Bible Lessons

From: Messages of God's Love: 1927

1 Kings 2.

IF David lacked energy and faithfulness in government, he, at least, knew what was due, and instructed Solomon to carry out justice in the cases of Joab, the, as yet unpunished murderer, and Shimei who had cursed David and thrown stones at him and his followers at the time of his humiliation at the hand of Absalom. Solomon was to keep the charge of the Lord, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, commandments, judgments and testimonies, as they were written in the law of Moses. David’s language to his son is similar to what we read in Joshua 1:7, 8⁷Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. ⁸This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (Joshua 1:7‑8) of Moses’ injunctions to Joshua,

“Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayst observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayst prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayst observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” And a like word is found in the first Psalm.

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.” Psa. 1:1, 2¹Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. ²But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. (Psalm 1:1‑2).

Are these words to have no voice for us? Surely they direct us to the only path that is pleasing to God at any time in the world’s history. The Word of God is given us who love the Lord Jesus, that we may read it, learn from it and live according to its precepts. Thus and the only way, we really “prosper” (see 3 John 2²Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (3 John 2)).

Solomon took the throne when his father died, and the next thing we are told is that the ambitious Adonijah, who was no friend of the king, came to Bathsheba to propose to marry David’s last wife, Abishag, and thereby apparently to lay some claim to the throne. Solomon evidently thought that this was his object, and had Adonijah put to death.

Abiathar the unfaithful priest was sent away to Anathoth a city of the priests 3 miles north of Jerusalem, and Joab paid at last the penalty of his crimes. On Shimei also judgment fell when he disobeyed the king’s commandment.