God Speaks
Aging King David Foils the Plans of Adonijah By Appointing Solomon As His Successor
Verse of the Day: [May all believers take to heart the charge King David gave to Solomon as he installed him as king.] “So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in obedience to Him, keep His decrees and commands, His laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go and 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 successor on the throne of Israel.’. . .” (1 Kings 2:2-4 NIV 2011)
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We Respond
Reflection
Consider the following questions regarding 1 Kings 1-2, Psalms 37, 71, 94
> 1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
> 2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
1 Kings 1
1. God directs trustworthy people to step up to protect His people and to advance His plans as Nathan and Bathsheba did.
2. People with selfish motives, like Adonijah, often take advantage of the elderly.
1 Kings 2
1. God is the ultimate lawgiver, judge, and executive officer.
2. People in positions to do so are responsible to carry out justice.
Psalm 37
1. Psalm 37 relates how the LORD God deals with both those who trust in the LORD and do good and those who disrespect God and plot against the righteous.
2. Psalm 37 tells people what to do to be declared righteous (by God) and what will happen to the wicked. It is all based on God’s grace and favor.
Psalms 71
1. In His time and way, God will vindicate His chosen ones and deal with their enemies.
2. Like David, in their old age, people who know and obey God can look back and see how God has been with them in all of the ups and downs of their lives.
Psalms 94
1. God can be trusted to repay the wicked for their sins and reward those who look to Him for righteousness and justice.
2. People should look to the LORD God for direction, instruction, discipline and relief.
Prayer
> 3. How might I pray regarding 1 Kings 1-2, Psalms 37, 71, 94?
Dear LORD God who is sovereign over life and death, I trust You to direct Your people to carry out justice as You define it. As King David charged his son Solomon, help me to be strong and “man-up” (as the saying goes). May I, with the help of Your Holy Spirit within me, walk in all Your ways and keep the commands and statutes in Your written word and the instructions You speak to my heart. May I fear, love, obey, and serve You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength and love other people ahead of myself. Then You have promised to prosper and protect me as Your child. Help me to be wise to promote and carry out justice in my sphere of influence. When I pass away, may I leave a legacy that points people to You as David did. I know that I will never be as wise as Solomon, but I ask You to help me make wise decisions in my daily life. O LORD God, deal justly with both those of us who trust in the LORD and do good and those of us who disrespect You and plot against the ones You call righteous. Holy Spirit show us what to do to be declared righteous by God. And reveal what will happen to the wicked. I know that whatever You do will always be based on Your grace and favor, O gracious God. In Your time and way, You will vindicate Your chosen ones and deal with their enemies. Like David, in our old age, we who know and obey God can look back and see how You have been with us in all of the ups and downs of our lives. God, You can be trusted to repay the wicked for their sins and reward those who look to You alone for righteousness and justice. I look to You, LORD God, for direction, instruction, discipline and relief so that I can bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
> 4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to 1 Kings 1-2, Psalms 37, 71, 94?
With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will visit an elderly person I know and do whatever I can to help them.
- I will set my affairs in order before my death so that things will be easier for my heirs or successors.
- I will write or update my will.
- I will meet with a younger person I know and give them a charge like David did with Solomon in 1 Kings 2:1-4.
Share
I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.