So shall their blood return on the head of Joab and on the head of his descendants forever; but to David and his descendants and his house and his throne, may there be peace from the Lord forever. (verse 33)
Message: Joab and Shimei Eliminated
Time: The author of 1&2 Kings (originally 1 book) is not known. First Kings follows the history of this divided kingdom from the death of David around 971 BC through the year 853 BC. First Kings reveals Solomon’s relationship with Yahweh and introduces the prophet Elijah who pronounces judgment on the evil northern king Ahab. Like other books, it helps us to understand the history of Israel and Judah.
What the Lord is Saying: Previously in Chapter 2 of I Kings, Adonijah wants to sort of usurp Solomon's authority and make a claim once again for the throne this time by cleverly asserting himself to have David's former concubine as his wife, Solomon has him killed but spares Abiathar the priest who was associated and had supported Adonijah.
Joab is mentioned in verse 28 and this news of Adonijah and Abiathar coming to him. Joab is an interesting fellow. He has been mentioned often in the life of David. Joab had served David for 4 decades as the commander of his army. He had some sort of respect for God throughout this time but at other times he was ruthless and carried out things in a harsh manner. He murdered people like Abner and Amasa right after David had put Amasa in charge and earlier made a covenant with Abner, but Joab wasn't about to share anything with another. David wanted Absalom spared even though Absalom wanted the throne. Joab stepped in and killed Absalom. But Joab disagreed in the census that David carried out which is a good thing to disagree on. Joab has been hard to figure out.
And now in verse 28 it says that "Joab had followed Adonijah" and so this is odd. Solomon sent Benaiah to kill Joab for Joab was to removed "from my father's house [for] the blood which Joab shed without cause. Joab had many times taken matters into his own hands against the wishes of David. Verse 32 mentions Abner and Amasa.
After this Solomon makes Benaiah the commander of his army and places Zadok as priest in place of Abiathar.
Shimei is mentioned next in verse 36. Shimei cursed and threw stones at King David while David was fleeing from his son Absalom. David gave him a momentary reprieve but eventually told Solomon he would need to be punished. Solomon tells Shimei to go and live in Jerusalem and build a house there but at some point he will die. He had done evil and it is promised that "the Lord shall return your evil on your own head." Benaiah was eventually ordered to kill Shimei.
It seems David didn't want to deal with things at times. Joab was effective even though he did things that were wrong, but David didn't deal with them. David had a way of struggling with open acts of rebellion. David and Solomon were great leaders, but they were not perfect. A perfect king was still needed one day and would come in the name of Jesus.
Summary: Solomon followed through on David's request to have Joab and Shimei killed.
Promise: From Tabletalk, "We remain utterly dependent on the grace of God for the growth of the kingdom."
Prayer: God your kingdom is always to be respected. I understand Lord you are to be praised and I praise You. And I also know that Jesus is the perfect king. You do great things through all sorts of people. Your kingdom will be established forever. Your will be done and you often work things out, not in the perfect way, but still in the best way only because your people on this earth are imperfect. Jesus is always perfect though and so we submit and surrender to Him always.
Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.
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