The Essentials

Friday, March 11, 2011

The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 94 -- God Judges And Restores The People – The Queen Of Sheba And Solomon’s Many Wives

THE QUEEN OF SHEBA VISITS SOLOMON

Solomon’s wisdom, wealth and fame became world renown. The Queen of Sheba had to come and see first hand, this great man of wisdom and wealth. She arrived in Israel with a huge entourage of servants and camels with many gifts for King Solomon. Her caravan brought more spices into Israel then ever before or since. She also gave Solomon 9,000 pounds of gold. What she had heard in her country afar off, was not even the half of what she discovered in person. She presented the King with endless questions and problems; to which Solomon had the perfect answers and explanations. Solomon amazed her. What she saw with her own two eyes was so beyond what she had been told. After exhausting all of her questions and spending endless hours with the King, she went back to her own land; enlightened by the experience. She acknowledged the LORD God of Israel and how He had blessed Solomon with wealth of wisdom and wealth of prosperity.

1 Kings 10:8-11 ESV 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. (11) Moreover, the fleet of Hiram, which brought gold from Ophir, brought from Ophir a very great amount of almug wood and precious stones.

SOLOMON’S FOREIGN WIVES TURN HIM AWAY FROM THE LORD

Solomon loved many foreign women and took wives from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hittites; he had 700 wives and 300 concubines. These pagan women asked Solomon to build shrines to their gods so that they could still worship in their paganism.

1 Kings 11:1-2 ESV Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, (2) from the nations concerning which the LORD had said to the people of Israel, "You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods." Solomon clung to these in love.

Little compromises to please his wives led to Solomon’s faithfulness in the LORD to erode. In time, Solomon had actually begun to worship these gods with his pagan wives. He built an alter to the Moabite god Chemosh a pagan god that requires the sacrifice of children to be made upon its altar and then thrown in the fire.

1 Kings 11:4-8 ESV For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. (5) For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. (6) So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and did not wholly follow the LORD, as David his father had done. (7) Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites, on the mountain east of Jerusalem. (8) And so he did for all his foreign wives, who made offerings and sacrificed to their gods.

The LORD had instructed Israel through Moses and Joshua, that the pagan people of Canaan were to be utterly destroyed and under no circumstances were any of the Israelites to ever marry among the heathen. The LORD knew that if Israel would intermarry among the pagan, that it would lead to paganism spreading in the land and Israel would become a polluted nation, like all of the rest of the world. Solomon broke this command from the LORD. The LORD was very angry with Solomon. The Kingdom of Israel would be ripped away from Solomon; not in his lifetime, but from his son who would follow. It would be taken away and given to a servant. For the sake of David’s faithfulness, the LORD would keep one tribe as a heritage to David, but the rest of Israel would be ruled by a servant.

1 Kings 11:9-13 ESV And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice (10) and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what the LORD commanded. (11) Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, "Since this has been your practice and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant. (12) Yet for the sake of David your father I will not do it in your days, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son. (13) However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son, for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem that I have chosen."

Solomon ruled over all of Israel for forty years and then died. He was buried in the City of David. His son Rehoboam ruled after him.

1 Kings 11:42-43 ESV And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. (43) And Solomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David his father. And Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.

Heavenly Father, we need you in our lives continuously. If left to ourselves, we too will fall as Solomon did. Lead us into your righteousness and favor, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 93 -- God Judges And Restores The People – Solomon Finishes the Temple & Acquires Great Wealth

Solomon started his reign over Israel, following in the footsteps of his father David. His heart was pure and humble. The LORD richly blessed him with wisdom, favor and incredible wealth. The LORD was pleased with Solomon as he completed both the Royal Palace and the Temple of the LORD. The Palace was half the size of a football field and the building materials were the finest.

SOLOMON BUILDS A PALACE

1 Kings 7:1-2 Solomon also built a palace for himself, and it took him thirteen years to complete the construction. (2) One of Solomon’s buildings was called the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon. It was 150 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high.[a] There were four rows of cedar pillars, and great cedar beams rested on the pillars.

When it came time to dedicate the temple, it was a national celebration of music, praise and worship. The first celebration was the relocation of the Ark of the Covenant from the sacred tent to the Holy Temple. It was brought forth with all of Israel rejoicing and sacrificing lambs. So many lambs were sacrificed that no one could count the number.

1 Kings 8:5 There, before the Ark, King Solomon and the entire community of Israel sacrificed so many sheep, goats, and cattle that no one could keep count!

SOLOMON PRAYS A PROPHECY OVER ISRAEL

Solomon offered a prayer to the LORD that would ultimately be proven to be prophetic. He warns Israel of the curse of captivity for disobedience and prayed that the LORD will be merciful if Israel would sin against the LOPRD.

1 Kings 8: 46-51“If they sin against you—and who has never sinned?—you might become angry with them and let their enemies conquer them and take them captive to their land far away or near. (47) But in that land of exile, they might turn to you in repentance and pray, ‘We have sinned, done evil, and acted wickedly.’ (48) If they turn to you with their whole heart and soul in the land of their enemies and pray toward the land you gave to their ancestors—toward this city you have chosen, and toward this Temple I have built to honor your name—(49) then hear their prayers and their petition from heaven where you live, and uphold their cause. (50) Forgive your people who have sinned against you. Forgive all the offenses they have committed against you. Make their captors merciful to them, (51) for they are your people—your special possession—whom you brought out of the iron-smelting furnace of Egypt.

SOLOMON’S OFFERING OF 22,000 CATTLE; 120,000 SHEEP AND GOATS TO DEDICATE THE TEMPLE

At the dedication of the Temple, Solomon sacrificed a peace offering of 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep. The work of this celebration with burnt offerings is beyond our comprehension. There was never anything like it before or after. All of Israel sacrificed offerings in dedication of the Temple.

1 Kings 8:62-63 NLT Then the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices to the Lord. (63) Solomon offered to the Lord a peace offering of 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats. And so the king and all the people of Israel dedicated the Temple of the Lord.

THE LORD APPEARS AGAIN TO SOLOMON

The LORD was very pleased with Solomon and He appeared again to him reaffirming all of the promises that He made in Gibeon. The LORD also restated the curses that would come for disobedience.

1 Kings 9:1-9 NLT So Solomon finished building the Temple of the Lord, as well as the royal palace. He completed everything he had planned to do. (2) Then the Lord appeared to Solomon a second time, as he had done before at Gibeon. (3) The Lord said to him,

“I have heard your prayer and your petition. I have set this Temple apart to be holy—this place you have built where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart.

(4) “As for you, if you will follow me with integrity and godliness, as David your father did, obeying all my commands, decrees, and regulations, (5) then I will establish the throne of your dynasty over Israel forever. For I made this promise to your father, David: ‘One of your descendants will always sit on the throne of Israel.’

(6) “But if you or your descendants abandon me and disobey the commands and decrees I have given you, and if you serve and worship other gods, (7) then I will uproot Israel from this land that I have given them. I will reject this Temple that I have made holy to honor my name. I will make Israel an object of mockery and ridicule among the nations. (8) And though this Temple is impressive now, all who pass by will be appalled and will shake their heads in amazement. They will ask, ‘Why did the Lord do such terrible things to this land and to this Temple?’

(9) “And the answer will be, ‘Because his people abandoned the Lord their God, who brought their ancestors out of Egypt, and they worshiped other gods instead and bowed down to them. That is why the Lord has brought all these disasters on them.’”

Solomon’s Enormous Wealth

20 YEARS IN BUILDING THE TEMPLE & PALACE

1 Kings 9:10 It took Solomon twenty years to build the Lord’s Temple and his own royal palace.

25 TONS OF GOLD RECEIVED EACH YEAR

1 Kings 10:14 NLT Each year Solomon received about 25 tons of gold. 15 This did not include the additional revenue he received from merchants and traders, all the kings of Arabia, and the governors of the land.

PURE GOLD VESSELS FOR THE KING

1 Kings 10:21 ESV All King Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. None were of silver; silver was not considered as anything in the days of Solomon.

SILVER AS COMMON AS STONE

1 Kings 10:27 ESV And the king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stone, and he made cedar as plentiful as the sycamore of the Shephelah.

Prayer: Almighty God our LORD, we know that you reward those who love you. Help us to make you number one in our lives. Lead us to what you are blessing, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 93 -- God Judges And Restores The People – Solomon Finishes the Temple & Acquires Great Wealth

SOLOMON BUILDS A PALACE

1 Kings 8:5 There, before the Ark, King Solomon and the entire community of Israel sacrificed so many sheep, goats, and cattle that no one could keep count!

SOLOMON PRAYS A PROPHECY OVER ISRAEL

SOLOMON’S OFFERING OF 22,000 CATTLE; 120,000 SHEEP AND GOATS TO DEDICATE THE TEMPLE

THE LORD APPEARS AGAIN TO SOLOMON

The LORD was very pleased with Solomon and He appeared again to him reaffirming all of the promises that He made in Gibeon. The LORD also restated the curses that would come for disobedience.

Solomon’s Enormous Wealth

20 YEARS IN BUILDING THE TEMPLE & PALACE

1 Kings 9:10 It took Solomon twenty years to build the Lord’s Temple and his own royal palace.

25 TONS OF GOLD RECEIVED EACH YEAR

1 Kings 10:14 NLT Each year Solomon received about 25 tons of gold. (15) This did not include the additional revenue he received from merchants and traders, all the kings of Arabia, and the governors of the land.

PURE GOLD VESSELS FOR THE KING

SILVER AS COMMON AS STONE

1 Kings 10:27 ESV And the king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stone, and he made cedar as plentiful as the sycamore of the Shephelah.

Prayer: Almighty God our LORD, we know that you reward those who love you. Help us to make you number one in our lives. Lead us to what you are blessing, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 92 -- God Judges And Restores The People – Solomon Builds A Temple To The LORD

In mid-spring in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign; construction was started on the temple of the LORD. This was David’s dream, to build a monument to the greatness of the Eternal One of Israel. The temple was designed by David, and much of the materials were purchased and laid aside during David’s rule. It was his passion that he shared with his son Solomon. David was prevented from building the temple because he was a man of war and the LORD wanted a king of peace to build the temple. All of Israel’s enemies were subdued during David’s reign so that Solomon could be the king of peace. The symbolism is not a coincidence, but rather a divine design; Jesus is the Prince of Peace; the temple had to be constructed in peace; we are the temple of the Holy Ghost.

JESUS IS THE PRINCE OF PEACE

Isaiah 9:6 KJV For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

SOLOMON A KING OF PEACE

1 Chronicles 22:7-10 KJV (7) And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God: (8) But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight. (9) Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. (10) He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.

WE ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY GHOST

1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Solomon’s temple was a glorious worship center that was 90 feet long, 30 feet wide; and 45 feet high. The entry way in the from comprised a room that was 30 feet wide, and ran the width of the temple. There were many precious materials in it’s construction.

The pictures below are various renderings of what the Temple might have looked like in accordance with the details found in chapters 6 & 7 of 1 Kings.

1 Kings 6:1 ESV 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.

The LORD only agreed to bless the construction of the physical building as long as Israel would remain loyal and faithful to Him. There was a promise for both Solomon and all of Israel for obedience.

1 Kings 6:11-14 ESV 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." (14) So Solomon built the house and finished it.

Psalms 127:1 ESV A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.

Prayer: Almighty God, our Father, you have called us to be your temple. Help us to realize that we must prepare and work as hard as if we were building a great building, we must trust in you LORD and allow you to build in and through us, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 91 -- God Judges And Restores The People – Solomon’s Wisdom Put To Work

There were two prostitutes who came before King Solomon to have their case heard. Living in the same house, they each had a baby and one night the one woman rolled over on top of her baby and it died. She took the dead baby switched it with her room mate’s living baby. The question to be settled; was which woman was telling the truth and to whom did the living child belong. Since both were throwing flaming accusations against each other, it was hard to know the truth. How would Solomon get to the truth of this matter?

1 Kings 3:16-21 ESV 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."

Solomon had a sword brought to him and he said, “Divide the child in half and give each woman half.” The real mother said, “No, please give the baby to the other woman and let the baby live.” The lying woman said, “Go ahead and kill the baby and let neither of us have it.” Is was very clear that the real mother would not want her baby harmed, so Solomon gave the baby to the woman who was willing to give up the baby so that it would live.

1 Kings 3:24-28 ESV 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." (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.

It seems unimaginable that any mother could call for the death of another mother’s baby; as the mother of the dead child did when she said; ““All right, he will be neither yours nor mine; divide him between us!” People who take joy in another’s misery, are not living in Christ. The love of God is shed abroad in the hearts of true Christian’s; by the Holy Ghost.

Romans 5:5 KJV And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Heavenly Father, Give us discernment and wisdom to walk with you and to be a light of your way to the world, help us to share your love, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Monday, March 7, 2011

The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 90 -- God Judges And Restores The People – Solomon Asks For Wisdom

Solomon made a treaty with Pharaoh of Egypt and he married one of his daughters. He had not yet built his palace or the Temple; but he brought his bride to the City of David to live. Now Solomon walked with the LORD just like his father David did and he followed all of the decrees that he was given.

The people of Israel offered sacrifices in local areas of worship, since the temple had not yet been built and King Solomon also sacrificed; he favored Gibeon as a place to make his sacrifices. One night, after he had sacrificed 1,000 burnt offerings to the LORD, the LORD appeared to him in a dream and asked him, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” Solomon asked for an understanding heart so that he could lead Israel; he was humbled in his youth.

1 Kings 3:7-9 ESV 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?"

The LORD was very pleased with Solomon’s request. He didn’t ask for material riches, but rather asked for spiritual character; greater insights to be a loyal and faithful leader of the people. He didn’t even ask for long life or good health. Truly he asked for the greatest gift from the LORD and the LORD granted his request and so much more; promising him everything that he didn’t ask for.

1 Kings 3:10-14 ESV It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. (11) And God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, (12) behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. (13) I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. (14) And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days."

Today we live in a material world that would rival the time of Solomon. The average person has more material goods than anything that the average person could have imagined just 100 years ago. We live in a wealthy nation. Even the entire world has entered western capitalism and has prospered. The world is moving so fast and technology is advancing at a rate that it is like an out of control train.

One year ago, the Apple I-Pad was the hottest new personal information device. Within the past twelve months, many new Smart Phones and Information Devices have flooded the market place. Many are going into debt in order to keep up with technology’s, “newest and greatest.” Technology is like an addiction, people have to have their fix; this includes me.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to focus on our calling and our relationship with you. We are so easily distracted with the cares of the world. Redirect our thoughts to you, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 88 -- God Judges And Restores The People – David Advises Solomon and Dies – Conspirators Brought To Justice

Before David died, he summoned Solomon to come and listen to the King’s final instructions. He advises him to be strong and courageous; to be a man! He instructs Solomon to keep and follow all of the law as given through Moses and he would be a great king.

1 Kings 2:1-4 ESV 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.'

There was unfinished business concerning Joab, who has murdered two men. David left this to Solomon to decide the course of action. He instructed him to be kind to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, because they were loyal to him. Shimei was also not an innocent man because he had cursed David; so Solomon was to give his own discretion in the matter. After giving Solomon these final instruction, David died.

1 Kings 2:5-10 ESV "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." (10) Then David slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David.

Adonijah Put To Death For Treachery

Remember, Solomon spared Adonijah with the condition that if he proved to be righteous he would live; but if treachery was in his heart, he would die. So one day Adonijah goes to Bathsheba and asks her to do a favor for him and ask Solomon to give him Abishag, David’s virgin who cared for him at the end of his life. This was not an innocent request because it would have disgraced Solomon and exalted Adonijah and possible give him a foothold for subversion because he still had Abiathar and Joab on his side. So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada to execute him, and Adonijah was put to death.

1 Kings 2:19-25 ESV So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him on behalf of Adonijah. And the king rose to meet her and bowed down to her. Then he sat on his throne and had a seat brought for the king's mother, and she sat on his right. (20) Then she said, "I have one small request to make of you; do not refuse me." And the king said to her, "Make your request, my mother, for I will not refuse you." (21) She said, "Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as his wife." (22) King Solomon answered his mother, "And why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also, for he is my older brother, and on his side are Abiathar the priest and Joab the son of Zeruiah." (23) Then King Solomon swore by the LORD, saying, "God do so to me and more also if this word does not cost Adonijah his life! (24) Now therefore as the LORD lives, who has established me and placed me on the throne of David my father, and who has made me a house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death today." (25) So King Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he struck him down, and he died.

Abiathar Expelled From The Priesthood

For his part in the rebellion, Solomon expelled Abiathar from the priesthood and put him in exile. So Solomon spared his life, but made an example of him that the priesthood must stay loyal to the king.

1 Kings 2:26-27 ESV And to Abiathar the priest the king said, "Go to Anathoth, to your estate, for you deserve death. But I will not at this time put you to death, because you carried the ark of the Lord GOD before David my father, and because you shared in all my father's affliction." (27) So Solomon expelled Abiathar from being priest to the LORD, thus fulfilling the word of the LORD that he had spoken concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.

Joab Executed

Joab had sided in with Adonijah in his rebellion and when he heard that Solomon executed him, he fled to the sacred tent of the LORD and held on to the horns of the altar and refused to come out. Then Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada to execute him, and Joab was put to death next to the altar.

1 Kings 2:31-33 ESV The king replied to him, "Do as he has said, strike him down and bury him, and thus take away from me and from my father's house the guilt for the blood that Joab shed without cause. (32) The LORD will bring back his bloody deeds on his own head, because, without the knowledge of my father David, he attacked and killed with the sword two men more righteous and better than himself, Abner the son of Ner, commander of the army of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, commander of the army of Judah. (33) So shall their blood come back on the head of Joab and on the head of his descendants forever. But for David and for his descendants and for his house and for his throne there shall be peace from the LORD forevermore."

Shimei Defies House Arrest In Jerusalem And Is Executed

Solomon had Shimei brought to him and ordered him to build a house in Jerusalem where he was to live out his life. If he would ever leave Jerusalem for any reason, he would be put to death.

1 Kings 2:36-37 ESV Then the king sent and summoned Shimei and said to him, "Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and dwell there, and do not go out from there to any place whatever. (37) For on the day you go out and cross the brook Kidron, know for certain that you shall die. Your blood shall be on your own head."

Three years later, two of Shimei’s servants ran away and Shimei left Jerusalem to bring them back. When Solomon heard about it, he had Shimei executed.

1 Kings 2:41-46 ESV And when Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and returned, (42) the king sent and summoned Shimei and said to him, "Did I not make you swear by the LORD and solemnly warn you, saying, 'Know for certain that on the day you go out and go to any place whatever, you shall die'? And you said to me, 'What you say is good; I will obey.' (43) Why then have you not kept your oath to the LORD and the commandment with which I commanded you?" (44) The king also said to Shimei, "You know in your own heart all the harm that you did to David my father. So the LORD will bring back your harm on your own head. (45) But King Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the LORD forever." (46) Then the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck him down, and he died. So the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.

It may seem barbaric to us today in the 21^st Century; to execute the conspirators; but even the United States executes military personnel, or even any citizen found guilty of treason. It I hard enough to have to deal with the enemy head on, but to have those within the ranks, turn against the leadership; this is punishable by death. It has to be; else no one would ever have any sense of security. Even in the church, subversion can not be allowed.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for being true and loyal to us. You are the save, yesterday, today and forever. Help me to be loyal and live in truth, in Jesus’ name, Amen.