1 Kings chapter 2 reads like a scene from The Godfather. On his deathbed, David warned his son Solomon about those who have been loyal and also lists specific people to “whack”. Sadly, they treat the role of King as a family business rather than representing God’s authority. David seemed to be settling all the old scores at one time. The chapter begins with David reminding his son of the promise of God; “I am about to go the way of all the earth… So be strong, show yourself a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, His laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go“. David continued, “that the Lord may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel”. Many people today have been raised with “if- then” performance oriented religion. Not only is it impossible to perfectly follow the law, but it also overlooks the merciful heart of God. Is there a lack of Joy in your worship? Romans chapter 8 reminds us that Jesus Christ has set us free from the “law of death” by fulfilling the righteous requirements of the Law. Rather, as followers of Christ, we are called to walk in the Spirit by faith.
David specifically named three men to Solomon; Joab, Barzillai and Shimei. Remember, Joab was unflinchingly loyal to David, but he ruthlessly disobeyed David’s orders along the way. David recalled him killing innocent commanders of Israel’s army “shedding their blood in peacetime as if in battle” David concluded, “Deal with him according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to the grave in peace“. David did not forget those that ministered to him “But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead“. You never know how a simple act of kindness can change someone’s life for ever. Finally, there was Shimei son of Gera, the man who cursed David and threw dirt on him while he was at the lowest time in his life. David declared, “You are a man of wisdom; you will know what to do to him. Bring his gray head down to the grave in blood“. “Then David rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. He had reigned forty years over Israel seven years in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his rule was firmly established“. In stark contrast, I am reminded of Jesus’ words to those that cursed and beat Him. “Father forgive them, they know not what they do“. (Luke 23:34)
Solomon dutifully followed all of David’s requests and even added a couple of more rivals to the hit list. After Solomon’s brother sought to take one of David’s concubines as his wife, Solomon declared, “Adonijah shall be put to death today!” Then he replaced the High Priest and the Commander of his army. The chapter ends with Solomon boasting, “King Solomon will be blessed, and David’s throne will remain secure before the Lord forever“. With all of his rivals gone, the chapter ends, “The kingdom was now firmly established in Solomon’s hands.” In spite of all of David’s imperfections, Matthew 1:1 holds David in remarkable stature, “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham“. As believers, we are not perfect, but we are forgiven!