Chapter 150. 1 Kings 2: 13-46. King Solomon.
THE first thing Solomon did after his father’s death, was to obey the latter’s commands to the judgment of the men who had injured him. Adonijah was the first to fall by the hand of Solomon. After his rebellion and his attempt at making himself king, Adonijah begged for mercy, and Solomon promised him that if he showed himself worthy, not a hair of his head should fall, but if wickedness should be found in him, he should die.
Shortly after David’s death Adonijah went to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, and asked her to use her influence with the king that he might obtain Abishag, David’s last wife, for himself. This displeased Solomon so much that he said Adonijah must die, and Benaiah, the new commander, was sent to execute the sentence. Then Abiathar, the priest, was called before Solomon, who told him that he was worthy of death, because he followed Adonijah, instead of inquiring, as priest, of God’s mind in the matter. Abiathar was thrust out from being priest, and the judgment against Eli’s house fulfilled. Death was not pronounced upon him because he had borne the ark of God, and because of his kindness to David in his rejection.
Joab was condemned to death for his many crimes, but he fled into the tabernacle and caught hold of the horns of the altar, thinking they dared not kill him there. But Solomon sent Benaiah with orders to fall upon him, that innocent blood might be avenged, according to the law of Moses, for he had killed, through jealousy, Abner and Amasa, two men better than he.
There remained yet Shimei to be judged, he who had cursed David so grievously when fleeing from Absalom. Solomon sent for him and commanded him to stay quietly in his own house in Jerusalem, and promised him safety there, but if he went away from Jerusalem Solomon told him he should die. Shimei stayed in his house three years, and then he disobeyed the king and went to Achish at Gath to get some of his slaves who had run away. When he returned, Solomon heard of it, and condemned him to death.
All this was very sad, and Solomon surely did not find pleasure in punishment, but it was right that these men should die. Sin must be punished. God does not always punish immediately. He often waits and gives time for repentance, for He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Pet. 3:99The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9).)
He offers grace and forgiveness now through Jesus Christ. He promises that anyone, no matter how bad, who trusts in Jesus as Saviour, shall never be brought to judgment but have everlasting life. But there is no other way of escaping punishment for sins. “None other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:1212Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12).)
The Best Reason. — “What makes you love Jesus Christ?” asked an old man, who was not a Christian, of a little girl. “O,” said she, “because He loves me.”
ML 01/23/1916