Rehoboam's Ruin: 1 Kings 14:21-15:8

1. Rehoboam’s Idolatrous reign: 1 Kings 14:21-24
1 When the rule of Rehoboam was established and he was strong, he abandoned the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him. 2 Chronicles 12:1 (ESV

The influence of mothers and wives on their husbands and children is great.

8 Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, Proverbs 1:8 (ESV)

5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 2 Timothy 1:5 (ESV); 2 Timothy 3:15

24 For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. Deuteronomy 4:23-24 (ESV)

22 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? 1 Corinthians 10:21-22 (ESV)

2. Rehoboam’s Blind Eye: 1 Kings 14:25-28; 29-31

God can use whatever means He wants to discipline his Children

5 Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and to the princes of Judah, who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, “Thus says the LORD, ‘You abandoned me, so I have abandoned you to the hand of Shishak.’” 6 Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, “The LORD is righteous.” 2 Chronicles 12:2-6 (ESV)

14 And he did evil, for he did not set his heart to seek the LORD. 2 Chronicles 12:14 (ESV)

The kind of repentance our Lord desires is lasting and transformative repentance.

10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 (ESV)

3. Rehoboam’s Sinful Progeny: 1 Kings 15:1-8

1 In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam, Abijah began to reign over Judah. 2 Chronicles 13:1 (ESV)

Children do not have to follow in the footsteps of their fathers, but they often do.

8 . . . for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, Deuteronomy 5:8-9 (ESV)

10 But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken him. We have priests ministering to the LORD who are sons of Aaron, and Levites for their service.

11 They offer to the LORD every morning and every evening burnt offerings and incense of sweet spices, set out the showbread on the table of pure gold, and care for the golden lampstand that its lamps may burn every evening. For we keep the charge of the LORD our God, but you have forsaken him. 2 Chronicles 13:10-11 (ESV)

18 Thus the men of Israel were subdued at that time, and the men of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the LORD, the God of their fathers. 2 Chronicles 13:18 (ESV)

Jeroboam’s Judgement: 1 Kings 13:33-14:20

Jeroboam’s indifference towards God’s Word: 1 Kings 13:33-34

38 And if you will listen to all that I command you, and will walk in my ways, and do what is right in my eyes by keeping my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did, I will be with you and will build you a sure house, as I built for David, and I will give Israel to you.
1 Kings 11:38 (ESV)

Jeroboam’s interest in God’s Word: 1 Kings 14:1-3

Jeroboam’s inquiry of God’s Word: 1 Kings 14:4-6

Jeroboam’s infliction from God’s Word

Destruction of Jeroboam’s dynasty: 1 Kings 14:6-14

Death of Jeroboam’s son: 1 Kings 14:12-13; 17-18

Downfall of Jeroboam’s nation: 1 Kings 14:15-16

Jeroboam’s impact according to God’s Word: 1 Kings 14:19-20

- A decision to reject reproof is a decision to harden one’s heart, but hardening one’s heart may place one beyond the sphere of repentance.

14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” Acts 4:14-17 (ESV)

15 As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” Hebrews 3:15 (ESV) [cited in Psalm 95:7)

- We cannot deceive God.

21 “For his eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps. Job 34:21 (ESV)

13 The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man; 14 from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, 15 he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds. Psalm 33:13-15 (ESV)

- We cannot compartmentalize God and His word in our life, rejecting his commandments while pursuing His compassion

26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. John 6:26 (ESV)

- The value of what we accomplish in this life is directly proportionate to our faithfulness to God’s Word.

13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (ESV)

A Parable of God's Word: 1 Kings 13

The Word of God from the Man of God to Jeroboam
15 Moreover, the altar at Bethel, the high place erected by Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, that altar with the high place he pulled down and burned, reducing it to dust. He also burned the Asherah. 16 And as Josiah turned, he saw the tombs there on the mount. And he sent and took the bones out of the tombs and burned them on the altar and defiled it, according to the word of the LORD that the man of God proclaimed, who had predicted these things.
2 Kings 23:15-16 (ESV)

The Word of God abandoned by the Man of God through the deception of the old prophet

The Word of God from the old prophet to the man of God

6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 2 Timothy 3:6 (ESV)

The Word of God from the man of God believed by the old prophet

-          It is God’s mercy that calls us to repent.

13 and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.
Joel 2:13 (ESV)

-          God will never contradict his Word. Do not be deceived by others who claim they have revelation that supersedes God’s Word.

8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:8 (ESV)

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1 (ESV)

5 Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? 6 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? So they repented and said, ‘As the LORD of hosts purposed to deal with us for our ways and deeds, so has he dealt with us.’” Zechariah 1:5-6 (ESV)

 -          There are people who speak truth, but it does not transform their life.

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV)

 The Word of God as a parable for Israel and Judah
19 Judah also did not keep the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the customs that Israel had introduced. 2 Kings 17:19 (ESV)

Home Grown Religion: 1 Kings 12:25-33

The perceived problem of Jeroboam
25 Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim and lived there. And he went out from there and built Penuel. 26 And Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom will turn back to the house of David. 27 If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the temple of the LORD at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn again to their lord, to Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.” 1 Kings 12:25-27 (ESV)

 The prescribed plan of Jeroboam
28 So the king took counsel and made two calves of gold. And he said to the people, “You have gone up to Jerusalem long enough. Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” 29 And he set one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. 30 Then this thing became a sin, for the people went as far as Dan to be before one. 31 He also made temples on high places and appointed priests from among all the people, who were not of the Levites.
32 And Jeroboam appointed a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month like the feast that was in Judah, and he offered sacrifices on the altar. So he did in Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he made. And he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places that he had made. 33 He went up to the altar that he had made in Bethel on the fifteenth day in the eighth month, in the month that he had devised from his own heart. And he instituted a feast for the people of Israel and went up to the altar to make offerings. 1 Kings 12:28-33 (ESV)

 Take Aways

 -          Beware of a failure to love God above all else.

37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment.
Matthew 22:37-38 (ESV)

 -          Beware of a failure to trust God.

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

 -          Beware of fearing men rather than God.

11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield. Psalm 115:11 (ESV)

28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28 (ESV)

 -          Beware of listening to your heart, for it will more often than not, lead you astray.

9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9 (ESV)

 -          Beware of implementing religious decisions for convenience sake.

11 Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion. Jude 1:11 (ESV)

Folly and Foreknowledge: 1 Kings 12:1-24

1. The request: 1 Kings 12:1-5
2. The recommendation: 1 Kings 12:6-11
3. The resolution: 1 Kings 12:12-15
4. The response: 1 Kings 12:16-20
5. The revelation: 1 Kings 12:21-24

6        takeaways 

- We need to recognize wise, practical, and seasoned council over brash popular antics. Rehoboam was foolish for failing to listen to wise, practical, and seasoned council, and instead thinking that his intimidation would cower his opponents into submission.

14 Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14 (ESV)

 - We need to always honor God’s authority and plan rather than trying to help God and manipulate the situation. Jeroboam was promised the 10 tribes but rebelling against the house of David was in opposition to God’s general will; and therefore, not the way to go about it.

9 But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?” 1 Samuel 26:9 (ESV)

 - We need to ask the Lord what His will is and then submit. There was not a prophet, priest, or divine prayer requested to discern what God would have either side to do. The event seems to describe how self-reliant these men were on their own wisdom.

14 So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the LORD. 15 And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them.
Joshua 9:3-15 (ESV)

 - God is so sovereign, that He is not the author of evil, He does no evil, and He does not tempt to evil, but He still uses evil men and their decisions to bring about His holy and righteous purposes.

14 King Rehoboam spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.” 15 So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of affairs brought about by God that the LORD might fulfill his word, which he spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat. 2 Chronicles 10:14-15 (ESV)

 - God’s purpose will ultimately prevail, but will we honor God in our decisions and the manner His will is performed? (Jeroboam)

21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. Proverbs 19:21 (ESV)

 We need to recognize that there is a time when it is God’s desire that we give up and cut our losses. To his credit, Rehoboam backed down when the Lord communicated through the prophet, Shemaiah.

Opposition and God's Purpose: 1 Kings 11:14-43

Hadad the Edomite: 1 Kings 11:14-22

Rezon the son of Eliada: 1 Kings 11:23-25

Jeroboam the Son of Nebat: 1 Kings 11:26-40

28 And Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you. 1 Samuel 15:28 (ESV)

3 takeaways: (Philip Graham Ryken)

-          God is sovereign over all nations, in all places, and at all times.

Lord’s message to Pharoah:
16 But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth. Exodus 9:16 (ESV)

Vision given to Nebuchadnezzar:
17 . . . to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.’ Daniel 4:17 (ESV)

26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, Acts 17:26 (ESV)

 -          We will all ultimately be players in God’s perfect plan, whether we choose to follow His perfect will or not.

Promise:
38 And if you will listen to all that I command you, and will walk in my ways, and do what is right in my eyes by keeping my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did, I will be with you and will build you a sure house, as I built for David, and I will give Israel to you. 1 Kings 11:38 (ESV)

Example of Omri:
25 Omri did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and did more evil than all who were before him. 26 For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat . . . 1 Kings 16:25-26 (ESV)

2 “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. Job 42:2 (ESV)

-          The grace and compassion of God that is reflective of His glory will ultimately prevail.

One tribe would remain in David’s house:1 Kings 11:31-32

The execution of judgement would be delayed:
34 Nevertheless, I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand, but I will make him ruler all the days of his life, for the sake of David my servant . . . 1 Kings 11:34 (ESV)

God’s promise to David will never be revoked (lamp):
36 Yet to his son I will give one tribe, that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city where I have chosen to put my name. 1 Kings 11:36 (ESV);
Proverbs 20:20 (ESV)

39 And I will afflict the offspring of David because of this, but not forever.’” 1 Kings 11:39 (ESV)

Promise of discipline to David’s Son:
14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 2 Samuel 7:14-15 (ESV)

Jesus is the Light:
12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (ESV)

God's Kingdom and the Nations: A Foreshadow of God's Love: 1 Kings 10

1. Solomon’s kingdom as perceived by the nations (1 Kings 10:14-29)

16 Only he must not acquire many horses for himself or cause the people to return to Egypt in order to acquire many horses, since the LORD has said to you, ‘You shall never return that way again.’ Deuteronomy 17:16 (ESV) 

2. Solomon’s kingdom as perceived by Christ
42 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. Matthew 12:42 (ESV)

3. Solomon’s kingdom as perceived by the Queen of Sheba
1 Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions. 2 She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. 3 And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her. 4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, 5 the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the LORD, there was no more breath in her. 6 And she said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, 7 but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard. 8 Happy are your men! Happy are your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 9 Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness.”
10 Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices and precious stones. Never again came such an abundance of spices as these that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.1 Kings 10:1-10;  read 11-13 (ESV)

Who is the Queen of Sheba?
41 “Likewise, when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a far country for your name’s sake 42 (for they shall hear of your great name and your mighty hand, and of your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this house, 1 Kings 8:41-42 (ESV)

What did the Queen of Sheba hear?
43 hear in heaven your dwelling place and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to you, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and that they may know that this house that I have built is called by your name.
1 Kings 8:43 (ESV)

9 . . .  for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. Isaiah 11:9 (ESV)

Why did the Queen of Sheba come?

How did the Queen of Sheba come?
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts!.. 15 Long may he live; may gold of Sheba be given to him! May prayer be made for him continually, and blessings invoked for him all the day! Psalm 72:10-15 (ESV)

What did the Queen of Sheba find?
What did the Queen of Sheba say?
What did the Queen of Sheba give?
What did the Queen of Sheba receive?

Be Watchful: 1 Kings 9

1. A reflection of spiritual highs
As soon as Solomon had finished building the house of the Lord and the king’s house and all that Solomon desired to build, 2 the Lord appeared to Solomon a second time, as he had appeared to him at Gibeon. 3 And the Lord said to him, “I have heard your prayer and your plea, which you have made before me. I have consecrated this house that you have built, by putting my name there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time. 4 And as for you, if you will walk before me, as David your father walked, with integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that I have commanded you, and keeping my statutes and my rules, 5 then I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’ 1 Kings 9:1–5 (ESV)

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord . . .  1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)

2. A reflection of spiritual warnings
6 But if you turn aside from following me, you or your children, and do not keep my commandments and my statutes that I have set before you, but go and serve other gods and worship them, 7 then I will cut off Israel from the land that I have given them, and the house that I have consecrated for my name I will cast out of my sight, and Israel will become a proverb and a byword among all peoples. 8 And this house will become a heap of ruins. Everyone passing by it will be astonished and will hiss, and they will say, ‘Why has the Lord done thus to this land and to this house?’ 9 Then they will say, ‘Because they abandoned the Lord their God who brought their fathers out of the land of Egypt and laid hold on other gods and worshiped them and served them. Therefore the Lord has brought all this disaster on them.’ ”
1 Kings 9:6–9 (ESV)

12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV)

(Hebrews 2:1)
(Hebrews 2:3)
(Hebrews 3:12)
(Hebrews 6:4–6)
(Hebrews 12:25)

3. A reflection of spiritual reality (Outline by John Woodhouse of 1 Kings 9:10-28)

     (1)     Prosperity and its cost (vv. 10–14)
     (2)     Security and its means (vv. 15–23)
     (3)     Egypt and its role (v. 24)
     (4)     The house and its completion (v. 25)
     (5)     The world and its opportunities (vv. 26–28)

The Dedication of the Temple: 1 Kings 8

27 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built! 28 Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you this day, 29 that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you have said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place. 30 And listen to the plea of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. And listen in heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.  1 Kings 8:27-30 (ESV)

Celebration and sacrifice, vv. 1–13

Blessing Israel and Yahweh, vv. 14–21

Solomon’s prayer of dedication, vv. 22–53

Blessing Israel and Yahweh, vv. 54–61

Celebration and sacrifice, vv. 62–66

1. The Awesome Glory of God: a picture of clarity and concealment (1-21)
21 The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.
Exodus 20:21 (ESV)

2. The Forgiving Mercy from God: a picture of man’s depravity and need (22-53)

34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Romans 8:34 (ESV)

3. The Sacrifices for God: a picture of reconciliation and fellowship (54-66)

A Very Very Very Find House: 1 Kings 7

1. The significance of Solomon’s administrative buildings
Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished his entire house . . . 2 He built the House of the Forest of Lebanon  . . . 6 And he made the Hall of Pillars  . . . 7 And he made the Hall of the Throne where he was to pronounce judgment, even the Hall of Judgment  . . . 8 His own house where he was to dwell, in the other court back of the hall, was of like workmanship. Solomon also made a house like this hall for Pharaoh’s daughter whom he had taken in marriage.
1 Kings 7:1–8 (ESV)

2. The significance of the temple furnishings outside the temple

The significance of the gifted worker
13 And King Solomon sent and brought Hiram from Tyre. 14 He was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in bronze. And he was full of wisdom, understanding, and skill for making any work in bronze. He came to King Solomon and did all his work. 1 Kings 7:13–14 (ESV)

The significance of the two front pillars
21 He set up the pillars at the vestibule of the temple. He set up the pillar on the south and called its name Jachin, and he set up the pillar on the north and called its name Boaz. 1 Kings 7:21 (ESV)

The significance of the sea of cast metal
23 Then he made the sea of cast metal . . .  It held two thousand baths. 1 Kings 7:23–26 (ESV)

The significance of the 10 bronze stands
27 He also made the ten stands of bronze.  . . .  39 And he set the stands, five on the south side of the house, and five on the north side of the house. And he set the sea at the southeast corner of the house. 1 Kings 7:27; 39 (ESV)

3. The significance of golden vessels inside the temple
48 So Solomon made all the vessels that were in the house of the Lord: the golden altar, the golden table for the bread of the Presence, 49 the lampstands of pure gold, five on the south side and five on the north, before the inner sanctuary; the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs, of gold; 50 the cups, snuffers, basins, dishes for incense, and fire pans, of pure gold; and the sockets of gold, for the doors of the innermost part of the house, the Most Holy Place, and for the doors of the nave of the temple. 1 Kings 7:48–50 (ESV)

Solomon applies David’s dedication
51 Thus all the work that King Solomon did on the house of the Lord was finished. And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, the silver, the gold, and the vessels, and stored them in the treasuries of the house of the Lord. 1 Kings 7:51 (ESV)

A Tour Inside the Temple: 1 Kings 6:14-38

(Outline predominantly from Philip Ryken)

1. The inner sections of the Temple are a reflection of God’s beauty: 1 Kings 6:14-22

6 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Psalm 96:6 (ESV)

4 One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple. Psalm 27:4 (ESV)

17 And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. Psalm 90:17 (KJV)

2. The inner sections of the Temple evoke awe and a holy fear of God: 1 Kings 6:23-28

7 “Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool!” 8 Arise, O LORD, and go to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. Psalm 132:7-8 (ESV)

16 “O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. Isaiah 37:16 (ESV)

1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth. Psalm 80:1 (ESV)

2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness. Psalm 29:2 (ESV)

3. The inner sections of the Temple are a portal to the very presence of God: 1 Kings 6:29-36

9 And out of the ground the LORD God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 2:9 (ESV)

24 He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. Genesis 3:24 (ESV)

A Permanent House (Part 1): 1 Kings 6:1-13

1. The faithfulness of God. God’s faithfulness and the fruition of a promise.
1 In the four hundred and eightieth year after the people of Israel came out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, which is the second month, he began to build the house of the LORD. 1 Kings 6:1 (ESV)

14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! Psalm 27:14 (ESV)

31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)

2. The presence of God. The outer dimensions remind us this is the place God would dwell.
2 The house that King Solomon built for the LORD was sixty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high. 3 The vestibule in front of the nave of the house was twenty cubits long, equal to the width of the house, and ten cubits deep in front of the house. 4 And he made for the house windows with recessed frames. 5 He also built a structure against the wall of the house, running around the walls of the house, both the nave and the inner sanctuary. And he made side chambers all around. 6 The lowest story was five cubits broad, the middle one was six cubits broad, and the third was seven cubits broad. For around the outside of the house he made offsets on the wall in order that the supporting beams should not be inserted into the walls of the house . . . 8 The entrance for the lowest story was on the south side of the house, and one went up by stairs to the middle story, and from the middle story to the third. 9 So he built the house and finished it, and he made the ceiling of the house of beams and planks of cedar. 10 He built the structure against the whole house, five cubits high, and it was joined to the house with timbers of cedar.
1 Kings 6:2-10 (ESV)

17 You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain, the place, O LORD, which you have made for your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established. Exodus 15:17 (ESV)

2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? John 14:2 (ESV)

3. The reverence for God. The lack of noise on the site where the house was located reminds us of the dignity and order God requires.
7 When the house was built, it was with stone prepared at the quarry, so that neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron was heard in the house while it was being built.
1 Kings 6:7 (ESV)

27 Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house. Proverbs 24:27 (ESV)

17 You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain, the place, O LORD, which you have made for your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established. Exodus 15:17 (ESV)

4. Devotion to God. The heart is more important that the house itself.
11 Now the word of the LORD came to Solomon, 12 “Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules and keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I will establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father. 13 And I will dwell among the children of Israel and will not forsake my people Israel.” 1 Kings 6:11-13 (ESV)

Preparing to Build the Temple

1. The preparations focus on God’s faithfulness/promise
1 Kings 5:1-6

12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name . . .
2 Samuel 7:12-13 (ESV)

8 But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed so much blood before me on the earth. 1 Chronicles 22:8 (ESV)

29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days . . . 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24:29-31 (ESV)

2 David . . . set stonecutters to prepare dressed stones for building the house of God. 3 David also provided great quantities of iron for nails for the doors of the gates and for clamps, as well as bronze in quantities beyond weighing, 4 and cedar timbers without number, for the Sidonians and Tyrians brought great quantities of cedar to David. 5 . . . I will therefore make preparation for it.” So David provided materials in great quantity before his death. 1 Chronicles 22:2-5 (ESV)

31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV)

2. The preparations anticipation for the nations
1 Kings 5:7-11

34 And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom. 1 Kings 4:34 (ESV)

23 By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word Isaiah 45:23 (ESV) that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’

7 these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” Isaiah 56:7 (ESV)

16 The trees of the LORD are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
Psalm 104:16 (ESV)

29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings shall bear gifts to you. Psalm 68:29 (ESV)

10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts! 11 May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him! Psalm 72:10-11 (ESV)

3. The preparations expression of Solomon’s wisdom
1 Kings 5:12-18

10 . . . but wisdom helps one to succeed. Ecclesiastes 10:10 (ESV)

31 . . . behold, something greater than Solomon is here. Luke 11:31 (ESV)

The Kingdom: 1 Kings 4

1. The subjects of Solomon’s kingdom
1 King Solomon was king over all Israel, 2 and these were his high officials: . . . 20 Judah and Israel were as many as the sand by the sea. They ate and drank and were happy. 1 Kings 4:1-20 (ESV)

40 But all things should be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:40 (ESV)

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Philippians 3:20 (ESV)

The kingdom and the banquet:
9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” Revelation 19:9 (ESV)

2. The international influence of Solomon’s kingdom
21 Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life . . . 24 For he had dominion over all the region west of the Euphrates from Tiphsah to Gaza, over all the kings west of the Euphrates. And he had peace on all sides around him. 1 Kings 4:21-24 (ESV)

The prayer for Solomon’s kingdom:
8 May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth! 9 May desert tribes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust! 10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts! 11 May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him! Psalm 72:8-11 (ESV)

3. The security of Solomon’s kingdom
25 And Judah and Israel lived in safety, from Dan even to Beersheba, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, all the days of Solomon . . . 1 Kings 4:25-28 (ESV) 

10 In that day, declares the LORD of hosts, every one of you will invite his neighbor to come under his vine and under his fig tree.” Zechariah 3:10 (ESV)

7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
Psalm 20:7 (ESV)

13 Harness the steeds to the chariots, inhabitants of Lachish; it was the beginning of sin to the daughter of Zion, for in you were found the transgressions of Israel. Micah 1:13 (ESV)

4. The wisdom in Solomon’s kingdom
29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, 30 so that Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. 31 For he was wiser than all other men, wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol, and his fame was in all the surrounding nations. 32 He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005. 33 He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the wall. He spoke also of beasts, and of birds, and of reptiles, and of fish. 34 And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.
1 Kings 4:29-34 (ESV)

32 I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! Psalm 119:32 (ESV)

Just and Merciful Wisdom: 1 Kings 3:16-28

1 Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son! 2 May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice! 3 Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness! 4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor! Psalm 72:1-4 (ESV)

1. A situation that requires Just and Merciful Wisdom
16 Then two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. 17 The one woman said, “Oh, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth to a child while she was in the house. 18 Then on the third day after I gave birth, this woman also gave birth. And we were alone. There was no one else with us in the house; only we two were in the house. 19 And this woman’s son died in the night, because she lay on him. 20 And she arose at midnight and took my son from beside me, while your servant slept, and laid him at her breast, and laid her dead son at my breast. 21 When I rose in the morning to nurse my child, behold, he was dead. But when I looked at him closely in the morning, behold, he was not the child that I had borne.” 22 But the other woman said, “No, the living child is mine, and the dead child is yours.” The first said, “No, the dead child is yours, and the living child is mine.” Thus they spoke before the king. 1 Kings 3:16-22 (ESV)

17 The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
Proverbs 18:17 (ESV)

In this case there were not two witnesses:
15 “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established. Deuteronomy 19:15 (ESV)

2. A judgment that exhibits Just and Merciful Wisdom
23 Then the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead’; and the other says, ‘No; but your son is dead, and my son is the living one.’” 24 And the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So a sword was brought before the king. 25 And the king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.” 26 Then the woman whose son was alive said to the king, because her heart yearned for her son, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means put him to death.” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him.” 27 Then the king answered and said, “Give the living child to the first woman, and by no means put him to death; she is his mother.” 1 Kings 3:23-27 (ESV)

8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes. Proverbs 20:8 (ESV); Proverbs 25:2

3. A reputation that reflects Just and Merciful Wisdom
28 And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice. 1 Kings 3:28 (ESV)

18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war . . . Ecclesiastes 9:18 (ESV)

 4. A foreshadowing of true Just and Merciful Wisdom

3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, Isaiah 11:3 (ESV); 1 Corinthians 1:24

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me . . . to set at liberty those who are oppressed, Luke 4:18 (ESV);
Psalm 72:12-14; Matthew 12:42

It's Complicated: 1 Kings 3:1-15

1. Unwise signs that contradict wisdom (1 Kings 3:1-3)

1 “When the LORD your God brings you into the land that you are entering to take possession of it, and clears away many nations before you, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations more numerous and mightier than you, . . . 3 You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons, 4 for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD would be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly. Deuteronomy 7:1; 3-4 (ESV)

2 You shall surely destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess served their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree. Deuteronomy 12:2 (ESV)

5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Deuteronomy 6:5 (ESV)

26 Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. Proverbs 28:26 (ESV)

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:15-16 (ESV)

2. A humble request for wisdom
4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” 6 And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. 7 And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” 1 Kings 3:4-9 (ESV)

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5 (ESV)

3. God’s generous gift of wisdom (1 Kings 3:10-15)
11 for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.
Proverbs 8:11 (ESV)

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 (ESV); Timothy 3:15

The Kingdom Established: 1 Kings 2:12-46

12 So Solomon sat on the throne of David his father, and his kingdom was firmly established.
1 Kings 2:12 (ESV)

1. Solomon deals with Adonijah’s manipulation for more: 1 Kings 2:13-25 (ESV)
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV)

30 “A man shall not take his father’s wife, so that he does not uncover his father’s nakedness Deuteronomy 22:30 (ESV).

2. Solomon deals with Abiathar’s straying spirit: 1 Kings 2:26-27 (ESV)
13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 1 Timothy 1:13 (ESV)

31 Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father’s house, so that there will not be an old man in your house. 32 Then in distress you will look with envious eye on all the prosperity that shall be bestowed on Israel, and there shall not be an old man in your house forever. 33 The only one of you whom I shall not cut off from my altar shall be spared to weep his eyes out to grieve his heart, and all the descendants of your house shall die by the sword of men. 1 Samuel 2:31-33 (ESV)

3. Solomon deals with Joab’s defiant spirit: 1 Kings 2:28-35 (ESV)
6 “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image. Genesis 9:6 (ESV)

14 But if a man willfully attacks another to kill him by cunning, you shall take him from my altar, that he may die. Exodus 21:14 (ESV)

28 Afterward, when David heard of it, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD for the blood of Abner the son of Ner. 29 May it fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father’s house, and may the house of Joab never be without one who has a discharge or who is leprous or who holds a spindle or who falls by the sword or who lacks bread!” 2 Samuel 3:28-29 (ESV)

4. Solomon deals with Shemei who forsook mercy: 1 Kings 2:36-46 (ESV)
6 He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD’s anointed.”
1 Samuel 24:6 (ESV)

So the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon. (1 Kings 2:46)

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

The Final Word: 1 Kings 2:1-12

1. The call for Solomon to obey God’s Word
1 When David’s time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, 2 “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, 3 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, 4 that the LORD may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’ 1 Kings 2:1-4 (ESV)

18 “And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. 19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, 20 that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel. Deuteronomy 17:18-20 (ESV);
Psalm 19:7-11

11 The LORD swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back: “One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne. 12 If your sons keep my covenant and my testimonies that I shall teach them, their sons also forever shall sit on your throne.” Psalm 132:11-12 (ESV);
2 Samuel 7:12-13

2. The call for Solomon to enact justice
5 “Moreover, you also know what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, how he dealt with the two commanders of the armies of Israel, Abner the son of Ner, and Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed, avenging in time of peace for blood that had been shed in war, and putting the blood of war on the belt around his waist and on the sandals on his feet. 6 Act therefore according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace. 7 But deal loyally with the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for with such loyalty they met me when I fled from Absalom your brother. 8 And there is also with you Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse on the day when I went to Mahanaim. But when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the LORD, saying, ‘I will not put you to death with the sword.’ 9 Now therefore do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man. You will know what you ought to do to him, and you shall bring his gray head down with blood to Sheol.” 1 Kings 2:5-9 (ESV)

3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, 4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Isaiah 11:3-4 (ESV); Titus 3:4-7

3. The call for David to go home
10 Then David slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. 11 And the time that David reigned over Israel was forty years. He reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. 12 So Solomon sat on the throne of David his father, and his kingdom was firmly established. 1 Kings 2:10-12 (ESV)

A Day of Reckoning: 1 Kings 1:41-53

1. The retirement of the World’s System will be prompt
41 Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they finished feasting. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, “What does this uproar in the city mean?” 42 While he was still speaking, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came. And Adonijah said, “Come in, for you are a worthy man and bring good news.” 1 Kings 1:41-42 (ESV)

13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15 (ESV); Proverbs 27:1

15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:15 (ESV)

2. The report of truth will prevail
43 Jonathan answered Adonijah, “No, for our lord King David has made Solomon king, 44 and the king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites. And they had him ride on the king’s mule. 45 And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon, and they have gone up from there rejoicing, so that the city is in an uproar. This is the noise that you have heard. 46 Solomon sits on the royal throne. 47 Moreover, the king’s servants came to congratulate our lord King David, saying, ‘May your God make the name of Solomon more famous than yours, and make his throne greater than your throne.’ And the king bowed himself on the bed. 48 And the king also said, ‘Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has granted someone to sit on my throne this day, my own eyes seeing it.’” 1 Kings 1:43-48 (ESV)

43 And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king. 1 Kings 1:43 (KJV 1900)

3. The reality of the reckoning will be paramount
49 Then all the guests of Adonijah trembled and rose, and each went his own way. 50 And Adonijah feared Solomon. So he arose and went and took hold of the horns of the altar. 51 Then it was told Solomon, “Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon, for behold, he has laid hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon swear to me first that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.’” 52 And Solomon said, “If he will show himself a worthy man, not one of his hairs shall fall to the earth, but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die.” 53 So King Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and paid homage to King Solomon, and Solomon said to him, “Go to your house.” 1 Kings 1:49-53 (ESV)

56 . . . Then all the disciples left him and fled. Matthew 26:56 (ESV); 2 Timothy 4:10

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, Psalm 2:2 (ESV); Exodus 21:12-14

11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:11 (ESV); Philippians 2:9-11

One Person Can Make a Difference

1 Kings 1:11-27, 32-40

1. God’s Man Forms a Prudent Plan
11 Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king and David our lord does not know it? 12 Now therefore come, let me give you advice, that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. 13 Go in at once to King David, and say to him, ‘Did you not, my lord the king, swear to your servant, saying, “Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne”? Why then is Adonijah king?’ 14 Then while you are still speaking with the king, I also will come in after you and confirm your words.” 1 Kings 1:11-14 (ESV)

2. God’s Man Confronts in a Prudent Manner
15 So Bathsheba went to the king in his chamber (now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was attending to the king). 16 Bathsheba bowed and paid homage to the king, and the king said, “What do you desire?” 17 She said to him, “My lord, you swore to your servant by the LORD your God, saying, ‘Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’ 18 And now, behold, Adonijah is king, although you, my lord the king, do not know it. 19 He has sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of the army, but Solomon your servant he has not invited. 20 And now, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, to tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. 21 Otherwise it will come to pass, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be counted offenders.” 22 While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in. 23 And they told the king, “Here is Nathan the prophet.” And when he came in before the king, he bowed before the king, with his face to the ground. 24 And Nathan said, “My lord the king, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne’? 25 For he has gone down this day and has sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king’s sons, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him, and saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ 26 But me, your servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon he has not invited. 27 Has this thing been brought about by my lord the king and you have not told your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?” 1 Kings 1:15-27 (ESV)

3. God’s Man is Found on the Prudent Side
32 King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” So they came before the king. 33 And the king said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon. 34 And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet there anoint him king over Israel. Then blow the trumpet and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ 35 You shall then come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne, for he shall be king in my place. And I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah.” 36 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, “Amen! May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, say so. 37 As the LORD has been with my lord the king, even so may he be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David.” 38 So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David’s mule and brought him to Gihon. 39 There Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!” 40 And all the people went up after him, playing on pipes, and rejoicing with great joy, so that the earth was split by their noise. 1 Kings 1:32-40 (ESV)