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1 Kings 1:1, David’S Three Oldest Sons (Amnon, Chileab, and Absalom) Were Dead, and Adonijah Is the Oldest Surviving Son

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1 Kings 1:1, David’S Three Oldest Sons (Amnon, Chileab, and Absalom) Were Dead, and Adonijah Is the Oldest Surviving Son Book of First Kings I Kings 1 Background: 1. First and Second Kings were originally one book called “Kings.” 2. First and Second Kings continue the history of Israel from the time of David. It picks up where 2 Samuel leaves off. These books provide a selective rather than an exhaustive account of people and events from 971 to 561 B.C. 3. First and Second Kings describe the united and divided kingdoms. This includes the reign of King Solomon after the passing of his father, King David. 4. First and Second Kings were written after the captivity of Israel. They were written between 561-538 B.C. by an unknown author after the capital city, Jerusalem, was destroyed and many of the Jews were deported from the homeland. Important Themes in First and Second Kings: 1. Jehovah is the only true God. The idols of the nations are powerless and worthless. 2. The Lord alone is worthy of worship. Idolatry is foolish and forbidden by God. 3. The hope of Israel is God’s faithfulness. God is always faithful to His covenants, especially His covenant with David and his descendants. 4. The Lord reveals Himself and His will through His Law and prophets. These historical books fulfill the promised blessings and curses of the Law found in Deuteronomy. There is special emphasis on the ministry of Elijah and Elisha. More is said about these men than any others, with the exception of Solomon. 5. God’s people are responsible to obey what God reveals. Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. 6. God surely punished His disobedient people. These books reminded the exiled Jews why the Lord’s judgment had come upon them. God withdrew His hand of protection from them because they abandoned His law and worshiped heathen gods. Four Significant Dates and Events: 970 B.C. – Solomon became king in Jerusalem 930 B.C. – The nation divided into two kingdoms 722 B.C. – The Northern Kingdom (Israel) was destroyed by Assyria 586 B.C. – The Southern Kingdom (Judah) was overtaken by Babylon Transition of Power (I Kings 1): Who would take David’s place as king? This is the question of chapter 1. Making a transition in top leadership does not always happen easily or smoothly. This can be a dangerous and difficult time for any nation. Since kings were not elected by popular vote, they came to power by birth or by force. 1. Adonijah: The Man who Would Be King (vs. 1-10) A. The making of a crisis (vs. 1-4) – David’s health was failing, so it seemed like there was a vacuum in leadership. The fact that he could not keep warm suggests the problem of poor circulation. Obviously David was getting older and he would not be able to rule forever. David was 70 years old at this time (see 2 Sam. 5:4-5). A young virgin named Abishag served the king by giving him warmth. Maybe Solomon remembered this when he later wrote Ecclesiastes 4:11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? B. The making of a counterfeit (vs. 5-10) – Adonijah saw this as an opportunity to seize control of power and make himself king. A real leader looks at a crisis and tries to do what is best for the people. A counterfeit leader looks at a crisis and uses it to his advantage. A crisis doesn’t make a person. A crisis shows what a person is made of. Adonijah was the fourth son of David (see 2 Sam. 3:4). By this time in 1 Kings 1:1, David’s three oldest sons (Amnon, Chileab, and Absalom) were dead, and Adonijah is the oldest surviving son. So he thought he was in line to follow in his father’s footsteps and become the next king. Two factors apparently led to his poor decision: his father had failed to discipline (restrain) him (vs. 6) and his natural good looks may have caused him to be proud. He was to blame for what he did (vs. 5). It was a personal decision to make himself king. He tried to do all the right things. He made the right preparations (vs. 5) and enlisted the right people (vs. 7). Like Absalom his brother (2 Sam. 15:1), he raised a small army of horsemen and chariots to confirm and support his claim to the throne. Then he assembled a coronation party at the right location, by the stone Zoheleth (Serpent stone). This was a landmark associated with Canaanite snake worship. Adonijah was in fact acting like the crafty serpent, Satan. 2. Solomon: The Man who Should Be King (vs. 11-53) As the story unfolds we see the sovereign hand of God, but we also see the decisive action of three people to promote and accomplish the will of God. God can do anything He chooses to do, but most of the time He uses people to do it. A. The timely action of Nathan – In order to derail the power grab of Adonijah, he approached Queen Bathsheba and told her the facts of the situation. Nathan played a huge role in David’s life and the life of the nation. He knew the will of God and spoke up at just the right time on several different occasions. B. The timely action of Bathsheba – She followed Nathan’s advice and approached King David with a warning and an appeal. As queen, she had great influence with David. If Adonijah became king, then both Bathsheba and Solomon would at risk. Bathsheba reminded David of his oath that Solomon would reign in his place. C. The timely action of David – He was in poor health but he still had a sharp mind and great insight. He listened to Bathsheba and then Nathan. He then took decisive action. He made another oath to carry out his earlier oath to make Solomon king. Book of First Kings I Kings 1 Background: 1. First and Second Kings were originally_________________________ called “Kings.” 2. First and Second Kings continues_______________________ from the time of David. It picks up where 2 Samuel leaves off. These books provide a selective rather than an exhaustive account of people and events from 971 to 561 B.C. 3. First and Second Kings describe___________________________________________. This includes the reign of King Solomon after the passing of his father, King David. 4. First and Second Kings were written_______________________________________. They were written between 561-538 B.C. by an unknown author after the capital city, Jerusalem, was destroyed and many of the Jews were deported from the homeland. Important Themes in First and Second Kings: 1. Jehovah is____________________________________________________________. The idols of the nations are powerless and worthless. 2. The Lord alone is______________________________________________________. Idolatry is foolish and forbidden by God. 3. The hope of Israel is____________________________________________________. God is always faithful to His covenants, especially His covenant with David. 4. The Lord reveals Himself and His will through_______________________________. These historical books fulfill the promised blessings and curses of the Law found in Deuteronomy. There is special emphasis on the ministry of Elijah and Elisha. More is said about these men than any others, with the exception of Solomon. 5. God’s people are________________________________________ what God reveals. Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. 6. God________________________________________ the disobedience of His people. These books reminded the exiled Jews why the Lord’s judgment had come upon them. Four Significant Dates and Events: 970 B.C. – Solomon_____________________________________________________ 930 B.C. – The nation___________________________________________________ 722 B.C. – The Northern Kingdom (Israel) was_______________________________ 586 B.C. – The Southern Kingdom (Judah) was_______________________________ Transition of Power (I Kings 1): Who would take David’s place as king? Making a transition in top leadership does not always happen easily or smoothly. This can be a dangerous and difficult time for any nation. Since kings are not elected by popular vote, they must come to power by birth or by force. 1. Adonijah:________________________________________________________ (vs. 1-10) A. The___________________________________________________________ (vs. 1-4) B. The__________________________________________________________ (vs. 5-10) 2. Solomon:________________________________________________________ (vs. 11-53) As the story unfolds we see the sovereign hand of God, but we also see the decisive action of three people to promote and accomplish the will of God. God can do anything He chooses to do, but most of the time He uses people to do it. A. The__________________________________________________________________ B. The__________________________________________________________________ C. The__________________________________________________________________ .
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