The Kingdom Established
[ READ ] 1 Kings 2:36–46
36 Then the king sent and summoned Shimei and said to him, “Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and dwell there, and do not go out from there to any place whatever. 37 For on the day you go out and cross the brook Kidron, know for certain that you shall die. Your blood shall be on your own head.” 38 And Shimei said to the king, “What you say is good; as my lord the king has said, so will your servant do.” So Shimei lived in Jerusalem many days.
39 But it happened at the end of three years that two of Shimei's servants ran away to Achish, son of Maacah, king of Gath. And when it was told Shimei, “Behold, your servants are in Gath,” 40 Shimei arose and saddled a donkey and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants. Shimei went and brought his servants from Gath. 41 And when Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and returned, 42 the king sent and summoned Shimei and said to him, “Did I not make you swear by the Lordand solemnly warn you, saying, ‘Know for certain that on the day you go out and go to any place whatever, you shall die’? And you said to me, ‘What you say is good; I will obey.’ 43 Why then have you not kept your oath to the Lord and the commandment with which I commanded you?” 44 The king also said to Shimei, “You know in your own heart all the harm that you did to David my father. So the Lord will bring back your harm on your own head. 45 But King Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the Lord forever.” 46 Then the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck him down, and he died.
So the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.
39 But it happened at the end of three years that two of Shimei's servants ran away to Achish, son of Maacah, king of Gath. And when it was told Shimei, “Behold, your servants are in Gath,” 40 Shimei arose and saddled a donkey and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants. Shimei went and brought his servants from Gath. 41 And when Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and returned, 42 the king sent and summoned Shimei and said to him, “Did I not make you swear by the Lordand solemnly warn you, saying, ‘Know for certain that on the day you go out and go to any place whatever, you shall die’? And you said to me, ‘What you say is good; I will obey.’ 43 Why then have you not kept your oath to the Lord and the commandment with which I commanded you?” 44 The king also said to Shimei, “You know in your own heart all the harm that you did to David my father. So the Lord will bring back your harm on your own head. 45 But King Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the Lord forever.” 46 Then the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck him down, and he died.
So the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.
Passages like 1 Kings 2 are hard to digest. Earlier in the chapter, Solomon receives some good advice from his father David as he lay on his deathbed.
Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn. (vv.2-3)
However, David then shares some thoughts about a few people who may cause his son problems as he tries to establish his kingdom. David, in essence, instructs Solomon to liquidate them. One such person is Shimei and these verses describe how Solomon deals with him.
- Chris Adomanis
Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn. (vv.2-3)
However, David then shares some thoughts about a few people who may cause his son problems as he tries to establish his kingdom. David, in essence, instructs Solomon to liquidate them. One such person is Shimei and these verses describe how Solomon deals with him.
- Chris Adomanis
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ Read the story of Shimei found in 2 Samuel 16:5-8 and 2 Samuel 19:16-23. Then, read David’s advice to Solomon concerning Shimei found in 1 Kings 2:8-9 before rereading today’s passage.
- What was David actually asking Solomon to do with Shimei?
- What was Solomon actually asking Shimei to do in return for his own “safety”?
- Did Solomon “do the right thing” in his dealing with Shimei as found in today’s passage?
+ Read the story of Shimei found in 2 Samuel 16:5-8 and 2 Samuel 19:16-23. Then, read David’s advice to Solomon concerning Shimei found in 1 Kings 2:8-9 before rereading today’s passage.
- What was David actually asking Solomon to do with Shimei?
- What was Solomon actually asking Shimei to do in return for his own “safety”?
- Did Solomon “do the right thing” in his dealing with Shimei as found in today’s passage?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Have you ever done something that you considered “within the letter of the law” but you knew, either when you did it or even later in life, it was not the right course of action? Discuss within your Community Group.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Have you ever done something that you considered “within the letter of the law” but you knew, either when you did it or even later in life, it was not the right course of action? Discuss within your Community Group.
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, we are a sinful people, looking at our own interests instead of how our actions may affect others and, even more importantly, go against Your standards and commands. Forgive us of our trespasses and lead us in the way of truth. Amen.
Philippians 2:3-5: 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus...
+ Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, we are a sinful people, looking at our own interests instead of how our actions may affect others and, even more importantly, go against Your standards and commands. Forgive us of our trespasses and lead us in the way of truth. Amen.
Philippians 2:3-5: 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus...
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
yourself:
+ Talk today’s message over with someone who is discipling you, and someone you are discipling.
+ Who in your circles of influence needs Godly, biblical counsel? Who needs to hear about a God who is immutable, never changing in nature? (Numbers 23:19, James 1:17)
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
yourself:
+ Talk today’s message over with someone who is discipling you, and someone you are discipling.
+ Who in your circles of influence needs Godly, biblical counsel? Who needs to hear about a God who is immutable, never changing in nature? (Numbers 23:19, James 1:17)
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