Highlights:
King David at death's door. Adonijah, Absalom's kid brother, organizes another revolt! But nothing thwarts the sovereign purpose of God. Look who stops the coup (I Kin. 1:11-53). David charges Solomon to walk with God (2:1-4).
Verse for Today:
Keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in His ways, to keep His Statutes, and His Commandments, and His Judgments, and His Testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper (accomplish the purpose of God) in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself (I Kin. 2:3).
David's last words to Solomon revealed his greatest desire for his son. He stressed the importance of keeping the Commandments of God so that he would live to please God.
Material blessings are incidental and may or may not be obtained by those who prosper in the eyes of God. Stephen and Paul did not "prosper" in the eyes of the world, but their true prosperity cannot be measured.
So shall My Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it (Is. 55:11). Thus, true prosperity is in what we do to fulfill His Word.
David . . . charged Solomon . . . be thou strong . . . and shew thyself a man (I Kin. 2:1-2). We cannot keep the charge of the Lord (2:3) unless we read and understand the charge of the Lord. David did not ask that Solomon show himself a man by conquering more kingdoms, but by personally seeking the Lord's will through His Word and living it.
David did not use vain repetitions when he spoke of the Lord's Statutes, and His Commandments, and His Judgments, and His Testimonies (2:3), for the whole Law, not just the portion that may seem pleasing to one's interests, is to be observed.
We are all tempted to "partial obedience" — which means neglecting some in disobedience.
How irresponsible it is to own a Bible and yet disregard our obedience as if it were not worth spending time to know the Creator's plan for our lives. We possess the only Revelation of the One True God, the Creator of all things.
Then let us be strong to read it for its own supreme value to know the One True God who provided it. What a privilege we have to know our Creator and be in fellowship with Him.
Thought for Today:
He that hath My Commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him (John 14:21).
Christ Revealed:
By the oil used to anoint Solomon (I Kin. 1:39). Oil, symbolic of the Holy Spirit, was poured out upon those chosen for special service. Jesus is the Anointed One of God: God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good (Acts 10:38). The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor (needy) (Luke 4:18; see Is. 61:1).
Word Studies:
1:2 cherish =be of service as his nurse; 1:6 not displeased =never rebuked or corrected; 2:6 hoar head . . . peace =die of old age in peace; 2:17 say thee nay =refuse your request.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Raymond Cockerham • Country: Gambia (1 million) in West Africa • Major languages: English and Mandinka • Religious freedom • 87% Muslim; 10% animism and ancestral spirit worship; 2% Roman Catholic; .7% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to give you contentment in your circumstances, whether in plenty or in want (Phil. 4:11-12).
Optional Reading: Acts 22
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 6:12
