Wednesday, September 4 – 1 Kings 1, 2
1. It is said that the older we get, the more stubborn we become. What did you learn from David’s poor handling of his old age? When do you think it would be good to start preparing?
2. Both young and old are full of dreams and goals. Here, David gives an infallible formula for success. What was David’s advice to Solomon? Think about how you can apply it to your life today. 1 Kings 2:1-4.
Commentary and Reflection:
The first and second chapters of 1 Kings narrate the monarchical transition in the kingdom of Israel. David, an experienced, brave, and beloved king, was now old and weary from his battles. Meanwhile, his son with Bathsheba, Solomon, was in the prime of his youth. Although his exact age isn’t mentioned, Solomon was likely between 20 and 25 years old. He had a noble heart, but his leadership experience was very limited, which was concerning given that he was to lead a nation with a sacred mission.
We can draw valuable lessons from these two worlds, and both chapters are filled with principles and practical applications for our days.
Starting with David, known for his bravery and fear of God, but now, according to the biblical account, some natural consequences of his old age began to show. He struggled to keep warm (1 Kings 1:1). His mind, weakened and troubled by his guilt, lacked the vigor to rebuke the errors of his subjects, including his children (1 Kings 1:6-10). He forgot the promise he had made to transfer the throne to Solomon (v. 13). He ran the significant risk of getting to the end of his life and leaving to chance everything that God had helped him conquer, which could have brought immediate ruin to his descendants and the entire people of Israel.
We are also prone to make the same mistake. We often live as though we are eternal and fail to make necessary arrangements for when we are no longer physically or mentally present. It’s not just about ensuring we receive a monthly check. It’s about setting our “house in order,” as God commanded King Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:1). Some questions we should ask ourselves include: Am I in peace with the Lord? Have I passed on my love and life experience to my family? Is there someone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness? Who will take care of my affairs? Are there material possessions to leave to children? Have I made a will so that no one fights over inheritance? If my children are still minors, who will take care of them? These are some of the many items that should be arranged beforehand. Thanks to divine mercy, David was not abandoned to his folly. The prophet Nathan, guided by the Spirit of God, came to the rescue, preventing an administrative disaster from occurring.
The second chapter of 1 Kings can be divided into two parts. First, we see David advising the young King Solomon, his son, to ensure his reign would be blessed and prolonged. The brave king begins by exhorting his son, “Be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man,” and then completes a recipe for success for any young person (man or woman), “And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways…” (v. 3). It’s good to remember that David knew very well what he was saying, he went through this himself when he was anointed king in his youth and no one, not even his own family, believed in him.
“Be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man” is a command with no gender, as it refers to the type of character young people should have when fighting for the goals that the Lord has placed in their hearts. With no fear, faithful to principle, disciplined, and persevering when everything seems to benefit the opposing team. Like in the battle against Goliath, the experienced king understood that none of this makes sense if we do not keep “the charge of the Lord” and walk “in His ways.” His son Solomon would say later, “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth” (Ecclesiastes 12:1).
The second part of the chapter delights parents and confirms divine promises for children. Here, we see a son (King Solomon) following his father’s advice to the letter. As a result, in the final lines of this passage, we read, “Thus the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.”