Ep. 94. 1 Kings 1-2, 2 Chronicles 1 | Death of David
EPISODE 94
DEATH OF DAVID: 1 KINGS 1-2, 2 CHRONICLES 1
We tend to read the Bible as though each story follows the one immediately preceding it, as though the Bible is presenting things to us in a nice, orderly fashion. This is only sometimes the case. For example, David reigned for forty years, and his son Solomon reigned for forty years. The assumption is that when David died, Solomon began to reign. However, it becomes apparent that Solomon was anointed king before his father's death. Yet, David does not cease to be king. It is likely, then, that there is an overlap of the reigns between the two men. It makes perfect sense that Solomon's first year coincided with David's last year. As we read carefully through the Bible, we see that a king with leprosy may be confined to his quarters while still technically being king, though his son may be the public king. Remember, back in Genesis 25, when the author kills Abraham in the first few verses and then speaks of Isaac's children being born at the end of the chapter, though Abraham was alive to enjoy his twin grandsons until they were 15. Sometimes, the narrative jumps forward without actually giving us a proper timeline. We need to be careful readers.
In David's weakened state, his son Adonijah sets himself up as king. This was not at all the will of David, so he had Solomon confirmed as king. David asks for Solomon to handle several situations. First, don't allow Joab to go to the grave in peace. Second, don't hold Shimei guiltless for cursing the king. Solomon entrusts Benaiah, David's bodyguard, to handle the death of these two wicked men. Benaiah was a faithful servant to both David and Solomon. Solomon also removes Abiathar from being a priest, finally fulfilling God's words to Eli.
Of significance in this section is that Solomon worships "at the high place that was at Gibeon." That particular high place is where the Tabernacle had been set up and where the priests ministered before God. You will remember the ark had not been in the Tabernacle since the Philistines captured it at the beginning of 1 Samuel, and though it had been moved to Jerusalem during David's reign, it had stayed in Kiriath-Jearim for several decades. Typically, when the Bible speaks of "high places," it condemns them as idolatrous places of worship. However, we also note here that at least this high place was where the worship of God was conducted. After Solomon builds the temple as the place for the worship of God and finally brings the ark back into the holy of holies, you will notice how many kings continue to worship "at the high places." The high places become beacons of idolatry after the temple is constructed. Even Solomon, having built the temple for the Lord, will build places of worship for false gods on the hills surrounding Jerusalem.
Don't be suckered into admiring Solomon's request for wisdom. Though he becomes the most wise man ever to live, he misses the importance of faithfully knowing and worshipping God. This might make us think of Paul's words in First Corinthians, which state that the wisdom of this age is foolishness to God, and the wisdom of God is foolishness to the people of this age. In other words, you can have all the wisdom this world has to offer, and you will still miss God.
ADDITIONAL READING: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Deuteronomy 17:14-20; 2 Samuel 16:5-13; 1 Samuel 2:31-36
