In First Kings, chapter three, verse nine, Solomon began to reign with devout faith and love for God, as stated in verse three. He prayed for wisdom and an understanding heart: as in verses five through nine; God was pleased with his request in verse ten and answered his prayer in verses eleven through fourteen. …
In First Kings, chapter two, verse twenty-seven, nearly a hundred and twenty years before this, a man of God had given a prophetic word to Eli, the high priest, concerning God’s judgment on his house in First Samuel, chapter two, verses twenty-seven through thirty-six. Part of this prophecy fulfillment was quickly established in First Samuel …
In First Kings, chapter two, verse nine, how sad David’s final recorded instruction to Solomon was to do an evil that he would not do as in verse eight. David was breaking his word to Shimei as in Second Samuel nineteen, verse twenty-three. However, the oath David made back then with Shimei assuring immunity now …
In First Kings, chapter two, verse five, David instructed Solomon to begin his reign by exercising justice on Joab, who was worthy of death for murdering Abner and Amasa, as in Second Samuel three, verse twenty-seven, chapter twenty, verses nine to ten, and Matthew twenty-six, verse fifty-two, respectively. The charge as to Joab has a …
In First Kings, chapter two, verse four, David had learned through painful experience and discipline that success and God’s blessing depended on remaining in the ways and truth of God. Therefore, David was deeply concerned that Solomon lived a life of obedience and faithfulness to God. Yet Solomon and his sons failed to listen to …
In First Kings, chapter one, verse fifty, the horns of the altar symbolize God’s mercy, forgiveness, and protection. Adonijah fled to the altar, believing Solomon would not kill him in such a sacred place as in Exodus twenty-one, verses thirteen to fourteen. The news spread terror. All the guests of Adonijah fled, every man his …
In First Kings, chapter one, verse six, Adonijah, David’s fourth son, rebelled against his father by proclaiming himself king of Israel, even though God and David designated Solomon as the next king in verses five, seventeen, thirty, and chapter two, verse fifteen. Until his death, David had trouble with his sons: despite his record as …
In Second Samuel, chapter twenty-four, verse twenty-four, David’s words reveal that, to God, the value of our gifts, worship, and life service is measured primarily by the depth of our love and the sacrifice it involves. Jesus modeled worship and service motivated by love, as in St.John thirteen, verse one, and chapter seventeen, verse six. …
In Second Samuel, chapter twenty-four, verse seventeen, David knew that he was a leader of Israel and his sin was more severe than the sins of others. In concern for them, he was ready to accept all the punishment. One of David’s valuable character traits was his willingness to accept God’s punishment humbly for his …
In Second Samuel, chapter twenty-four, verse one, this was not in consequence of the numbering of the people but that which ultimately led to that act. The chapter does not say why the anger of the Lord was burning, but doubtless, because He saw both in king and people that rising spirit of earthly pride …
