put God's word at the center of his reign, he would have success in everything. David then spoke to Solomon of the covenant God had made with David, granting him an eternal dynasty and establishing his throne forever. But it would require that Solomon and his sons after him walk faithfully before the Lord. Walk faithfully before the Lord. Though Solomon and his descendants will ultimately fail in this and will instead lead the people into idolattery, god will fulfill his own covenant requirements. When the time was right, he would send his perfect son, born of the line of David, jesus Christ, who would fulfill the demands of God's law, offer his life as an atoning sacrifice for sin and then rise from the dead. He would sit on the David's throne and reign forever. This is David's awareness of him, not knowing what's to come, but trusting in the living God, the God of the world, the God of the universe, our Father. He's the same God then, the same God today, the same God right now. And this word is for someone Don't worry about what people are doing and plotting and planning.
Speaker 2:It's not going to prevail, it's not going to come to fruition, it won't work. When you're standing with the Lord and you're on his side and you're doing what he's asking of you, you don't have anything to worry about Now. I will tell you when to worry. Have anything to worry about. Now I will tell you when to worry. If you've been scheming, plotting, if you've been trying to get over on people, if you got bitterness in your heart, if you're, you know, trying to take advantage of people, manipulate people, these are the things that are not of God. You know, there's a verse that is in Psalms 19, I want to say, and it says we don't know all the sins that are lurking in our hearts. We don't, we don't. You know these were some of the things that caused people to stumble. Same here. But how are you going to know? If you're not in your word, how are you going to know? There's nothing new under the sun. You know we're talking about Solomon and I wanted to go in a whole different direction about Solomon. That's why I started with wisdom because of what Solomon asked God. We're going to find out what Solomon asked God. Well, you guys already know Solomon asked God for wisdom and because he asked him for wisdom, he got everything. Do you not know that we can ask God for wisdom and he will give it to us? As a matter of fact, I'm giving you some portions of wisdom today.
Speaker 2:Get into the book of Proverbs, start in Proverbs 1. Do a Proverbs today. It's about to be a new month. Start fresh. Proverbs 1,. July 1st, proverbs 1.
Speaker 2:And start each day reading a Proverbs and watch how your life change. Watch how much insight you get. Watch how God goes before you and makes your crooked way straight just by giving you insight on his sight. These are my words of encouragement today. I pray that you get a word out of this, that you understand the same words that were spoken to Solomon from David. It's the same words that I'm speaking to you. Follow the instructions, read the book of instructions. Follow the instructions and once you do that, you're going to have success in everything that you go to do, because if God is for you, it doesn't matter who is against you. Wisdom, if you love her, if you keep his commands, he will make sure that he keeps you in all his ways.
Speaker 2:Another Proverbs Proverbs 7, verses 2 through 3. Keep my commands and you will live. Guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers. Write them on your tablets. Our eyes see beauty and loveliness. Our fingers are front and center in our work. Our hearts record the events of our lives.
Speaker 2:When we follow God's commands, we determine the path of our lives. When we follow God's commands, we determine the path of our lives. God tells us to see the beauty in his instructions, the applicability of his work, the life-changing ability of his word living within our hearts At every point. Our lives are blessed and crafted by his wonder when we submit to him. God made his commands beautiful. Submitting to God's word is submitting to him. He cherishes our obedience and gives us grace when we embrace his wisdom in our daily lives. We honor God when we take his commands into our hearts and obediently follow them. Follow them. This results in life for us, an eternal, everlasting, amazing life spent in the presence of the one true king. Amen. You guys have an amazing day on purpose. Know that you have more fighting for you than against you.
Speaker 1:Peace new, new, everything new. I'm ready to go, ready for more. I'm ready for new.