Category Archives: Seeking His Kingdom Bible Study

Solomon Establishes His Rule

Introduction:

King David has died, and Solomon is now king. He has some housekeeping issues to deal with in order to secure the throne.

1 Kings 2:12-25 NLT
Solomon Establishes His Rule
¹²Solomon became king and sat on the throne of David his father, and his kingdom was firmly established.
¹³One day Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, came to see Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother. “Have you come with peaceful intentions?” she asked him.
“Yes,” he said, “I come in peace. ¹⁴In fact, I have a favor to ask of you.”
“What is it?” she asked.
¹⁵He 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 the way the Lord wanted it. ¹⁶So now I have just one favor to ask of you. Please don’t turn me down.”
“What is it?” she asked.
¹⁷He replied, “Speak to King Solomon on my behalf, for I know he will do anything you request. Ask him to let me marry Abishag, the girl from Shunem.”
¹⁸“All right,” Bathsheba replied. “I will speak to the king for you.”
¹⁹So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak on Adonijah’s behalf. The king rose from his throne to meet her, and he bowed down before her. When he sat down on his throne again, the king ordered that a throne be brought for his mother, and she sat at his right hand.
²⁰“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.”
²¹“Then let your brother Adonijah marry Abishag, the girl from Shunem,” she replied.
²²“How can you possibly ask me to give Abishag to Adonijah?” 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 Abiathar the priest and Joab son of Zeruiah on his side.”
²³Then King Solomon made a vow before the Lord: “May God strike me and even kill me if Adonijah has not sealed his fate with this request. ²⁴The 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, Adonijah will die this very day!” ²⁵So King Solomon ordered Benaiah son of Jehoiada to execute him, and Adonijah was put to death.

Examine the Scriptures

1 Kings 2:12-25 NLT

Solomon Establishes His Rule

¹²Solomon became king and sat on the throne of David his father, and his kingdom was firmly established.

Read the first half of 1 Kings 2:24 (part of today’s lesson)

²⁴The Lord has confirmed me and placed me on the throne of my father, David; he has established my dynasty as he promised.

1 Chronicles 22:9-10 NLT
⁹But you will have a son who will be a man of peace. I will give him peace with his enemies in all the surrounding lands. His name will be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel during his reign. ¹⁰He is the one who will build a Temple to honor my name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will secure the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’

Solomon’s kingdom is firmly established.

Firmly established implies:

Divine approval

Political stability

Daniel 2:21 NLT
²¹He (God) controls the course of world events;
he removes kings and sets up other kings.

To establish a firm foundation for his reign Solomon had to deal with his and his father’s enemies.

These actions were considered essential for stabilizing the new regime and ensuring that past injustices were settled.

Solomon had some “political” housekeeping issues to deal with in order to secure the throne.

¹³One day Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith,

Haggith was one of David’s wives.

Adonijah was the fourth son of David, and had previously declared himself king without David’s knowledge.

came to see Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother. “Have you come with peaceful intentions?” she asked him.

“Have you come with peaceful intentions?”

Bathsheba had good reasons to ask this question.

1 Kings 1:5 NLT
Adonijah Claims the Throne
⁵About that time David’s son Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, began boasting, “I will make myself king.” So he provided himself with chariots and charioteers and recruited fifty men to run in front of him.

Bathsheba would have known about this.

1 Kings 1:11 NLT
¹¹Then Nathan went to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, and asked her, “Haven’t you heard that Haggith’s son, Adonijah, has made himself king, and our lord David doesn’t even know about it?

“Yes,” he said, “I come in peace. ¹⁴In fact, I have a favor to ask of you.”
“What is it?” she asked.

Adonijah wants Bathsheba to do a favor for him.

¹⁵He replied, “As you know, the kingdom was rightfully mine;

Adonijah contradicted his supposed peaceful intentions when he declared that the kingdom was rightfully his.

As the oldest living son, some may have thought Adonijah had a legitimate claim to the throne.

all Israel wanted me to be the next king.

A gross exaggeration.

1 Kings 1:7-8 NLT
⁷Adonijah took Joab son of Zeruiah and Abiathar the priest into his confidence, and they agreed to help him become king. ⁸But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s personal bodyguard refused to support Adonijah.

But the tables were turned, and the kingdom went to my brother instead; for that is the way the Lord wanted it.

Adonijah knew that it was God’s will for Solomon to become the king of Israel.

¹⁶So now I have just one favor to ask of you. Please don’t turn me down.”

“What is it?” she asked.
¹⁷He replied, “Speak to King Solomon on my behalf, for I know he will do anything you request.

Adonijah knows Solomon might refuse him directly, so he tries to make his request through Solomon’s mother.

Ask him to let me marry Abishag, the girl from Shunem.”

Background:

Abishag functioned as a nurse and attendant for David in his dying days.

Abishag was considered part of the royal household (like a concubine).

Even though there were no sexual relations, she was:

Assigned exclusively to the king.

Living in the king’s quarters.

Functionally part of his royal court and household.

In ancient Near Eastern culture, this gave her the legal and political status similar to a concubine, regardless of whether the relationship was consummated.

Although Abishag was a virgin, she would have been regarded by the people as belonging to David’s harem.

In the ancient Near East, taking a former king’s concubine or wife was a claim to the throne.

Marriage to Abishag would have greatly strengthened Adonijah’s claim to the throne.

Adonijah’s request was not romantic—it was political.

It was a subtle attempt to revive his claim to kingship.

¹⁸“All right,” Bathsheba replied. “I will speak to the king for you.”

Bathsheba initially expressed caution. However, Adonijah convinced Bathsheba that his intensions were peaceful. He persuaded Bathsheba to speak to King Solomon on his behalf.

“Speak to King Solomon on my behalf, for I know he will do anything you request. Ask him to let me marry Abishag, the girl from Shunem.”

Adonijah persuaded Bathsheba to speak to King Solomon on his behalf.

¹⁹So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak on Adonijah’s behalf. The king rose from his throne to meet her, and he bowed down before her. When he sat down on his throne again, the king ordered that a throne be brought for his mother, and she sat at his right hand.

The position of honor.

Psalm 110:1 NLT
A psalm of David.
¹The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
until I humble your enemies,
making them a footstool under your feet.”

Solomon honors his mother:

He rises to meet her

Bows to her

Seats her at his right hand

This shows:

Respect for the queen mother

Her influential role in the royal court

²⁰“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.”

“You know I won’t refuse you.”

Solomon would not be able to live up to his initial response to Bathsheba’s “one small request”.

²¹“Then let your brother Adonijah marry Abishag, the girl from Shunem,” she replied.

It appears that Bathsheba does not understand the significance of Adonijah’s request.

²²“How can you possibly ask me to give Abishag to Adonijah?” 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 Abiathar the priest and Joab son of Zeruiah on his side.”

Solomon understood the intentions behind Adonijah’s request.

This request had far reaching consequences that would threaten Solomon’s throne.

Adonijah’s marriage to Abishag could have launched a claim to the throne, whether or not she was officially in David’s harem.

This request reveals lingering ambition.

Solomon sees Adonijah’s request for what it really is, treason.

²³Then King Solomon made a vow before the Lord: “May God strike me and even kill me if Adonijah has not sealed his fate with this request.

Adonijah has violated his terms of submission to David.

1 Kings 1:52 NLT
⁵²Solomon replied, “If he (Adonijah) proves himself to be loyal, not a hair on his head will be touched. But if he makes trouble, he will die.”

²⁴The Lord has confirmed me and placed me on the throne of my father, David; he has established my dynasty as he promised.

1 Chronicles 22:9-10 NLT (Repeated)
⁹But you (David) will have a son who will be a man of peace. I will give him peace with his enemies in all the surrounding lands. His name will be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel during his reign. ¹⁰He is the one who will build a Temple to honor my name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will secure the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’

Solomon acknowledges:

God established him

God fulfilled His promise to David

His kingship is divinely ordained

This is crucial. Solomon is not acting out of personal insecurity but in defense of God’s established order.

1 Kings 11:42 NLT
⁴²Solomon ruled in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years.

1 Kings 14:21 NLT
²¹Meanwhile, Rehoboam son of Solomon was king in Judah. He was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city the Lord had chosen from among all the tribes of Israel as the place to honor his name. Rehoboam’s mother was Naamah, an Ammonite woman.

So as surely as the Lord lives, Adonijah will die this very day!” ²⁵So King Solomon ordered Benaiah son of Jehoiada to execute him, and Adonijah was put to death.

2 Samuel 20:23 NLT
²³Now Joab was the commander of the army of Israel. Benaiah son of Jehoiada was captain of the king’s (David’s) bodyguard.

2 Samuel 23:20 NLT
²⁰There was also Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant warrior from Kabzeel. He did many heroic deeds, which included killing two champions of Moab. Another time, on a snowy day, he chased a lion down into a pit and killed it.

Adonijah is executed

God establishes His chosen king, and rebellion against His authority ultimately leads to judgment.

Solomon fulfilled one of David’s requests.

1 Kings 2:9 NLT
⁹But that oath does not make him innocent. You are a wise man, and you will know how to arrange a bloody death for him.”

David’s Final Instructions to Solomon

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David’s Final Instructions to Solomon

Introduction:

David gives his final charge to Solomon.

This is the “passing of the torch” from King David to his son, Solomon.

Advice for spiritual living. (Verses 2-4)

Instructions about some people David had dealt with. (Verses 5-9)

1 Kings 2:1-11 NLT
David’s Final Instructions to Solomon
^2:1 As the time of King David’s death approached, he gave this charge to his son Solomon:
²“I am going where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man. ³Observe the requirements of the Lord your God, and follow all his ways. 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. ⁴If 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.’
⁵“And there is something else. You know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me when he murdered my two army commanders, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. 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. ⁶Do with him what you think best, but don’t let him grow old and go to his grave in peace.
⁷“Be kind to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead. Make them permanent guests at your table, for they took care of me when I fled from your brother Absalom.
⁸“And remember Shimei son of Gera, the man from Bahurim in Benjamin. He cursed me with a terrible curse as I was fleeing to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan River, I swore by the Lord that I would not kill him. ⁹But that oath does not make him innocent. You are a wise man, and you will know how to arrange a bloody death for him.”
¹⁰Then David died and was buried with his ancestors in the City of David. ¹¹David had reigned over Israel for forty years, seven of them in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem.

Examine the Scriptures

1 Kings 2:1-11 NLT

David’s Final Instructions to Solomon

^2:1 As the time of King David’s death approached, he gave this charge to his son Solomon:²“I am going where everyone on earth must someday go.

Hebrews 9:27 NLT
²⁷And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment …

Ecclesiastes 3:2 NLT
²A time to be born and a time to die.

Genesis 3:19 NLT
¹⁹By the sweat of your brow
will you have food to eat
until you return to the ground
from which you were made.
For you were made from dust,
and to dust you will return.”

Psalm 89:48 NLT
⁴⁸No one can live forever; all will die.
No one can escape the power of the grave.

David faces the reality of death.

David faces death with clarity, dignity, and intentionality.

David’s focus is not on himself, but on preparing Solomon to rule well.

Take courage and be a man.

Words Moses spoke to Joshua when he became the leader of Israel.

Deuteronomy 31:6-7 NLT
⁶So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
⁷Then Moses called for Joshua, and as all Israel watched, he said to him, “Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors he would give them. You are the one who will divide it among them as their grants of land.

Words God spoke to Joshua when he became the leader of Israel.

Joshua 1:6-9 NLT
⁶“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. ⁷Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. ⁸Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. ⁹This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Paul’s instructions to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 16:13 NLT
¹³Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.

A psalm of David

Psalm 27:13-14 NLT
¹³Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
while I am here in the land of the living.
¹⁴Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Psalm 31:23-24 NLT
²³Love the Lord, all you godly ones!
For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him,
but he harshly punishes the arrogant.
²⁴So be strong and courageous,
all you who put your hope in the Lord!

³Observe the requirements of the Lord your God, and follow all his ways. 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.

Solomon’s call was to be a strong and courageous spiritual leader.

David had already fought the major wars and subdued Israel’s enemies.

1 Kings 4:25 NLT
²⁵During the lifetime of Solomon, all of Judah and Israel lived in peace and safety. …

Being strong includes:

Obeying God’s Word

Walking in His ways

Keeping His statutes and commandments

David challenges Solomon to be spiritually strong and courageous.

Be spiritually strong and courageous.

David connects Solomon’s success to his obedience to God’s covenant.

A bit of trivia.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20

Instructions for Israel’s future kings.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20 NLT
¹⁸“When he sits on the throne as king, he must copy for himself this body of instruction (the Mosaic Law) on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. ¹⁹He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the Lord his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees. ²⁰This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. And it will ensure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel.

Obedience brings blessing; disobedience brings discipline.

⁴If 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.’

This conditional covenant promised:

Stability

Success

God’s favor

Enduring kingdom

The Lord’s covenant with David.

2 Samuel 7:11-16 NLT
¹¹… “‘Furthermore, the Lord declares that he will make a house for you—a dynasty of kings! ¹²For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. ¹³He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. ¹⁴I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do. ¹⁵But my favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight. ¹⁶Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’”

“If you do this” does not appear in 2 Samuel 7:11-16 (no conditions attached to the promise in 2 Samuel.)

The covenant promise to David was unconditional, however blessings to individuals was conditional.

Solomon and his descendants fell short of their covenant obligations.

God’s promise lives on through Solomon—and ultimately through Christ.

⁵“And there is something else.

Solomon had some “political” housekeeping issues to deal with in order to secure the throne

These actions were considered essential for stabilizing the new regime and ensuring that past injustices were settled.

You know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me when he murdered my two army commanders, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. 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.

Joab had murdered two innocent commanders, Abner and Amasa.

Abner

Reference: 2 Samuel 3:26–30

Abner was the commander of Saul’s army.

Joab killed him at Hebron by stabbing him in the stomach.

Joab claimed revenge because Abner had killed Joab’s brother Asahel in battle (2 Samuel 2:23).

However, Abner had come in peace, so this act was considered murder, not justified warfare.

Amasa

Reference: 2 Samuel 20:8–10

Amasa had been appointed by David to replace Joab as commander.

Joab greeted him as a friend, took his beard as if to kiss him, and stabbed him in the stomach.

This was a deliberate act of treachery.

Joab had murdered Abner and Amasa during a time of peace.
These deaths were unlawful assassinations.

Joab murdered Abner and Amasa to eliminate threats to his position.

These murders served Joab’s own self interest.

Joab also killed Absalom.

Reference: 2 Samuel 18:14–15

Absalom was King David’s son who led a rebellion against him.

During battle, Absalom was caught hanging in a tree by his hair.

David had specifically commanded his commanders to spare Absalom (2 Samuel 18:5).

Joab ignored David’s order and thrust three spears into Absalom’s heart.

This was both disobedience to David and the killing of the king’s son.

Joab deserved to die.

Joab deserved to die, however David let him live. Why???

⁶Do with him what you think best, but don’t let him grow old and go to his grave in peace.

“Don’t let him grow old and go to his grave in peace”.

Don’t allow him to die a peaceful death. (CEB)

Joab had become very powerful,

2 Samuel 20:23 NLT
²³Now Joab was the commander of the army of Israel.

Joab’s backing of Adonijah posed a serious threat to Solomon.

Unchecked injustice corrupts a kingdom.

Solomon was instructed to prevent Joab from growing old and going to his grave in peace.

⁷“Be kind to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead. Make them permanent guests at your table,

Be kind to the sons of Barzillai.

Give them a position of honor.

for they took care of me when I fled from your brother Absalom.

Barzillai had shown kindness to David when he fled from Absalom.

Barzillai had supported David …

2 Samuel 19:32 NLT
³²He (Barzillai) was very old—eighty years of age—and very wealthy. He was the one who had provided food for the king during his stay in Mahanaim.

Barzillai’s kindness was not forgotten. David honored his loyalty.

David wanted to provide for Barzillai and his family.

⁸“And remember Shimei son of Gera, the man from Bahurim in Benjamin. He cursed me with a terrible curse as I was fleeing to Mahanaim.

Remember Shimei.

Mahanaim was David’s refuge during Absalom’s rebellion.

2 Samuel 16:5-8 NLT
Shimei Curses David
⁵As King David came to Bahurim, a man came out of the village cursing them. It was Shimei son of Gera, from the same clan as Saul’s family. ⁶He threw stones at the king and the king’s officers and all the mighty warriors who surrounded him. ⁷“Get out of here, you murderer, you scoundrel!” he shouted at David. ⁸“The Lord is paying you back for all the bloodshed in Saul’s clan. You stole his throne, and now the Lord has given it to your son Absalom. At last you will taste some of your own medicine, for you are a murderer!”

2 Samuel 16:11 NLT
¹¹Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “My own son is trying to kill me. Doesn’t this relative of Saul have even more reason to do so? Leave him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to do it.

Shimei had cursed David during Absalom’s rebellion.

When he came down to meet me at the Jordan River, I swore by the Lord that I would not kill him. ⁹But that oath does not make him innocent.

Exodus 22:28 NLT
²⁸“You must not dishonor God or curse any of your rulers.

You are a wise man, and you will know how to arrange a bloody death for him.”

Solomon was instructed to arrange a bloody death for Shimei.

¹⁰Then David died and was buried with his ancestors in the City of David. ¹¹David had reigned over Israel for forty years, seven of them in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem.

David died in 970 B.C.

David, the greatest king of Israel, dies like all men.

Yet God’s kingdom continues.

The kingdom is now fully transferred to Solomon under God’s covenant authority.

Adonijah Bows before Solomon

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Adonijah Bows before Solomon

Introduction:

We are currently at a point in Israel’s history where two groups of people are each attempting to determine Israel’s next king.

The city is buzzing, ram’s horns are blowing, and the political showdown is coming to a climax.

Reflect on the following verses:

Daniel 2:20-21 NLT
²⁰He (Daniel) said,
“Praise the name of God forever and ever,
for he has all wisdom and power.
²¹He controls the course of world events;
he removes kings and sets up other kings.

Romans 13:1 NLT
¹ Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.

1 Kings 1:41-53 NLT
Adonijah Bows before Solomon
⁴¹Adonijah and his guests heard the celebrating and shouting just as they were finishing their banquet. When Joab heard the sound of the ram’s horn, he asked, “What’s going on? Why is the city in such an uproar?”
⁴²And while he was still speaking, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest arrived. “Come in,” Adonijah said to him, “for you are a good man. You must have good news.”
⁴³“Not at all!” Jonathan replied. “Our lord King David has just declared Solomon king! ⁴⁴The king sent him down to Gihon Spring with Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, protected by the king’s bodyguard. They had him ride on the king’s own mule, ⁴⁵and Zadok 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. ⁴⁶What’s more, Solomon is now sitting on the royal throne as king. ⁴⁷And 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, ⁴⁸and 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.’”
⁴⁹Then all of Adonijah’s guests jumped up in panic from the banquet table and quickly scattered. ⁵⁰Adonijah was afraid of Solomon, so he rushed to the sacred tent and grabbed on to the horns of the altar. ⁵¹Word soon reached Solomon that Adonijah had seized the horns of the altar in fear, and that he was pleading, “Let King Solomon swear today that he will not kill me!”
⁵²Solomon 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.” ⁵³So King Solomon summoned Adonijah, and they brought him down from the altar. He came and bowed respectfully before King Solomon, who dismissed him, saying, “Go on home.”

Examine the Scriptures

1 Kings 1:41-53 NLT

Adonijah Bows before Solomon

⁴¹Adonijah and his guests

According to 1 Kings 1:7–9, those with Adonijah there included:

Joab son of Zeruiah – David’s long-time military commander.

Abiathar the priest – one of David’s priests, formerly loyal but now siding with Adonijah.

Adonijah’s brothers, the king’s sons (except Solomon).

All the royal officials of Judah whom he invited to the feast.

heard the celebrating and shouting just as they were finishing their banquet.

The celebration of Solomon’s anointing was so joyous and noisy that the earth shook with the sound. (v. 40)

Some commentators suggest a distance of ½ mile or less between Gihon spring and En Rogel spring.

Those attending Adonijah’s banquet at En-rogel could not see the celebration, but it was so noisy that they could hear it.

Apparently this location was not be visible to Adonijah’s supporters at En-rogel due to the terrain.

When Joab heard the sound of the ram’s horn, he asked, “What’s going on? Why is the city in such an uproar?”

The blowing of the ram’s horn, a signal that an official function was taking place, got Joab’s attention.

It’s fitting that Joab, the seasoned general, is the first to recognize the sound of the trumpet.

In Old Testament history, ram’s horns were blown to:

Announce God’s presence

Call people to repentance

Proclaim kingship

Signal war or victory

Mark holy days

⁴²And while he was still speaking, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest arrived.

Jonathan, the son of Abiathar the priest, arrived with news for Adonijah.

Previous to this time Jonathan was serving King David.

2 Samuel 15:36 NLT
³⁶and they will send their sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan to tell me what is going on.”

2 Samuel 17:17 NLT
¹⁷Jonathan and Ahimaaz had been staying at En-rogel so as not to be seen entering and leaving the city. Arrangements had been made for a servant girl to bring them the message they were to take to King David.

“Come in,” Adonijah said to him, “for you are a good man. You must have good news.”

Apparently Adonijah was unaware of the event taking place at Gihon Spring.

⁴³“Not at all!” Jonathan replied. “Our lord King David has just declared Solomon king! ⁴⁴The king sent him down to Gihon Spring with Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, protected by the king’s bodyguard. They had him ride on the king’s own mule, ⁴⁵and Zadok 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. ⁴⁶What’s more, Solomon is now sitting on the royal throne as king.

Jonathan shares details of how Solomon ended up seated on the royal throne and, crucially, David’s blessing of the succession.

The news that Jonathan was delivering was disastrous news for Adonijah.

⁴⁷And 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!’

This is an expression of total loyalty to David and Solomon, it is in no way a negative statement of David’s reign. (verse 37 – previous lesson)

Royal officials now bless David, praising God for establishing Solomon’s reign.

God’s will for Israel is now being publicly affirmed.

Notice the constant shift in loyalties.

Then the king bowed his head in worship as he lay in his bed, ⁴⁸and 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.’”

David sees the fulfillment of a previous promise.

2 Samuel 7:12-16 NLT
¹²For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. ….¹⁶Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’”

David worships God from his bed, acknowledging God’s faithfulness.

David explicitly credits God, not human strategy, for Solomon’s rise.

⁴⁹Then all of Adonijah’s guests jumped up in panic from the banquet table and quickly scattered.

Adonijah and his followers panicked and fled, aborting the attempted coup.

No one wanted to be identified with Adonijah’s abortive coup now that it appeared certain to fail.

Knowing that siding with Adonijah could mean being considered rebels.

More shifts in loyalty.

⁵⁰Adonijah was afraid of Solomon, so he rushed to the sacred tent and grabbed on to the horns of the altar.

Adonijah runs to the horns of the altar, seeking asylum.

Adonijah believes that the altar, as a holy place, would protect him from Solomon’s revenge.

By grasping the horns, Adonijah sought to place himself under the protection of God.

Many ancient Near Eastern cultures allowed people to seek asylum at shrines.

Apparently this was a common practice in Israel.

However, Adonijah misinterprets:

Exodus 21:13-14 NLT
¹²“Anyone who assaults and kills another person must be put to death. ¹³But if it was simply an accident permitted by God, I will appoint a place of refuge where the slayer can run for safety. ¹⁴However, if someone deliberately kills another person, then the slayer must be dragged even from my altar and be put to death.

The Bible does not present the temple as a general place of refuge for criminals. However, it does record instances where people sought protection by going to the altar in the sanctuary. The protection was limited and conditional.

Protection at the altar was only for unintentional homicide, so Adonijah’s treason could only be forgiven by the king.

How does the following passage apply?

Psalm 91:2 NLT
²This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.

⁵¹Word soon reached Solomon that Adonijah had seized the horns of the altar in fear, and that he was pleading, “Let King Solomon swear today that he will not kill me!”

Solomon could have had Adonijah removed from the tabernacle and executed.

Adonijah could have been charged with:

Treason.

Conspiracy against the established king.

⁵²Solomon 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.”

Solomon simply asked for a promise from his half-brother that he would not rebel again, but would show himself to be a loyal subject.

Solomon spares Adonijah conditionally: “If he proves himself to be loyal …”

Solomon begins his reign with wisdom and restraint, not bloodshed.

Solomon shows:

Mercy

Authority, but not cruelty

⁵³So King Solomon summoned Adonijah, and they brought him down from the altar. He came and bowed respectfully before King Solomon, who dismissed him, saying, “Go on home.”

Solomon treated Adonijah graciously on the condition that he remain loyal.

Adonijah’s life was spared at this point in time. Circumstances will change in the near future.

This passage of scripture shows that God’s chosen king does not need to grasp power—God places it in his hands.

Human ambition crumbles quickly when confronted with divine purpose.

David Makes Solomon King

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David Makes Solomon King

Introduction:

Adonijah, one of David’s sons, has declared himself king at En Rogel without David’s approval. Nathan and Bathsheba alert David about this event, and these verses record David’s decisive public response.

1 Kings 1:28-40 NLT
David Makes Solomon King<BF|R>²⁸King David responded, “Call Bathsheba!” So she came back in and stood before the king. ²⁹And the king repeated his vow: “As surely as the Lord lives, who has rescued me from every danger, ³⁰your 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.”
³¹Then Bathsheba bowed down with her face to the ground before the king and exclaimed, “May my lord King David live forever!”
³²Then King David ordered, “Call Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” When they came into the king’s presence, ³³the king said to them, “Take Solomon and my officials down to Gihon Spring. Solomon is to ride on my own mule. ³⁴There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet are to anoint him king over Israel. Blow the ram’s horn and shout, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ ³⁵Then 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.”
³⁶“Amen!” Benaiah son of Jehoiada replied. “May the Lord, the God of my lord the king, decree that it happen. ³⁷And may the Lord be with Solomon as he has been with you, my lord the king, and may he make Solomon’s reign even greater than yours!”
³⁸So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the king’s bodyguard took Solomon down to Gihon Spring, with Solomon riding on King David’s own mule. ³⁹There Zadok 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!” ⁴⁰And all the people followed Solomon into Jerusalem, playing flutes and shouting for joy. The celebration was so joyous and noisy that the earth shook with the sound.

Examine the Scriptures

1 Kings 1:28-40 NLT

David Makes Solomon King

²⁸King David responded, “Call Bathsheba!” So she came back in and stood before the king.

In the culture of that time it would have been customary for Bathsheba to leave the room when Nathan entered.

²⁹And the king repeated his vow: “As surely as the Lord lives, who has rescued me from every danger, ³⁰your 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.”

King David repeats his vow to Bathsheba.

Swearing “As surely as the LORD lives” meant that David’s intended action was certain to take place.

David reassured Bathsheba that Solomon would be the next king by repeating his earlier vow.

David planned to act “this very day”.

Remember: David knew that it was the Lord’s will for Solomon to be the next king of Israel.

³¹Then Bathsheba bowed down with her face to the ground before the king and exclaimed, “May my lord King David live forever!”

This is the conventional language of the day for addressing a king.

Bathsheba is reaffirming her loyalty to David.

The words Bathsheba spoke implied that she believed that the king had acted righteously (carrying out God’s plans) and was worthy of God’s blessing.

The words Bathsheba spoke to David implied that she believed that the king had acted righteously and was worthy of God’s blessing.

³²Then King David ordered, “Call Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.”

A priest – represents religious authority.

A prophet – represents divine will.

The captain of the king’s bodyguard – represents executive power.

Benaiah son of Jehoiada was captain of the king’s bodyguard. (2 Samuel 20:23)

David summoned three men who represent the pillars of a stable kingdom.

These three men would be acting as representatives of the king.

These men would have been respected by the general population.

When they came into the king’s presence,

³³the king said to them, “Take Solomon and my officials down to Gihon Spring.

The servants of your lord ESV

Your lord’s servants NIV

The king told Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah to take Solomon to Gihon Spring.

David would not be able to make this trip.

More detail about “my officials” is given in verse 38.

Likely this referred to David’s special troops.

The Kerethites and Pelethites under the leadership of Benaiah appear to be foreign mercenaries or special troops who were loyal to David. (2 Samuel 23:22-23)

Gihon Spring was Jerusalem’s major water sources.

In this common gathering place, Solomon’s anointing would be well known.

Apparently this location was not be visible to Adonijah’s supporters at En-rogel due to the terrain.

The En Rogel spring was where Adonijah was feasting with his guests.

In verse 41 (our next lesson) we read that “Adonijah and his guests heard the celebrating and shouting” from Solomon’s anointing ceremony.

Solomon is to ride on my own mule.

Solomon riding on David’s mule marks him as David’s favored son.

Riding the king’s mule was a sign of prestige.

The king’s mule was a symbol of royal authority.

Normally no one else was allowed to ride the king’s mule.

Allowing Solomon to ride David’s mule publicly meant:

Solomon had David’s blessing.

“This is my chosen successor.”

Solomon riding on the king’s mule implied his kingship.

³⁴There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet are to anoint him king over Israel.

Saul and David had been anointed by Samuel, the Lord’s priest and prophet.

There does not appear to be a prophet with Adonijah as he is attempting to be the king over Israel and Judah.

The presence of the prophet Nathan gave Solomon’s coronation evidence of the Lord’s blessing.

**Throughout the book of Kings, God identified His chosen kings through prophets.

Blow the ram’s horn and shout, ‘Long live King Solomon!’

The blowing of trumpets signaled a public assembly where the people corporately recognized Solomon’s new status as successor to David.

An expression of recognition and acclamation of a new king.

A similar acclamation had been made for Adonijah.

³⁵Then 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.”

David appointed Solomon to be ruler over Israel and Judah.

As king, David had the authority to appoint the next king.

Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah were acting on David’s behalf.

³⁶“Amen!” Benaiah son of Jehoiada replied. “May the Lord, the God of my lord the king, decree that it happen.

Benaiah was responsible to escort Solomon back to Jerusalem.

Benaiah wanted the appointment of Solomon to be God’s will.

³⁷And may the Lord be with Solomon as he has been with you, my lord the king, and may he make Solomon’s reign even greater than yours!”

This is an expression of total loyalty to David and Solomon, it is in no way a negative statement of David’s reign.

³⁸So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the king’s bodyguard took Solomon down to Gihon Spring, with Solomon riding on King David’s own mule.

Note the differences in the following translations:

1 Kings 1:38 ESV
³⁸So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David’s mule and brought him to Gihon.

1 Kings 1:38 NIV
³⁸So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon mount King David’s mule, and they escorted him to Gihon.

Most scholars believe they were non-Israelite professional soldiers.

An elite military unit that functioned much like a royal guard or special forces.

We discussed this briefly in 2 Samuel 20:23 (Lesson 281)

David’s special troops.

The Kerethites and Pelethites appear to be foreign mercenaries or special troops who were loyal to David.

³⁹There Zadok the priest took the flask of olive oil from the sacred tent and anointed Solomon with the oil.

Most scholars understand the “sacred tent” in 1 Kings 1:39 to refer to David’s tent in Jerusalem, where the ark was located, not the Gibeon tabernacle (tabernacle of Moses).

Anointing with oil signifies divine appointment and empowerment.

Anointing an individual signifies that the person being anointed was chosen, empowered, and set apart for God’s service.

This act gave the ceremony divine sanction.

Solomon is not self-appointed; he is set apart by God.

Then they sounded the ram’s horn and all the people shouted, “Long live King Solomon!”

The blowing of the trumpet and the people’s shout, “Long live King Solomon!” made Solomon’s coronation public, audible, and unmistakable.

At the same time, Adonijah’s feast was private and exclusive.

⁴⁰And all the people followed Solomon into Jerusalem, playing flutes and shouting for joy. The celebration was so joyous and noisy that the earth shook with the sound.

Solomon has the support of the people.

Solomon has God’s blessing.

The celebration of Solomon’s anointing was so joyous and noisy that the earth shook with the sound.

Those attending Adonijah’s banquet at En-rogel could not see the celebration, but it was so noisy that they could hear it.

Nathan’s Warning to Bathsheba

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Nathan’s Warning to Bathsheba

Introduction:

In our previous lesson, Adonijah began boasting, “I will make myself king.”

The prophet Nathan knows that this action must be addressed.

1 Kings 1:11-27 NLT
Nathan’s Warning to Bathsheba
¹¹Then Nathan went to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, and asked her, “Haven’t you heard that Haggith’s son, Adonijah, has made himself king, and our lord David doesn’t even know about it? ¹²If you want to save your own life and the life of your son Solomon, follow my advice. ¹³Go at once to King David and say to him, ‘My lord the king, didn’t you make a vow and say to me, “Your son Solomon will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’ ¹⁴And while you are still talking with him, I will come and confirm everything you have said.”

Bathsheba Appeals to David
¹⁵So Bathsheba went into the king’s bedroom. (He was very old now, and Abishag was taking care of him.) ¹⁶Bathsheba bowed down before the king.
“What can I do for you?” he asked her.
¹⁷She 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.’ ¹⁸But instead, Adonijah has made himself king, and my lord the king does not even know about it. ¹⁹He has sacrificed many cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and he has invited all the king’s sons to attend the celebration. He also invited Abiathar the priest and Joab, the commander of the army. But he did not invite your servant Solomon. ²⁰And now, my lord the king, all Israel is waiting for you to announce who will become king after you. ²¹If you do not act, my son Solomon and I will be treated as criminals as soon as my lord the king has died.”

Nathan Confirms the Crisis
²²While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived. ²³The king’s officials told him, “Nathan the prophet is here to see you.”
Nathan went in and bowed before the king with his face to the ground. ²⁴Nathan asked, “My lord the king, have you decided that Adonijah will be the next king and that he will sit on your throne? ²⁵Today he has sacrificed many cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and he has invited all the king’s sons to attend the celebration. He also invited the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest. They are feasting and drinking with him and shouting, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ ²⁶But he did not invite me or Zadok the priest or Benaiah or your servant Solomon. ²⁷Has my lord the king really done this without letting any of his officials know who should be the next king?”

Examine the Scriptures

1 Kings 1:11-27 NLT

Nathan’s Warning to Bathsheba

¹¹Then Nathan went to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother,

Nathan is the one to initiate action.

Nathan approaches Bathsheba.

Nathan was a prophet of the LORD and served as a close adviser to King David.

Bathsheba was one of David’s wives and was the mother of Solomon.

Remember how this relationship got off to a bad start. (2 Samuel 11-12)

The queen mother held an important and influential position in the royal court.

An example of Bathsheba’s influence:

1 Kings 2:19 NLT
¹⁹So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak on Adonijah’s behalf. The king rose from his throne to meet her, and he bowed down before her. When he sat down on his throne again, the king ordered that a throne be brought for his mother, and she sat at his right hand.

and (Nathan speaking to Bathsheba) asked her, “Haven’t you heard that Haggith’s son, Adonijah, has made himself king, and our lord David doesn’t even know about it?

Refer to verse 5. (Previous lesson)

⁵About that time David’s son Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, began boasting, “I will make myself king.”

Refer to verse 25. (Today’s lesson)

²⁵Today he (Adonijah) has sacrificed many cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and he has invited all the king’s sons to attend the celebration. He also invited the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest. They are feasting and drinking with him and shouting, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

Nathan tells Bathsheba that Adonijah has made himself king.

Nathan would have known that it was the Lord’s will for Solomon to be the king of Israel.

A previous conversation Nathan had with David years before:

2 Samuel 7:11-17 NLT
¹¹…. “‘Furthermore, the Lord declares that he will make a house for you (David) —a dynasty of kings! ¹²For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. ¹³He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. ¹⁴I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do. ¹⁵But my favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight. ¹⁶Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’”
¹⁷So Nathan went back to David and told him everything the Lord had said in this vision.

The Lord speaking to David:

Nathan knew that God loved Solomon.

2 Samuel 12:24-25 NLT
²⁴Then David comforted Bathsheba, his wife, and slept with her. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son, and David named him Solomon. The Lord loved the child ²⁵and sent word through Nathan the prophet that they should name him Jedidiah (which means “beloved of the Lord”), as the Lord had commanded.

¹²If you want to save your own life and the life of your son Solomon, follow my advice.

Nathan warns Bathsheba that both she and Solomon ae in danger.

If Solomon does not become the next king, his life as well as the life of Bathsheba would be at risk. (see verse 21)

In the ancient near East, rival heirs were commonly executed once a new king took power.

¹³Go (Bathsheba) at once to King David and say to him,

Tell David what is happening.

Nathan advises Bathsheba to tell King David what is happening.

‘My lord the king, didn’t you make a vow and say to me, “Your son Solomon will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne”?

Refer to verse 17

¹⁷She 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.’

Refer also to verse 29-30

²⁹And the king repeated his vow: “As surely as the Lord lives, who has rescued me from every danger, ³⁰your 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.”

This vow to Bathsheba is not mentioned anywhere else in scripture.

This vow to Bathsheba is not mentioned anywhere else in scripture, but we do know that this was God’s will.

Why then has Adonijah become king?’ ¹⁴And while you are still talking with him, I will come and confirm everything you have said.”

In this appeal to King David:

Bathsheba will speak first. To remind David of his oath.

Nathan will confirm her words.

A Biblical principle to consider:

Deuteronomy 19:15 NLT
¹⁵“You must not convict anyone of a crime on the testimony of only one witness. The facts of the case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

2 Corinthians 13:1 NLT
… “The facts of every case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses).

In an appeal to King David, Bathsheba will speak first and then Nathan will confirm her words.

Bathsheba Appeals to David

¹⁵So Bathsheba went into the king’s bedroom. (He was very old now, and Abishag was taking care of him.)

Bathsheba follows Nathan’s advice and goes to the king.

David’s silence can enable rebellion.

¹⁶Bathsheba bowed down before the king.

David is old and weak.

Bathsheba treated King David with the respect he deserved,

“What can I do for you?” he asked her.

David was receptive to Bathsheba’s visit.

¹⁷She 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.’

Bathsheba reminds David of his solemn oath that Solomon would reign.

An oath taken in the Lord’s name was inviolable.

¹⁸But instead, Adonijah has made himself king, and my lord the king does not even know about it. ¹⁹He has sacrificed many cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and he has invited all the king’s sons to attend the celebration. He also invited Abiathar the priest and Joab, the commander of the army. But he did not invite your servant Solomon.

Bathsheba stated the facts about Adonijah’s uprising without exaggeration or embellishment.

²⁰And now, my lord the king, all Israel is waiting for you to announce who will become king after you.

Bathsheba appealed to David to announce publically who his successor would be.

²¹If you do not act, my son Solomon and I will be treated as criminals as soon as my lord the king has died.”

If Solomon does not become the next king, his life as well as the life of Bathsheba would be at risk.

Solomon will be declared a traitor.

Bathsheba will likely be executed.

God’s covenant promise through Solomon would appear to fail.

Nathan Confirms the Crisis

²²While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived.

Nathan joins with Bathsheba as planned, to confirm her report.

¹⁴And while you are still talking with him, I will come and confirm everything you have said.”

²³The king’s officials told him, “Nathan the prophet is here to see you.”

Nathan went in and bowed before the king with his face to the ground. ²⁴Nathan asked, “My lord the king, have you decided that Adonijah will be the next king and that he will sit on your throne?

Had David, in fact, encouraged Adonijah to claim the throne, or had he been betrayed by Adonijah?

Nathan speaks with urgency and respect, not accusation.

Nathan forces David to recognize that silence has allowed rebellion.

²⁵Today he has sacrificed many cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and he has invited all the king’s sons to attend the celebration. He also invited the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest. They are feasting and drinking with him and shouting, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

Nathan confirms Bathsheba’s report with a few more details, adding “They are feasting and drinking with him and shouting, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’”

Nathan’s comments, along with Bathsheba’s comments would have encouraged David to act immediately.

This is the royal acclamation normally spoken for God’s chosen king.

Adonijah:

has offered sacrifices,

gathered military and priestly support,

proclaimed himself king —

²⁶But he did not invite me or Zadok the priest or Benaiah or your servant Solomon.

²⁷Has my lord the king really done this without letting any of his officials know who should be the next king?”

Nathan diplomatically asked David if he had planned the present circumstances.

Nathan did not accuse David of anything.

Nathan did not put David on the defensive.

This was a nice way to treat an old dying man.

David must now:

either confirm Adonijah, or

act decisively for Solomon.

Neutrality is no longer possible.

David must now take action.

David in His Old Age

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David in His Old Age

Introduction:

1& 2 Kings is a continuation of 1 & 2 Samuel. 1 Kings begins where 2 Samuel ends.

In the original Hebrew Bible, 1 & 2 Kings were originally one single book, usually called Kings.

It may have been divided simply because two scrolls were easier to manage than one large scroll.

Together, Samuel and Kings relate the whole story of the monarchy, from its rise under the ministry of Samuel to its fall at the hands of the Babylonians. (Roughly 1100-560 BC, including 37 years in exile, 2 Kings 25:27) *

Author unknown

Events recorded in 1 Kings take place between 973 BC and 853 BC.

Events recorded in 2 Kings take place between 853 and 586 (* or 561) B.C. (ESV)
971-561 B.C. (MacArthur)

Beginning with:

King David died in 970 B.C.

Ending with:

The eventual exile:

Israel to Assyria (2 Kings 17)

Judah to Babylon (2 Kings 25)

Jerusalem fell to Babylon in 586 B.C.

Chronicles retells this same period with some differences.

1 & 2 Kings was written after the fall of Jerusalem in 586, between 561-538 B.C. (MacArhur)

The sad reality that this history revealed was that all the kings of Israel and the majority of the kings of Judah “did evil in the sight of the Lord”.

1 Kings 1:1-10 NLT
David in His Old Age
^1:1 King David was now very old, and no matter how many blankets covered him, he could not keep warm. ²So his advisers told him, “Let us find a young virgin to wait on you and look after you, my lord. She will lie in your arms and keep you warm.”
³So they searched throughout the land of Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag from Shunem and brought her to the king. ⁴The girl was very beautiful, and she looked after the king and took care of him. But the king had no sexual relations with her.

Adonijah Claims the Throne
⁵About that time David’s son Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, began boasting, “I will make myself king.” So he provided himself with chariots and charioteers and recruited fifty men to run in front of him. ⁶Now his father, King David, had never disciplined him at any time, even by asking, “Why are you doing that?” Adonijah had been born next after Absalom, and he was very handsome.
⁷Adonijah took Joab son of Zeruiah and Abiathar the priest into his confidence, and they agreed to help him become king. ⁸But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s personal bodyguard refused to support Adonijah.
⁹Adonijah went to the Stone of Zoheleth near the spring of En-rogel, 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. ¹⁰But he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the king’s bodyguard or his brother Solomon.

Examine the Scriptures

1 Kings 1:1-10 NLT

David in His Old Age

^1:1 King David was now very old,

2 Samuel 5:4-5 NLT
⁴David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in all. ⁵He had reigned over Judah from Hebron for seven years and six months, and from Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.

1 Kings 2:11 NLT
¹¹David had reigned over Israel for forty years, seven of them in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem.

David would now be 70 years of age.

In the ancient Near East, a king’s physical vitality was often seen as a reflection of his ability to lead and protect the nation.

King David is old and near death, and the question of succession—who will be king next—has not yet been publicly settled.

We know from scripture that God had already chosen Solomon (2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 22:9–10), but we also know that this appointment was not universally known or accepted.

David knew Solomon had been chosen by God to be the next king, but David had delayed making this public information.

That delay created confusion, ambition, and division.

and no matter how many blankets covered him, he could not keep warm. ²So his advisers told him, “Let us find a young virgin to wait on you and look after you, my lord. She will lie in your arms and keep you warm.”

This was in harmony with the medical customs of that time. (MacArthur)

It was customary in ancient times to warm an elderly person not only by covering him or her with blankets, but also by putting a healthy person in bed with him or her. The body heat of the well person would keep the older person warmer.

David’s physical weakness stands in sharp contrast to his earlier strength as a warrior-king.

³So they searched throughout the land of Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag from Shunem and brought her to the king.

Shunem was located near the plain of Jezreel in the tribal territory of Issachar.

⁴The girl was very beautiful, and she looked after the king and took care of him.

Abishag was very beautiful, and she looked after the king and took care of him.

But the king had no sexual relations with her.

The fact that David did not have sexual relations with this “very beautiful” young woman is significant because it indicates that his physical powers were now weak.

Abishag’s role was medical and royal, not marital.

Although Abishag remained a virgin she apparently became a part of David’s harem.

After David’s death, Adonijah asks Bathsheba to request that Solomon give him Abishag as a wife (1 Kings 2:13–17).

In the ancient Near East, taking a former king’s concubine or royal woman was a symbolic claim to the throne.

Remember when Absalom, David’s son, slept with David’s concubines.

More about this later.

Adonijah Claims the Throne

⁵About that time David’s son Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith,

Adonijah was David’s fourth son. He was approximately 35 years of age.

We do not know much about David’s wife Haggith, other than the fact she was Adonijah’s mother and that she would have been married to David during David’s Hebron reign.

Adonijah’s older brothers, Ammon, Daniel, and Absalom are all apparently dead.

Absalom instructed his servants to kill Amnon when he was drunk (2 Samuel 13:28–29).

David’s son Daniel—also called Chileab—has no recorded account of his death. Daniel (Chileab) was David’s second son, born to Abigail, the widow of Nabal.

(2 Samuel 3:3; 1 Chronicles 3:1). After these listings, Daniel is never mentioned again in the biblical narrative, apparently dying in his youth.

David’s son Absalom died after being killed by Joab, the commander of David’s army, during Absalom’s rebellion.

Adonijah appears to be David’s oldest surviving son at the time of 1 Kings 1.

Adonijah began boasting, “I will make myself king.”

Adonijah assumed he would succeed his father.

Adonijah had:

The right age

The royal look

The military backing

But he was not God’s choice.

Adonijah declared himself king.

David had the right, with God’s guidance, to appoint his own successor.

Adonijah must have known that David favored Solomon (see verse 10).

So he provided himself with chariots and charioteers and recruited fifty men to run in front of him.

Remember:

2 Samuel 15:1 NLT
Absalom’s Rebellion
^15:1 After this, Absalom bought a chariot and horses, and he hired fifty bodyguards to run ahead of him.

This is royal imagery—an attempt to look legitimate.

Distinct signs of kingship that appealed to the masses.

⁶Now his father, King David, had never disciplined him at any time, even by asking, “Why are you doing that?”

Apparently Adonijah was used to getting his own way, for David had never held him accountable for anything.

David’s failure to discipline his sons contributed directly to rebellion by his sons:

Absalom rebelled.

Adonijah now repeats the pattern.

Adonijah had been born next after Absalom, and he was very handsome.

David treated Adonijah much like he had treated Absalom.

Attractive physical appearance was an important asset for someone who wanted to become king.

1 Samuel 9:2 NLT
²His son Saul was the most handsome man in Israel—head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land.

1 Samuel 16:12 NLT
¹²So Jesse sent for him. (David) He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes.
And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.”

2 Samuel 14:25 NLT
²⁵Now Absalom was praised as the most handsome man in all Israel. He was flawless from head to foot.

⁷Adonijah took Joab son of Zeruiah and Abiathar the priest into his confidence, and they agreed to help him become king.

Joab: David’s nephew and the commander of Israel’s army.

Joab had repeatedly disobeyed David.

Abiathar: One of two high priests serving during David’s reign.

God’s voice is missing from Adonijah’s movement

Joab and Abiathar were among Adonijah’s supporters.

⁸But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s personal bodyguard refused to support Adonijah.

Zadok: The other high priest serving during David’s reign.

Benaiah (a prominent military commander) and the mighty men: Military

David’s mighty men had followed him through years of danger and hardship.

Nathan: A prophet

Prophet and advisor to King David.

Spokesperson for God’s will, ensuring that God’s plan for the monarchy was followed.

Nathan the prophet had previously spoken God’s word to David (2 Samuel 7).

Three pillars of Israel’s leadership:

Zadok, Benaiah, and Nathan were among those who supported David’s position.

⁹Adonijah went to the Stone of Zoheleth near the spring of En-rogel, 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.

This event appeared to be more of a social gathering than a religious ceremony.

Adonijah uses a religious ceremony to legitimize rebellion.

¹⁰But he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the king’s bodyguard or his brother Solomon.

Nathan, Benaiah, the king’s bodyguard, and Solomon were loyal to David and would have honored David’s wishes.

Adonijah did not invite men to this “religious” ceremony who would not be supportive of his desire to become king.

David Takes a Census

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David Takes a Census

This lesson starts out at 2 Samuel 24:1 saying:

^24:1 Once again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he caused David to harm them by taking a census.

Note: Taking a census for the right reasons is not sinful.

Numbers 1:1-3 NLT
^1:1 A year after Israel’s departure from Egypt, the Lord spoke to Moses in the Tabernacle in the wilderness of Sinai. On the first day of the second month of that year he said, ²“From the whole community of Israel, record the names of all the warriors by their clans and families. List all the men ³twenty years old or older who are able to go to war. You and Aaron must register the troops,

Numbers 26:1-4 NLT
The Second Registration of Israel’s Troops
^26:1 After the plague had ended, the Lord said to Moses and to Eleazar son of Aaron the priest, ²“From the whole community of Israel, record the names of all the warriors by their families. List all the men twenty years old or older who are able to go to war.”
³So there on the plains of Moab beside the Jordan River, across from Jericho, Moses and Eleazar the priest issued these instructions to the leaders of Israel: ⁴“List all the men of Israel twenty years old and older, just as the Lord commanded Moses.”

Clearly, there is more to this story than just taking a census.

2 Samuel 24 NLT
David Takes a Census
^24:1 Once again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he caused David to harm them by taking a census. “Go and count the people of Israel and Judah,” the Lord told him.
²So the king said to Joab and the commanders of the army, “Take a census of all the tribes of Israel—from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south—so I may know how many people there are.”
³But Joab replied to the king, “May the Lord your God let you live to see a hundred times as many people as there are now! But why, my lord the king, do you want to do this?”
⁴But the king insisted that they take the census, so Joab and the commanders of the army went out to count the people of Israel. ⁵First they crossed the Jordan and camped at Aroer, south of the town in the valley, in the direction of Gad. Then they went on to Jazer, ⁶then to Gilead in the land of Tahtim-hodshi and to Dan-jaan and around to Sidon. ⁷Then they came to the fortress of Tyre, and all the towns of the Hivites and Canaanites. Finally, they went south to Judah as far as Beersheba.
⁸Having gone through the entire land for nine months and twenty days, they returned to Jerusalem. ⁹Joab reported the number of people to the king. There were 800,000 capable warriors in Israel who could handle a sword, and 500,000 in Judah.

Judgment for David’s Sin

¹⁰But after he had taken the census, David’s conscience began to bother him. And he said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly by taking this census. Please forgive my guilt, Lord, for doing this foolish thing.”
¹¹The next morning the word of the Lord came to the prophet Gad, who was David’s seer. This was the message: ¹²“Go and say to David, ‘This is what the Lord says: I will give you three choices. Choose one of these punishments, and I will inflict it on you.’”
¹³So Gad came to David and asked him, “Will you choose three years of famine throughout your land, three months of fleeing from your enemies, or three days of severe plague throughout your land? Think this over and decide what answer I should give the Lord who sent me.”
¹⁴“I’m in a desperate situation!” David replied to Gad. “But let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great. Do not let me fall into human hands.”
¹⁵So the Lord sent a plague upon Israel that morning, and it lasted for three days. A total of 70,000 people died throughout the nation, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south. ¹⁶But as the angel was preparing to destroy Jerusalem, the Lord relented and said to the death angel, “Stop! That is enough!” At that moment the angel of the Lord was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.
¹⁷When David saw the angel, he said to the Lord, “I am the one who has sinned and done wrong! But these people are as innocent as sheep—what have they done? Let your anger fall against me and my family.”

David Builds an Altar

¹⁸That day Gad came to David and said to him, “Go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.”
¹⁹So David went up to do what the Lord had commanded him. ²⁰When Araunah saw the king and his men coming toward him, he came and bowed before the king with his face to the ground. ²¹“Why have you come, my lord the king?” Araunah asked.
David replied, “I have come to buy your threshing floor and to build an altar to the Lord there, so that he will stop the plague.”
²²“Take it, my lord the king, and use it as you wish,” Araunah said to David. “Here are oxen for the burnt offering, and you can use the threshing boards and ox yokes for wood to build a fire on the altar. ²³I will give it all to you, Your Majesty, and may the Lord your God accept your sacrifice.”
²⁴But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burnt offerings to the Lord my God that have cost me nothing.” So David paid him fifty pieces of silver for the threshing floor and the oxen.
²⁵David built an altar there to the Lord and sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings. And the Lord answered his prayer for the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped.

Examine the Scriptures

2 Samuel 24 NLT
David Takes a Census

The parallel version to this story is found in 1 Chronicles 21:1-16.

^24:1 Once again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel,

Once again God’s anger burned against Israel.

Note: This says the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, not against David.

This likely took place late in David’s reign.

The previous occasion may have been the famine of 21:1

2 Samuel 21:1 NLT
^21:1 There was a famine during David’s reign that lasted for three years, so David asked the Lord about it. And the Lord said, “The famine has come because Saul and his family are guilty of murdering the Gibeonites.”

Other causes for the Lord’s anger.

Deuteronomy 4:25 NLT
²⁵“In the future, when you have children and grandchildren and have lived in the land a long time, do not corrupt yourselves by making idols of any kind. This is evil in the sight of the Lord your God and will arouse his anger.

Deuteronomy 6:14-15 NLT
¹⁴“You must not worship any of the gods of neighboring nations, ¹⁵for the Lord your God, who lives among you, is a jealous God. His anger will flare up against you, and he will wipe you from the face of the earth.

Deuteronomy 31:16-18 NLT
¹⁶The Lord said to Moses, “You are about to die and join your ancestors. After you are gone, these people will begin to worship foreign gods, the gods of the land where they are going. They will abandon me and break my covenant that I have made with them. ¹⁷Then my anger will blaze forth against them. I will abandon them, hiding my face from them, and they will be devoured. Terrible trouble will come down on them, and on that day they will say, ‘These disasters have come down on us because God is no longer among us!’ ¹⁸At that time I will hide my face from them on account of all the evil they commit by worshiping other gods.

Deuteronomy 29:22-28 NLT
²²“Then the generations to come, both your own descendants and the foreigners who come from distant lands, will see the devastation of the land and the diseases the Lord inflicts on it. ²³They will exclaim, ‘The whole land is devastated by sulfur and salt. It is a wasteland with nothing planted and nothing growing, not even a blade of grass. It is like the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the Lord destroyed in his intense anger.’
²⁴“And all the surrounding nations will ask, ‘Why has the Lord done this to this land? Why was he so angry?’
²⁵“And the answer will be, ‘This happened because the people of the land abandoned the covenant that the Lord, the God of their ancestors, made with them when he brought them out of the land of Egypt. ²⁶Instead, they turned away to serve and worship gods they had not known before, gods that were not from the Lord. ²⁷That is why the Lord’s anger has burned against this land, bringing down on it every curse recorded in this book. ²⁸In great anger and fury the Lord uprooted his people from their land and banished them to another land, where they still live today!’

Scripture does not say why God was angry with Israel at this point in time.

and he caused David to harm them by taking a census. “Go and count the people of Israel and Judah,” the Lord told him.

1 Chronicles 21:1-2 NLT
David Takes a Census
^21:1 Satan rose up against Israel and caused David to take a census of the people of Israel. ²So David said to Joab and the commanders of the army, “Take a census of all the people of Israel—from Beersheba in the south to Dan in the north—and bring me a report so I may know how many there are.”

God allowed David to be tested.

This may have been a situation where the Lord had allowed Satan to prompt David to an improper course of action in order that Israel might be punished.

The Lord Himself did not incite David to do evil.

James 1:13 NLT
¹³And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.

²So the king said to Joab and the commanders of the army, “Take a census of all the tribes of Israel—from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south—so I may know how many people there are.”

In the ancient world, a census was often a precursor to taxation or military conscription.

The problem may have been David’s pride.

The problem may have been that David was trusting in the number of men available to serve in his army (see verse 9), rather than trusting in the Lord.

This census did not have the Lord’s sanction.

David appeared to have forgotten his priorities.

Psalm 20:7 NLT
⁷Some nations boast of their chariots and horses,
but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.

³But Joab replied to the king, “May the Lord your God let you live to see a hundred times as many people as there are now! But why, my lord the king, do you want to do this?”

Joab knew David’s actions were wrong.

1 Chronicles 21:3 NLT
David Takes a Census
³But Joab replied, “May the Lord increase the number of his people a hundred times over! But why, my lord the king, do you want to do this? Are they not all your servants? Why must you cause Israel to sin?”

⁴But the king insisted that they take the census, so Joab and the commanders of the army went out to count the people of Israel. ⁵First they crossed the Jordan and camped at Aroer, south of the town in the valley, in the direction of Gad. Then they went on to Jazer, ⁶then to Gilead in the land of Tahtim-hodshi and to Dan-jaan and around to Sidon. ⁷Then they came to the fortress of Tyre, and all the towns of the Hivites and Canaanites. Finally, they went south to Judah as far as Beersheba.

David insisted that a census be taken.

⁸Having gone through the entire land for nine months and twenty days, they returned to Jerusalem. ⁹Joab reported the number of people to the king. There were 800,000 capable warriors in Israel who could handle a sword, and 500,000 in Judah.

The report from the census seems to indicate that the census was taken for military purposes.

Judgment for David’s Sin

David knew that he had sinned greatly and had done a foolish thing.

David’s conscience was sensitive to sin.

David confessed his sin.

¹¹The next morning the word of the Lord came to the prophet Gad, who was David’s seer. This was the message: ¹²“Go and say to David, ‘This is what the Lord says: I will give you three choices. Choose one of these punishments, and I will inflict it on you.’”
¹³So Gad came to David and asked him, “Will you choose three years of famine throughout your land, three months of fleeing from your enemies, or three days of severe plague throughout your land?

David was given a choice of three possible punishments for his sin.

Through the prophet Gad, David is offered three choices:

Three years of famine in Israel.

Three months fleeing from Israel’s enemies.

Three days of plague throughout the land.

Famine, sword, or plague.

Israel, not David, was the object of God’s wrath.

Think this over and decide what answer I should give the Lord who sent me.”
¹⁴“I’m in a desperate situation!” David replied to Gad. “But let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great. Do not let me fall into human hands.”

David chose the plague because he knew that while God is just, He is also far more merciful than any human army.

Human enemies may lack compassion, but God does not.

¹⁵So the Lord sent a plague upon Israel that morning, and it lasted for three days. A total of 70,000 people died throughout the nation, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south. ¹⁶But as the angel was preparing to destroy Jerusalem, the Lord relented and said to the death angel, “Stop! That is enough!”

70,000 Israelites die in a plague. The consequences for David’s sin were severe,

God halts the angel of destruction

At that moment the angel of the Lord was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.
¹⁷When David saw the angel, he said to the Lord, “I am the one who has sinned and done wrong! But these people are as innocent as sheep—what have they done? Let your anger fall against me and my family.”

David offers himself for the people.

David Builds an Altar

Araunah offers his threshing floor and animals to David for free.

²⁴But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burnt offerings to the Lord my God that have cost me nothing.” So David paid him fifty pieces of silver for the threshing floor and the oxen.

David realized that sacrifice without cost is empty.

David knew that true worship involves personal sacrifice, cost and surrender.

²⁵David built an altar there to the Lord and sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings. And the Lord answered his prayer for the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped.

David built an altar to the LORD and sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings.

The LORD answered David’s prayer for the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped.

This is where Abraham offered Isaac.

Genesis 22:2 NLT
²“Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”

This site became the location of Solomon’s Temple.

2 Chronicles 3:1 NLT
Solomon Builds the Temple
^3:1 So Solomon began to build the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to David, his father. The Temple was built on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, the site that David had selected.

David’s Mightiest Warriors

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David’s Mightiest Warriors

Introduction:

It takes a community

Scripture consistently teaches that God designed people to live, grow, worship, and persevere in community, not in isolation.

Isolation makes us vulnerable.

Galatians 6:2 NLT
²Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

Romans 12:4-5 NLT
⁴Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, ⁵so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT
¹²A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

David’s life was shaped by a wide range of relationships:

Prophets (Samuel, Nathan)

Family (Jesse, Jonathan, Michal, Solomon)

Adversaries (Saul, Absalom)

Warriors and allies (Joab)

Wise and godly influencers (Abigail)

In this lesson we will be considering ways that David’s mightiest warriors impacted David’s life.

2 Samuel 23:8-39 NLT
David’s Mightiest Warriors
⁸These are the names of David’s mightiest warriors. The first was Jashobeam the Hacmonite, who was leader of the Three—the three mightiest warriors among David’s men. He once used his spear to kill 800 enemy warriors in a single battle.
⁹Next in rank among the Three was Eleazar son of Dodai, a descendant of Ahoah. Once Eleazar and David stood together against the Philistines when the entire Israelite army had fled. ¹⁰He killed Philistines until his hand was too tired to lift his sword, and the Lord gave him a great victory that day. The rest of the army did not return until it was time to collect the plunder!
¹¹Next in rank was Shammah son of Agee from Harar. One time the Philistines gathered at Lehi and attacked the Israelites in a field full of lentils. The Israelite army fled, ¹²but Shammah held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.
¹³Once during the harvest, when David was at the cave of Adullam, the Philistine army was camped in the valley of Rephaim. The Three (who were among the Thirty—an elite group among David’s fighting men) went down to meet him there. ¹⁴David was staying in the stronghold at the time, and a Philistine detachment had occupied the town of Bethlehem.
¹⁵David remarked longingly to his men, “Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem.” ¹⁶So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the Lord. ¹⁷“The Lord forbid that I should drink this!” he exclaimed. “This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me.” So David did not drink it. These are examples of the exploits of the Three.
David’s Thirty Mighty Men
¹⁸Abishai son of Zeruiah, the brother of Joab, was the leader of the Thirty. He once used his spear to kill 300 enemy warriors in a single battle. It was by such feats that he became as famous as the Three. ¹⁹Abishai was the most famous of the Thirty and was their commander, though he was not one of the Three.
²⁰There was also Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant warrior from Kabzeel. He did many heroic deeds, which included killing two champions of Moab. Another time, on a snowy day, he chased a lion down into a pit and killed it. ²¹Once, armed only with a club, he killed an imposing Egyptian warrior who was armed with a spear. Benaiah wrenched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with it. ²²Deeds like these made Benaiah as famous as the Three mightiest warriors. ²³He was more honored than the other members of the Thirty, though he was not one of the Three. And David made him captain of his bodyguard.
²⁴Other members of the Thirty included: Asahel, Joab’s brother;
Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem;
²⁵Shammah from Harod;
Elika from Harod;
²⁶Helez from Pelon;
Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa;
²⁷Abiezer from Anathoth;
Sibbecai from Hushah;
²⁸Zalmon from Ahoah;
Maharai from Netophah;
²⁹Heled son of Baanah from Netophah;
Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah (in the land of Benjamin);
³⁰Benaiah from Pirathon;
Hurai from Nahale-gaash;
³¹Abi-albon from Arabah;
Azmaveth from Bahurim;
³²Eliahba from Shaalbon;
the sons of Jashen;
Jonathan ³³son of Shagee from Harar;
Ahiam son of Sharar from Harar;
³⁴Eliphelet son of Ahasbai from Maacah;
Eliam son of Ahithophel from Giloh;
³⁵Hezro from Carmel;
Paarai from Arba;
³⁶Igal son of Nathan from Zobah;
Bani from Gad;
³⁷Zelek from Ammon;
Naharai from Beeroth, the armor bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah;
³⁸Ira from Jattir;
Gareb from Jattir;
³⁹Uriah the Hittite.
There were thirty-seven in all.

Examine the Scriptures

2 Samuel 23:8-39 NLT

David’s Mightiest Warriors

1 Chronicles 11:10-47 has much of the same content with slight variations.

Start out with:

The Three

⁸These are the names of David’s mightiest warriors.

The first was Jashobeam the Hacmonite, who was leader of the Three—the three mightiest warriors among David’s men. He once used his spear to kill 800 enemy warriors in a single battle.

Jashobeam was an example of a man with extraordinary courage and skill empowered by God to defeat the enemy.

⁹Next in rank among the Three was Eleazar son of Dodai, a descendant of Ahoah. Once Eleazar and David stood together against the Philistines when the entire Israelite army had fled. ¹⁰He killed Philistines until his hand was too tired to lift his sword, and the Lord gave him a great victory that day. The rest of the army did not return until it was time to collect the plunder!

This is another example of a mighty warrior empowered by God.

Eleazar was a courageous warrior who fought to the point of total exhaustion. God spared the lives of both Elazar and David.

Eleazar took initiative when others fell back.

Eleazar continued fighting past the point of exhaustion.

Eleazar displayed both courage and endurance rarely found even in elite warriors.

Eleazar’s actions symbolized unyielding commitment and battle-hardened perseverance.

Scripture says: “the Lordgave him (Eleazar) a great victory that day.”

¹¹Next in rank was Shammah son of Agee from Harar. One time the Philistines gathered at Lehi and attacked the Israelites in a field full of lentils. The Israelite army fled, ¹²but Shammah held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.

Here again: “the Lord brought about a great victory.”

Jashobeam, Eleazar, and Shammah were three courageous and loyal warriors being used by God to bring about victories for the Israelites.

Human bravery + divine power = triumph.

David’s Thirty Mighty Men

Another story of men devoted to David.

¹³Once during the harvest, when David was at the cave of Adullam, the Philistine army was camped in the valley of Rephaim. The Three (who were among the Thirty—an elite group among David’s fighting men) went down to meet him there.

Not the three mentioned in 8-12, but three mentioned in the thirty.

¹⁴David was staying in the stronghold at the time, and a Philistine detachment had occupied the town of Bethlehem.
¹⁵David remarked longingly to his men, “Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem.” ¹⁶So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the Lord. ¹⁷“The Lord forbid that I should drink this!” he exclaimed. “This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me.” So David did not drink it. These are examples of the exploits of the Three.

David, hiding in the cave of Adullam longs for water from Bethlehem’s well.

Three of his mighty men, devoted to David break through the enemy lines to get it.

David refuses to drink and pours it out “as an offering to the Lord,” saying “This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me.”

2 Samuel 23:14-17 is a story of fierce loyalty and risk taken by three men for David.

David’s Thirty Mighty Men

Review this passage:

Abishai

¹⁸Abishai son of Zeruiah,

the brother of Joab, (Note)

was the leader of the Thirty (many translations say “the three”).

He once used his spear to kill 300 enemy warriors in a single battle. It was by such feats that he became as famous as the Three.

¹⁹Abishai was the most famous of the Thirty and was their commander, though he was not one of the Three.

Abishai was the most famous of the Thirty and was their commander.

Review this passage:

²⁰There was also Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant warrior from Kabzeel.

He did many heroic deeds, which included killing two champions of Moab.

Another time, on a snowy day, he chased a lion down into a pit and killed it.

²¹Once, armed only with a club, he killed an imposing Egyptian warrior who was armed with a spear. Benaiah wrenched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with it.

²²Deeds like these made Benaiah as famous as the Three mightiest warriors.

²³He was more honored than the other members of the Thirty, though he was not one of the Three.

And David made him captain of his bodyguard.

Benaiah was made the captain of David’s bodyguard.

²⁴Other members of the Thirty included: (30 names listed here + unnamed sons in v. 32)

The number of names varies slightly in different accounts (typical for ancient military rosters).

“The Thirty” in 2 Samuel 23:24 refers to David’s elite corps of warriors, a prestigious and stable group title for a set of exceptional soldiers who stood just below “the Three” in rank and honor. The membership shifted over time, but the name remained fixed as a term of honor.

The “Thirty” refers to a formal elite military corps within David’s army. It was not literally always thirty men—rather, it was a title for a group of high-ranking warriors.

Some interesting highlights:

***Asahel, Joab’s brother;
David’s nephew who was famous for his speed. He was killed by Abner in the pursuit of Abner during the war between David and Ishbosheth.

Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem;
²⁵Shammah from Harod; most likely not the Shammah mentioned in v. 11.
Elika from Harod;
²⁶Helez from Pelon;
Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa;
²⁷Abiezer from Anathoth;
Sibbecai from Hushah;   Mebunnai the Hushathite (ESV),
²⁸Zalmon from Ahoah;
Maharai from Netophah;
²⁹Heled son of Baanah from Netophah;
Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah (in the land of Benjamin);
³⁰Benaiah from Pirathon;   see verse 20. This might not be the same person.
Hurai from Nahale-gaash;   Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash (ESV)
³¹Abi-albon from Arabah;
Azmaveth from Bahurim;
³²Eliahba from Shaalbon;
the sons of Jashen; (This implies more than one)
Jonathan ³³son of Shagee from Harar;                Shammah the Hararite (ESV)
Ahiam son of Sharar from Harar;
³⁴Eliphelet son of Ahasbai from Maacah;

***Eliam son of Ahithophel from Giloh; the father of Bathsheba

³⁵Hezro from Carmel;
Paarai from Arba;
³⁶Igal son of Nathan from Zobah;
Bani from Gad;
³⁷Zelek from Ammon;

***Naharai from Beeroth, the armor bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah (David’s sister);

³⁸Ira from Jattir;
Gareb from Jattir;

***³⁹Uriah the Hittite.

The husband of Bathsheba.

Uriah was one of David’s most loyal warriors—yet David betrayed him and had him killed (2 Sam 11).

There were thirty-seven in all.

Joab, David’s commander, is notably absent from the full list.

Note: Joab’s name is mentioned (v. 18 & 37), but is not included as one of David’s mightiest warriors.

Conclusion

David’s elite warriors.

These warriors were some of the “iron tools” that God used to “chop down” the godless (23:7)

Though their feats are extraordinary, the repeated acknowledgment of God’s involvement shows that victory is ultimately the Lord’s.

This passage reminds us that God values courage, loyalty, and humility—and that He works through ordinary people who trust Him in extraordinary ways.

This list of men demonstrates the value of absolute loyalty and brotherhood in achieving great things. These men were instrumental in fulfilling God’s plan for David’s kingdom.

This passage of scripture ensures that the courage and commitment of these men are remembered for generations, highlighting that success is often achieved through the efforts of a dedicated team.

The incredible feats listed are seen not just as human strength, but as evidence of God’s power at work through those He chooses to exalt.

David’s Last Words

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David’s Last Words

2 Samuel 23:1-7 NLT
David’s Last Words
^23:1 These are the last words of David:
“David, the son of Jesse, speaks—
David, the man who was raised up so high,
David, the man anointed by the God of Jacob,
David, the sweet psalmist of Israel.
²“The Spirit of the Lord speaks through me;
his words are upon my tongue.
³The God of Israel spoke.
The Rock of Israel said to me:
‘The one who rules righteously,
who rules in the fear of God,
⁴is like the light of morning at sunrise,
like a morning without clouds,
like the gleaming of the sun
on new grass after rain.’
⁵“Is it not my family God has chosen?
Yes, he has made an everlasting covenant with me.
His agreement is arranged and guaranteed in every detail.
He will ensure my safety and success.
⁶But the godless are like thorns to be thrown away,
for they tear the hand that touches them.
⁷One must use iron tools to chop them down;
they will be totally consumed by fire.”

Examine the Scriptures

2 Samuel 23:1-7 NLT
David’s Last Words

^23:1 These are the last words of David:

David’s “last words” were not necessarily the last words he actually spoke.

Most likely his last words were recorded in 1 Kings Chapter 2.

1 Kings 2:1-10 NLT
David’s Final Instructions to Solomon
^2:1 As the time of King David’s death approached, he gave this charge to his son Solomon:
²“I am going where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man. ³Observe the requirements of the Lord your God, and follow all his ways. 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. ⁴If 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.’
⁵“And there is something else. You know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me when he murdered my two army commanders, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He pretended that it was an act of war, but it was done in a time of peace,
^a staining his belt and sandals with innocent blood. ⁶Do with him what you think best, but don’t let him grow old and go to his grave in peace.
⁷“Be kind to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead. Make them permanent guests at your table, for they took care of me when I fled from your brother Absalom.
⁸“And remember Shimei son of Gera, the man from Bahurim in Benjamin. He cursed me with a terrible curse as I was fleeing to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan River, I swore by the Lord that I would not kill him. ⁹But that oath does not make him innocent. You are a wise man, and you will know how to arrange a bloody death for him.”
¹⁰Then David died and was buried with his ancestors in the City of David.

These “last words” of David were most likely his final formal, Spirit-inspired declaration to Israel.

Many scholars view this passage of scripture as David’s final poetic oracle (a prophetic speech from the king), similar in tone and structure to a psalm.

“David, the son of Jesse, speaks—

David as a boy.

1 Samuel 16:10-11, 13 NLT
¹⁰In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” ¹¹Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.”

¹³So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on.

When Samuel came to anoint the next king, Jesse didn’t even bring David at first. He was considered the least likely in the family.

- - David was youngest of eight sons. (1 Samuel 16:10)

- - David was not considered important enough to attend the sacrifice (the celebration) with Samuel, Jesse, and his older brothers.

- - David was out tending the sheep.

This shows David began life in humble obscurity.

David began life in humble obscurity.

David, the man who was raised up so high,

David became the king of Israel.

David, the man anointed by the God of Jacob,

David was anointed by God to be the king of Israel. (1 Samuel 16)

1 Samuel 13:14 NLT
¹⁴But now your (Saul) kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart (David). The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”

Those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.

Daniel 2:21 NLT
²¹He (God) controls the course of world events;
he removes kings and sets up other kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the scholars.

Romans 13:1 NLT
^13:1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.

John 19:11
Jesus to Pilate:
¹¹Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.”

It was God who enabled David to rule righteously.

David ruled as an agent of God.

Those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.

David, the sweet psalmist of Israel.

David was not only a king, he was a musician and poet.

David wrote about half of the psalms in the book of Psalms.

David identifies himself as a poetically gifted king of Israel.

²“The Spirit of the Lord speaks through me;

David was aware of God’s Spirit at work in him enabling him to speak under the Spirit’s guidance.

his words are upon my tongue.

David describes himself as a prophet, whose songs and wise sayings come from God.

2 Peter 1:20-21 NLT
²⁰Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, ²¹or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.

Acts 1:16 NLT
¹⁶“Brothers,” he said, “the Scriptures had to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David.

Acts 4:25 NLT (Quoting Psalm 2:1-2)
²⁵you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying,
‘Why were the nations so angry?
Why did they waste their time with futile plans?
²⁶The kings of the earth prepared for battle;
the rulers gathered together
against the Lord
and against his Messiah.

The Spirit of the Lord spoke to David and through him to the nation of Israel.

³The God of Israel spoke.
The Rock of Israel said to me:

The Rock of Israel

‘The one who rules righteously,
who rules in the fear of God,

A ruler is to rule righteously.

A good ruler acts with justice, fairness, and moral integrity.

A ruler is to rule in the fear of God, recognizing God’s ultimate authority.

⁴is like the light of morning at sunrise,
like a morning without clouds,
like the gleaming of the sun
on new grass after rain.’

David stated that a king who rules as an agent of God is “like the light of morning at sunrise
on a cloudless morning” and “like the brightness after rain
that brings grass from the earth”.

This gives us a reason to pray for our president.

1 Timothy 2:1-2 NLT
^2:1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. ²Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.

⁵“Is it not my family God has chosen?

Yes, he has made an everlasting covenant with me.

See chapter 7:12-16

2 Samuel 7:12-16 NLT
⁸ “Now go and say to my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel. ⁹ I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before your eyes. Now I will make your name as famous as anyone who has ever lived on the earth! ¹⁰ And I will provide a homeland for my people Israel, planting them in a secure place where they will never be disturbed. Evil nations won’t oppress them as they’ve done in the past, ¹¹ starting from the time I appointed judges to rule my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies.

“‘Furthermore, the Lord declares that he will make a house for you—a dynasty of kings! ¹²For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. ¹³He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. ¹⁴I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do. ¹⁵But my favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight. ¹⁶Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’”

God’s covenant with David points beyond David to the future Messianic King, Jesus Christ—the perfect righteous ruler.

Jesus is the everlasting king who is the “son of David”.

Matthew 1:1 NLT
¹ This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham:

Psalm 89:29, 34-37
²⁹I will preserve an heir for him;
his throne will be as endless as the days of heaven.

³⁴No, I will not break my covenant;
I will not take back a single word I said.
³⁵I have sworn an oath to David,
and in my holiness I cannot lie:
³⁶His dynasty will go on forever;
his kingdom will endure as the sun.
³⁷It will be as eternal as the moon,
my faithful witness in the sky!”

His agreement is arranged and guaranteed in every detail.

He will ensure my safety and success.

David believes and trusts God’s covenant.

God’s promises stand.

In contrast:

⁶But the godless are like thorns to be thrown away,
for they tear the hand that touches them.
⁷One must use iron tools to chop them down;
they will be totally consumed by fire.”

The enemies of God will be cast aside in judgment.

Matthew 13:30 NLT
³⁰Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’”

Matthew 13:41 NLT
⁴¹The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.

Psalm 1:4-5 NLT
⁴But not the wicked!
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
⁵They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.

Psalm 2:9 ( Speaking about nations who plot against the Lord.)
⁹You will break them with an iron rod
and smash them like clay pots.’”

God’s kingdom brings blessing to the righteous but judgment on the unrepentant.

David’s Psalm of Thanksgiving

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David’s Psalm of Thanksgiving

Introduction:

David’s Psalm of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

(Giving Thanks)

This lesson is our final look at David’s Psalm of Thanksgiving found in 2 Samuel 22:1-51.

David’s song is a song of praise and thanksgiving to God. (Also found in Psalm 18:1-50)

A song of worship to the Lord.

2 Samuel 22:31-51 is the concluding section of David’s Song.

David closes his song by celebrating the character of God, the power God extended to him, and the victories God granted.

David sings about God’s perfect character and His divine enablement.

God’s divine resources were made available to David (and are also available to us).

Our focus today will be on the things mentioned in this passage that we should be thankful for.

Giving thanks.

A quick look at the introduction of another of David’s Psalm of Thanks.

1 Chronicles 16:8-12 NLT
⁸Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.
Let the whole world know what he has done.
⁹Sing to him; yes, sing his praises.
Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.
¹⁰Exult in his holy name;
rejoice, you who worship the Lord.
¹¹Search for the Lord and for his strength;
continually seek him.
¹²Remember the wonders he has performed,
his miracles, and the rulings he has given,

A call to praise and remember the Lord’s mighty works.

This is a good set-up for today’s passage, 2 Samuel 22:31-51.

David’s Psalm of Thanksgiving

2 Samuel 22:31-51 NLT

³¹“God’s way is perfect.
All the Lord’s promises prove true.
He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
³²For who is God except the Lord?
Who but our God is a solid rock?
³³God is my strong fortress,
and he makes my way perfect.
³⁴He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
enabling me to stand on mountain heights.
³⁵He trains my hands for battle;
he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.
³⁶You have given me your shield of victory;
your help has made me great.
³⁷You have made a wide path for my feet
to keep them from slipping.
³⁸“I chased my enemies and destroyed them;
I did not stop until they were conquered.
³⁹I consumed them;
I struck them down so they did not get up;
they fell beneath my feet.
⁴⁰You have armed me with strength for the battle;
you have subdued my enemies under my feet.
⁴¹You placed my foot on their necks.
I have destroyed all who hated me.
⁴²They looked for help, but no one came to their rescue.
They even cried to the Lord, but he refused to answer.
⁴³I ground them as fine as the dust of the earth;
I trampled them in the gutter like dirt.
⁴⁴“You gave me victory over my accusers.
You preserved me as the ruler over nations;
people I don’t even know now serve me.
⁴⁵Foreign nations cringe before me;
as soon as they hear of me, they submit.
⁴⁶They all lose their courage
and come trembling from their strongholds.
⁴⁷“The Lord lives! Praise to my Rock!
May God, the Rock of my salvation, be exalted!
⁴⁸He is the God who pays back those who harm me;
he brings down the nations under me
⁴⁹ and delivers me from my enemies.
You hold me safe beyond the reach of my enemies;
you save me from violent opponents.
⁵⁰For this, O Lord, I will praise you among the nations;
I will sing praises to your name.
⁵¹You give great victories to your king;
you show unfailing love to your anointed,
to David and all his descendants forever.”

Examine the Scriptures

David’s Psalm of Thanksgiving

2 Samuel 22:31-51 NLT

³¹“God’s way is perfect.

Deuteronomy 32:3-4 NLT
³I will proclaim the name of the Lord;
how glorious is our God!
⁴He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect.
Everything he does is just and fair.
He is a faithful God who does no wrong;
how just and upright he is!

God’s way is perfect.

His actions, His timing, His decisions, and His methods are flawless.

All the Lord’s promises prove true.

Some of God’s promises to David:

2 Samuel 7:8-16 NLT
The heart of the Davidic Covenant
⁸“Now go and say to my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel. ⁹I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before your eyes. Now I will make your name as famous as anyone who has ever lived on the earth! ¹⁰And I will provide a homeland for my people Israel, planting them in a secure place where they will never be disturbed. Evil nations won’t oppress them as they’ve done in the past, ¹¹starting from the time I appointed judges to rule my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies.
“‘Furthermore, the Lord declares that he will make a house for you—a dynasty of kings! ¹²For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. ¹³He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. ¹⁴I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do. ¹⁵But my favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight. ¹⁶Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’”

All the LORD’s promises prove true.

Numbers 23:19 NLT
¹⁹God is not a man, so he does not lie.
He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act?
Has he ever promised and not carried it through?

Hebrews 6:18 NLT
¹⁸So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie.

He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.

Psalm 28:7 NLT
⁷The Lord is my strength and shield.
I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

Proverbs 30:5 NLT
⁵Every word of God proves true.
He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.

God is a shield for all who look to him for protection.

³²For who is God except the Lord?

There is no other God.

Who but our God is a solid rock?

Isaiah 44:6 NLT
⁶This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies:
“I am the First and the Last;
there is no other God.

Isaiah 44:8 NLT
⁸Do not tremble; do not be afraid.
Did I not proclaim my purposes for you long ago?
You are my witnesses—is there any other God?
No! There is no other Rock—not one!”

Isaiah 45:21 NLT
²¹…
For there is no other God but me,
a righteous God and Savior.
There is none but me.

Only the LORD (Yahweh) is truly God. There is no other. No one compares with Him. Only He deserves our worship, trust, and obedience.

LORD – Yahweh – YHWH

³³God is my strong fortress,
and he makes my way perfect.

Other translations:

many say perfect

some say blameless

some say upright

some say safe

He makes my way: straight

safe

upright.

He leads me: toward righteousness

toward obedience

He helps me: mature

live faithfully

God shapes our character.

³⁴He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
enabling me to stand on mountain heights.
³⁵He trains my hands for battle;
he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.

A bow of bronze would be powerful, but difficult to draw

³⁶You have given me your shield of victory;
your help has made me great.
³⁷You have made a wide path for my feet
to keep them from slipping.

God equipped David.

God equips us to deal with life’s battles.

God strengthens His people and prepares them for the battles they must face.

³⁸“I chased my enemies and destroyed them;
I did not stop until they were conquered.
³⁹I consumed them;
I struck them down so they did not get up;
they fell beneath my feet.
⁴⁰You have armed me with strength for the battle;
you have subdued my enemies under my feet.
⁴¹You placed my foot on their necks.
I have destroyed all who hated me.

God gives us victory over our enemies.

God strengthens His people and prepares them for the hardships they must face.

⁴²They looked for help, but no one came to their rescue.
They even cried to the Lord, but he refused to answer.
⁴³I ground them as fine as the dust of the earth;
I trampled them in the gutter like dirt.
⁴⁴“You gave me victory over my accusers.
You preserved me as the ruler over nations;
people I don’t even know now serve me.
⁴⁵Foreign nations cringe before me;
as soon as they hear of me, they submit.
⁴⁶They all lose their courage
and come trembling from their strongholds.

God despises the wicked.

⁴⁷“The Lord lives! Praise to my Rock!
May God, the Rock of my salvation, be exalted!
⁴⁸He is the God who pays back those who harm me;
he brings down the nations under me
⁴⁹ and delivers me from my enemies.
You hold me safe beyond the reach of my enemies;
you save me from violent opponents.
⁵⁰For this, O Lord, I will praise you among the nations;
I will sing praises to your name.
⁵¹You give great victories to your king;
you show unfailing love to your anointed,
to David and all his descendants forever.”

God is to be exalted.

God deserves our praise

I will sing praises to your name.

Psalm 145:1-3 NLT
A psalm of praise of David.
¹I will exalt you, my God and King,
and praise your name forever and ever.
²I will praise you every day;
yes, I will praise you forever.
³Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
No one can measure his greatness.

Psalm 113:1-4 NLT
¹Praise the Lord!
Yes, give praise, O servants of the Lord.
Praise the name of the Lord!
²Blessed be the name of the Lord
now and forever.
³Everywhere—from east to west—
praise the name of the Lord.
⁴For the Lord is high above the nations;
his glory is higher than the heavens.

Psalm 18:2-3 NLT (nearly identical to 2 Samuel 22:3-4)
²The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.
³I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and he saved me from my enemies.

List things we should be thankful for.

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Category Archives: Seeking His Kingdom Bible Study

Solomon Establishes His Rule

David’s Final Instructions to Solomon

Adonijah Bows before Solomon

David Makes Solomon King

Nathan’s Warning to Bathsheba

David in His Old Age

David Takes a Census

David’s Mightiest Warriors

David’s Last Words

David’s Psalm of Thanksgiving