Friday

17-May

1 Kings 1-2; Job 4; Acts 26

1 Kings 1:  This is a very long chapter.  What was provided for King David when he was old?  Who was Adonijah’s mother, and what did Adonijah do? Was it dishonest?

1 Kings 2: What were David’s final instructions to Solomon?  Did he carry these out?

Job 4: What does Eliphaz tell Job about God’s justice?

Acts 26:  Before who did Paul present his defense and what was the result?

Journal Prompt: Consider Elphaz’ comments as he spoke to Job and tried to provide some reasonable answers. Have you tried to interpret God’s actions when they didn’t seem to make sense to you at the moment?

Answers:

1 Kings 1:  When King David was old he couldn’t get warm so they found him a beautiful young woman, Abishag, to keep him warm. Adonijah’s mother was Haggith.  Adonijah took it upon himself as the next in line after Absalom to take the throne.  He got the support of Joab and Abiathar the priest and basically proclaimed himself king.  He did not consult King David and he didn’t invite Nathan, Zadok or Solomon to his crowning ceremony.  So Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, sought an audience with the king and reminded him that he had already decided that Solomon would be king (as this is what God had commanded).

Was Adonijah dishonest in seeking the throne?  He was the next in line and if we read verse 15 he says all the people were expecting him to be made king, however, he also says that Solomon was the Lord’s choice: “it was his from the Lord.”, so yes, I would say he was dishonest.

1 Kings 2:  David instructed Solomon to follow the Lord and His commandments.  Then he told him to have Joab and Shimei killed, which he did.  He also had Adonijah killed because he asked if he could marry Abishag (the concubine who kept David warm).  Apparently (from different commentaries) this was a power play for the throne.

Job 4: Eliphaz points out that God does not punish the innocent or righteous. The wicked reap what they sow.

Acts 26: Paul presented his defense to King Agrippa and Festus.  The result was he was found not guilty – however, since he had already asked to be tried in Rome, they were committed to sending him there.