Summary 2 Samuel 19:

Absalom, who had just mounted a coup against David, was dead. David was mourning Absalom uncontrollably to the point his men were demoralized. Joab told David to go and encourage him men. The Israelites returned home, confused since Absalom, the anointed king, was dead. The elders brought David back to rule over the Israelites. Shimei, who cursed David (2 Samuel 16:5-13), was pardoned. Mephibosheth regained half his lands that Ziba had lied to David to get. David crossed over the Jordan River to be king, but a rift between Israel and Judah was getting wider.

Summary 2 Samuel 20:

Sheba, a Benjamite from the North, rebels against David, taking the men of Israel with him. Judah remains loyal to David. David orders Sheba to be pursued. Amasa is sent, but he takes too long. Thinking him a traitor, Joab stabs Amasa and kills him. A wise woman throws over Sheba’s head to Joab to save her her city that Sheba was hiding in (Abel Beth Maacah) from Joab. The rebellion ends.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 22, Day 2: 2 Samuel 19-20:

3) Excessive. Joab is right. David wasn’t thinking of his men who just risked their lives fighting for David against Absalom and then he only mourns Absalom’s death instead of his own men’s. He should be celebrating the victory with his men, not wallowing over his son who clearly didn’t love him.

4) David doesn’t punish those who were against him. He pardons them. He listens to Mephibosheth and restores his land. He cares for the elderly. David is compassionate and views others like God word — with love.

5) Personal Question. My answer: This passage is about forgiving your enemies and doing the right thing. It encourages me to look at others as God does.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 22 Day 2: 2 Samuel 19-20:

David gets his kingdom back but at a price — Judah and Israel’s tensions are high. The writing is on the wall for the split in the kingdom.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 22, Day 2: 2 Samuel 19-20:

Commentary 2 Samuel 19:

David’s uncontrolled weeping over Absalom’s Death

David’s loyal and sacrificing supporters won that day for the glory of God and the good of Israel. Then they felt bad and ashamed about the victory because David was overcome with excessive weeping and mourning for Absalom.

• There is such a thing as excessive mourning – mourning that is basically rooted in unbelief and self indulgence. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13, Paul warned Christians: I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. Some Christians sorrow at times in death or tragedy like those who have no hope in God and this is wrong to do.

When someone is overcome in tragedy or sorrow, the problem is not in what they know, but in what they forget. David forgot God is in control.

Joab is right to call David out on his behavior. David does the right thing by sitting by the city gate. Joab’s rebuke worked because Joab cared enough to say it, and David was wise enough to receive it.

David’s return as King

• Israel seemed only to want David back after the false king Absalom failed. In the same way, we often only decide to bring back King Jesus when our false kings fail.
• David could not force his return or acceptance on Israel. Israel had to want him back. God will not force His reign on us. We must welcome His reign and He will not force our heart response. Our hearts must be swayed by the work of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.

Who’s Amasa?

• Amasa was the captain of Absalom’s army.
• David put Amasa in Joab’s place as a gesture of reconciliation to the former supporters of Absalom.

Shimei repents

• Shimei is humbled.
• Shimei is honoring.
• Shimei is honest.
• Shimei is action-oriented.

Mephibosheth

• Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan and the last surviving heir to the dynasty of Saul. 2 Samuel 9 told how David showed unique kindness to Mephibosheth. 2 Samuel 16:1-4 described how Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, met David with supplies as he left Jerusalem. Ziba said that Mephibosheth abandoned David and hoped to gain from the conflict between David and Absalom.
• Mephibosheth explained why he did not join David, and how Ziba slandered him before David.
• Though Mephibosheth was slandered before David, Mephibosheth didn’t defend himself or demand a hearing before David. He knew David already gave him more than he deserved, so if David were to now take it all away he would still be ahead.
• When Ziba told David that Mephibosheth abandoned him, David granted Ziba all of Mephibosheth’s land and property (2 Samuel 16:4). Hearing the whole story, David didn’t go back on his promise to Ziba even though it was made under fraudulent circumstances. Yet he did lessen Ziba’s reward by offering a split between Ziba and Mephibosheth of all the property from Saul’s house.

Barzillai

• Barzillai helped David when he fled Jerusalem as Absalom took over the city. In gratitude, David offered him the honor of living with him in Jerusalem.
• Barzillai was a man of great resources – and he wisely used those resources to support the servant of God and the cause of God. In Luke 12:21, Jesus spoke of the foolish man who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. Barzillai was wise enough to use his resources to lay up treasure in heaven and he was rich toward God.
• Barzillai did not help David for the sake of reward. He gave out of a right heart, not from the motive of self-exaltation.
• Barzillai respectfully declined the honor for himself, but accepted it on behalf of his son, Chimham.

The rift between Judah and Israel

• The northern tribes felt excluded in this ceremonial welcoming back of David from across the Jordan River.
• This argument was about who was more loyal to King David and thus who had the greater right to honor him.
• The ten northern tribes (Israel) felt unappreciated by the tribe of Judah. This competitive attitude between Judah and the ten northern tribes set the stage for civil war in David’s day and the eventual division of the nation into two.

Commentary 2 Samuel 20:

Sheba’s Rebellion

• Sheba took advantage of David’s weakened position after Absalom’s death
• Sheba denied the king’s sovereignty.
• Sheba devalued the king’s identity.
• Sheba decided to go his own way and drew others with him.

The ten northern tribes followed Sheba. Judah was loyal. When others desert or divide, it gives a greater opportunity to demonstrate loyalty.

The sad fate of David’s ten concubines is an example of how our sin often has horrible effects on others. They suffered because of Absalom’s sin – and David’s sin.

Joab’s cruelty

• Joab murdered Amasa – the man who replaced him as commander of David’s armies – out of both rivalry and concern that Amasa did not genuinely support David.

Siege warfare was a terrible ordeal for the citizens of the besieged city, and this wise woman was smart enough to seek a speedy end to the struggle.

THEME OF 2 SAMUEL 20: No one is safe when they run against God’s will, especially not Sheba.

Summary 2 Samuel 21:

Famine reigned in Israel for 3 years as retribution for what Saul did to the Gibeonites. In an effort to make amends to the Gibeonites, David asks them what he can do for them. They demand 7 of Saul’s male relatives to be put to death. David complies. They are killed and David gathers up the bones of the 7 who died, along with Saul’s and Jonathan’s bones, and buries them together. This pleased God, and He began to answer prayers again.

David is still battling the Philistines. He goes out with his men but is too old to continue to do so. David wins many battles.

Summary 2 Samuel 22 (Psalm 18):

David sings a song of praise to God for saving him from his enemies. God is his rock and fortress. He rescued David. God has rewarded David for his loyalty. God does it all, including crushing David’s enemies, delivering him, and exalting him.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 22, Day 3: 2 Samuel 21-22:

6) Personal Question. My answer: God keeps His word, and there’s consequences if someone doesn’t keep God’s word. Restitution is important to make up for a wrong done. God is just and good.

• God expects us to keep our promises.
• God expects nations to keep their promises.
• Time does not diminish our obligation to promises.
• God’s correction may come a long time after the offense.

7) David is close to God and is devoted. David uses vivid images to get his point across. He calls God his rock and fortress. God rescues him from the snares of death. God defended him by making the earth tremble and the heavens shake. God rescued David from deep waters. God is perfect and flawless. God delivered David, and David exalts God above all else.

God’s kindness: God parted the heavens and came down for David. He shot arrows and scattered the enemies. He rescued David because He delighted in him. God trains David’s hands for battle and gives David His shield of victory. He broadens David’s path so he does not turn. He puts nations under him and sets him free from his enemies. God shows unfailing kindness to him.

8 ) Personal Question. My answer: The entire passage is inspiring, as it praises God for all who He is and all that He does for us. My favorite is verse 20: “He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” This is God’s love. God loves us so much and delights in us so much that He daily rescues us through His son, Jesus Christ. This encourages me when I am down and inspires me to be more Jesus-like and try to live up to God’s expectations of me every day of my life.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 22 Day 3: 2 Samuel 21-22:

It’s interesting to see how God punishes other generations for the sins of others in the past. It’s also interesting to see how killing people is normal for retribution, and no one thought twice of killing others to pay for others’ crimes. It makes me glad I live in the 21st century, on this side of heaven after Jesus Christ. It makes me glad for the New Covenant.

At first, you think mankind has changed, but we haven’t. We still “kill” innocent people every day — just under the guise of something else. We’re still punished today, just in different ways.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 22, Day 3: 2 Samuel 21-22:

Commentary 2 Samuel 21:

David wisely sought God in the face of chronic problems.

Apparently at some time during his reign, Saul attacked and killed many of the Gibeonites. This massacre isn’t recorded in 1 Samuel, but David didn’t question that it happened.

In the days of Joshua – more than 400 years before David’s time – Israel swore not to harm the Gibeonites, a neighboring tribe (Joshua 9). God expected Israel to keep its promise, even though the Gibeonites tricked Israel into making the agreement. Saul’s crime was not only in killing the Gibeonites but also in breaking this ancient and important oath.

What do we learn from the Gibeonites retribution:

• If God has such a high expectations that men keep their covenants, we can have great confidence that He will keep His covenant with us.
• Good intentions don’t excuse bad actions. God cares about both our intentions and our actions.

How to initiate conflict resolution through David’ example:

• David did not dictate terms to the Gibeonites. He came to them as a servant, not as a king.
• The Gibeonites showed compassion: although the Israelites slaughtered their people, they did not ask for the same in return.
• They only held the man himself responsible: Saul.

In ancient times, the request of the Gibeonites was reasonable. Instead of money, or an “eye for an eye”, they only asked for justice against Saul through his descendants. David agreed.

The death of Saul’s descendants

• David did not break his promise to Mephibosheth: he was spared. David would not fulfill one promise at the expense of another.
• The phrase before the LORD implies God approved of their execution and payment for retribution.
• The method of death fulfilled the promise of Deuteronomy 21:23: he who is hanged is accursed of God. These descendants of Saul bore the curse Saul deserved and so delivered Israel from the guilt of their sin against the Gibeonites.

Deuteronomy 21:23  also explains why Jesus died the way He did. Galatians 3:13 explains: Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”).

Rizpah – the mother of two of the seven delivered for execution – held a vigil over the bodies until the late rains came. The coming of rain showed that the famine was over, that justice was satisfied, and that Israel was delivered.

The bodies of these men were deliberately left unburied to emphasize that these men were executed as an act of judgment.

David gave these seven a public burial, together with the remains of Saul and Jonathan.

TAKE AWAY FROM UNANSWERED PRAYERS: When we see that our prayers are not answered, we should seek God to ask why.

David ages

• When David’s strength failed, God protected him through the strength of others.
• God will continue to raise up leaders when the leaders of the previous generation pass from the scene.
• David’s legacy lay not only in what he accomplished, but also in what he left behind – a people prepared for victory.

Commentary 2 Samuel 22 (Psalm 18):

With minor variations, this psalm is the same as Psalm 18. It is likely that David composed this song as a younger man – perhaps when Saul died, and he first took the throne, as described in 2 Samuel 8:14, when David had subdued all his enemies, and the LORD preserved David wherever he went. Yet in his old age, David could look back with great gratitude and sing this song again, looking at his whole life. This psalm is a great summary of David’s whole character and attitude through life.

The many titles of God

• David piled title upon title in praising God because God’s work for David was so big and comprehensive that it couldn’t be contained in one title.
• God fulfilled the meaning of each title in David’s experience.

God delivers

• David experienced the LORD’s deliverance from Goliath, Saul, Israel’s enemies, Absalom, and his own sins.
• Danger surrounded David on every side – physically, spiritually, emotionally, socially.
• God met David’s need.
• God spoke on David’s behalf.
• God delights in us.
• God answers our distress.

The enemy wants us to believe that we can’t call upon the LORD in our distress.

We can come to God in prayer because of the righteousness we have received in Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:30 and 2 Corinthians 5:21).

God is to man what man is to God

• When we show mercy to others, God shows us mercy.
• God gives grace to the humble. ( Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6, and 1 Peter 5:5
• God brings light and strength to us, so we can see and so we can bear and overcome our troubles.
• God gives protection
• God gives skill

We see in this psalm that David constantly moved back and forth from speaking about God (He delivers me) to speaking directly to God (You also lift me up).

Paul quotes 2 Samuel 22:50 (Psalm 18:49) in Romans 15:9.

Summary 2 Samuel 23:

In David’s last poem, he shows his deep concern to be a king who pleases God and says a leader in tune with God will always be a blessing to God’s people. He remembers God’s promise that his descendants will always rule. David’s mighty men are remembered, 37 in all.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 22, Day 4: 2 Samuel 23:

9) God used David so he could rule over God’s people with righteousness. God brought him everything, including an everlasting covenant, salvation, and his every desire. God did it all.

10) Personal Question. My answer: They fought in battle for him. They got him water when he needed it. Doing for others constantly is the best way to sacrifice and show love. Put your needs/wants/desires last.

11) Personal Question. My answer: God works through others to bring victory to you. David’s mighty men fought with God on their side who provided victory. The victorious Christian life is about letting God fight your battles and  win your victories.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 22 Day 4: 2 Samuel 23:

This is a great chapter. It shows how David’s whole life was about God, and how God did it all for David, including providing the support David needed to rule effectively and successfully. Great lesson.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 22, Day 4: 2 Samuel 23:

These are not the very last words of David, just his final thoughts at the end of his life.

David’s life:

• Jesse was a humble farmer as David was.
• God raised David up.
• David was anointed by God, not by himself or merely by man.
• David had a beautiful gift of eloquence and expression before God. This title reminds of David’s deep inner life with God.

David ruled by:

• Justice
• Fear of God

David’s Biblical History:

• David’s reign full of praise ( Psalm 89:20, Isaiah 55:3-4, Romans 1:3, and Revelation 22:16.
• David’s passion in life was to be with God Psalm 84:10
• David endured to the end, loving and serving God in the final chapters of his life (2 Samuel 23:1-7)

David’s son, Solomon’s Biblical History:

• Solomon is barely mentioned in the rest of the Scriptures and when he is, it is almost in a backhanded way (see Matthew 6:28-29 and Matthew 12:42).
• Solomon’s passion in life was personal improvement (1 Kings 3:4-15).
• Solomon forsook God in his later years (1 Kings 11:4-8).

Covenant with David based on God’s faithfulness only.

Theme of David’s Life

• The Lord is in control.
• Rest in Him.
• Don’t fret yourself because of the evildoers that bring evil devices to pass.
• Trust in Him.
• Delight in the Lord.

David was Israel’s greatest king and the most prominent ancestor of Jesus Christ because of his relationship with God. The New Testament begins with these words: The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David (Matthew 1:1)

David’s Mighty Men

The triumph of the church as a whole depends upon the personal victory of every Christian. Dare to be a Daniel! Dare to stand alone! Dare to have a purpose firm! Dare to make it known!’Dare to be an Eleazar, and go forth and smite the Philistines alone.

The men who retrieved the water for David was sacrificed to God because the sacrifice was too great for David himself.

These remarkable men were the foundation of David’s greatness and success of his reign. They did not come to David as great men, but God used David’s leadership to transform these men who were in distress, in debt and discontented, who met David back at Adullam Cave (1 Samuel 22:1-2) into mighty men.

“More than all his victories against outside foes, the influence of his life and character on the men nearest to him testify to his essential greatness.” (Morgan)

Summary 2 Samuel 24:

David takes a census of Israel and Judah moved by Satan. After 9 months and 20 days, the number of men numbered 800,000 in Israel and 500,000 in Judah. David confesses his sin (for not having faith in the Lord for fighting purposes), and Gad the prophet gives him 3 choices for consequences:

1. 3 years of famine
2. 3 months of fleeing from your enemies
3. 3 days of plague

The plague was chosen, and 70,000 people died. David sacrificed to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite to stop the plague.

Summary 1 Chronicles 21:

Satan incited David to take the census. In all, there were 1,100,000 men, including 470,000 in Judah, but excluding the Levites and the Benjaminites.  The passage from here is almost identical to 2 Samuel 24.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 22, Day 5: 2 Samuel 24 with 1 Chronicles 21:

12) David wanted to survey his kingdom in order to glory it its size and its potential military strength. God wanted David to continue to rely on divine help and guidance, not national pride. Exodus says, “When you take a census of the Israelites, each one must pay the Lord a ransom for his life.” Also, the David tempted David it says in 1 Chronicles 21

13) Part personal Question. My answer: God gives David a choice of punishments (which He does us as well). He forgives David and ends the plague early out of mercy. The personal side of this questions would take hours to recount. God is merciful by forgiving my sins, providing a Savior, and giving me so much in this world I don’t deserve.

14) David asks for forgiveness and mercy. He sacrifices costly sacrifices. Self-sacrificing is what I see in my culture. Helping others. Obeying God. Doing the right thing.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 22 Day 5: 2 Samuel 24 with 1 Chronicles 21:

This is a great chapter. It shows how David’s whole life was about God, and how God did it all for David, including providing the support David needed to rule effectively and successfully. Great lesson.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 22, Day 5: 2 Samuel 24 with 1 Chronicles 21:

Commentary 2 Samuel 24:

The translators of the New King James Version believe that “He” in this sentence applies to God because they capitalize it. Yet 1 Chronicles 21:1 tells us, Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. The best explanation is that Satan prompted King David and is the “he” of 2 Samuel 24:1. Yet the Lord expressly allowed it as a chastisement against David (Nothing happens without God knowing or allowing).

In ancient cultures, a man only had the right to count or number what belonged to him. Israel didn’t belong to David; Israel belonged to God. It was up to the Lord to command a counting, and if David counted, he should only do it at God’s command and receiving ransom money to “atone” for the counting.

Once again, we see Joab as the voice of reason. He told David to quit mourning Absalom’s death in 2 Samuel 19, and now he asks David to reconsider his pride and his sin. The captains tried to tell David as well.

The total population would be 6 million in Israel based off the number of men at this time..

David’s three choices:

1. Famine put the poor at risk who would not be able to afford the food
2. War put all the soldiers at risk
3. Plague was the equalizer — all were at risk

David chose plague because it was the only one he could suffer from.

The threshing floor of Araunah

2 Chronicles 3:1 tells us that the threshing floor of Araunah was on Mount Moriah; the same hill where Abraham offered Isaac (Genesis 22:2), and the same set of hills where Jesus died on the cross (Genesis 22:14).

This also became the site of Solomon’s temple (1 Chronicles 21:28-22:5).

FUN FACT: “David’s altar was the only one in pre-exilic times which God explicitly commanded to be built.” (Selman)

“The decision of God to establish his altar and temple at Moriah in Jerusalem has affected all history (cf. Revelation 11:1); for this mountain became the focus of the Holy City, where His Son was crucified. And it will continue to affect history; for from this ‘city he loves’, he will some day rule the nations of the earth (Isaiah 2:2-4).” (Payne)

David knew that it would not be a gift nor a sacrifice unto the LORD if it did not cost him something. He didn’t look for the cheapest way possible to please God.

David knew that the death of the 70,000 in Israel of the plague did not atone for his and Israel’s sin. Atonement could only be made through the blood of an approved substitute.

Burnt offerings were to atone for sin; peace offerings were to enjoy fellowship with God.

1 Chronicles 21:26 tells us that God showed His acceptance of David’s sacrifice by consuming it with fire from heaven. God honored David’s desire to be right and to fellowship with God by answering with Divine blessing from heaven. So it always is when God’s children draw near to their God and Father for cleansing and fellowship.

Commentary 1 Chronicles 21:

FUN FACT: “For the first time in Scripture, the word ‘Satan’ appears without the definite article as a proper noun.” (Payne)

Why were the Levites and Benjaminites not counted?

“Joab, seeing that this would bring down destruction upon the people, purposed to save two tribes. Should David ask, Why have you not numbered the Levites? Joab purposed to say, Because the Levites are not reckoned among the children of Israel. Should he ask, Why have you not numbered Benjamin? he would answer, Benjamin has been already sufficiently punished, on account of the treatment of the woman at Gibeah: if, therefore, this tribe were to be again punished, who would remain?” (Clarke)

240 ounces of gold was worth about one hundred thousand dollars. Second Samuel 24:24 notes a much smaller amount, 20 ounces of silver, for the threshing floor itself.

God simply uses Satan’s provocation at the opening of this chapter to answer of the question for David and for the nation of Israel: where to build his temple. There were other purposes of God at work here as well.

What does Ornan’s Threshing Floor Teach us?

Ornan’s threshing floor shows us where and how God wants to meet with men.

• A simple, unadorned place – not like a fancy church at all.
• A place of ordinary work.
• A place bought with money.
• A place from where bread was brought forth.
• A place where the justice of God was evident.
• A place where sin was confessed.
• A place where sacrifice was offered and accepted.

God had sanctified the place Himself with fire from heaven. 2 Chronicles 7:12; Isaiah 56:7(Deuteronomy 12:11)

Absalom had promise like Saul. He was handsome and charismatic. We meet him in 2 Samuel 13:20 after his sister, Tamar, is raped. We see him administering his justice by punishing the rapist — his own half-brother.

He was a symbol of David’s failures as a parent. For five years, father and son did not speak to one another, and this simmering family feud only hardened Absalom further.

Absalom had a huge ego. He burned a barley field to get attention and ingratiated himself with the people — only to overestimate his position in their eyes.

The significance of the rebellion of Absalom lay in the fact it exposed how faulty David’s administration actually was. The ease with which Absalom detached the northern tribes from allegiance to David not only exposed the fact that as a Judahite, David was guilty of neglecting the Israelite section of his kingdom, but also, more seriously, showed how fragile were the bonds between Judah and Israel.

“I dream my painting, and then I paint my dream.”

Vincent van Gogh

Summary 1 Kings 1:1-27:

King David is aging, and his advisors come up the idea to get him a virgin to keep him warm. Her name was Abishag. David’s son, Adonijah, decides to be king, unbeknownst to David. Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, is enlisted by Nathan the prophet to tell King David this. Nathan confirms the news to David

BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 23, Day 2: 1 Kings 1:1-27:

3) One, David is old. He rallied up the troops and the populace with a procession of sorts. He enlisted the support of key personnel in David’s household: Joab, Abiathar. He sacrificed sheep cattle, and calves to God. He invited all his brothers and all the royal officials to the feast. Adonijah copied his brother, Absalom. He marketed himself.

4a) King David needed to control Adonijah and tell him no, he wasn’t the chosen one. Nathan did right; he did not support Adonijah.

b) Personal Question. My answer: Unsure what this question is referring to since it is so general. My responsibility is as a parent, wife, friend, and person of God, so you could say everything I do is a God-given responsibility.

5) Personal Question. My answer: I influence my kids, my friends, and my colleagues and anyone else who cares to watch me.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 23 Day 2: 1 Kings 1:1-27:

Questions were really general this go around. It’s a good example though of how many take advantage of the elderly. Great lesson for us to pay attention too as many of us have friends and family who are seniors, and we need to watch out for them.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 23, Day 2: 1 Kings 1:1-27:

David was about 70 at this time. He seems even older than his years; but for David, it wasn’t just the years – it was the mileage. He seemed to live the lives of four or five men in his lifetime.

Having a woman for comfort was a recognized medical treatment in the ancient world, mentioned by the ancient Greek doctor Galen. When Josephus described this in his Antiquities of the Jews, he said that this was a medical treatment and he called the servants of 1 Kings 1:2 “physicians.”

David almost certainly made this young woman his concubine. While it was unwise for David to take more than one wife, it was not at that time illegal or specifically prohibited by God. Later, Adonijah would condemn himself to death by asking for Abishag as a wife. His request would only be so outrageous if Abishag had belonged to David as a concubine.

The question of David’s successor had to be addressed. King David could not last much longer, and his family history had been marked by treachery and murder. At this point, it was worth wondering if there could be a bloodless transition from David to the next king.

The presumption of Adonijah

2 Samuel 3:2-5 describes the sons of David and lists Adonijah as the fourth son. Two of the three sons older than Adonijah were dead (Amnon and Absalom), and we suspect that the other older son (Chileab) either also died or was unfit to rule because he is never mentioned after 2 Samuel 3:3. As the oldest living son of David, by many customs Adonijah would be considered the heir to the throne. But the throne of Israel was not determined by hereditary succession; God determined the next king.

• God exalts (Psalm 75:6-7)

David’s failure as a father

•  David did not seem to have a very good relationship with his father (1 Samuel 16:11). and thus not a good example.
• This was no excuse. David has God as an example  (Psalm 23:4)
• David never corrected his kids  Proverbs 29:17

Sadly, Joab (David’s chief general) and Abiathar (the high priest of Israel) each supported Adonijah. They did not consult the LORD or David in giving their support to this unworthy son of David.

Joab may have sought revenge for David’s choice of Amasa over him (2 Samuel 19:13), and because Benaiah now had more authority over military affairs. Abiathar might have been jealous of Zadok the high priest (2 Samuel 8:17

Nathan warns King David about Adonijah

Nathan knew that if Adonijah became king, he would immediately kill every potential rival to his throne, including Bathsheba and Solomon.

David did promise Bathsheba Solomon would be king 1 Chronicles 22:5-9

The last place we saw Nathan was in 2 Samuel 12, where he rebuked his friend David over the scandal with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah. Nathan seems to have always been there for David. Yet now, at the end of his days, David received Nathan; the sense is that he remained a trusted friend. David did not treat Nathan as an enemy when he confronted him with a painful truth.

Summary 1 Kings 1:28-53:

David has Solomon appointed king. He is anointed by Zadok the priest at Gihon. Upon hearing this, the supporters of Adonijah fled, and Solomon spares Adonijah’s life.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 23, Day 3: 1 Kings 1:28-53:

6) Part Personal Question. My answer: David acts decisively when he needs to and does everything by the book. It shows we all need to act when the time has come, especially if God says to do so.

7) Jonathan told Adonijah that Solomon was made king. The people were afraid of retribution from supporting Adonijah, so they fled.

8 ) Part personal Question. My answer: Solomon responded with grace and compassion by not killing Adonijah. I need more compassion, caring, empathy, sympathy, and understanding.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 23 Day 3: 1 Kings 1:28-53:

We see the best in both David and Solomon here. David doing the right thing when he has to, and Solomon sparing his brother when he didn’t have to.

Link to great book of Kings summary video HERE

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 23, Day 3: 1 Kings 1:28-53:

David stepped aside, quickly and decisively, so Solomon could rule.

This is a rare glimpse of all three offices in cooperation – prophet, priest, and king. Each of these offices was fulfilled in Jesus.

David made sure the proclamation of Solomon as successor was known.

1. Solomon rode on David’s mule
2. Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him.
3. Horn blew
4. “Long live King Solomon!”
5. Solomon sat on the throne.

The mule in the Old Testament

• “Since Hebraic law forbade crossbreeding (Leviticus 19:19), mules had to be imported and were therefore very expensive. So while the common people rode donkeys, the mule was reserved for royalty.” (Dilday)
• “As David offered Solomon to ride on his own mule, this was full evidence that he had appointed him his successor.” (Clarke)

“Gihon, the site of the anointing, was just outside the city in the Kidron Valley, on the east bank of Ophel. It was at this time Jerusalem’s major source of water and was therefore a natural gathering place of the populace” (Patterson and Austel).

Solomon’s mercy to Adonijah

According to almost universal custom in the ancient world, a religious altar was a place of sanctuary against justice or vengeance. An accused man might find safety if he could flee to an altar before he was apprehended.

It is important to understand that this ancient custom was not used in Israel to protect a guilty man. But if a man acts with premeditation against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you shall take him from My altar, that he may die (Exodus 21:14).

• Solomon gave Adonijah a limited reprieve. This went against all custom in the ancient world. It was common, even expected, that when a new king assumed the throne, he would execute every potential rival. Solomon not only let a potential rival live, but one who openly tried to subvert his reign. This was a large measure of grace and mercy on the part of Solomon, and a good start to his reign.
• At the same time, Solomon wanted Adonijah to know that if he should show the slightest inclination towards rebellion, he would be killed instantly. Mercy would be withdrawn and justice would be delivered quickly.

Adonijah knew he received great mercy from Solomon, and he wanted to show his gratitude for it and his reliance upon Solomon’s mercy.

Summary 1 Chronicles 22:1-19:

David helps prepare to build the temple. He gathers stonecutters to dress stone; he gathered iron, bronze, and cedar logs. He tells the leaders of Israel to help his son, Solomon, build the temple.

Summary 1 Chronicles 29:1-20:

David gives a speech to the people to help him build the temple, announcing all he has given and he gives more to the building of the temple. More people gave riches to help build the temple. David praises God, saying all of this is His anyways and prays Solomon stays devoted to God’s decrees and for him to build the temple.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 23, Day 4: 1 Chronicles 22:1-19; 29:1-20:

9) Personal Question. My answer: David prayed that Solomon would wholeheartedly “keep God’s commandments, requirements, and degrees and to do everything to build God’s temple.” He prayed for Solomon to keep God’s laws, be strong and courageous, and not to afraid or discouraged. I pray for all I know to walk in Jesus’s ways and light. Praying to not be discouraged is important for all of us because we all are beaten down by the sins of this world.

10) David did all he could to help Solomon prepare to make God’s temple before he died. David prayed his thanks and acknowledged that everything came from God. He gave of his own treasures and led by example in this way.

11) David gives over and above everything he has already given. I need to be better at not just giving the minimum too.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 23 Day 4: 1 Chronicles 22:1-19; 29:1-20:

David shines in these passages as the man after God’s own heart. He is concerned in his last days that all is ready for the temple to be built by his son. He does all he can. He gives over and above. He prays for his son. He does everything. Great example of how we should be always, but especially at the end of our lives — making sure our legacy (kids) are set up for success when we depart this world.

Link to great book of Kings summary video HERE

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 23, Day 4: 1 Chronicles 22:1-19; 29:1-20:

Commentary 1 Chronicles 22:1-19:

1 Kings 5:15-18 describes how these Gentiles were actually put to work in the building of the temple in Solomon’s day, some 70,000 slaves.

The cedar trees of Lebanon were legendary for their excellent timber. This means David (and Solomon after him) wanted to build the temple out of the best materials possible.

This great temple to God would be built with “Gentile” wood and using “Gentile” labor. This temple was not only for Israel. Only Jews built the tabernacle, “But the temple is not built without the aid of the Gentile Tyrians. They, together with us, make up the Church of God.” (Trapp)

“The king’s provision of ‘a large amount of iron’ reflects how conditions had changed during his time – known archaeologically as Iron I – due, no doubt, to the incorporation of iron-producing Philistines within the sphere of Hebrew control.” Payne

David’s excitement over the temple

Solomon had the same vision for the glory of the temple, and he indeed built it according to David’s vision of a magnificent, famous, and glorious building. Solomon had this vision breathed into him through his father’s influence.

• We can almost picture the old David and the young Solomon pouring over the plans and ideas for the temple together with excitement. David knew that it was not his place to build it but had the right vision for what the temple should be in general terms, and he passed that vision on to his son.

David was a peace with the idea that he himself could not build the temple and was content to prepare the way for his son to build it successfully.

Solomon building the temple was a sacred charge for him to fulfill. David knew that he could not fulfill this last great work of his life himself; he could only do it through Solomon. There was a sense in which if Solomon failed, David failed also.

This explanation was not previously recorded, either in 2 Samuel or in 1 Chronicles. Here we find one of the reasons why God did not want David to build the temple, and why He chose Solomon instead. God wanted a man of rest and peace to build a house unto Him.

• It wasn’t that David’s wars were wrong or ungodly, or that the blood he shed was unrighteous. It was that God wanted His house built from the context of peace and rest and victory; He wanted it to be built after and from the victory, not from the midst of struggle.

“The church (whereof the temple was a manifest and a illustrious type) should be built by Christ, the Prince of peace, Isaiah 9:6; and that it should be gathered and built up, not by might or power, or by force of arms, but by God’s Spirit, Zechariah 4:6.” (Poole)

The temple — Solomon’s greatest achievement

David knew that Solomon could not be strong or courageous without obedient fellowship with God.

God promised David that as long as his sons walked in obedience, they would keep the throne of Israel (1 Kings 2:1-4).

No matter what the Assyrians or the Egyptians or the Babylonians did, as long as David’s sons were obedient and followed God with their heart and with all their soul, God would establish their kingdom. He would take care of the rest.

David took seriously his mission to prepare the way by bringing both security and treasure to Israel and his successor Solomon. With these two resources he could build the house of the LORD.

• The Bible tells us that Jesus – the greater Son of David – is also building a temple (Ephesians 2:19-22). He has prepared the building materials (his people.)

This is an enormous amount of gold. Some Bible commentators believe this large number is accurate and some feel it is a scribal error. Either way, David clearly amassed significant resources for a temple he would never build and told Solomon to receive these enormous resources and add to them.

David made all the preparation, but it was in vain if Solomon did not begin working.

David prepares the way for the Temple

David is an example of someone who works in the background, who receives none or little credit for his work, but the job cannot be done without him.

• David gathered the materials for the temple.
• David prepared some of those materials.
• David won the peace with surrounding nations that Israel needed to build the temple.
• David found and purchased the site to build the temple.
• David established the plans for the temple.
• David organized and commanded the administration and servants of the temple.

No one calls it “David’s temple.” It seems that all the credit, all the name, all the glory goes to Solomon. It didn’t bother David because he was a man after God’s heart — it was all about God — and always would be.

David knew that one leader was not enough to get a great work done. When God calls a leader, He also calls other to help.

“Thus Solomon came to the Jewish throne with every possible advantage. Had he made a proper use of his state and of his talents, he would have been the greatest as well as the wisest of sovereigns. But alas! How soon did this pure gold become dim! He began with an unlawful matrimonial connection; this led him to a commerce that was positively forbidden by the law of God: he then multiplied his matrimonial connections with pagan women; they turned his heart away from God, and the once wise and holy Solomon died a fool and an idolater.” (Clarke)

“The work is everlasting, though the workmen die. We pass away, as star by star grows dim; but the eternal light is never-fading. God shall have the victory.” (Spurgeon)

Commentary 1 Chronicles 29:1-20:

Before a great God there are no small works; everything should be done for the glory of God (Colossians 3:22)

David gave all he gave because he loved the house of God. We naturally give to and support that which we love. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21).

David specifically used the phrase house of my God to emphasize the personal connection; this was more personal than saying merely the house of God.

Why did the Israelites need to give to God?

• Giving to God is a way to consecrate yourself to God.

“The king’s appeal for each giver to ‘consecrate himself’ reads literally ‘to fill his hand.’ This was a technical phrase used to describe ordination to the priesthood; and Scripture, significantly, places the act of giving on this same level of devotion.

The generous giving made David rejoice and praise God. It wasn’t for the sake of the wealth itself, but because it demonstrated that the hearts of the people were really interested in God and in His house. Cheerful giving (2 Corinthians 9:7)

FUN FACT: This is the first time in the Bible that God is addressed directly as a Father over His people.

Jesus taught His disciples to pray beginning with this phrase, our Father (Matthew 6:9-13). Jesus may have had this passage in mind when teaching His disciples about prayer.

“This verse supplies the conclusion to the Lord’s Prayer: ‘For thine is the kingdom’ (Matthew 6:13, KJV

Gifts from God

David knew that both the ability and the heart to give were themselves gifts from God. He was actually humbled by having such a heart to give, both in himself and in the people of Israel as a group.  And keeping God’s commandments would be the key.

Summary of 1 Kings 2:

David tells Solomon to walk in the ways of the Lord and keep his decrees so that he may prosper. He tells Solomon to deal with Joab, Barzillai of Gilead, and Shimei accordingly. Then he died. Adonijah asked Bathsheba to ask Solomon for Abishag to be his wife (David’s concubine). He refused and had Adonijah put to death. Solomon banished Abiathar the priest, killed Joab despite fleeing to the tent of the Lord for protection, and killed Shimei after he disobeyed him and left the city.

Summary of 1 Chronicles 29:21-25:

All of Israel celebrated the coronation of King Solomon in place of David. They sacrificed to the Lord and ate and drank. The Lord exalted Solomon and bestowed on him royal splendor as no king in Israel had had before.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 23, Day 5: 1 Kings 2 with 1 Chronicles 29:21-25:

12) Be strong, observe God’s ways, keep God’s decrees, commandments, laws, and requirements, and use wisdom with dealing with Joab, Barzillai, and Shimei.

13) Personal Question. My answer. This question is too broad because every situation is different. Mainly if the counsel is good or not in your eyes and God’s.

14) Part personal Question. My answer: Solomon had bestowed on him royal splendor as no king in Israel ever had. God answers in his own time about work to do. God provides way to accomplish His work.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 23 Day 5: 1 Kings 2 with 1 Chronicles 29:21-25:

A great example of a peaceful transfer of power like in the United States — something very rare in ancient times when battles mostly decided succession. Solomon is set up for success.

Link to great book of Kings summary video HERE

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 23, Day 5: 1 Kings 2 with 1 Chronicles 29:21-25:

Commentary 1 Kings 2:

Be strong and prove yourself a man: The same expression was used by the Philistines in 1 Samuel 4:9 as they encouraged one another in their battle against what they assumed to be insurmountable odds.

No matter what the Assyrians or the Egyptians or the Babylonians did, as long as David’s sons were obedient and followed God with their heart and with all their soul, God would establish their kingdom. He would take care of the rest.

TAKE AWAY: God promises that if we put Him first, He will take care of the rest.

Joab in the Bible

Joab is one of the more complex characters of the Old Testament. He was fiercely loyal to David, yet not strongly obedient. He disobeyed David when he thought it was in David’s best interest, and he was cunning and ruthless in furthering his own position.

David didn’t mention Joab’s killing of Absalom, which David commanded him not to do (2 Samuel 18). Perhaps by this time David recognized that Absalom did in fact have to die for his treason and attempted murder against David.

David vowed that he would not kill the obnoxious rebel Shimei (2 Samuel 16:5-13). It was right for David to keep his vow, but it was also right for him to make sure that Shimei received justice without David breaking his vow.

The death of King David

David rested with his fathers, which was a phrase that become common throughout 1 and 2 Kings to describe the passing of a king from this world. Truly, David passed from this life to eternal rest and reward.

So ended the earthly life of one of the greatest men ever to walk the earth. So he died in a good old age, full of days and riches and honor. (1 Chronicles 29:28) “Of his adultery and murder we hear not a word, because he had made a thorough peace with God for those sins in his lifetime” (Trapp).

• “David was a shepherd, a soldier, an outlaw, a king, a fugitive, a sinner, a saint, a poet… His experiences were the writing of God on his life, making him into a man after God’s own heart.” (Redpath)
• “In general David lived well, and it is most evident that he died well; and as a king, a general, a poet, a father, and a friend, he has had few equals, and no superior, from his own time to the present day.” (Clarke)

The tomb of David

The tomb of David was known in the time of Jesus and the apostles, according to Acts 2:29. Afterwards, the Christian writer Jerome speaks of it being known in his time. What is currently known in Jerusalem as David’s Tomb is almost certainly not the genuine one that was known in ancient times.

“According to 2 Kings 11:10, David’s weapons were preserved as relics in the sanctuary, while, according to Josephus, other representative treasures of his reign were buried with him in his tomb.” (Dilday)

Solomon as king was the fulfillment of the promise made to David in 2 Samuel 7:12-16. That promise was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, the Son of David; but it also had a definite and partial fulfillment in Solomon.

Adonijah in the Bible

Adonijah had reason to wish revenge on Bathsheba since it was Nathan and Bathsheba who warned King David of Adonijah’s attempt for the throne.

In 2 Samuel 16:20-23 Absalom, the brother of Adonijah, asserted his rebellious claim on David’s throne by taking David’s concubines unto himself. Adonijah wants to declare a claim to Solomon’s throne by taking David’s widowed concubine as his wife.

Among the ancient Persians and Arabs, the new king took the harem of the previous king.

Bathsheba agreed to take Adonijah’s request, so Solomon would know Adonijah was still working against him.

Abiathar in the Bible

Abiathar deserved death because he supported Adonijah as the next king, in defiance of the will of God and the will of King David (1 Kings 1:7). This was treason against both God and the King of Israel.

Solomon showed mercy and wisdom to Abiathar by sparing Abiathar’s life because of his past standing as a chief priest and supporter of David.

This refers to the prophecies found in 1 Samuel 2:27-36 and 1 Samuel 3:11-14. In removing Abiathar from the priesthood, Solomon, without direct intention, fulfilled the promise of judgment against the house of Eli, made some 100 years before Solomon took the throne.

Solomon breaks no rules in killing Joab at the altar. But if a man acts with premeditation against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you shall take him from My altar, that he may die(Exodus 21:14)

Shimei died out of pure forgetfulness and fault on his part by disobeying Solomon.

Solomon’s throne was secure at an early date, not like the reign of David or Saul. Saul and David had faced a measure of suspicion or opposition from their own countrymen; both had met this problem with resolute action, coupled with understanding and leniency. Solomon, however, eliminated his potential enemies swiftly and ruthlessly.

Commentary 1 Chronicles 29:21-25:

This was a special day, probably celebrated after the death of David when Solomon formally took the throne and after the rebellion of Adonijah had been defeated (1 Kings 1-2) and the private coronation had been held (1 Kings 1:32-40)

On the throne of the Lord, i.e. on the throne of Israel, which is called the throne of the Lord, either more generally, as all thrones are the Lord’s, by whom kings reign, Proverbs 8:15

David has paved the way for Solomon to have such splendor.

Ittai means “God is with me.” Ittai was a son of Ribai, a Benjamite from Gibeah and was numbered among David’s mighty warriors. A Gittite (non-Israeli), he was a commander in David’s army. He shows loyalty to David despite being a foreigner. Significant because of his loyalty, Ittai earned a place in the Bible as an example of not abandoning your friends/leaders/king when they are weak.

Today, Itai is one of the most popular names for boys in Israel.

“The snow is melting into music.”

John Muir

Hey all!

Please leave your prayer requests here and praises if you have some. There is power in prayer so the more the merrier! You can also email me your requests at: atozmom.wordpress@gmail.com or post them in the comments below.

Mine: God’s continued blessing. My calf strain.

God bless!

Summary of 1 Kings 3:1-4:

Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh of Egypt and married his daughter. Both himself and the Israelites were sacrificing to other gods, but Solomon was following God’s laws. He went to Gibeon to sacrifice to the Lord.

Summary of 2 Chronicles 1:1-6:

God was with Solomon and made him great. He spoke to all of Israel and went to Gibeon to sacrifice to the Lord.

Summary of Deuteronomy 17:16-20:

The Lord commanded the future kings of Israel not to return to Egypt and not to accumulate horses, not to take many wives, or accumulate large amounts of silver and gold. He must write a copy of God’s law and keep it with him and read it every day so the king can know God’s law and obey it with a humble attitude. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 24, Day 2: 1 Kings 3:1-4; 2 Chronicles 1:1-6; Deuteronomy 17:16-20:

3) Solomon disobeyed most of them. He obviously went to Egypt since he married an Egyptian princess. He took many wives. He was extremely wealthy.

4) Submissive attitudes and tolerance towards sins that show others that sin is okay and even permitted.

5) Part personal Question. My answer: Having the king write a copy of God’s law and keep it with him and read it every day so the king can know God’s law and obey it. This is important for all of us. We can’t obey God’s law if we don’t know God’s law. We shouldn’t consider ourselves better than our brothers either for we are all sinners. God’s law (the Bible) is our guidebook for living. It keeps us from sin and the devil. I’ve been protected many times every day by it and blessed in this life.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 24 Day 2: 1 Kings 3:1-4; 2 Chronicles 1:1-6; Deuteronomy 17:16-20:

Solomon is a great example of someone who loves God but chooses to disobey and justify these sins. He picks and chooses which parts of God’s law to follow. Ultimately, as good of a king as he was, it is his downfall.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 24, Day 2: 1 Kings 3:1-4; 2 Chronicles 1:1-6; Deuteronomy 17:16-20:

Commentary 1 Kings 3:1-4:

Solomon’s bad example of marrying foreign wives

Marriage to fellow royalty was a common political strategy in the ancient world, and continues to the modern age. It was not only because royalty wanted to marry other royalty, but also because conflict between nations was then avoided for the sake of family ties.

This was not Solomon’s first marriage. 1 Kings 14:21 tells us that his son Rehoboam came to the throne when he was 41 years old, and 1 Kings 11:42 tells us that Solomon reigned 40 years. This means that Rehoboam was born to his mother, a wife of Solomon named Naamah the Amonitess, before he came to the throne and before he married this daughter of Pharaoh.

Solomon’s multiple marriages and marriages to foreign women would cause great disaster in his life and went directly against God’s word. Later in the Book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah was angry and frustrated because the people of Israel married with the pagan nations around them. In rebuking the guilty, Nehemiah remembered Solomon’s bad example (Nehemiah 13:25-27).

The foreign wives made Solomon more than a bad example – they ruined his spiritual life.  (1 Kings 11:1-4).

1 Kings 11:4 says this Solomon only turned away from God as he got older, but the pattern was set with this first marriage to the Egyptian princess. It perhaps made political sense, but not spiritual sense.

2 Samuel 3:3 tells us that David married the daughter of a foreign king: Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur. Marrying a foreign woman was not against the Law of Moses – if she became a convert to the God of Israel. What did not ruin David did ruin Solomon.

At this time, altars were allowed in Israel at various high places, as long as those altars were unto the LORD and not corrupted by idolatry (as commanded in Deuteronomy 16:21). When the temple was built, sacrifice was then centralized at the temple.

With the sacrifices, we see Solomon’s great wealth and his heart to use it to glorify God.

As we see in 2 Chronicles 1:2-3, the entire leadership of the nation went with Solomon to Gibeon, which was the great high place. The tabernacle was a Gibeon and the ark of the covenant was in Jerusalem.

The journey of the tabernacle and the ark of the covenant in the Promised Land

• Joshua brought both the ark and the tabernacle to Shiloh (Joshua 18).
• In the days of Eli the ark was captured and the tabernacle wrecked (1 Samuel 4, Psalm 78:60-64, Jeremiah 7:12 and 26:9).
• The ark came back to Kiriath-Jearim (1 Samuel 7:1-2).
• Saul restored the tabernacle at Nob (1 Samuel 21).
• Saul moved the tabernacle to Gibeon (1 Chronicles 16:39-40).
• David brought the ark to Jerusalem and built a temporary tent for it (2 Samuel 6:17, 2 Chronicles 1:4).

Why did David not bring the tabernacle from Gibeon to Jerusalem?

• He may have believed if the tabernacle were in Jerusalem, the people would be satisfied with the simple tabernacle instead of having the temple God wanted built.
• It may be that the tabernacle was only moved when it was absolutely necessary – as when disaster came upon it at Shiloh or Nob.
• David simply focused on building the temple, not continuing the tabernacle.

Commentary 2 Chronicles 1:1-6:

This bronze altar was the same altar made in the wilderness between Egypt and the Promised Land (Exodus 36:1-2). This altar was at least 500 years old and had received many sacrifices over Israel’s long history since the Exodus.

Solomon and the people of God sought the LORD at the place of atoning sacrifice. This was the Old Testament equivalent to “coming to the cross” in seeking God.

This was an important event marking the “ceremonial” beginning of Solomon’s reign. Solomon wanted to demonstrate from the beginning that he would seek God and lead the kingdom to do so.

Commentary Deuteronomy 17:16-20:

Commands to the future king of Israel

1. The king of Israel must not put undue trust in military might.
2. The future king of Israel must not put undue emphasis on physical indulgence and personal status.
3. The future king of Israel must not put undue emphasis on personal wealth.

Each of these issues is a matter of balance. The king had to have some military power, but not too much; one wife and certain comforts, but not too much; some personal wealth, but not too much. Such balances are often the hardest to keep.

Solomon was a notorious breaker of these commands. He had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots (1 Kings 4:26), and Solomon had horses imported from Egypt (1 Kings 10:28). He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart (1 Kings 11:3). He surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches (1 Kings 10:23).

Solomon knows the commands of Deuteronomy 17, yet deceives himself by asking the self-justifying questions, “How much is ‘multiply’?” It might seem self-evident that 700 wives and 300 concubines is multiplying wives to yourself, but one should never underestimate the ability of the human heart to deceive itself in such situations.

How modern Christians fall today

These are universal stumbling points; hence God’s commands not to do them: power, pleasure, or money. God’s commands for leaders have not changed; and neither has the need to be on guard against the self-deception in these things which felled Solomon.

The king of Israel himself was supposed to labor over parchment with a pen, making a personal copy of the law of Israel. This shows how greatly God wanted the word of God to be on the hearts of His rulers; God wanted every king to also be a scribe.

FUN FACT: “Incidentally, the phrase a copy of this law appears incorrectly in the LXX as ‘this second law’, to deuteronomion touto. It was this misunderstanding that gave rise to the English name Deuteronomy.” (Thompson)

Staying in God’s Word

• The word of God was to be constant companion of the king of Israel, and something he read every day.
• All need the word of God; but the greater our responsibilities, the greater our need to depend on the truth of God’s word.
• Staying in the word of God was intended to build a reverence for God and a holy life in the king.

It is striking to consider that reading a book – the Great Book, the Bible – can keep a person from sin. We may not understand all the spiritual work behind the word of God, but staying in the word will keep one from sin. It has been well written in many Bibles: “This book will keep you from sin. Sin will keep you from this book.”

Luther said he would rather live in hell with the Bible than to live in Paradise without the Bible.

Staying in the word of God would keep the king properly humble and help him to not think of himself as above those he ruled over.

Summary of 1 Kings 3:5-28:

God appears to Solomon at Gibeon in a dream and told Solomon to ask for whatever he wanted. Solomon asked for a discerning heart to govern the Israelites by. God not only gives Solomon a discerning heart for asking for something so noble but also gives him what he doesn’t ask for: riches and honor like no other. If Solomon obeys God, he will have a long life as well. Solomon returns to Jerusalem and makes fellowship offerings at the ark of the covenant.

Two prostitutes came before the king, arguing over the baby. One claims the other stole her baby because hers died in the night. Solomon decides to cut the baby in two to solve the dispute. The real mother does not want her baby to die and when she says so, Solomon knows which is the real mother. Here we see the gift of wisdom in action.

Summary of 2 Chronicles 1:7-13:

Solomon asks for wisdom and knowledge to govern God’s great people by. God granted Solomon’s request, plus added on riches, honor, and wealth. Solomon returned to Jerusalem and reigned over Israel.

Summary of Proverbs 1:

Solomon lays out the reasons for the book of Proverbs, including to be wise, to have understanding, to be prudent, and to fear the Lord. Solomon says to listen to your parents, to ignore sinners, and to be wise and listen to him, so you will learn about life.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 24, Day 3: 1 Kings 3:5-28; 2 Chronicles 1:7-13; Proverbs 1:

6) Solomon is very humble. He starts by stating God’s greatness of being kind to his father, David. He praises God in this and for this (saying God is faithful, righteous, upright in heart, and kind). He says how he’s not qualified to lead his people but wants to be. Solomon is humble and wants to follow God. He loves God.

7) God not only gives Solomon what he asks for because he asked for a gift not for himself, but God gives Solomon even more — what he doesn’t ask for. God wants to bless us if we follow Him.

8 ) Part personal Question. My answer: Listen to your parents. Ignore sinners. Accept wisdom and prudent advice and fear the Lord. Read more. Learn more. Pray more. Always be learning and seeking and taking advice from those who are close to God. Pray for discernment.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 24 Day 3: 1 Kings 3:5-28; 2 Chronicles 1:7-13; Proverbs 1:

If we put others first and do for others, God will reward us and give us what we do not ask for. It all comes down to obedience and having God first in your heart. He knows your desires, and all He wants to do is give them to you.

As a mother, this is one of my favorite stories in all of the Bible because it is so true. I love reading this story every time.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 24, Day 3: 1 Kings 3:5-28; 2 Chronicles 1:7-13; Proverbs 1:

Commentary 1 Kings 3:5-28:

God seemed to offer Solomon whatever he wanted. This wasn’t only because Solomon sacrificed 1,000 animals; it was because his heart was surrendered to God, and God wanted to work something in Solomon through this offer and his response.

We have the same offer:

• Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)
• If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. (John 15:7)
• Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. (1 John 5:14)

Solomon asked for more than great knowledge; he wanted understanding, and he wanted it in his heart, not merely in his head. The ancient Hebrew word translated understanding is literally, “hearing.” Solomon wanted a hearing heart, one that would listen to God.

Lessons learned from Solomon’s request:

• Solomon experienced God’s ability to do far beyond all that we ask or think.
• What we are is more important than what we have.

Many scholars believe Solomon wasted his gift from God since he turned away from God in the end (1 Kings 11:4-11). Many believe he could have accomplished so much more. However, what he did accomplish was far more than that average human. Judging Solomon is not our job, and if you are tempted to do so, then examine your own heart first.

Solomon and the baby

The problem with the baby seemed impossible to solve; it was one woman’s word against another’s with no witnesses.

Solomon’s solution seemed strange. The works – even the judgments – of God often first seem strange, dangerous, or even foolish. Time shows them to be perfect wisdom.

Commentary 2 Chronicles 1:7-13:

“God’s answer to Solomon’s request was a beautiful instance of the overflowing love and grace of the divine heart. All the things Solomon set aside for the sake of wisdom were also given to him.” (Morgan)

Commentary Proverbs 1:

The Book of Proverbs is a collection of practical life wisdom given mostly in short, memorable statements. Though part of a larger body of wisdom literature that includes Job, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon, the Book of Proverbs is unique.

• The book of Proverbs is mostly a collection of individual statements without much context or organization by topic.
• The book of Proverbs is unique in its theology, being concerned with practical life wisdom more than ideas about God and His work of salvation.
• Proverbs is also unique in its connection with the secular literature of its time. Neighboring kingdoms had their own collections of wisdom literature, and in some places, there are significant similarities to these writings.

There are several sections of Proverbs (22:17-23:14, 22:23, 22:26-27 are examples) that seem to be borrowed from The Teaching of Amenemope, an ancient Egyptian writing. There is debate as to whom borrowed whom, but most scholars believe Amenemope is earlier.

Proverbs teach wisdom

Proverbs teach wisdom through short points and principles but should not be regarded as “laws” or even universal promises.

“Proverbs are wonderfully successful at being what they are: proverbs. They are not failed prophecies or systematic theologies. Proverbs by design lays out pointed observations, meant to be memorized and pondered, not always intended to be applied ‘across the board’ to every situation without qualification.” (Phillips)

He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five. Also he spoke of trees, from the cedar tree of Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall; he spoke also of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish. And men of all nations, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom, came to hear the wisdom of Solomon. (1 Kings 4:32-34)

There are a few other authors specifically mentioned for the book of Proverbs. Solomon may have collected all these other proverbs and set them in his book — scholars are unsure.

“The book tells us that it is the work of several authors. Three of these are named (Solomon, Agur and Lemuel), others are mentioned collectively as ‘Wise Men’, and at least one section of the book (the last) is anonymous.” (Kidner)

Purpose of book of Proverbs

• The book of Proverbs is to give the attentive reader wisdom, instruction, perception, and understanding.

Knowledge and wisdom are different. Knowledge is the collection of facts; wisdom is the right use of what we know for daily living.

“It is probably a safe bet to say that most people today are not much interested in wisdom. They are interested in making money and in having a good time. Some are interested in knowing something, in getting an education. Almost everyone wants to be well liked. But wisdom? The pursuit of wisdom is not a popular ideal.” (Boice on Psalm 111

Simple means gullible

Simple: “The word indicates the person whose mind is dangerously open. He is gullible, he is naïve. He may have opinions, but he lacks deeply thought-through and field-tested convictions.” (Phillips)

True knowledge and wisdom flow from the fear of the LORD.

God should be regarded with respect, reverence, and awe. This proper attitude of the creature toward the Creator is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom.

The instruction and law given from parent to child will adorn the life of their children, if they will only receive it.

Warning to choose friends wisely

Significantly, this first instruction and warning in the book of Proverbs speaks to the company we keep and the friendships we make. There are few more powerful forces and influences upon our life than the friends we choose. It has been said, show me your friends and I can see your future. It speaks to the great need for God’s people to be more careful and wise in their choice of friends.

Stay away from the wicked and all their plotting.

Tragically, Solomon’s company with sinners – in the form of his wives given to idolatry – became a trap he himself was caught in.

“The greatest tragedy is that there’s so much noise that people can’t hear the things they really need to hear. God is trying to get through to them with the voice of wisdom, but all they hear are the confused communications clutter, foolish voices that lead them farther away from the truth.” (Wiersbe)

The problem with these simple ones was that they loved their simplicity. They preferred their foolish ignorance than the effort and correction required by the love and pursuit of wisdom.

The end result of this love of foolishness and scorn will be death (will slay them) and destruction (will destroy them).

“The eleven other occurrences of turning away are all in Hosea or Jeremiah, always with reference to Israel’s apostasy, faithlessness, and backsliding from God and from the Mosaic covenant.” (Waltke)

Summary of 1 Kings 4:1-28:

Solomon ruled over all of the Israel. He had 12 district governors who had to supply provisions to him and his household. Israel prospered and was large in territory. Solomon was wise.

Summary of 2 Chronicles 1:14-17:

Solomon accumulated chariots and horses, 1400 chariots and 12,000 horses. He was rich. He began to trade in horses with the Egyptians, Hittites, and Arameans.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 24, Day 4: 1 Kings 4:1-28; 2 Chronicles 1:14-17:

9) Part personal question. My answer: He divided Israel into 12 districts and divided up the tasks equally of providing for the king and the royal household. He trained and supervised those to help him rule his kingdom. He was wise. Solomon divided up responsibilities, which I think we all do in a family, and offered training, which is what parents do.

10) Everyone was able to enjoy the fruits of their labor in safety.

11) Part personal Question. My answer: You forget the Lord during peace and prosperity. It is He who gave you the ability to produce wealth. We may become prideful. Remember God in all that you do and that everything is from Him. Give Him the credit when you get promoted at work or do something good.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 24 Day 4: 1 Kings 4:1-28; 2 Chronicles 1:14-17:

Finally, we get to see Israel at peace after all the wars and hardships we’ve read about. It’s good to know God has great plans at the end of our personal wars.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 24, Day 4: 1 Kings 4:1-28; 2 Chronicles 1:14-17:

Commentary 1 Kings 4:1-28:

Solomon selected, trained, empowered, and supervised leaders. Solomon’s government was structured much like modern nations. He had officials who served as ministers or department secretaries over their specific areas of responsibility and were responsible for taxation. The districts were not strictly separated by tribal borders but often according to mountains, land, and region.

Taxes were paid in grain and livestock, which were used to support the royal court and the central government. Each governor was responsible for one month of the year — not overwhelming to any one district.

The reign of Solomon was a golden age for Israel as a kingdom. The population grew robustly, the nation and were were prosperous, allowing plenty of leisure time and pursuit of good pleasures. David did all the work. Israel’s neighbors were weak during this time as well, contributing to their good fortune.

Why so much food?

• The amount of food was extravagant: some estimate that this much food every day could feed 15,000 to 36,000 people. It supplied considerably more than Solomon’s household, large as it was.
• Fatted oxen are pen-fed cattle in contrast to open grazing varieties.
• Solomon was gluttonous.

Each man under his vine and his fig tree: This was a proverbial expression for a time of peace and prosperity in Israel (Isaiah 36:16, Micah 4:4, Zechariah 3:10), indicating safety from both internal and external enemies.

Solomon’s horses

The famous stables of Solomon show what a vast cavalry he assembled for Israel. 2 Chronicles 9:25 is a parallel passage and has 4,000 chariots instead of 40,000 – the smaller number seems correct and the larger number is probably due to copyist error.

Solomon did not take God’s word as seriously as he should. In Deuteronomy 17:16, God spoke specifically to the future kings of Israel: But he shall not multiply horses for himself. One may argue if 20 or 100 horses violates the command to not multiply horses, certainly forty thousand stalls of horses is multiplying horses.

Each man according to his charge

Each man according to his charge: Spurgeon preached a sermon on this verse (which is lost in the NIV translation), focusing on the idea that we each have a charge to fulfill in the Kingdom of God, and we should be diligent to perform it and be expectant in being supplied for this duty.

“In Solomon’s court all his officers had a service to carry out, ‘every man according to his charge.’ It is exactly so in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we are truly his, he has called us to some work and office, and he wills us to discharge that office diligently. We are not to be gentlemen-at-ease, but men-at-arms; not loiterers, but laborers; not glittering spangles, but burning and shining lights.” (Spurgeon)

Solomon’s wisdom

In the glory years of Solomon’s kingdom, he used the great wisdom God gave until he fell away from his devotion and worship of God (1 Kings 11:1-11).

Solomon became a prominent and famous man even among kings. In a strong sense, this is the fulfillment of the great promises to an obedient Israel described in Deuteronomy 28.

Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. (Deuteronomy 28:1)

Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they shall be afraid of you. (Deuteronomy 28:10)

In a sense, these blessings came upon Solomon more for David’s obedience than for his own. David was far more loyal and intimate with God than Solomon; yet God outwardly blessed Solomon more for David’s sake than He blessed David himself.

Commentary 2 Chronicles 1:14-17:

When we think of Solomon’s great wealth, we also consider that he originally did not set his heart upon riches. He deliberately asked for wisdom to lead the people of God instead of riches or fame. God promised to also give Solomon riches and fame, and God fulfilled His promise.

Solomon gave an eloquent testimony to the vanity of riches as the preacher in the Book of Ecclesiastes. He powerfully showed that there was no ultimate satisfaction through materialism — a lesson we all should take to heart. We don’t have to be as rich as Solomon to learn the same lesson.

Solomon presided over a prosperous and wealthy kingdom. Yet the Chronicler is also warning us here. He assumes that we know of the instructions for future kings of Israel in Deuteronomy 17:14-20. He assumes we know verse 17 of that passage, which says: nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself. God blessed Solomon with great riches, but Solomon allowed that blessing to turn into a danger because he disobediently multiplied silver and gold for himself.

Keveh (also known as Cilicia) was “in what is now southern Turkey, at the east end of the Mediterranean, was a prime ancient supplier of horses.” (Payne)

Steps in Solomon’s downfall

1. Solomon disobeyed by multiplying horses for the service of his kingdom and he obtains them from the Egyptians (1 Kings 4:26, 10:28-29).
2. Solomon married Pharaoh’s daughter (1 Kings 3:1).
3. Solomon married many other foreign women (1 Kings 11:1-4).
4. Solomon built temples to the gods of his wives for their use (1 Kings 11:7-8).
5. Solomon began to worship these other gods himself (1 Kings 11:4-5).

Summary of 1 Kings 4:29-34:

Solomon was wise, and people came from all over to hear his wisdom. He spoke proverbs and wrote songs. He knew of everything.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 24, Day 5: 1 Kings 4:29-34:

12) Part personal Question. My answer: God granted Solomon riches, wealth, honor, discernment, and wisdom. It’s all about God’s timing. When it’s right in your life, it will happen.

13) Personal Question. My answer: Solomon was wise in every way like God, and it appears it was used for good. God’s wisdom leads to a good life with good deeds and a heart for God’s ways. We use it for His glory and His good.

14) Part personal question. My answer; Solomon learned that with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief. Wisdom is better than folly. Wisdom brightens a man’s face and changes its hard appearance. Sometimes it is better not to know than to know because once you know, you have no excuse not to act. We know about other countries and the atrocities that happen there. We know about the poor around the world and around ourselves. We know the need. Once you know, you must act. There is a bliss about ignorance and youth. You can live carefree. Not so when you know there is so much to be done.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 24 Day 5: 1 Kings 4:29-34:

Wisdom is a Catch-22 I think is what Solomon is driving home. Knowing about others’ grief brings you grief. Answering with God’s heart is what brightens your face.

Link to more on Solomon HERE

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 24, Day 5: 1 Kings 4:29-34:

Solomon’s wisdom

In the glory years of Solomon’s kingdom, he used the great wisdom God gave until he fell away from his devotion and worship of God (1 Kings 11:1-11).

Solomon became a prominent and famous man even among kings. In a strong sense, this is the fulfillment of the great promises to an obedient Israel described in Deuteronomy 28.

Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. (Deuteronomy 28:1)

Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they shall be afraid of you. (Deuteronomy 28:10)

In a sense, these blessings came upon Solomon more for David’s obedience than for his own. David was far more loyal and intimate with God than Solomon; yet God outwardly blessed Solomon more for David’s sake than He blessed David himself.

Solomon’s great wisdom – divinely inspired wisdom – makes up a considerable portion of the Book of Proverbs.

Solomon composed many songs but few psalms in the sense that David was the sweet psalmist of Israel (2 Samuel 23:1). This goes back to Solomon’s inferior relationship to God (compared to his father David).

Solomon’s wisdom was not only applied to understanding life and human problems, but also to understanding the world around him. He had a divinely gifted intellect and ability to understand.

We are introduced in BSF’s People of the Promised Land’s study to Gad the prophet in 1 Samuel 22:5 when he appears out of nowhere to advise David to flee from Saul into Judah. We meet him again in 2 Samuel 24 where the Lord gives Gad messages to speak to David in David’s last years. He is mentioned only twice more in the Bible: 2 Chronicles 29:25 where he assists in arranging the musical services of the Temple and how he wrote parts of 1 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 29:29).

Gad is a mysterious prophet whom God uses occasionally — much like many of us today.

“Change your leaves, keep intact your roots.”

Victor Hugo