A Clean Slate

I Kings 1-2

The reign of David is over. These two chapters tell us of his final days on Earth. Like most of us, I'm sure David would have preferred to die in peace surrounded by loving family. That is not what happened. Just as often happens today, before David had died family started fighting over his possessions.

In chapter 1, we begin by learning about David's failing health. He is old and his body is not producing heat. His servants put blankets on him but he is still cold. To help with this, the servants call for a virgin to come and lay beside David. There is nothing illicit about this. Abishag is there only to minister to the king. Verse 4 ends with, "but the king knew her not." In other words, nothing intimate occurred between them.

Following the care for the king, Adonijah saw his opportunity to seize the throne. He elicits the help of Joab and Abiathar the priest to bring about his ascent to the throne. They leave behind Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, and David's mighty men. A celebration is held in En-rogel and a sacrifice was offered for the "new king".

Nathan goes to Bathsheba and tells her what is happening. He tells her to go to King David and let him know and that he would come in behind her and confirm her words. They carry about their plan and David is not at all happy. Everyone involved in the story knew that David had promised that Solomon would be the king. David then sets in motion his own plan to rectify the situation.

David calls for all of his loyal servants to take Solomon to Gihon and anoint him king over Israel. They do so. Solomon rides on David's mule. Trupets are blasted and everyone knows what is going on. Zadok the priest brings oil from the tabernacle and anoints Solomon king. They then return to Jerusalem and Solomon sat on the throne of David as the rightful king of Israel.

When they heard the noise of the trumpets, the group with Adonijah wondered what was going on. Jonathan, the son of Abiathar the priest brought word of all that had been done to Solomon. The party is over and the crowd scatters. Adonijah runs to the tabernacle and takes hold of the horns of the altar. Solomon sends for him and tells him that he can keep his life as long as he is loyal and upright.

Chapter 2 clears the slate for Solomon to reign by all of the men that betrayed David being dealt with. As a matter of fact, that is exactly how the chapter starts. David, knowing that his time is short, calls for Solomon. Solomon comes and David gives him a list of men who Solomon is to judge and execute judgment upon. Joab and Shimei are on David's list. He also asks Solomon to honor Barzillai because he had cared for David and his men when they were fleeing from Absalom. Solomon also includes Abiathar the priest on his list of men to be dealt with.

First to be dealt with was Adonijah. He just couldn't help himself. He wanted something that pertained to the king and he asked Bathseba for help. He said he knww Solomon would not tell her no. Adonijah asked for Abishag, the young woman who had ministered to David when he was old, to be his wife. Bathseba went to Solomon on Adonijah's behalf and made the request. Knowing the wickedness of Adonijah's heart, Solomon had him executed.

Next, Solomon dealt with Abiathar. He removed him from being priest in the tabernacle. He sent him to his personal home in Anathoth to spend the rest of his days. The scripture also tells us that this fulfilled the judgment on the house of Eli for their sins, which we read about in the beginning of I Samuel.

Third on the list was Joab. Remember that Joab killed two men in cold blood. The first was Abner, who had killed Joab's brother in war. Abner came to the king in peace and Joab murdered him. Then there was Amasa who David had placed as head of the army when Joab killed Absalom against the king's wishes. Joab stabbed him on the way to fight the Philistines and took command of the army. Now, Solomon sent Benaiah to execute Joab, and he did.

Finally, there was Shimei. When David and his men were fleeing Jerusalem from Absalom, Shimei (a relative of King Saul) cursed David and threw rocks and dirt at him. When Absalom was killed, Shimei ran to meet David and asked for his forgiveness. Now, it was time to pay the piper. Solomon told him that he had to live in Jerusalem and never leave the city. If he did, he would die. Three years went by and two of Shimei's servants ran away to Gath. Shimei went to get them and upon returning, he was called to stand before Solomon. Because he had broke the rules, he was executed. The slate was now clear. The enemies of David and Solomon had been dealt with.

Be sure your sins will find you out (Numbers 32:23). David had written Psalms about deliverance from his enemies. Another Psalmist wrote, "For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered (Psalm 92:9) That is what we find in these two chapters. David asks, and Solomon fulfills the clearing of the path of betrayers. Each of the men had in their own way betrayed David, and Solomon. Because David was God's anointed king over Israel, these men had all sinned against God as well. There was a price to pay. Sin was to be judged. Solomon, like his father was flawed. However, he sought to please God. He pursued God and wrote much in the way of wisdom that points us to God. Removing those who would betray him established him as a strong king. He would also be more of a diplomat than his father. These times of peace allowed him the opportunity to think and write. Because of that, we have 3 books that Solomon wrote. These actions helped to establish this path for him.