1 Kings 2:1-9 - Guidance to Solomon

1 Kings 2:1-9

"so that the Lord may carry out His promise which He spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your sons are careful of their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.'" (verse 4)

Message: Guidance to Solomon

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: David’s time on earth is coming to an end. He knows this. He has a word for Solomon. David charges Solomon to "be strong...and show yourself a man." The charge is to be strong spiritually, militarily, and morally. It is also a charge to leadership, integrity, and faithfulness to God's law. Simple words but powerful words. 

Verse 3

"And keep the charge of the Lord your God" - remain faithful to God and remember the covenant relationship we have with God. "Walk in His ways" - have a close relationship with God. "keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies" - the laws of God are comprehensive. They are specific laws and there are generally laws of God. The idea here is God permeates our entire lives, all the decisions we make and the way in which we live. "as written in the Law of Moses" - scripture stands the test of time; our faith is meant to continue from the past to the present and to the future. There is a continuity to God's message for His people. "that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn" - there is well-being and fulfillment in our life; as we are faithful to God's commands good things happen. 

Verse 4

"so that the Lord may carry out His promise which He spoke concerning me" - this is the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16); God makes a promise to His people and He fulfills it. But we also in return promise to remain faithful to His promises, walk in his ways, keep his statutes. It is important to keep God's blessings. I have noticed in my frequent conversations with people in Africa, it is very hard for them at times to admit there waywardness to God's ways. They obviously take it very serious to stay close to God's laws and His ways. I wonder if at times, I find it too easy to not stay close to God and His ways. "if your sons are careful of their way..." - that word careful is a word I hold onto and reminds me continually of how important it is to be intentional, not frivolous, but to take God's words to heart in our lives. And this is the person David charges Solomon to be. It is not an option. It is not a choice. It is the way we are supposed to be in life. 

It almost seems that David is asking Solomon to be a greater person than he was. David struggled with some passivity at times. He seems to charge Solomon to not be this way. In verse 5, he brings up Joab and the way in which he carried things out - "He also shed the blood of war in peace." Joab's acts were more vengeance rather than justice. Joab however was not a worthless man. At times he encourages faithfulness to God, but our faithfulness is not a part-time thing. But Solomon is to be different. He is to be a man of God all of the time. And Joab also is to receive some sort of justice - "do not let his gray hair go down to Sheol in peace." 

David also calls attention to the "sons of Barzillai" for their kindness to David during Absalom's rebellion. And despite Shimei cursing him he swore to not put him to death, God will not act vengeance on him. 

Thus, David gives guidance to Solomon. This is a great charge to Solomon. And a great charge to me, to remain faithful and a great charge for me to pass onto my children. 

Summary: David concludes his life by giving a great charge to Solomon to follow God, walk in His ways, and carry on the promise God made to David - to remain faithful. 

Promise: Seek to obey the Lord in all I do. 

Prayer: Lord, I have messed up many times in my life, but I pray that I can go forward and be the best person possible for you. I want to stay faithful to your promises and help those that are in need. I pray also for my children and those that come after me. I pray for Derek Lord that he lives a life pleasing to You. He has a good heart. Help him to shine. Thank you for Tyson's great love and his tenderness for others and faithfulness. You have made all my children to be great friends. Thank you for Megan's hard work and her sacrificial ways to her family. She works hard for you. My wife models this well for them and yet has a joy and love for life that I admire and am so thankful to have near me. Lord, protect people and protect those you place in my path. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

I Samuel 17:1-37 - The Threat of Goliath

I Samuel 17:1-37

Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him, saying, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine, and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philstine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?" (verse 26)

Message: The Threat of Goliath

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: Saul is still king over Israel with David residing in his court. Chapter 17 begins with the word that the Philistines have gathered for battle. [Found this great map here showing the place where the Philistines have gathered - Socoh which is in Judah, below Jerusalem (which resides in the tribe of Benjamin)]. Philistines camped on one side of the mountain and Israel on the other mountain side with a valley in between (v.1-3). 

Enter Goliath, about 9 feet 9 inches tall and had armor weighing 125 pounds. He had on shin guards and a javelin (v.4-7). 

Goliath stands and announces himself as the Philistine and asks Israel for a man to come to him. A fight is offered with the winner becoming servants of the other (v. 8-10). Israel was afraid (v.11). 

In the next 8 verses an overview of David and Jesse is given. Jesse had 8 sons and lives in Bethlehem (15 miles to Socoh, the place of battle so probably a days journey). "David went back and forth from Saul (in Socoh) to tend his father's flock at Bethlehem (verse 15)." David isn't even thought to be included in the battle but Jesse's other sons are present. Jesse instructs David to bring food to the camp for his brothers. 

The next 6 verses (v.20-25) David arrives and heads to the battle line to greet his brothers. Goliath speaks again the words he spoke before and David hears them. Men of Israel tell David that whoever defeats this man will be extremely honored and respected and receive the king's daughter. David responds in verse 26, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine?" David is marveled that anyone would have that audacity to think they could defeat anyone represented by the Living God. 

From the moment David arrives throughout all of the conversations he has confidence in himself, his experience as a fighter, recalling when he fought a lion taken a lamb from his flock. He used his bare hands. It is in David's words (verse 32) that reflects his confidence, "Let no man's heart fail on account of him."  He tells Saul that he is able to fight the Philistine and Saul says to him in verse 37, "Go, and may the Lord be with you." 

Verse 26 are the first recorded words of David. And his words declare his confidence in God. Previously, it is God that has chosen David without any words or works shown by David. But when David does speak he proclaims his confidence in God. His first description is a man after God's own heart. He is the unlikely hero. 

As I have studied Saul, he seems like an everyday leader. On the surface there isn't much wrong with him, but Samuel does reflect him as being not too confident in God and having to be reminded to look to God for help and guidance. Contrast is David who is chosen by God and immediately reflects confidence in God. Saul was not anti-God by any means. He tried to please God, but perhaps his pleasing was more defined by himself. 

Summary: The Philistines have come to do battle and Goliath challenges anyone to fight him with the winner resulting in those people serving the other. David in coming to provide food for his brothers declares confidence that he can defeat Goliath because of God. 

Promise: God can deliver us from His enemies and we need to have complete confidence in Him alone. 

Prayer: God, you choose your workers and You have clearly chosen some for your purposes while others do not work for your glory completely and yet you sill can work through their lives for your good purpose. I think all people hope that they would be on your side. I pray that I am like a David, chosen by You, after your own heart, reflecting You. Be the strength in my life. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

2 Samuel 7:1-17 - The Kingly Covenant

2 Samuel 7:1-17
Now it came about when the king lived in his house, and the Lord had given him rest on every side from all his enemies, 2 that the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within tent curtains.” 3 Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your mind, for the Lord is with you.”
4 But in the same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying,5 “Go and say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Are you the one who should build Me a house to dwell in? 6 For I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the sons of Israel from Egypt, even to this day; but I have been moving about in a tent, even in a tabernacle.7 Wherever I have gone with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel, which I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’”’
8 “Now therefore, thus you shall say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make you a great name, like the names of the great men who are on the earth. 10 I will also appoint a place for My people Israel and will plant them, that they may live in their own place and not be disturbed again, nor will the wicked afflict them any more as formerly, 11 even from the day that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. The Lord also declares to you that the Lord will make a house for you. 12 When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom.13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, 15 but My lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.”’” 17 In accordance with all these words and all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.

Message: The Kingly or Davidic Covenant

Time: Although the book does not name a specific author, the material was compiled from documents written and collected by the prophets Nathan, Gad, and Samuel. Second Samuel is set in the land of Israel during the reign of David and follows the course of his forty years as king of Israel (1011–971 BC).2 Samuel chronicles the establishment of the Davidic dynasty and the expansion of Israel under God’s chosen leader.

What the Lord is Saying:

As a read through this passage in 2 Samuel 7, I took time to look at words in this passage that speak of God providing. God makes the way or is our provider in our lives. He is active. He is working and the passage talks of Him taking over, being with us, making our name great, appointing a place for His people, giving judges over them, giving them rest, raising up descendants, establishing the throne of His kingdom, being a father, correcting him, establishing them always. Over and over I think it is noteworthy to see this type of language and be reminded of the activity of God in our lives. God provides all that we need.

This idea of God's provision I think is the essence of grace which I am currently studying and seeing first through the covenants that God has given us. Yes they often have a command from God, but first and foremost they address God's providence toward us. Grace is necessary because we have broken the law of God, transgressed, eaten from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, been removed from the garden, from the tree of life - and so this grace is needed by God. It is not that good works replaces transgression. Grace replaces transgression.

In this Davidic covenant is another example of God taking David, God providing for David, in making him king. 2 Samuel 7:8 says, Thus says the Lord of hosts, “I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel. Samuel would anoint David to succeed Saul as Israel's King. The anointing is what we see, but the Lord was active in carrying this out. I need to be reminded in my life that accomplishment is provided by the Lord. A simple example of this is when a sports figure wins a championship or even a game or an artist wins an award, the first thing they do is thank God. They may not realize what they are doing, but I think in this achievement they are acknowledging that God is the provider, is the one that first gets the credit.

Do I even do this when someone tells me that I have done a good job? How often does this not even enter my mind. I need to thank God more for His hand of providence in granting me my heart's desire, in doing more than I need.

David is now known as a man after God's own heart and yet his heart was very often deceitful. God made him to be one that would be intimate with Him. Again, to God be the glory.

As the Lord explains further what He will do in David's life - I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, he also stops and in a crescendo says - but My lovingkindness shall not depart from him. God's covenant with David is permanent. His love toward David is permanent. He will be a father. He will correct him. His love will never depart from Him. This is such a significant statement. God's love for us is not based upon our doing. It is based upon His grace and mercy.

The Father disciplines us. The Lord says that David and his sons will receive correction. But the discipline from God is not aligned with God's love for us. So is this love the same as our salvation? It would seem that salvation is the recognition that God is the provider of all.

This providence of grace is clearly seen in the life of Jesus. Jesus was our visible representation of God on this earth and it is through Him and His life that we clearly see our sins wiped away. Yet, this message of providence is a continuous message throughout the Bible.

Promise: God provides for His people from beginning to end, from the days of David to Christ to today.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for this scripture and showing me so clearly the message of Grace that is central throughout the entire Bible. Thank you for this clear message that explains Your hand of providence in the life of David. I need this message and I pray that people would recognize the truth of Your ways, that you save us by Your grace and we never are meant to save ourselves. You cleanse sin. We acknowledge we are sinners and then You make us righteous. Thank you Lord.

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with the April devotional being about salvation by grace alone and how the Lord never fails to save the one whom He has purposed to save.

Psalm 132:11:18 - A Throne and Temple in Zion

Psalm 132:11:18

¹¹ The Lord has sworn to David a truth from which He will not turn back: “Of the fruit of your body I will set upon your throne.
¹² “If your sons will keep My covenant and My testimony which I will teach them, their sons also shall sit upon your throne forever.”

¹³ For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation.
¹⁴ “This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
¹⁵ “I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her needy with bread.
¹⁶ “Her priests also I will clothe with salvation, and her godly ones will sing aloud for joy.
¹⁷ “There I will cause the horn of David to spring forth; I have prepared a lamp for Mine anointed.
¹⁸ “His enemies I will clothe with shame, but upon himself his crown shall shine.”

Message: A Throne and Temple in Zion

Time: Based upon authorship and subject matter, Psalms cover a range of centuries. David is mentioned 73 times, Solomon 2, Moses 1, and 50 designate no specific person. It is believed they were compiled around 537 BC. The psalms deal with such subjects as God and His creation, war, worship, wisdom, sin and evil, judgment, justice, and the coming of the Messiah.

What the Lord is Saying: I enjoyed the first 10 verses of this chapter, thinking about worship and the sacrifice of David took in his life of building a temple and taking an oath to focus on a place of worship. Now, as a move through these verses, using the Phillips books I have on the Psalms, there are 4 Promises: Regarding the Scepter, the Sanctuary, the Saints, and the Site. 

The Scepter (the Lord will govern righteously and enforce righteous behavior)
The Lord has sworn to David a truth from which He will not turn back. Hezekiah had taken care of the temple, now he mentions the promise or oath the Lord had made to David's dynasty. It was a bold statement, for Hezekiah was making it at a time he was childless. 

Of the fruit of your body (David) I will set upon your throne. If your sons will keep My covenant and My testimony which I will teach them, their sons also shall sit upon your throne forever. Hezekiah's father was not a good man (Ahaz). Ahaz reigned over Judah from 741-726. Ahaz was a man of idolatry. Hezekiah would reign for 29 years over Judah. In 2 Samuel 7:16, God's promise to David and his throne was unconditional, meaning David didn't have to do anything to get it. God made a promise to him without any work required of David, "Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever." (David was the 2nd king of Judah around 1000). After David was Solomon from about 970 to 931 BCE. Solomon's promise was conditional - And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life. - I Kings 3:14. Did Hezekiah wonder about this? David had 2 surviving sons from Bathsheba - Solomon and Nathan. Solomon's descendants included Hezekiah. Hezekiah's sons included Jeconiah (also called Jehoiachin and his name later shortened to Coniah). Jeconiah had 11 sons but none of them took on the throne and thus, the royal line to Christ though Solomon came to an end. Solomon's line is traced to Joseph. But David's other son Nathan, the legal line, is traced to Mary.

Could it be that Hezekiah, knowing what kind of father he had, wondered if the promise of God was still unconditional?

The Sanctuary
For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. Zion is the final resting place of the Ark, in Moriah. This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it. God's resting place, as he states is Zion, not in a Muslim mosque. I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her needy with bread. The result of this place will be abundant and complete satisfying (possibly pointing to the Messiah). 

The Saints
Her priests also I will clothe with salvation, and her godly ones will sing aloud for joy. Here is a promise to the priests and that they would be made righteous, or have salvation. Before ministering, a man must be right with God and man. Again, these are now words from the Lord. Hezekiah makes this switch in verse in verse 14 and it continues to the end of this Psalm. God will make man righteous. He clothes them with salvation. And the response of man is singing with joy. 

The Site
There I will cause the horn of David to spring forth; I have prepared a lamp for Mine anointed. These verses continue to speak of the product of the temple residing in Zion, God residing in Zion: The Horn of David (The Messiah) will spring forth. A light or a lamp will shine forth for the anointed. I wonder what Hezekiah thought. He may have thought this would come from his seed. But, his seed would actually end this. Manasseh would come from his seed and Manasseh was not good. So these are words of confidence from the Lord, the Lord has prepared a lamp for His anointed.  

His enemies I will clothe with shame, but upon himself his crown shall shine. The dreadful things said of the Lord's enemies will be exposed and judged. There will be shame. Yet Jesus, the Lord, will be crowned. 

Promise:  This Psalm chronicles the Davidic covenant, as seen through Hezekiah and what Hezekiah put his hope and trust in. And it what I put my hope and trust in.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for your promises, that they never end. You fulfill them, even if at times, we think they may come about in our own way. Thank you for salvation and making us right before You, making us righteous and clean. Thank you for your promise and how it is interwoven throughout time. Thank you for the anticipation of the Messiah, to take away the sin of the world. There is hope in You. 

Psalm 89:19-37 - God's Eternal Covenant with God

Psalm 89:19-37

 ¹⁹ Once You spoke in vision to Your godly ones, and said, “I have given help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people.
²⁰ “I have found David My servant; with My holy oil I have anointed him,
²¹ With whom My hand will be established; my arm also will strengthen him.
²² “The enemy will not deceive him, nor the son of wickedness afflict him.
²³ “But I shall crush his adversaries before him, and strike those who hate him.
²⁴ “My faithfulness and My lovingkindness will be with him, and in My name his horn will be exalted.
²⁵ “I shall also set his hand on the sea and his right hand on the rivers.
²⁶ “He will cry to Me, ‘You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.’
²⁷ “I also shall make him My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.
²⁸ “My lovingkindness I will keep for him forever, and My covenant shall be confirmed to him.
²⁹ “So I will establish his descendants forever and his throne as the days of heaven.

³⁰ “If his sons forsake My law and do not walk in My judgments,
³¹ If they violate My statutes and do not keep My commandments,
³² Then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes.
³³ “But I will not break off My lovingkindness from him, nor deal falsely in My faithfulness.
³⁴ “My covenant I will not violate, nor will I alter the utterance of My lips.
³⁵ “Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David.
³⁶ “His descendants shall endure forever and his throne as the sun before Me.
³⁷ “It shall be established forever like the moon, and the witness in the sky is faithful.” Selah.

Message: God's Eternal Covenant with God

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.


What the Lord is Saying:

Lord, in the past, You spoke in vision, as was your normal way of speaking to the Holy prophets, Your godly ones, you have given help to one who is mighty, a singular one, whom you have properly qualified and exalted one chosen one from the people, for so great of an undertaking. There is scarce a man to be found among all men. I have found out of all the people, David My servant, and with My holy oil I have anointed him producing the Spirit of the Lord upon him. Thus, My hand will be established in him, constantly able to protect and assist him and support him in all that he does. He may be persecuted, but no advantage will be made against him.  The enemy will not deceive him, nor the son of wickedness afflict him or overthrow him. The enemy will not conquer him. There will always be enemies and adversaries before God's anointed ones, but God shall crush and strike those who hate him. And Lord, your faithfulness will be with your servant. You always make good on your promises. Your lovingkindness and mercy are present in that you always do more than you promise. You pardon our sins. In Your name your horn (power) will be exalted. You set your hand on the sea and your right hand on the rivers. You establish your dominion over the waters. The waters are vast but you are in charge. They are deep but you understand. You power is established farther than we can see. We cry to You, 'You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.'  You are a true and kind father, my father, my God, and you can complete salvation in me.Thank you Father for making me as a firstborn, the highest kings of the earth. The firstborn had privileges above all other sons. But David here is the highest of kings over the earth. For David, My lovingkindness (mercy) Lord God will keep for him forever nothing will alter your kind intentions. God you will establish his descendants forever and his throne as the days of heaven (without limit). Lord, if your sons forsake Your law and do not walk in Your judgments, if they violate Your statutes (rules) and do not keep Your commandments then you will punish their sin with the rod and their iniquity with stripes, but You will not break off Your mercy (lovingkindness from him, nor deal falsely in My faithfulness. Lord, your promises will continue. We can hold firm on this one and only promise. Your covenant You will not violate. You will not alter the utterance of Your lips. Your word remains true, no matter what. Yes consequences from sin will result, but Your word remains. Lord, you added a promise or oath or have sworn by Your holiness. You will not lie to David. Your descendants shall endure forever and your throne as the sun before Me. It shall be established forever like the moon and the witness in the sky is faithful. As the moon and sky never depart from our lives, we can be reminded that your merciful promises will remain. 


Promise: God's promises remain, forever, like the moon, like the sky, for he has made an oath, sworn that it would be so.