And now, as surely as the LORD lives--the One who established me, who set me on the throne of my father David, and who founded for me a dynasty as He promised--surely Adonijah shall be put to death today!" And nowThis phrase marks a transition, indicating a decisive moment. In the Hebrew context, it signifies an immediate action or decision. Solomon is about to execute judgment, reflecting the urgency and gravity of the situation. It underscores the importance of acting in accordance with divine timing and purpose. as surely as the LORD lives
This is a solemn oath, invoking the living God as a witness to the truth and seriousness of the statement. In Hebrew culture, such an oath underscores the speaker's commitment to fulfill their word. It reflects Solomon's deep reverence for God and his reliance on divine authority to legitimize his actions. the One who has established me
The Hebrew root for "established" conveys the idea of being firmly set or made secure. Solomon acknowledges that his kingship is not by his own doing but by God's sovereign will. This highlights the biblical theme of divine providence and the belief that God actively intervenes in human affairs to fulfill His purposes. seated me on the throne of my father David
This phrase emphasizes the continuity of Davidic kingship, a central theme in the Old Testament. The throne symbolizes authority and governance, and Solomon's ascension is seen as a fulfillment of God's covenant with David. It reflects the importance of dynastic succession in maintaining the stability and legitimacy of the kingdom. and founded a house for me
The "house" here refers to a dynasty or royal lineage. In the ancient Near Eastern context, establishing a house signifies the assurance of a lasting legacy. This promise to Solomon is part of God's covenantal faithfulness, ensuring the perpetuation of David's line, which ultimately points to the coming of the Messiah. as He promised
This phrase underscores the reliability and faithfulness of God's word. The Hebrew concept of promise is deeply tied to covenantal faithfulness. Solomon's confidence in God's promises reflects a foundational belief in the trustworthiness of God's character and His commitment to fulfill His word. Adonijah shall be put to death today!
This declaration of judgment is rooted in the need to uphold justice and secure the kingdom. Adonijah's actions threatened the divinely ordained order, and his execution is seen as necessary to preserve the stability and integrity of Solomon's reign. It reflects the biblical principle that rebellion against God's chosen leaders is ultimately rebellion against God Himself. Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonThe son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon is the newly anointed king of Israel. He is known for his wisdom and is the central figure in this passage, asserting his God-given authority to establish his reign. 2. AdonijahThe son of David and Haggith, Adonijah previously attempted to usurp the throne before Solomon was anointed king. His actions in this passage lead to his execution as a threat to Solomon's rule. 3. DavidThe former king of Israel and father of Solomon, David's legacy and God's promises to him are central to Solomon's claim to the throne. 4. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who has established Solomon's reign as part of His divine promise to David. 5. The Throne of DavidRepresents the divinely ordained kingship of Israel, which God promised would be established through David's lineage. Teaching Points Divine Sovereignty and Human ResponsibilitySolomon acknowledges that his kingship is established by God, yet he must act decisively to secure his throne. Believers are called to recognize God's sovereignty while taking responsibility for their actions. The Importance of JusticeSolomon's decision to execute Adonijah underscores the necessity of justice in leadership. Leaders must uphold righteousness to maintain order and peace. God's Faithfulness to His PromisesSolomon's reign is a testament to God's faithfulness to His promises to David. Believers can trust in God's promises and His timing. The Consequences of RebellionAdonijah's fate serves as a warning against rebellion and the importance of submitting to God's ordained authority. Wisdom in LeadershipSolomon's actions reflect the wisdom needed to navigate complex political and familial dynamics. Leaders today can learn from Solomon's example of seeking God's guidance in decision-making. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Solomon's acknowledgment of God's role in establishing his throne influence his actions in this passage? 2. In what ways does the account of Adonijah serve as a warning against rebellion and the importance of submitting to God's authority? 3. How can we apply the principle of divine sovereignty and human responsibility in our own lives and leadership roles? 4. What does Solomon's execution of Adonijah teach us about the importance of justice and righteousness in leadership? 5. How does God's faithfulness to His promises to David encourage us to trust in His promises today? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Samuel 7God's covenant with David, promising that his throne would be established forever, is foundational to understanding Solomon's claim and the divine legitimacy of his reign. 1 Kings 1The events leading up to Solomon's anointing as king, including Adonijah's initial attempt to seize the throne, provide context for the tensions in 1 Kings 2:24. Proverbs 16:12This verse highlights the importance of righteousness in a king's reign, which is relevant to Solomon's actions in establishing justice and order. People Abiathar, Abishag, Abner, Absalom, Achish, Adonijah, Amasa, Anathoth, Barzillai, Bathsheba, Benaiah, David, Eli, Gera, Haggith, Jehoiada, Jether, Joab, Maacah, Maachah, Ner, Shimei, Solomon, Zadok, ZeruiahPlaces Anathoth, Bahurim, Gath, Hebron, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Kidron, Mahanaim, ShilohTopics Adonijah, Adoni'jah, Causeth, David, Death, Dynasty, Established, Founded, Kings, Line, Placed, Promised, Seat, Securely, Sit, Spake, Surely, Throne, To-day, TrulyDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 2:24 5120 Solomon, character
5581 throne 1 Kings 2:12-25 5119 Solomon, life of Library The Horns of the Altar
WE MUST tell you the story. Solomon was to be the king after David, but his elder brother, Adonijah, was preferred by Joab, the captain of the host, and by Abiathar, the priest; and, therefore, they got together, and tried to steal a march upon dying David, and set up Adonijah. They utterly failed in this; and when Solomn came to the throne Adonijah was afraid for his life, and fled to the horns of the altar at the tabernacle for shelter. Solomn permitted him to find sanctuary there, and forgave …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 31: 1885"He Ascended into Heaven:" Believe. "He Sitteth at the Right Hand of the Father...
11. "He ascended into heaven:" believe. "He sitteth at the right hand of the Father:" believe. By sitting, understand dwelling: as [in Latin] we say of any person, "In that country he dwelt (sedit) three years." The Scripture also has that expression, that such an one dwelt (sedisse) in a city for such a time. [1791] Not meaning that he sat and never rose up? On this account the dwellings of men are called seats (sedes). [1792] Where people are seated (in this sense), are they always sitting? Is …
St. Augustine—On the Creeds Whether Curiosity Can be About Intellective Knowledge?
Objection 1: It would seem that curiosity cannot be about intellective knowledge. Because, according to the Philosopher (Ethic. ii, 6), there can be no mean and extremes in things which are essentially good. Now intellective knowledge is essentially good: because man's perfection would seem to consist in his intellect being reduced from potentiality to act, and this is done by the knowledge of truth. For Dionysius says (Div. Nom. iv) that "the good of the human soul is to be in accordance with reason," …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether the Angels have Bodies Naturally United to Them?
Objection 1: It would seem that angels have bodies naturally united to them. For Origen says (Peri Archon i): "It is God's attribute alone---that is, it belongs to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, as a property of nature, that He is understood to exist without any material substance and without any companionship of corporeal addition." Bernard likewise says (Hom. vi. super Cant.): "Let us assign incorporeity to God alone even as we do immortality, whose nature alone, neither for its own sake …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether the Natural Law Can be Changed?
Objection 1: It would seem that the natural law can be changed. Because on Ecclus. 17:9, "He gave them instructions, and the law of life," the gloss says: "He wished the law of the letter to be written, in order to correct the law of nature." But that which is corrected is changed. Therefore the natural law can be changed. Objection 2: Further, the slaying of the innocent, adultery, and theft are against the natural law. But we find these things changed by God: as when God commanded Abraham to slay …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Whole Heart
LET me give the principal passages in which the words "the whole heart," "all the heart," are used. A careful study of them will show how wholehearted love and service is what God has always asked, because He can, in the very nature of things, ask nothing less. The prayerful and believing acceptance of the words will waken the assurance that such wholehearted love and service is exactly the blessing the New Covenant was meant to make possible. That assurance will prepare us for turning to the Omnipotence …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants "The King Kissed Barzillai. " 2 Sam. xix. 39
And no wonder, for David could appreciate a real man when he saw him, and so does David's Lord. I.--LOYALTY IS PRECIOUS TO THE KING OF KINGS. In the days when the son of Jesse had but few friends, it was a precious thing to be treated in the style Barzillai and his neighbours entertained him (see 2 Sam. xvii. 27-29). They were rich farmers, and had land which brought forth with abundance, so were able to act with princely hospitality to the fugitive monarch. But plenty may live with avarice, and …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread What Manner of Man Ought not to Come to Rule.
Wherefore let every one measure himself wisely, lest he venture to assume a place of rule, while in himself vice still reigns unto condemnation; lest one whom his own guilt depraves desire to become an intercessor for the faults of others. For on this account it is said to Moses by the supernal voice, Speak unto Aaron; Whosoever he be of thy seed throughout their generations that hath a blemish, he shall not offer loaves of bread to the Lord his God (Lev. xxi. 17). And it is also immediately subjoined; …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Authorship of the Pentateuch.
The term Pentateuch is composed of the two Greek words, pente, five, and teuchos, which in later Alexandrine usage signified book. It denotes, therefore, the collection of five books; or, the five books of the law considered as a whole. 1. In our inquiries respecting the authorship of the Pentateuch, we begin with the undisputed fact that it existed in its present form in the days of Christ and his apostles, and had so existed from the time of Ezra. When the translators of the Greek version, …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Barzillai
BY REV. GEORGE MILLIGAN, M.A., D.D. "There is nothing," says Socrates to Cephalus in the Republic, "I like better than conversing with aged men. For I regard them as travellers who have gone a journey which I too may have to go, and of whom it is right to learn the character of the way, whether it is rugged or difficult, or smooth and easy" (p. 328 E.). It is to such an aged traveller that we are introduced in the person of Barzillai the Gileadite. And though he is one of the lesser-known characters …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known Fifth Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to the Fruits of Faith.
Text: 1 Peter 3, 8-15. 8 Finally, be ye all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tender-hearted, humble-minded: 9 not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For, He that would love life, And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips that they speak no guile: 11 And let him turn away from evil, and do good; Let him seek peace, and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 2:24 NIV1 Kings 2:24 NLT1 Kings 2:24 ESV1 Kings 2:24 NASB1 Kings 2:24 KJV
1 Kings 2:24 Commentaries
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