1 Kings 1-2

April 10

1 Kings 1-2

David and Solomon are remembered as good kings for Israel. The beginning of 1 Kings reveals that Solomon was involved in the conniving of his mother in order to make sure he became king. We see David as vengeful a he instructs Solomon to wipe out his enemies so they will not interfere with the transition of power. We do not see God involved in these actions, though His name is used. We are reminded that humanity is fallen. Sin still spreads through the land and even affects the lives of the kings placed in office by God.

There are two directions we can go with these passages. First we are reminded that God used David and Solomon in spite of their sinfulness. They did some really bad things, but God continued to work in the land of Israel. Matthew shared the genealogy of Jesus which reads; "Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife, Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa," (Matthew 1:5-7, NIV)

The heroes of the bible are not really heroes, they are men and women used by God. Some He used in spite of what they tried to do, others were willing servants who God used in ways they had not imagined. God can use us no matter where we have been and what we have done. If we will allow Him to shape us, He will shape the world using us.

The other direction we can go with these passages is that when a new king comes to reign, the old administration must be removed. When Jesus comes to reign in our lives, the old ways must be purged. Much as Solomon removed those who had stirred trouble for David, we must leave our life of sin, get rid of old habits and hang-ups when Jesus comes to reign. God will do the cleaning if we will give the sin over to Him.