As King David's time drew to a close at 70 years of age, it was time for new leadership to emerge over Israel. While David's son Adonijah attempted to seize control of the kingdom, God had made it clear through the prophet Nathan that David's younger son Solomon was to be the next king. In his dying words, David charged Solomon to "show yourself a man" and take charge as king.

Ruling wisely over a united Kingdom would require Solomon to make adherence to God's Torah his highest priority. The instructions and commands given to Israel through Moses were the very guidelines by which the king and people were to live. Faithfulness to God's word would determine the success or failure of Solomon's reign. David warned his son of certain men like Joab and Shimei who posed potential threats due to their disloyal acts in the past. A proper purging of such enemies within his administration would be necessary for Solomon to solidify his position as king.

Shortly after taking the throne, Solomon was approached by his older brother Adonijah requesting to marry one of David's concubines, Abishag. However, Solomon recognized this was not an innocent match-making proposal, but rather a crafty plot by Adonijah to strengthen his claim to the throne. Marrying a king's concubine in other cultures equated to seizing the monarchy. In wisdom, Solomon dismissed the notion and declared Adonijah's action as treason worthy of death.

The prophet Nathan had foretold years earlier that God would remove the priestly line of Eli due to their disobedience. When Abiathar the priest aligned with Adonijah’s coup, Solomon fulfilled this prophecy by stripping Abiathar of his priestly authority, though sparing his life. Joab and Shimei, two others David warned about, met their ends as well due to ongoing defiance. Through decisive yet merciful action, Solomon established the security necessary to faithfully lead God's people into an era of peace and prosperity.

Solomon's reforms pointed forward to an ultimate, ideal king who would one day purge all evil from God's kingdom forever. The dividing of Israel after Solomon's demise intensified the longing for a Messiah who would permanently unite the nation under God's righteous rule. Jesus Christ fulfills these ancient hopes as the son of David serving also as our great high priest in the order of Melchizedek. At his still-future glorious appearing, Jesus will make all of Israel's enemies a footstool beneath his feet, finally and fully establishing the eternal Kingdom of God on earth.

Notes: https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/lesson_translations/1549/notes_file/f5d659f7cb46b2b05827ced2b56715b6.pdf

Web: https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/1-kings-lesson-2b

Transcript: https://drive.proton.me/urls/02RJF9P7PC#m8LbefDz1k23