Thursday, June 9 ~ Miriam

Today's reading from the Chronological OT/NT Reading Plan is 1 Kings 1-2; John 18:19-40.

Good Thursday, everyone!  We're getting back into the historical, or story-telling, readings today as we start off with 1 Kings and the transfer of the crown from David to Solomon.  It made me sad to read about David's second son, Adonijah, basically trying to have himself made king.  David was old and infirm, obviously not able to care for himself anymore, much less rule over the people, and yet he didn't relinquish the reins or even name a successor.  (Why they decided to get him a new concubine to look after him rather than choosing from the large number he must have had already is puzzling to me.  Different times, I guess.)

Anyway, our passage refers to the fact that David wasn't a very hands-on parent.  It says of Adonijah "His father had never interfered with him by asking, "Why do you behave as you do?"" which indicates to me that he was probably rather spoiled and there wasn't much that was denied him while he was growing up.  Maybe in those days, particularly in a royal setting where the father was busy with matters pertaining to the entire people and running the kingdom, it wasn't expected or perhaps even possible for the king to parent his children the way other fathers did.  I just find it sad that it led to so much strife between the brothers and between them and their father.

There are people who are in single parent situations because of circumstances beyond their control, who do exemplary jobs of raising their children or at least do the absolute best they can and I commend them and admire their efforts.  However, I know several women who, in their 30s and finding themselves without a husband or even a long-term boyfriend, made the decision to have a baby on their own.  This makes me sad for both the woman and the child.  It is obviously possible to do a good job of raising a child as a single parent, but it is certainly not ideal.  I am thankful for my husband and for his interest and involvement in our children's lives and for the help he provides me in discipline, teaching, and even just household duties pertaining to the children.  I would not want to be a single parent due to circumstances beyond my control and I certainly wouldn't choose to do so on purpose.  Obviously, King David's children had more people to care for them than just their mothers, however it seems they did not have the leadership or discipline of their father as the head of their household.  I believe my husband knows that I appreciate him as a parenting partner, but I make sure I specifically tell him so at least on Father's Day.  Some people dislike "contrived" holidays because they don't think they should have to do something on a particular day.  So don't do it on that day then.  But don't forget to show appreciation to the person or people that help you with the biggest responsibility in your life.

There was one thing that confused me a bit, and that was Solomon's reaction to Adonijah's request to marry Abishag the concubine.  Bob Deffinbaugh has a study on the first 11 chapters of 1 Kings entitled The Reign of Solomon which clarified this matter for me, as well as shedding a bit more light on the entire situation.  Excerpts of the section on chapters 1 and 2 follow:

As I read the first four verses of chapter 1, I see a very different “David” from the valiant warrior who stood up against Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. Here is a very old man, who is very near the end of his life. He is lying in his bed shivering, virtually oblivious to the daily affairs of his kingdom. He has a beautiful young woman to attend him, who did serve him, but who in my opinion was intended to be far more than a nurse. She was a concubine, which events will clearly substantiate. The fact that David did not “know” her is told to the reader as an indication of David’s age and physical strength. He was a man who no longer was able to function in many areas of his life.

There is no indictment here, no words of condemnation, as though David were at fault for his diminished capacity. The fault lies in David’s failure to step aside, and more particularly in his failure to designate who would follow him as the king of Israel. This man, whose right to rule had earlier been challenged (by Absalom, and probably others), was not eager to let go, and yet he was not really in control either.

Several factors seem to have contributed to Adonijah’s bid to become Israel’s next king. 

(1) He was apparently David’s oldest surviving son. 

(2) He was a very attractive and winsome fellow (1 Kings 1:6).

(3) Adonijah was able to assemble an elite group of men who served as his bodyguards (1:5). 

(4) He was a son that David failed to discipline or “reign in.” I take it that he had never been told, “No,” and so he was used to having his way (1:6). A child who had no respect for, nor fear of, his father would be more inclined to try to replace him. Had David actually been functioning as Israel’s king, Adonijah would not have stood a chance. 

(5) Adonijah had gained the support of Joab, the commander of the army, and Abiathar, the priest. 

(6) David was oblivious to what was taking place and virtually non-functioning as the king. There was a vacuum of leadership in Israel, and Adonijah seemed to have the resolve and the resources to fill it.

While Adonijah and his supporters are celebrating his “victory,” Zadok, the priest, is anointing Solomon as Israel’s king. The trumpet is sounded and the people are declaring, “Long live King Solomon!” The masses must have dreaded having Adonijah as their king; the news of Solomon’s coronation is met with jubilant celebration. The sound of this celebration reaches the ears of those who are with Adonijah, but they don’t know what it means. Jonathan, son of Abiathar the (soon to be “retired”) priest, informs them that the sounds of celebration are not good news for Adonijah and his supporters. He informs them that David has designated Solomon as his successor and that he had already taken the throne. Adonijah’s guests panicked when they realized they were now Solomon’s enemies. They quickly left, and Adonijah fled to lay hold of the horns of the altar. Solomon granted his brother’s plea for mercy and sent him home.

David called Solomon and gave him some very good advice that would enable him to begin his new administration on the right foot. The interesting thing about David’s advice was that he encouraged Solomon to correct those things which he himself had failed to do while he was king of Israel.

First, David urges Solomon to devote himself to keeping God’s law.

Second, David urges Solomon to deal with Joab.

Third, David encourages Solomon to reward Barzillai, a man who remained faithful to him in his time of trouble.

Finally, David urged Solomon to deal with Shimei, a man who had been a thorn in David’s flesh.

The remainder of 1 Kings 2 describes how Solomon carried out David’s counsel and thereby consolidated his kingdom. Adonijah made it relatively easy for Solomon. Adonijah persuaded Bathsheba to request that he be given Abishag as his wife. Abishag was considered one of David’s concubines and, as such, giving her to Adonijah would be tantamount to acknowledging his right to reign as Israel’s king. To possess the king’s concubine was to take his place.¹⁸⁹ Solomon saw through Adonijah’s scheme. He had granted him mercy once, but now he sends Benaiah to execute him. Adonijah will not trouble the kingdom further.

I cut a whole bunch out of that study, but this is still getting pretty long already.  I don't have a whole lot to say with regard to our John passage today, as we've covered this ground already.  If something stood out to you, feel free to comment.  I always go back and check comments a few days later, so even if you're not "caught up," comment anyway.  I'd love to hear your thoughts.

 Tomorrow's passage:  1 Kings 3-4; Proverbs 1; John 19:1-22