Solomon’s Wish
First Kings 3:1-15 and
Second Chronicles 1:1-13

Solomon’s wish DIG: What was wrong with Solomon marrying Pharaoh’s daughter? What was wrong with the Israelites and Solomon himself worshiping on the high places? Why were they worshiping there instead of the Temple? What was the extent of Solomon’s love for ADONAI? What was the result of Solomon delaying building the Temple? Why didn’t he just worship at Gibeon all the time? Why did God use dreams to communicate? What was Solomon’s agenda as king? Whose interests did he have at heart and why? What else did God promise Solomon? Why? Why did Solomon worship and throw a party?

REFLECT: What can Solomon teach us about joining spiritual forces with worldly people who are working against the Kingdom of God? Have you ever sensed God’s will in a dream? How does ADONAI’s word come to you? Do you need a special “appearance” from Him? Can you rely solely on His Word? Whose interests are close to your heart? How can you minister to them this week? What will it take? Do your own needs weigh heavily? Or are you concerned about everyone else so that you don’t take care of yourself? Who has your interests at heart? How can you identify with your spirit being willing but your flesh being weak?

With great privilege comes great responsibility.

If you could wish for anything in the world, what would it be? Some people wish they had different abilities – more brains, better looks, or stronger skills. Others wish for a change in their life circumstances. There is something they have that they wish they didn’t have, or something they don’t have that they wish they had. What would you wish be? Better yet, what if your biggest wish really would come true? And what if that person asking you what you wanted had infinite resources? That was the opportunity that ADONAI Elohim gave to King Solomon: Tell me! What I should give you?⁷⁵

Wisdom had already played an important role in the narrative, guiding Solomon in his treatment of those who were a threat to him (to see the link click Ap – Putting the Kingdom First). It will now play an even greater role here. It is important to understand that Solomon’s reign has so often been divided into two fairly equal parts; an earlier period, in which he was obedient to YHVH and was consequently (along with Isra’el) blessed; and a later period, in which he was disobedient to Ha’Shem and was consequently (with Isra’el) judged by Him and the Kingdom was torn away (First Kings 11:11). This is undoubtedly very tidy, but it represents a massive over-simplification. There were signs of trouble right from the start.⁷⁶

Solomon married Pharaoh’s daughter: Before we get to the wisdom of Solomon, we must first read First Kings 1:1-3. Solomon’s very first royal act was to marry the daughter of Pharaoh. This union was problematic. Since we have no reason to think that Pharaoh’s daughter had faith in the God of Isra’el, we can only conclude that Solomon was unequally yoked (see the commentary on Second Corinthians Bi – Do Not be Unequally Yoked with Unbelievers). Solomon formed an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt by marrying Pharaoh’s daughter (First Kings 3:1a). He was seduced by power as well as sex. Taken alone, this might be considered as nothing more than a historical note. But given its placement in the text, we may appropriately suggest that its function is more than informative. The note about the marriage is surely designed as a foreshadowing of Solomon’s future apostasy (see Bx – Solomon’s Wives). On two counts, Pharaoh must be considered a threat and a contrast to everything Israelite. First of all, Pharaoh embodied a concentration of imperial wealth and power, a center of commerce whereby the security of the state consists in trade and military power. As such, Egypt was a powerful contrast to the simple, covenantal faith Israelite.⁷⁷

Dear Almighty Heavenly Father, So, I looked for You in the Sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Since Your loving kindness is better than life, my lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live. In Your name I lift up my hands. My soul is satisfied as with fat and oil, so my mouth praises You with joyful lips (Psalms 63:3-6). How wonderful it is to trust and to follow Your steadfast love! Life on this earth is short. Earthly pleasures are really only momentary. Living with our eyes focused on Your great love for all eternity is so very important.

How important it is to make a daily habit of turning our thoughts back to you all thru out the day. It is such a bonus to have Your Word which we can read before sleep and then meditate on your power and glory. When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You through the night watches. For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.  My soul clings to You – Your right hand upholds me (Psalms 63:7-9). Often, more than once daily, we feed our bodies. To keep our spiritual life healthy we need to also feed it more than weekly, more than once a day. Meditation on Your power and love is a special weapon which brings victory to our heart, no matter what the circumstances are. Drifting away can happen slowly and without notice. For this reason it is necessary for us to pay especially close attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. (Hebrews 2:1). Being intentional about giving You our thoughts and time as first in our lives is so wise and brings peace and joy. Remembering Your love, our wise and powerful Heavenly Father, is truly a great gift and joy! You are Awesome! In your Holy Son’s name and power of resurrection. Amen

Secondly, Egypt is, of course, a name that resonates throughout the TaNaKh with negative connotations: oppressor, arch-enemy of old, and a source of temptation (Exodus Chapters 1-15). Deuteronomy, in particular, had warned against a return to Egypt (Deuteronomy 17:16) in terms of relations that were too close, and had explicitly forbidden intermarriage with foreigners, lest the Israelites be led into apostasy (see the commentary on Deuteronomy Ca – Warning Against Idolatry). Thus, as much as Solomon loved ADONAI, there were some ominous warning signs that his love was not wholehearted and the seeds of his downfall were already sown. This too is a warning for us – a warning not to try to advance our position by joining spiritual forces with worldly people who are working against the Kingdom of God.⁷⁸

The author uses the queen’s arrival in Jerusalem as an opportunity to make a point about Solomon’s priorities. He brought her into the City of David, [where she lived] until he had finished building his own palace, the House of ADONAI (the Temple) and the wall around Yerushalayim (First Kings 3:1b). We find later in the book something that helps us understand what is written here. For in First Kings 6:38-7:1 we learn that Solomon spent almost twice as much time building his palace as he did building the Temple. This prepares us for later parts of the story. Indeed, we cannot but ask whether the author does not intend for us to see the influence of his foreign wife in this. For the question of divided loyalties has already been raised above, and this particular foreign wife, living in temporary accommodations while her new palace was being built, had a particular vested interest in the process of the building program.⁷⁹

Misplaced worship: However, the people were still sacrificing on the high places (First Kings 3:2a). The word however, is intended to stop us in our tracks. Although conditions were outwardly good, there was something rotting beneath the surface. The people were still sacrificing on the high places. They were a constant sore point in Isra’el, and the prophets of God frequently spoke out against them. There were two basic problems: First, they detracted from the principle of a central Sanctuary, and secondly, since the worship at high places was a Canaanite custom, therefore syncretism (combining different beliefs) was not only a real danger, but an all-too-common occurrence. Even though the Temple had not yet been built, the LORD clearly instructed the Israelites that those cultic worship centers were to be destroyed when they entered the Promised Land (Numbers 33:52). Then they were to worship at a Sanctuary in the place appointed by Him (see Deuteronomy Ct – The Place to Worship ADONAI). There is, of course, nothing here to suggest that the people had already succumbed to temptation. The implication is that they do worship the Name, even if it was not in the ideal place. But the potential for disaster is clear enough, and in First Kings 11:33 we will learn of a people who eventually followed Solomon into sin (see Ca – A House Divided).⁸⁰

The history of the Tabernacle: The latter part of the verse gives us the reason for the use of various high places for worship. Because no House (Temple) had yet been built for the name of ADONAI (First Kings 3:2b). Before Eli’s time, the Tabernacle had been as Shiloh; but with the Philistines’ capture of the ark, Shiloh lost its significance as the place of God’s presence among His people. Even after the ark was returned by the Philistines, it remained for years in the house of Abinadab (1 Sam 7:1), until David moved it to Jerusalem (see the commentary on the Life of David Cr – The Ark Brought to Zion) to a tent he had prepared for it. The Tabernacle next appeared at Nov (see the Life of David Av – David at Nov), where it remained until Sha’ul massacred the priests there (see the Life of David Bd – Sha’ul Kills the Priests of Nov). At some point after this event, it was moved to Gibeon, where it is mentioned in connection with Zadok’s high priestly ministry (First Chronicles 16:39-40). There were then, in effect, two Tabernacles during David’s reign. The one in Gibeon was without the ark; the one in Jerusalem had the ark but no trappings of the Tabernacle (Second Corinthians 1:3-5). This state of affairs matched that of the double priesthood of Zadok and Abithar.⁸¹

A man after David’s heart: Solomon loved ADONAI, living according to the regulations set forth by David his father (First Kings 3:3a). This is virtually the highest praise that any person could ever receive. In fact, Solomon is the only person in the entire Bible who is said to have loved ADONAI, in so many words. His heart was full of holy affections for the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He adored YHVH and responded to Him emotionally. He felt a deep spiritual longing in his soul, a passionate yearning for a closer relationship with Him. But as much as he loved the LORD, it seems that Solomon’s love was not wholehearted. He married an Egyptian; he did not keep the Torah. Then we are bound to ask: what kind of “love” was this?

Except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places (First Kings 3:3). It seems that his loyalties were divided. And in a way the choice of the word love itself reflects that – at least within the context of the book of Kings. It is certainly a word that has been chosen carefully. And it is difficult to avoid the impression that its use here has quite a bit to do with the fact that it reappears twice in First Kings 11:1-2 in relation to Solomon’s other great “loves” – the foreign women, of whom Pharaoh’s daughter was one. The question here in First Kings 3:1-15 about the completeness of his love is compounded if we are aware of the end of his story and how fragile this “love” did indeed turn out to be. The lack of his wholeheartedness would become painfully obvious later in his life. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:40-43). This would eventually lead not only to his own apostasy, but also to the apostasy of the nation itself (see Cz – The Divided Kingdom: The Rise of Idolatry).⁸²

So while it is true that Solomon was a king after David’s own heart, a man who loved ADONAI, it is also true that he had a wandering heart that loved money, sex, and power – the very temptations that led to the downfall of Adonijah, Joab, and Shim’i (see Ap – Putting the Kingdom First). The warning signs of Solomon’s tragic downfall were present from the very beginning of his story, which is not just black and white, but colored by shades of gray.

In other words, Solomon was a lot like us. He loved the LORD, as every believer does. But he also had some other “loves” in his life – sinful passions that had the power to destroy his spiritual leadership. He did not love ADONAI his God with all his heart and soul and strength (Deuteronomy 6:4). While there is some truth to the view that Solomon’s life started out more positive spiritually, before ending up more negative, the deeper truth is that like every other believer, he was always just as much a sinner as he was a saint.⁸³

ADONAI appears to Solomon: This is the first of two personal appearances of God to Solomon (for the other see Br – Solomon’s Choice). Here, Ha’Shem approves of Solomon’s attitude as expressed in the king’s prayer; in the latter passage YHVH approves of the Temple Solomon had built, but also warns him to continue to remain true to the LORD. That God had in such a remarkable way declared Himself willing to pour out His blessing on Solomon and his work made the king all the more responsible for his later apostasy. With great privilege comes great responsibility.⁸⁴

Solomon’s prayer for wisdom: We are now in a better position to approach the story of Solomon’s request for wisdom. For it is the Solomon we have just met – a divided, conflicted, sinful Solomon, with only a very practical grasp of God’s dealings – who now comes to worship. One time the king went to Gibeon (five miles north of Jerusalem) to sacrifice because the tent that housed the Tabernacle was located there. Then Solomon spoke to all Isra’el – to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges and to every leader in all Isra’el, the heads of clans. Solomon and the whole community with him went to the high place at Gibeon, because in that place was God’s tent of meeting, which Moshe the servant of ADONAI had made in the desert. And the bronze altar crafted by Bezalel (see the commentary on Exodus Ew – The Appointment of Bezalel and Ohaliab) was in Gibeon in front of the Tabernacle. So Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on the altar and the whole leadership of Isra’el inquired of the LORD there. The assembly lasted all day and the people remained at Gibeon for the night, including Solomon. That night, ADONAI appeared to Solomon in a dream (First Kings 3:4-5a; Second Chronicles 1:2-3 and 5-6).

The dream consisted of three parts.

First, God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask me! What I should give you” (First Kings 3:5b; Second Chronicles 1:7)? The LORD did not put any conditions on the king’s request, but simply invited him to ask for whatever he wished. This was an amazing offer of generosity in which YHVH was immediately and generously available to the king.

The second part of the dream was Solomon’s well-crafted response. Notice where Solomon began. He didn’t start with his request; he began with the past, with what YHVH had done. Solomon said to God, “You showed your servant David my father great kindness (see the commentary on Ruth Af – The Concept of Chesed), as he lived before you honestly and righteously, having an upright heart with you. You have continued this great kindness (Hebrew: chesed) to him by giving him a son to sit on his throne, and have made me king in his place (First Kings 3:6; Second Chronicles 1:8).

And now, turns from the past to the present circumstance, ADONAI my God, you have been faithful to your promise to David my father. For you have made me king over a people as numerous as the grains of dust on the earth (Genesis 13:16); but I am a mere child – I don’t know how to lead (First Kings 3:7; Second Chronicles 1:9). Solomon’s wise request was based on a proper knowledge of his own limitations. Like Moshe before him (Exodus 4:10) and Jeremiah after him (Jeremiah 1:6), Solomon was somewhat doubtful of his own abilities. When he called himself a mere child, he meant that he was inexperienced and thus dependent on YHVH to give him the help he needed.

Moreover your servant is among your people, whom you chose, a great people so numerous that they cannot be counted. He had used wisdom before in dealing with affairs of state, seemingly with great competence, yet now, he confessed that he didn’t know how to lead and the task seemed overwhelming. He knew how limited he was, but he also knew how unlimited God was, and so he prayed for divine wisdom. Therefore, give your servant a discerning heart (literally meaning “a listening heart” or “an obedient heart”), wisdom and knowledge, so that I will be able to lead Your people, and discern between good and evil – for who is equal to leading this great people of yours” (1 Kings 3:8-9; 2 Chron 1:10)? The fear of ADONAI is the beginning of wisdom (Job 28:28; Ps 111:10; Prov 15:33). Solomon apparently only just learned this. Because he has learned it, however, and has now placed himself in a humble and submissive position in relation to God, seeking the common good rather than simply his own, the blessings of God are now to follow.⁸⁵

Solomon’s situation was unique: he alone inherited David’s throne, so only he could pray exactly this prayer. But this wise request is still an excellent example for us to follow. Unlike Solomon, “I am not the king,” writes one commentator, “but shouldn’t I pray like one?” Yes, we should pray like Solomon. With all due reverence, we should acknowledge our own limitations, openly admitting how weak we are in honoring our parents, serving our spouse, raising a child, loving a neighbor, leading a ministry, sharing the Gospel, or anything else that God calls us to do. Then, with confident faith, we should ask God for the wisdom we need to serve Him well in whatever He has called us to do. In ourselves, we are unequal to any of the tasks God has given us, but we can ask Him to give us a listening and obedient heart. We should not ask this for ourselves, primarily, but for the good of God’s people and the sake of His Kingdom.⁸⁶

The third element was ADONAI’s answer. What Solomon had said in making this request pleased ADONAI. God said to him, “Because you have set your heart on this instead of asking long life, riches for yourself, or the death of those who hate you, but rather you asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself, so that you would be able to administer justice over whom I made you king – I am doing what you requested. I am giving you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has never been anyone like you, nor will there ever again be anyone like you” (First Kings 3:10-12; Second Chronicles 1:11). He was so pleased with what Solomon asked that He granted his request. The king became what God promised: the wisest man who ever lived. This gift went beyond Solomon’s natural intellectual ability (which must have been exceptional), to give him the kind of spiritual insight that can only come from the LORD (Proverbs 2:6). To this day we can learn from the king’s wisdom by reading his wise sayings in the book of Proverbs, studying his wise philosophy of life in Ecclesiastes, and hearing his wisdom about love and romance from the Song of Solomon.

But I am also giving you what you didn’t ask for, riches and honor greater than that of any other king throughout your life. Thus, Solomon received the very gifts he had bypassed in his request for wisdom. In His sermon on the mount (see the commentary on The Life of Christ Cz – Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount) Yeshua echoed those same thoughts for us today: But first seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33). More than that, if you will live according to my ways, obeying my statutes (Hebrew: hachukkim, meaning to write into law permanently) and ordinances (Hebrew: hammishpatim, meaning a judgment of the court) like your father David, I will give you a long life, riches, wealth and honor such as no king before you has ever had; and no king after you will have as much” (First Kings 3:13-14; First Chronicles 1:12-13). ADONAI was careful to remind Solomon that his obedience to God’s covenant and his devotion to YHVH were the keys to his future blessings. It was not good enough that Solomon be obedient at the outset. He needed to make good choices along the way, the choice of listening and obeying, for it was in choosing obediently that Isra’el and its king would choose life (see the commentary on Deuteronomy Fq – Choose Life).

The way for us to follow Solomon’s wise counsel is to study the Scriptures, which are able to make us wise unto salvation through faith in Yeshua Messiah (Second Timothy 3:15), and to seek the wisdom of God in the Person of the Ruach Ha’Kodesh. For as wise as Solomon was, the Bible says that ADONAI is wiser still. This explains why, when Matthew speaks of the world-famous wisdom of Solomon, it goes without saying that something greater than Solomon is here (Matthew 12:42). And that something greater is Yeshua Messiah, the divine Son of God and the wisdom of God (First Corinthians 1:24).⁸⁷

Then Solomon awoke – and he realized it had all been a dream. He came away from the high place at Gibeon, from in front of the Tabernacle and returned to Yerushalayim (see the history of the Tabernacle above). For David had brought up the ark of God from Kiriath -Jearim to the place he had prepared for it because he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem (Second Chronicles 1:4). There, Solomon sacrificed burnt offerings (see the commentary on Leviticus Ai – The Burnt Offering) and fellowship offerings (see the commentary on Leviticus Ak – Peace Offerings). He also made a feast for all his officials so that they might also rejoice in thanksgiving at the renewed manifestation of God’s grace toward Isra’el and the house of David (First Kings 3:15; Second Chronicles 1:13a).

Summary statement: Because Solomon’s reign is presented as an ideal for the post-exilic community, special note is taken of the times of joy and celebration in his kingdom. Every phrase here illustrates that David’s blessings continued under his son. Solomon the son of David grew stronger and he reigned over Isra’el; ADONAI his God was with him, making him greater and greater (Second Chronicles 1:1 and 13b).

The wisest thing we could ever do is to give our lives to Yeshua Messiah. The supreme wisdom of the Lord is available to us for the asking, wisdom for even the little things of everyday life. It may seem tempting to envy Solomon for the invitation he was given to ask for anything he wanted from ADONAI. But God is ready to grant us Solomon’s wish and give us a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12). Yeshua told us to simply ask and it would be given; everyone who asks will receive (Matthew 7:7-8). Do you need wisdom for work, for the future, for a broken relationship, for an obstacle in ministry, or for problems in your family? The Bible gives this promise to anyone who asks in faith: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you (James 1:5 NIV).⁸⁸

Historical Details Related to
First Kings 3:1 to 4:34

This section is lengthy and describes the first years of Solomon’s rule and the fame he gained during that time. Foreign and domestic political situations are mentioned as are religious, literary and commercial issues. Since First Kings Chapters 1-2 establishes Solomon as the successor of David, then First Kings Chapters 3-4 indicates how Solomon began to fill the rather large void left by his father.

Most of the events of Chapters 3-4 occur during the first three years of Solomon’s rule (970-966 BC). At least they are told before construction on the Temple began in the fourth year of Solomon’s rule (First Kings 6:1). Three historical details deserve mention: Solomon’s relationship to Egypt, Solomon’s organization of Isra’el into twelve districts, and the extent of the cost of Solomon’s kingdom. These details are interspersed between the chapters’ most important ideas, which are the origin, emergence, and fruit of Solomon’s wisdom.

As has been stated, David left a significant kingdom to his son. He had built a nation largely through conquest. Philistia, Mo’ab, Ammon, Edom, and Syrian had all fallen to his armies. Those nations continued to be under Isra’el’s authority during the first decades of Solomon’s rule, which presented the new king with an administrative problem, not a military one. Since he controlled virtually all the land between Egypt and the Hittite kingdom, Solomon was a major player in international affairs.

Egypt’s pharaoh, most probably Siamun (978-959 BC),⁷¹ recognized Solomon’s significance and made an alliance with him by marrying one of his daughters to Isra’el’s king (First Kings 3:1). Perhaps Egypt was weak and needed Solomon’s support at that time, or maybe Egypt thought it would be easier to gain access to Isra’el’s trade routes through negotiation rather than through war. But whatever the reasons, peaceful relations existed with Egypt and Isra’el for some twenty years – until the twenty-first dynasty was superseded by Shishak in 945 BC.⁷² Having Egypt as an ally enhanced Solomon’s status even more. When this alliance ceased, however, Egypt actually helped support Jeroboam who eventually split Isra’el into two rival nations (to see link click Dc – A House Divided).

Before Solomon, Isra’el’s government was fairly informal. Sha’ul and David’s kingdoms were not disorganized, but they were forced to focus on waging war rather than managing a peaceful empire. Solomon, on the other hand, was determined to accomplish normal peacetime goals, such as trading and building. Therefore, he divided Isra’el into twelve districts, each of which was ruled by a governor, who was in charge of providing food and supplies for the king and his household; each one was in charge of provisions for one month out of the year (First Kings 4:7). In other words, the governors collected the taxes in their districts that went to support the central government. These districts roughly corresponded with the old tribal areas, but tribal boundaries were often disregarded. Resentment over this redistricting undoubtedly arose, then grew as certain districts struggled to pay their portion.

In any event this was a radical and decisive step, because it imposed upon the people an unprecedented burden. It meant that the fading old tribal system was virtually abolished as far as its political functioning was concerned. In place of the twelve tribes caring in turn for the Temple and the priesthood, there were twelve districts taxed for the support of Solomon’s court.⁷³

Without question, Solomon’s court needed vast sums of money to support its many interests. Besides the king, his harem, and his officials, there were chariot horses and regular army horses to feed (First Kings 4:26). In addition, the nation’s population grew (First Kings 4:20), which required further administrative costs. Since funds could not be gained through warfare, taxes and trade had to provide all the government’s income. Only an extremely wise king would fund all those various interests. But even that type of ruler could not do so for an indefinite period of time.⁷⁴

Solomon Asks for Wisdom
First Kings 3: 1-28

Wisdom (Hebrew: hokma) has already played an important role in the narrative, guiding Solomon in his treatment of those who were a threat to him (to see link click Ap – Putting the Kingdom First). And it will play an even greater central role now in this chapter. The king had a dream where he confessed his lack of discernment before ADONAI and was promised (among other things) a wise and discerning heart (see At – Solomon’s Wish). He then handed down a legal judgment where we can see the result of that wisdom (see Au – The Wisdom of Solomon). The major question is how does Solomon use his new gift from this point onward.⁷⁰

Putting the Kingdom First
First Kings 2: 13-46

Putting the Kingdom first DIG: Why does Adonijah want Abishag as his wife? What did sleeping with the king’s concubines symbolize? Why did he make the request through Bathsheba? What did Solomon see behind his brother’s request? Why did Solomon banish Abiathar and execute Joab immediately after Adonijah’s request? Why did Abiathar deserve to die? Why did Joab flee to the Tabernacle? What justification did Solomon offer for Joab’s execution? Did Solomon act righteously or was he simply eliminating a political threat? Why did Solomon merely sentence Shim’i to house arrest? How did Solomon ultimately justify Shim’i’s execution? How and when will Yeshua Messiah eliminate His enemies?

REFLECT: Solomon seemed to be acting with traditional wisdom of state, “Do unto others before they do unto you.” What do you think of this popular motto? Is it unreasonable to protect yourself? In your requests to ADONAI, can you ever ask too much of Him? What guidelines keep your requests in check? Many modern governments still use the tactics of assassination and sentencing without trial. This is not an ideal state of affairs, nor does it support the notion that modern society has improved. Are we making any progress in human rights today? In what ways are we no further advanced than the ancient Israelites? Are you too soft on those who wrong you? In what ways are you putting the Kingdom of God first?

What is the one thing that is keeping me from giving everything to the Kingdom of God?

During Adonijah’s attempt to preempt the throne, Solomon himself did not indulge in plotting to make certain that he would be the next king. In fact, he exercised remarkable restraint. But once he was formally declared king, he acted firmly with decisiveness and speed.⁵⁸ Many commentators are critical of the king moving down this hit list. Maybe there is some truth in that criticism, and First and Second Kings is mainly about power politics. However, we need to remember that Solomon was ADONAI’s anointed king. He had been properly crowned, according to the promise of God. Therefore, it was necessary for Solomon’s kingdom to be established. This was necessary, in fact, for the salvation of the whole world, because YHVH had promised that our Messiah would come through the line of David and Solomon. Furthermore, everyone in Isra’el owed their full allegiance to Solomon the rightful king. This was not merely a matter of politics, but a question of obedient submission to the Kingdom of God. If the Kingdom was to be secure, the threats against it had to be neutralized. And since those men were Solomon’s rivals, they were also the enemies of the crown that Ha’Shem had placed on Solomon’s head.

Thus, Adonijah and his henchmen were guilty of the sin of high treason, which has always been rightly regarded as a capital offense. We are not talking about men who merely disagreed with Solomon’s policies, but about men who wanted to take his very crown. The correct and proper way for a king to punish such mortal enemies is not by giving them liberty, but by giving them death, or at least exile. The security of the kingdom requires the elimination of its enemies (see the commentary on Revelation, to see link click Ex – The Eight Stage Campaign of Armageddon). The kingdom must come first, by preserving it from those trying to undermine and destroy it. To disagree with this form of justice is to misunderstand what it means for a king to be a king. As different situations arose, Solomon needed to heed the counsel of his father David and establish his kingdom by eliminating his enemies.

Solomon had four enemies to eliminate: Adonijah, Abiathar, Joab, and Shim’i. It is important to recognize that each of these men put their own desire for money, sex, or power ahead of loving obedience to the Kingdom of God. Thus, the accounts of these men give us test cases for temptation in our own lives. The first man Solomon had to deal with was Adonijah, who wanted sex and power more than he wanted God’s Kingdom.⁵⁹

Adonijah’s foolish request and execution (First Kings 2:13-25): In contrast to Solomon’s wisdom, Adonijah made a foolish request. After David’s death, Adonijah came to Bathsheba and made an enormous miscalculation. He wanted to be given Abishag, the Shunamite who had last ministered to the king (First Kings 1:1-2). Later Adonijah son of Haggith came to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother. “Is your coming in shalom, in good faith, not to make trouble?” she asked. “It is in shalom,” he said deceitfully. Then he said, “I have something to say to you.” “Speak!” she said (First Kings 2:13-14).

With at least a trace of bitterness, he reminded the queen mother, using a bit of exaggeration: You know that the kingdom was mine and that all Isra’el looked to me to be the king. However, in a massive understatement he observed, “But things have changed and the kingship has gone to my brother – for it was his from ADONAI. So now one petition I ask of you; do not deny me. “Speak!” she said to him. Then he said: Please, speak to King Solomon – for he won’t turn you down – to give me Abishag the Shunammite as wife. This seemed like such a small request. “Very well,” said Bathsheba, “I will speak to the king for you” (First Kings 2:15-18). There is no indication that Bathsheba would speak on his behalf and be willing to support the request. She would speak about him, but not for him.

How easy it is for us to take the same attitude when the disappointments of life get in the way of our plans for our own kingdoms! We suffer a financial setback, a medical hardship, or a failed relationship. Then, rather than believing that the mercy of Yeshua is enough for us, and trusting our King to know what He is doing, we demand something to make up for what we have lost. “I deserve this,” we say, and then we take something for ourselves that God does not want us to have – some sinful pleasure, perhaps, or some shiny new toy. Rather than letting go of what we want so that we can have what ADONAI wants to give us, we find a way to take what we want for ourselves.⁶⁰

Dear Heavenly Father, What a great and wonderful father You are! It is a comfort to know that in Your love and power You always give me exactly what I need. The Lord is my helper; I will not fear (Hebrews 13:5c-6a). ADONAI gives grace and glory. No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly (Psalms 84:11b-c). Sometimes the need is for strength, sometimes financial, sometimes wisdom, but whatever I need, You are always right there to help guide and to provide. For God Himself has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you,”  so that with confidence we say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What will man do to me” (Hebrews 13:5b-6)?

Praise You that I can trust You completely to guide me in situations and to give me what I really need. I find great peace that when I rest in the knowledge that though situations in my life do not look as I want them to look, as I surrender my all to You, You will work to guide all details of my life to Your glory! Praise You that in Your perfect knowledge You know when to say “Yes”, “No” and “Wait.” You carefully consider my every request. Praise Your Almighty power and Your compassionate love. In Yeshua’s holy name and power of His resurrection. Amen

What Adonijah wanted to take was Abishag. The problem with his request was that she had the status of a concubine, which was part of the king’s harem, and as Absalom found out – anyone claiming a woman in the king’s harem, claimed to be the king (Second Samuel 16:20-23)! He made his pitiful request to the queen mother by reminding her that he was “supposed” to be the king, and receiving Abishag would be a nice little consolation prize. In making his request, however, Adonijah foolishly signed his own death warrant.

Unfortunately for Adonijah, the queen mother did what she promised. Bathsheba dutifully relayed the request to Solomon, perhaps with rolling eyes. She seemed to be an indifferent messenger. But surely, she understood, as Adonijah apparently did not, the inevitable outcome of the request. The king rose up to greet her and bowed down to her. Then he sat down on his throne and had a throne set up for the king’s mother, and she sat at his right hand. Using almost the same words as Adonijah, she said: I ask one small petition of you; do not deny. “Ask, my mother,” the king said to her, “for I will not turn you down.” So she said: Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as wife (First Kings 2:19-21).

Solomon’s response was swift and clear. Ask for Abishag? Why not ask for the entire kingdom as well?! Adonijah had not only threatened Solomon, but he had failed to accept the will of God. Then King Solomon swore by ADONAI saying: May God do so to me and even more, if Adonijah does not pay with his own life for this request! Now therefore, as ADONAI lives who has established me and set me on the throne of my father David, and who has made me a house as He promised, surely Adonijah shall be put to death this day. Then Benaiah, the hatchet man of the new regime, was dispatched by king Solomon and the rebellious Adonijah was executed (First Kings 2:22-25). The force of Solomon’s response likely indicates his awareness that he was still more than a little vulnerable. After all, not only Adonijah, but Joab and Abiathar were still alive. It seemed that the party of Adonijah was still alive as well.⁶¹ So Adonijah came to a bad end. His sinful request proved that he was not a worthy man. He knew that Solomon was supposed to be the king, but he refused to submit to his kingship. He would not put the Kingdom of God first, so he perished in his sins.

Bathsheba never appears in the book again, so it is appropriate to assess her actions concerning Adonijah here. It is unmistakably clear that the queen mother was a most formidable presence in the ancient world of royal intrigue, and Bathsheba was no novice. She lived in the palace and was a major player in her son’s rise to power (Al – A Royal Conspiracy). In addition, she fully understood the intricacies of harem politics more than anyone because she was in charge of the royal harem! She would have hardly aided her son’s chief rival. Therefore, we must conclude that Bathsheba understood the nature of Adonijah’s request and prudently warned her son of his rival’s inept power play.⁶²

Solomon banishes Abiathar (First Kings 2:26-27): Abiathar had to be dealt with for his support of Adonijah (see Ak – King Me!). In Solomon’s mind, Abiathar remained a pro-Adonijah threat to his newly established kingship. So the king said to Abiathar, “Go to Anathoth,” which was about three-and-a-half miles north of Jerusalem. It was a Levitical city for the tribe of Benjamin where priests lived when not in active service (Joshua 21:1-3 and 18; Jeremiah 1:1). Abiathar deserved to die because he opposed not only David’s will but also the will of ADONAI in the matter of succession. But Solomon mercifully added: I will not put you to death at this time, because you carried the ark of ADONAI Elohim before my father David, and because you were afflicted in everything with which my father was afflicted (see the commentary on the Life of David Dp – David Flees from Absalom). Notice the words: I will not put you to death now. The reprieve from execution was seemingly dependent on Abiathar’s continued good behavior. So Solomon dismissed Abiathar from being the high priest to ADONAI – so fulfilling the word of ADONAI that He spoke at Shiloh about the house of Eli (First Samuel 2:30-36).⁶³

Solomon had Joab executed (First Kings 2:28-34): Having heard of Solomon’s actions with regard to Adonijah and Abiathar, Joab knew that his judgment would not be long in coming. When the news came to Joab, he fled to the Tabernacle and grasped the horns of the bronze altar – for Joab had defected to Adonijah, though he had not defected to Absalom. It was reported to King Solomon that Joab had fled to the Tabernacle, and was by the bronze altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, saying: Go, strike him down (First Kings 2:28-29)!

So Benaiah came to the Tabernacle and said to him, “Thus says the king: Come out!” But he replied: No, for I will die here. Joab’s refusal created a serious dilemma for Benaiah, who did not want to carry out the execution in the courtyard of the Tabernacle. So he reported back to the king saying: Thus said Joab, and thus he answered me (First Kings 2:30). In response, the king repeated his orders and made it very clear why Joab deserved to die.

Then the king commanded him, saying: Do as he has said – strike him down. Then bury him. So you will remove the blood that Joab shed without cause from me and from my father’s house. Thus, ADONAI will return his blood on his own head, because he struck down two men more righteous and better than he – Abner son of Ner, commander of the army of Isra’el (see the Life of David Ck – Joab Murders Abner), and Amasa son of Jether, commander of the army of Judah (see the Life of David Ee – Sheba Rebels Against David: The Murder of Amasa) – and killed them with the sword, without my father David’s knowledge. May the guilt of their blood return upon the head of Joab and upon the head of his offspring forever, but to David and his descendants and his house, and his throne, may there be shalom forever from ADONAI.” Then Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up, struck him down and killed him, and he was buried in his own house in Bethlehem (2 Sam 2:32). This was an act of honor for old general for his previous loyalty (1 Kings 2:31-33).

ADONAI abhors wrongful violence, and Joab was a violent man. He was guilty of shedding innocent blood, and his bloodguilt for that sin had not yet been paid. The Torah declares that whoever sheds the blood of a man, by man shall his blood be shed (Genesis 9:6). If Solomon did not deal justly with Joab by giving him the punishment that his sins deserved, then the king would become guilty himself, for it was his responsibility to see that justice was done. Only then could Solomon’s kingdom be established in shalom.

Then Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up, struck him down and killed him, and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness (First Kings 2:34). The Bible seems to imply that Benaiah killed Joab right in the courtyard of the Tabernacle. However, he may have done what the Torah required in that situation, which was to drag the criminal away from the bronze altar and put him to death outside the Tabernacle (Exodus 21:14). The bronze altar of God was never meant to protect someone who was guilty of premeditated murder.

In the end, Joab got what he deserved. His unhappy demise reminds us never to excuse our own love for violence. To batter one’s spouse, to strike someone in anger, to use hateful and threatening words, even to think murderous thoughts – these are sins against the peace of humanity and the holiness of God. If we do not repent of our violent hearts, but insist on abusing power to get what we want from other people, we will suffer the consequences in this life (see the commentary on Hebrews Cz – God Disciplines His Children). Going to church will not save us, any more than going to the Tabernacle saved Joab. The only thing that can save us is a blood offering to atone for our guilty souls. Praise God, this is exactly the offering that Yeshua made when He was crucified; a blood atonement for all our sins. It is simply not enough to be desperate for mercy, as Joab was; we must also come to ADONAI in true repentance for our sins and genuine faith in Yeshua Messiah.⁶⁴

The promotion of Benaiah and Zadok (First Kings 2:35): Solomon wasted little time to fortify his regime. Then the king appointed Benaiah son of Jehoiada in his place over the army, and Zadok the king appointed in Abiathar’s place as high priest (First Kings 2:35). A quick review of those who supported Adonijah’s attempted coup makes it clear that the old guard had been eliminated and new appointees were made. However, Benaiah was ruthless for Solomon as Joab had been for David. And he was duly rewarded for his brutality with a promotion.⁶⁵ The descendents of Zadok retained the priesthood until 171 BC, when Antiochus conferred it to Menelaus. The Essenes at Qumran were at odds with the priests of the day and awaited the restoration of the Zadokites, whom they looked upon as the only legitimate priestly family. We don’t see the sons of Zadok again until they are ministering in the Messianic Temple (see the commentary on Jeremiah Gs – God Shows a Vision of the Millennial Temple).⁶⁶ The elimination of Adonijah, Abiathar, and Joab made the new regime secure. But there was one more score to be settled from David’s list (see Ao – David’s Last Words: Unfinished Business).

Shim’i’s disobedience and execution (First Kings 2:36-36): The last man to suffer Solomon’s wrath was Shim’i, who was condemned for putting money ahead of the Kingdom of God. We have heard part of his story before, Shim’i was the man who threw stones at King David, cursing him and wrongly accusing him of murder (see the Life of David Ds – Shim’i Curses David). David vowed not to kill Shim’i, but Solomon was not bound by his father’s oath. So in his last words David advised Solomon to bring his gray head down to the grave in blood (First Kings 2:8-9).⁶⁷

Mercifully, what Solomon decided to do instead was to place Shim’i under a general house arrest, ordering him not to leave Jerusalem. Then the king sent and summoned Shim’i, and commanded him: “Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and live there, and depart not from there anywhere else. For on the day, you go out and cross over the Kidron valley, know for certain that you shall surely die – your blood shall be on your own head.” By forbidding Shim’i to leave Jerusalem, Solomon kept him isolated from his kinsmen of Benjamin who had taken the lead in the revolt against David under Sheba (see the Life of David Ee – Sheba Rebels Against David). Shim’i was forbidden to go anywhere outside Jerusalem, but the Kidron valley received special mention for it is on the direct route toward Bahurim, Shim’i’s hometown.⁶⁸ Shim’i agreed to Solomon’s gracious terms, posturing himself as a faithful servant of the king, saying: What you say is good. As my lord the king has said, so will your servant do. So Shimei lived in Jerusalem many days (First Kings 2:36-38). Having given his word, all he had to do was stay put in Jerusalem.

However, Shim’i would not sit still, and he eventually violated the terms of his parole: But it came about at the end of three years that two of Shim’i’s servants ran away to Achish son of Maacah, king of Gath, located twenty-five miles from Jerusalem. So they told Shim’i, saying: Behold, your servants are in Gath. So Shim’i arose, saddled his donkey and went to Gath to Achish, to look for his servants; then Shim’i went and brought his servants back from Gath (First Kings 2:39-40). Had he taken the conditions of his confinement seriously and been an honest man, he would have gone to Solomon and requested either that the king would fetch his slaves for him or else allow him to make the trip himself. Now Shim’i didn’t actually cross the Kidron valley to chase his servants, maybe he thought that he didn’t violate the spirit of Solomon’s ban. If so, he made a colossal mistake. The king obviously interpreted the travel ban to be on going “anywhere else” rather than on a literal crossing of the Kidron valley. By breaking his oath to God and to Solomon, the one who had cursed David had ironically cursed himself!

The root of Shim’i’s crime was his refusal to put the Kingdom first. His own financial gain was more important to him than obedience to the Kingdom of God. He was like the rich young ruler that Yeshua commanded to sell everything he had and then give the money to the poor (see the commentary on The Life of Christ Il – The Rich Young Ruler). He sadly refused because he loved his money more than he loved the Kingdom of God. Shim’i made the same ungodly decision. He wanted to keep all of his property for himself. He couldn’t bear to let any of it go, even when that meant disobeying the king and breaking his promise to God.

But it was reported to Solomon that Shim’i had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and back. So the king sent someone and summoned Shim’i. The king said to him, “Didn’t I make you swear by ADONAI and forewarned you, saying: Know for certain that on the day you depart and go anywhere else, you shall surely die? You even said to me: “The saying is good; I have heard it.” Why then haven’t you kept the oath of ADONAI and the commandment that I charged you with” (First Kings 2:41-43)? But Shim’i had nothing to say in his defense. He had foolishly disregarded the direct command of his sovereign king, who he had promised to obey with a solemn oath taken in the presence of YHVH.

Then the king proceeded to pronounce Shim’i’s doom: You know all the evil, which your heart should acknowledge, that you did to my father David. Therefore, ADONAI will return your evil on your own head. But I shall be blessed and the throne of David established before ADONAI forever.” Solomon rehearsed Shim’i’s crimes, both past and present. Then the sentence was quickly executed: So the king commanded Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck him down, so that he died. Then all the rebellious supporters of Adonijah had been crushed. David’s instructions had been carried out, and Solomon had proved himself to be a wise king. Thus, the kingdom was secured in his hands (First Kings 2:44-46). With the death of Shim’i there would be no more challenges from the house of Sha’ul.

Each of these men that Solomon executed had one thing that they refused to give up for the Kingdom of God. Adonijah had to have Abishag, Joab would not give up his desire for revenge for the death of his brother, and Shim’i would not let go of his servants.

We face similar temptations. Some of us are like Shim’i: our temptation is what money can buy. So we are unwilling to walk away from a lucrative business deal that is not entirely honest. Or we build our careers at the expense of our families. Or we shortchange God by skimping on our tithes and offerings. Other people are like Adonijah: we pursue sexual gratification ahead of our commitment to the Kingdom. Or, like Joab, we are guilty of angry violence.

The question for each of us is this: What is the one thing that is keeping me from giving everything to the Kingdom of God? It’s like all or nothing with ADONAI, as it is for every self-respecting king. It is the character of a king to demand total allegiance. If we follow God only when He gives us what we want, then we are not treating Him like a King, but only as a servant. To put God first, He has to be first in every aspect of our lives, including the one thing we really don’t want to give up for His Kingdom, whatever that one thing may be.⁶⁹

David’s Last Words
First Kings 2:1-12 and
First Chronicles 29:26-30

David’s last words DIG: What kind of king does David want Solomon to be? What does this say about David? What divisions always plagued him (see Second Samuel 2:4, 10-17, 5:3-5, 15:13-14)? Why did Joab kill Abner (Second Samuel 17:24-26, 19:10-13)? Is David really against vengeance? Why did Shim’i curse David (Second Samuel 16:5-8)? How will David set aside his oath? How many years did David rule in Hebron over Judah? How many years did he rule all together? Who succeeded him? Was there an official ceremony? Why not? In what sense was David a man after God’s own heart?

REFLECT: When facing tough situations in your life, where do you turn? Do you find it hard to “forgive and forget?” Do you hold grudges? How does the desire for vengeance, even if justified, affect your life? If you’ve lived long enough, there are important people in your life that have passed away: I am sure David was looking forward to seeing his God, the son that he lost after his sin with Bathsheba, and his friend Y’honatan. Who do you look forward to seeing, and why? What are the most important things you have learned from your study of the Life of David? What will you do in response to what you’ve learned?

Observe the charge of ADONAI your God to go in His ways and keep His regulations, mitzvot, rulings and instructions in accordance with what is written in the Torah of Moshe.

The old king was on his deathbed. In fact, he had been in bed since the opening verse of First Kings, when, despite the best efforts of his servants, he simply could not stay warm. Although he had managed to rouse himself long enough to appoint Solomon as his successor, David was still dying. This was the end of an era. Scripture says that David served God’s purpose in his own generation (Acts 13:36). By the grace of God, he established a capital City that would stand at the center of history and started a dynasty that would save the world. But even King David had to go the way of all flesh, and as he lay dying there were some things he wanted to say before he could die in peace. Then he proceeded to give his last will and testament.

David was fortunate. Some people die so suddenly that they never get the chance to say their good-bye’s. But most people have some things they want to say before they die. What would you say if you had the chance? We all have to die sometime (unless the Lord comes back first, of course), and one good way to get ready to die is to think ahead to our dying words. What would you say if you knew that you were about to die? What testimony would you give your family and friends? What spiritual legacy would you want to leave for your children and grandchildren?⁴⁹

David’s last, private, instructions to Solomon came in two parts. The first had to do with Solomon’s spiritual life in verses 2-4, where the king summarized the message of Deuteronomy and reminded his son of God’s promise and exhortation: When your days come to an end and you sleep with your ancestors, I will establish one of your descendants to succeed you, one of your own flesh and blood; and I will set up his rulership. He will build a house for My name, and I will establish his royal throne forever. I will be a father for him, and he will be a son for Me. If he gets punished: nevertheless, my grace will not leave him, as I took it away from Sha’ul, whom I removed before you. (Second Samuel 7:12-16 CJB). The second gives instruction concerning the nature of unfinished business pertaining to Joab, to Shim’i, and to the sons of Barzillai in verses 5-9.⁵⁰

Solomon’s spiritual life (2:1-4): When the time drew near for David to die, he gave his last charge to Solomon, his son (First Kings 2:1). The TaNaKh records the last words of Jacob (Genesis 49); Moses (Deuteronomy 33); Joshua (Joshua 23:1-24:27) and David. The old king was on his deathbed, and he knew it, saying: I am about to go the way of all the earth. Then he proceeded to give his last will and testament. Solomon was a young man who had lived a sheltered life and David knew he needed this instruction, so he said: Be strong, and act like a godly man. Observe the charge of ADONAI your God to go in His ways and keep His regulations, mitzvot, rulings and instructions in accordance with what is written in the Torah of Moshe (First Kings 2:2-3a CJB). In his famous last words, David used seven different terms to describe the Word of God (charge, ways, regulations, mitzvot, rulings, instructions, and the Torah). Each of these terms comes from the Word of God itself (Deuteronomy 4:29, 6:1-2 and 5, 8:6 and 11, 9:5, 10:12 and 23, 11:1 and 22, 29:8). Each term has a slightly different emphasis, but David’s main point in using all these different words is that his son should live by every word that comes from the mouth of ADONAI.

There was not one situation Solomon would face in his life as a man or the ruler of his kingdom that the Bible would not address in some practical way. The same is true for us. God’s Word teaches us how to think, how to speak, and how to live. It tells us what to love and what to hate. It shows us how to glorify God forever. When we use the Bible as our “owner’s manual,” it will help make us the godly men and godly women we were created to be.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You that in Your great wisdom You gave me what I need to know how to live a joyful and content life. How helpful is your Ruach Ha’Kodesh living within me to guide and help me, tremendous! Yeshua answered and said to him: If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him (John 14:23). Your Word is living (Hebrews 4:12) and as I read and meditate on Your Word, the Spirit of God uses it to show me the right path to take and to bring comfort and encouragement. Where would I be without You. You are wonderful. I love You so much! In Yeshua’s Holy name I give you thanks. Amen

If Solomon kept God’s charge, ways, regulations, mitzvot, rulings, instructions and Torah, God promised that he would succeed spiritually in all he did, wherever he went. David knew what he was talking about. If we want to have God’s blessing, we must walk in God’s ways. This principle holds true for us, especially if we define success in biblical terms. This doesn’t mean that we won’t ever suffer, or that every difficulty we face in life is the direct result of our own personal sin. But it does mean that obedience has God’s blessing. We may experience this blessing in our relationships, as the Word of God teaches us how to love. We may experience this blessing in our homes as the Word of God teaches us how to take care of our family. We may experience His blessing in our daily lives, as the Word of God teaches us how to work hard and pursue excellence. But whether we have success in the workplace or not, we will certainly be successful spiritually. Obeying the Word of God will keep us close to the Ruach Ha’Kodesh; it will help us bring more people to Messiah, and it will show us more of the glory of God.⁵¹

David also reminded his son of the special covenant Ha’Shem had made with his family (see the commentary on the Life of David, to see link click Ct – The LORD’s Covenant with David). ADONAI would fulfill what He promised to David when He said: If your children pay attention to how they live (wow did David ever learn that lesson the hard way), conducting themselves before me honestly with all their heart and being, you will never lack a man on the throne of Isra’el (First Kings 2:3b-4 CJB). The covenant was unconditional with respect to its ultimate goal of bringing the Messiah from the line of David, but each individual king needed to live in obedience to God’s Word in order to experience the blessing of ADONAI.⁵² In other words, the king would be disciplined if he lived in disobedience to the Torah, but would always be loved. The subsequent history of the nation then seems to confirm the promise. By the end of Kings the monarchy is no more, and both the northern kingdom of Isra’el and the southern kingdom of Judah were in exile (as Deuteronomy 4:25-28 had foretold), but they were still God’s chosen people, the apple of his eye (Deut 32:10; Zech 2:8).

So, what kind of promise did Ha’Shem really give to David? Was it conditional or unconditional? Did the establishment of David’s throne depend on Solomon’s keeping the covenant or not? These questions are answered for us in the Gospel of Yeshua Messiah, who is the final Son (descendant) of David. The sad truth about Solomon is that like his father David, he did not obey God’s Word. Solomon started well, but he declined into idolatry, greed and immorality. And to one degree or another, the same was true of every last king in Isra’el. They all failed to walk in God’s ways and to keep God’s Torah.

Unfinished Business (2:5-8): David knew that there was danger lurking in the shadows of the kingdom, and he warned Solomon to act immediately and deal with two dangerous men. Men like Joab and Shim’i would continue to be a menace to the young king and to the peace of the nation. Joab, the commander of David’s army was the first to be named. Now you yourself know what Joab did to me (see the commentary on the Life of David Dz – Joab Kills Absalom), and what he did to the two commanders of Isra’el’s armies, Abner (see the Life of David Ck – Joab Murders Abner) and Amasa (see the Life of David Ee – Sheba Rebels Against David: The Murder of Amasa). He killed them, shedding their blood in peacetime as if in battle, and with that blood he stained the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. The murders were committed when peace reigned in the Land; or by treachery under the mask of friendship. And all that might have been forgiven, but when Joab supported Adonijah in his quest for the throne (see Ak – King Me!), that could not be forgiven. David knew that Joab would be a threat to Solomon. Therefore, he advised: Deal with him according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to Sh’ol in peace, or die a natural death (First Kings 2:5-6).

The second dangerous man was Shim’i. He was a Benjamite, a relative of Sha’ul who wanted Sha’ul’s line restored to the throne. And remember Shim’i who called down bitter curses on me the day I went to Mahanaim (see the Life of David Ds – Shim’i Curses David). Later, when David returned to power, Shim’i humbled himself before the king and David forgave him. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the LORD, “I will not put you to death by the sword.” The threat of Shim’i to Solomon was twofold. First, David doubtless made this promise in a moment of profound relief that the kingdom had been restored to him. But must have later realized that Shim’i’s “repentance” was not sincere and that he could be a potential threat to the young king. But now, do not consider him innocent. You are a man of wisdom; you will know what to do to him. But more importantly, Shim’i embodied the continuing threat of Benjamin and the ten northern tribes of Isra’el that David was never quite sure where their loyalty lay. The point is that he was pro-Sha’ul and anti-David. Therefore, David counseled his son, “Bring his gray head down to the grave in blood” (First Kings 2:8-9).⁵³

David not only remembered dangerous men like Joab and Shim’i, but he also remembered faithful men like Barzillai. He was a wealthy landowner, who stood by David when he fled from Absalom (see the Life of David Ed – David Returns to Yerushalayim: Barzillai the Gileadite). Solomon felt obligated to continue to pay what the royal family owed this man who intervened on David’s behalf at a poignant and dangerous moment. David had wanted to reward Barzillai with a place at his table, something like a pension, but the old man preferred to die in his own hometown. Therefore, Barzillai asked David to give the honor to his son Khimham, so now David instructed Solomon to care for Khimham’s sons. But show kindness to the grandchildren of Barzillai and let them be among those who eat at your table (First Kings 2:7).

David’s death and summary of his reign (2:10-11): Then David, son of Jesse, who was king over all Isra’el, rested with his ancestors and was buried in Jerusalem, the City of David, named after him by right of conquest. The normal custom was to be buried outside the City, so it was a mark of high honor that the remains of the departed king were buried within Jerusalem (Acts 2:29). He had made extensive preparations for a successful reign for his son, particularly with regard to the plans and materials for the Temple. Now, having reigned forty years over Isra’el – seven years in Hebron over Judah alone – and thirty-three in Jerusalem, David died at a good old age, knowing that the kingdom was in good hands, having enjoyed a long life, wealth and honor. His son Solomon succeeded him as king. Just how long the coregency lasted cannot be stated with any certainty . Estimates range from two or three months to several years (First Kings 2:10-12; First Chronicles 29:26-28).⁵⁴ Shavu’ot is the traditional date on which King David died, a point to be remembered when reading Acts 2:25-32 (see the commentary on Acts An – Peter Speaks to the Shavu’ot Crowd).

Finally, the Chronicler noted several sources he used for the history of David beside the canonical book of Samuel. As for the events of King David’s reign, from beginning to end, they are written in the records of Samuel the seer (not to be confused with the canonical book of Samuel), plus the records of Nathan the prophet and the records of Gad the seer. These prophetic books no longer exist, but they contained many details of his reign and power, and the circumstances that surrounded him and Isra’el and the kingdoms of all the other lands he had conquered (First Chronicles 29:29-30).⁵⁵

The Bible paints a grand picture of David. He was an outstanding person, courageous, generous, warm-hearted, outgoing and appreciative of others. He was a warrior, poet, musician, military genius, and administrator. He was, moreover, a man who inspired loyalty, and with the help of his supporters, accomplished much: the establishment of Jerusalem as Isra’el’s capital, and the uniting of the twelve tribes into a nation that could hold its own in the international scene. Isra’el’s cities had their defenses strengthened, and by the end of David’s reign preparations were in hand for the building of the Temple in Tziyon. All this accounts, in part, for David’s greatness.

In what sense, however, was he a man after God’s own heart (First Samuel 13:14)? He is depicted in the Bible as entirely human, hampered by weaknesses that were the counterpart of his strengths. He had a problem with lust (see the Life of David Cp – Children Born to David in Yerushalayim) and he was indulgent towards his sons, both of those issues caused him enormous problems. But unlike Sha’ul, when David received a rebuke, he humbly admitted his faults; when Nathan or Gad delivered a message of judgment, the prophet’s condemnation was accepted as the word of God. In other words, ADONAI was King; David was merely His proxy, exercising delegated power.

David’s successors, who for the most part failed to conform to this role, were pointed back to him, for whose sake the dynasty was permitted to continue until the kingdom was swept away by the Babylonians (see the commentary on Jeremiah Gu – Seventy Years of Imperial Babylonian Rule). Even then, hopes were kept alive by the promise of Nathan to David, “Your house (dynasty) and your Kingdom will endure forever before Me; your throne will be established forever” (First Samuel 7:16). The B’rit Chadashah takes up the theme when Yeshua is introduced as a descendant of David; indeed, the very first verse of Mattityahu’s Gospel makes the point: This is the genealogy of Yeshua the Messiah, son of David, son of Abraham (Mattityahu 1:1 CJB).⁵⁶

The sad truth about Solomon is that, like his father David, he did not give full obedience to the Word of God. Solomon started well, but as we read his tragic account, we will trace his sad decline into idolatry, greed, and immorality. To one degree or another, the same is true of every last king in Isra’el; they all failed to walk in God’s ways and keep His mitzvot.

All except Yeshua, that is. Yeshua of Nazareth was the only Son (descendant) of David who was faithful to God’s covenant, keeping all 613 of His charges, ways, regulations, mitzvot, rulings, instructions and Torah (see the commentary on The Life of Christ Dg – The Completion of the Torah). This is why God’s promises to David were both conditional and unconditional. They were conditional because the king was required to be obedient to God’s Word; but they were unconditional because YHVH knew that one day a King would come and fulfill His rulings perfectly. The dynasty would be established on the basis of the full and perfect obedience of Yeshua, and thus God’s absolute promise would not fail.

At the end of His perfect, promise-fulfilling life, Yeshua had some famous last words of His own – words that offered forgiveness to His enemies and promised paradise to anyone who trusted in Him. Then Messiah finished His saving work by dying on the cross, suffering the violence and death that we deserve for our sins. This was not the end, however, because Yeshua rose from the dead to take His eternal throne.⁵⁷

Solomon’s Consolidation of Power
First Kings 2: 1-46

This extended chapter marks the transition of power from father David to son Solomon, reporting David’s death and Solomon’s ruthless consolidation of power. The chapter divides into David’s advice to his son (to see link click Ao – David’s Last Words) and Solomon’s actions that only partly correspond to his father’s counsel (see Ap – Putting the Kingdom First). In First Kings 2:12 we read that Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his rule was firmly established because the books of Kings give us the human perspective focusing on the Davidic dynasty. And in First Chronicles 29:23 it is called the throne of ADONAI because the books of the Chronicles gives us the Godly perspective. The end of the verse says: He prospered and all Isra’el obeyed him. This helps us to understand David’s last words to Solomon. He was concerned with the sins of Joab and Shim’i that might bring bloodguilt upon the kingdom and thus endanger it from the Divine side; and concerned for Solomon’s security because Joab had long been a problem as was Adonijah, and Shim’i was a member of the house of Sha’ul the Benjamite and thus they might endanger the kingdom from the human side.⁴⁸