Tag: 1 Kings

Solomon chooses wisdom

May 31, 2020

To have the alliances necessary to remain in peace, Solomon formed treaties with other nations. In 1 Kings 3 we are told of his marriage to the daughter of the Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.

After sacrificing at Gibeon, Jehovah appears to him in a dream and asks what he could give to the new King. Discernment or wisdom to govern the people is the request. There is a requirement included. He must walk in obedience as David had.

The chapter ends with a story about two prostitutes that lived together, and both had babies. We know how the King solved this dilemma and it proves his wisdom. Tomorrow we will read another version of these events.

First Kings chapter four starts with all the officials of Solomon’s kingdom. The amount of provisions needed for feeding his court is also included. It ends with a description of his wisdom and knowledge. I have always had a problem with the third King of Israel being classifies as the wisest man in the Bible. While God gave him insight that made him a great ruler, I believe a man of true wisdom from Yahweh would have not allowed his wives to continue to worship idols. Many Christians have their idols. We call this king wise when his tolerance of idolatry was foolish. When we reach Proverbs, we will see how he contrasts the wise and the fool. We’ll compare what he said with his actions.

We will look at the differences recorded in 2 Chronicles 1 from how it was told in 1 Kings three. Solomon goes to sacrifice to Yahweh and is asked what he would like most. The answer is the same. He asked for wisdom to rule the Israelites. This version includes no reference to Pharaoh’s daughter or the tale of the prostitutes and their babies.

The emphasis in both accounts is on Jehovah giving The King more wisdom than anyone ever had or would have. No mention is made here about the requirement to obey His laws. More time is given to the collection of wealth and possessions.

Solomon is the author of the 72nd Psalm. It is almost like a prayer that he voices to God for his kingdom. Righteousness, prosperity, endurance, expansion, and tribute are things he requests of Jehovah. Some of these aspirations almost sound selfish. Nothing is said about wisdom.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

The death of a king

May 28, 2020

Medical practices have changed a lot since the period written about in the first book of the Kings of Israel. Chapter one begins with the elderly King David needing some aid to stay warm while sleeping.  Electric blankets and space heaters had not been invented yet.  Abishag, a young unmarried woman is brought in to be a human hot water bottle.  This problem with old age sets the stage for a coup.

We have finally finished the material about and by David. In 1 Kings 1, we begin to look at the third king of Israel, Solomon. David is still alive, and his second-oldest son makes a play to become the ruler of the Jews. The shepherd king is old and feeble. A young woman is found to share his bed to keep him warm. Talk about a live hot water bottle. She will be significant later.

David’s son, Adonijah, decided to promote himself as king. Joab supported him.  As the next oldest to Absalom, he felt he should be the successor.  No one told him he was next in line. As many of us do, he considered it was easier to ask forgiveness than permission. He even invited all of his brothers except Solomon to the coronation.

Nathan was not invited, either. He went to Bathsheba and asked her to go to see her husband about his wishes for an heir to the throne.  This triggers a ceremony to put Solomon on the throne before there is a battle between brothers. When word reaches Adonimah, the party is over.  He runs to the altar and pleads that Solomon will not take revenge on him for trying to grab his Jehovah granted position. Solomon agrees to forgive him if he is faithful to the new king.  That’s not going to happen.

Adonijah uses Joab and Abiathar to help promote his place as the next ruler. The problem is that Yahweh had told David a son by Bathsheba would succeed him. Remember the prophet Nathan that confronted David about his sin with her? He works with her to move Solomon in as the current leader’s true choice.

His older brother goes to the altar in the tent of meeting and holds onto the horns until he has the new King’s pledge not to kill him. Execution of family members is common to secure your place as a monarch.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

Solomon is installed as king

May 27, 2020

David not only had Solomon installed as king before he died in 1 Chronicles 23 he also established the service of the Levitical families. They had all the needed functions of the Tabernacle covered. Some were musicians, gatekeepers, in charge of all the different kinds of festivals, and sacrifices. These families would continue these duties after the Temple is built by Solomon.

The book of 1st Chronicles is very interesting in the way it tells the same stories as other books. One example in chapter twenty-four is the way Aaron’s oldest two sons died. No specifics are given, but we know from Exodus that their deaths were in response to disobedience. We are given the genealogical divisions for work in the Tabernacle and eventually the Temple.

Of course, David would appoint some of the Levites as musicians. The prophets mentioned in 1 Chronicles 25 are most likely what we know as Cantors. They would chant or sing the words of the Psalms during worship. The accompaniment by the lyres, harps, and cymbals is also assigned by the King. Two-hundred and eighty-eight men from the line of Levi are selected for their positions by Jehovah.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger