1 Kings 2 -- Taking Care Of Business

David was about to die, and Solomon was a very young king.  He hadn’t been tested in Battle as David and his older sons had.  David knew he’d left some unfinished business that could cause Solomon problems after David’s death.  It certainly seems like vengeance, but my commentary shed some light on things:

 

Adonijah, Solomon’s brother, had been so bold as to ask for David’s concubine – what Absalom had done to show the people that he’d taken on his father’s “property”.  Solomon wouldn’t let such a challenge go unanswered and had his brother killed.  Abiathar was the remaining descendant of Eli, and prophecy had to be fulfilled removing that family line from the priesthood.  Joab had shed innocent blood by killing Abner and Amasa, and innocent blood polluted the land, according to God.  Righteousness called for his death.  Shimei was from Saul’s family and he continued to be a source of defiance.  Solomon let Shimei cause his own death by his willful disobedience to the king’s order.

 

David had blood on his hands because he’d asked Joab to kill Uriah.  Solomon’s hands were clean, and he was a man of peace as God had described him.  He could be used by God, therefore, to tie up all of the loose ends causing unrighteousness to remain in the land after his father’s reign.

 

Father, undone jobs can cause problems.  As distasteful as it may seem to have to deal with them, we must handle them fully or else handle them often.  Help me not to shirk a task just because I dread it, for it will only become an anchor around my neck and drain my energy from what You’d have me doing.

 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford