Wednesday, November 4, 2015

I Kings 2: Settling Scores

I Kings 2 brings us the death of David and the transition to King Solomon.  He encourages his son to be strong and courageous and faithful to the Lord.  In the last recorded words we have of David, he instructs Solomon to take care of some unfinished business and settle some old scores (vs. 5-9).

Here's what Solomon did to the various "villains" of David's reign:

  • Adonijah, David's son - Adonijah had jumped the gun in vying for David's throne while he was still alive.  David bequeathed it to Solomon instead.  Now, however, Adonijah makes a play for David's concubine (vs. 17).  Solomon senses treachery in the request and has his hatchet man, Benaiah, kill Adonijah.
  • Joab, David's general - Joab had twice killed opposing generals during times of peace for actions during war.  He settled scores with Abner, Saul's general, and Amasa, Absalom's general, by assassinating them.  Now Solomon delivers that blood back upon his head by ordering Benaiah to kill Joab.  Even though Joab flees to the horns of the altar seeking sanctuary, he is dragged away and killed.
  • Abiathar, David's priest - Abiathar had been a loyal member of David's administration, but had sided with Adonijah in his bid for the monarchy.  Rather than killing him, Solomon orders him to be banished from the priesthood and exiled to his estate of Anathoth.
  • Shimei, David's antagonist when he fled from Absalom - Shimei is ordered by Solomon to be placed under house arrest.  As long as he stays at his house, he will be safe.  But if he leaves his house, Solomon warns, he can expect to be killed that very day.  Sure enough, after three years, Shimei leaves his house in pursuit of a couple of runaway slaves.  When he returns, Solomon carries out his sentence and executes Shimei for the crimes of insubordination against King David.

Solomon thus takes care of many of David's (and his) enemies, and consolidates his reign.

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