1 Kings

1 Kings 2: Walk in the LORD's ways

Begin in prayer

Before we read David's last charge to his son, let us come before the Lord as one family. Ask Him to show us that He sets Solomon on the throne, and that He calls His king to walk in His ways.

I will sing of loving kindness and justice. To you, Yahweh, I will sing praises.

Psalm 101:1

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You set David's son on the throne and call him to walk in Your ways, and help us to trust You and Your Son, Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David is near death, and he charges Solomon to be strong and to keep the LORD's commands. He names Joab, who killed two army captains in peace, and Shimei, who cursed him, and he tells Solomon what to do with them. Solomon sits on his father's throne, and his kingdom is firmly established. Adonijah asks for Abishag as his wife, and Solomon sees the request as a claim to the kingdom, so Adonijah is put to death. Joab is killed at the altar, and Shimei, who left the city he was ordered to stay in, is put to death.

As you read 1 Kings 2, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD sets David's son on the throne, and calls him to walk in His ways.

David's last words to Solomon were a charge to be strong and to keep the law of Moses (verses 1 to 4). The LORD's word to David came with a condition, that his children walk before Him in truth with all their heart (verse 4). When David died, Solomon sat on his father's throne, and the writer says his kingdom was firmly established (verses 10 to 12). Much of the chapter is hard to read. Solomon had Adonijah, Joab and Shimei put to death, and he sent Abiathar away (verses 25 to 46). The text tells these acts plainly and does not call each one right. It does show the LORD's hand, because sending Abiathar away fulfilled what the LORD had said about the house of Eli (verse 27). Solomon himself later fell short of David's charge (1 Kings 11 verses 4 to 6). Jesus always did what pleased His Father (John 8 verse 29).

How does 1 Kings 2 show us that the LORD sets David's son on the throne, and calls him to walk in His ways?

David charges Solomon to keep the LORD's ways.

David was near death, and he told Solomon to be strong and to show himself a man (verses 1 and 2). He charged him to keep the LORD's instruction and commandments, as the law of Moses says (verse 3). The charge came with a promise, that the LORD would establish His word to David (verse 4). That promise depended on David's children walking before the LORD in truth with all their heart (verse 4).

The LORD sets Solomon on David's throne.

David died and was buried in the city of David, after he had reigned forty years (verses 10 and 11). Solomon sat on his father's throne, and his kingdom was firmly established (verse 12). Solomon himself said that the LORD had established him and set him on David's throne (verse 24). The chapter then tells how he removed Adonijah, Joab, Abiathar and Shimei (verses 25 to 46).

Jesus always did what pleased His Father.

Solomon was charged to walk in the LORD's ways, and later his heart turned away (1 Kings 11 verses 4 to 6). Jesus said that He always does the things that please the Father (John 8 verse 29). He said that He had kept His Father's commandments (John 15 verse 10). He is the Son of David whom the LORD promised.

Memorise

Solomon sat on David his father’s throne; and his kingdom was firmly established.

1 Kings 2:12

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I walk in God's ways, and do I trust Jesus, the Son of David?

David told his son to walk in the LORD's ways, and the LORD kept David's throne safe. Every king falls short of that charge, and every sinner has broken the law of God. Jesus, the Son of David, is the one King who always did what pleased His Father.

He went to the cross, and there He paid the wage that sin earns, which is death. He gave His life for His people, and before He died He cried out that it is finished. He was buried, and on the third day the Father raised Him. No one can add anything to what He did.

So come to Him, turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus. He is the King who keeps the promise made to David. Forgiveness is His gift to all who come to Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD sets David's son on the throne, and that Jesus is the Son of David. Parents, verses 5 to 9 and 13 to 46 are hard, and the chapter does not call every act of Solomon right. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank the LORD that He set David's son on the throne, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so Yahweh surrounds his people from this time forward and forever more.

Psalm 125:2

Father, thank You that You set David's son on the throne and called him to walk in Your ways. Thank You for Jesus, the Son of David, who always pleased You. Show each of us how to turn from sin and to trust Jesus. Give us wise and faithful hearts this week, and keep us walking in Your ways. Amen.