The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Kings 2:25,
"King Solomon gave orders to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he struck down Adonijah and he died."
Adonijah had previously attempted to seize David's throne for himself. The throne was to be Solomon's and when Solomon ascended to the throne he allowed Adonijah to live. Now, however, in this second attempt to wrangle the throne for himself, he tried to trick Solomon into giving David's companion, Abishag, to him. He used Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, to aid in the subterfuge. For Adonijah to take the previous king's woman for himself, it would have seriously imperiled Solomon's rule.
Here is what I see as a new effort on Adonijah's part that deserved his punishment of death. However, it also fulfilled a delayed execution of justice in Solomon's court. This chapter features several of these instances of delayed justice.
Another example of delayed justice was Joab who had earlier killed Abner and Amasa during peacetime (not as a result of war). He had also challenged Solomon's ascension to the throne by placing his support behind Adonijah. David made Solomon promise he would not allow Joab's "gray hair go down to the grave in peace." Verse 6. Joab was put to death at the horns of the altar.
Another example in this chapter is Shimei who had called down curses on David as he escaped his son Absalom, who attempted a coup on his father's kingship. David let Shimei live when he returned to Jerusalem, but now David, at his death, told Solomon to "Bring his gray head down to the grave in blood." Verse 9. After Solomon gave Shimei fair warning not to leave house arrest in Jerusalem, that it would result in his death, Shimei yet again showed disrespect for the house of David by violating King Solomon's edict. Shimei paid for it with his life, in yet another act of both delayed justice as well as justice for current activities. "Then the king gave the order to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck Shimei down and he died." Verse 46.
We are told that following the resolution to these acts of justice, "The kingdom was now established in Solomon's hands." 1 Kings 2:46.
I am reminded of another king who will establish his throne at the completion of exercising delayed justice. When Jesus Christ comes at the end of the age, we read, "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. 'He will rule them with an iron scepter.' He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of kings and Lord of lords."
While we may be vexed with the injustice and lawlessness all about us (as was Habakkuk), it is our job to remain patient and wait for the Lord. He will make all things right in the end - no matter how frustrated we may feel about the things people do and get away with. "Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away." Psalm 37:1-2. Also, "Hope in the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it." Psalm 37:34.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
"King Solomon gave orders to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he struck down Adonijah and he died."
Adonijah had previously attempted to seize David's throne for himself. The throne was to be Solomon's and when Solomon ascended to the throne he allowed Adonijah to live. Now, however, in this second attempt to wrangle the throne for himself, he tried to trick Solomon into giving David's companion, Abishag, to him. He used Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, to aid in the subterfuge. For Adonijah to take the previous king's woman for himself, it would have seriously imperiled Solomon's rule.
Here is what I see as a new effort on Adonijah's part that deserved his punishment of death. However, it also fulfilled a delayed execution of justice in Solomon's court. This chapter features several of these instances of delayed justice.
Another example of delayed justice was Joab who had earlier killed Abner and Amasa during peacetime (not as a result of war). He had also challenged Solomon's ascension to the throne by placing his support behind Adonijah. David made Solomon promise he would not allow Joab's "gray hair go down to the grave in peace." Verse 6. Joab was put to death at the horns of the altar.
Another example in this chapter is Shimei who had called down curses on David as he escaped his son Absalom, who attempted a coup on his father's kingship. David let Shimei live when he returned to Jerusalem, but now David, at his death, told Solomon to "Bring his gray head down to the grave in blood." Verse 9. After Solomon gave Shimei fair warning not to leave house arrest in Jerusalem, that it would result in his death, Shimei yet again showed disrespect for the house of David by violating King Solomon's edict. Shimei paid for it with his life, in yet another act of both delayed justice as well as justice for current activities. "Then the king gave the order to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck Shimei down and he died." Verse 46.
We are told that following the resolution to these acts of justice, "The kingdom was now established in Solomon's hands." 1 Kings 2:46.
I am reminded of another king who will establish his throne at the completion of exercising delayed justice. When Jesus Christ comes at the end of the age, we read, "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. 'He will rule them with an iron scepter.' He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of kings and Lord of lords."
While we may be vexed with the injustice and lawlessness all about us (as was Habakkuk), it is our job to remain patient and wait for the Lord. He will make all things right in the end - no matter how frustrated we may feel about the things people do and get away with. "Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away." Psalm 37:1-2. Also, "Hope in the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it." Psalm 37:34.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment