#XIV
Title: I Kings
Book: The Daily Bible in Chronological Order 365 Daily Readings, New International Version (NIV) with devotional insights to Guide You through God’s Word.
Commentary: F. LaGard Smith.
Genre: Religion
Challenges: 100+, Read & Review, Operation Actually Read the Bible
Rating: B
Dates read: 4/7/09 - 6/8/09
No. of pages - 20

I Kings and II Chronicles run concurrently and cover the reign of King Solomon, David’s son. According to Smith, “Solomon no sooner ascends to the throne than he takes drastic measures to secure his position as king. The first is initiated by it’s ultimate victim, Adonijah, who had tried unsuccessfully to steal the throne from Solomon. When Adonijan requests to marry Abishag, the young woman chosen to attend David in his last days, Solomon interprets the request as a conspiratorial move on the part of Adonijah, Abiathar, and Joab -- and orders Adonijah’s execution.

“Then in keeping with his father’s parting advice regarding Joab, Solomon has the former army chief executed. While it seems strange that David himself would not have felt more loyalty for his comrade-in-arms, Solomon makes it clear that the death of Joab is necessary in order to requite the shedding of innocent blood when Joab killed Abner and Amasa. Finally Shimei, the descendent of Saul who cursed David during Absalom‘s rebellion, violates an agreement to remain in Jerusalem … and he, too, is executed.

“Solomon not only solidifies his position from potential internal opponents but also judiciously forms a peaceful alliance with one of his potential foreign adversaries by marrying the daughter of Egypt’s ruling Pharaoh. Because of these various political steps, Solomon’s reign begins with a calm hardly known by the former king.

“Although Solomon’s reign begins with bloodshed, it can be seen even in the executions -- and more so in the marriage alliance with Egypt -- that Solomon is a judicious and farsighted ruler. He will soon receive a special gift of wisdom -- a wisdom that is perhaps unparalleled in history. And it speaks well of Solomon that, when the opportunity presents itself, he refuses to ask for wealth or power, preferring wisdom instead. The record of this special bestowment upon Solomon begins with a notation about the worship of Solomon and his people prior to the erection of the temple. The section concludes with one of the most famous stories of all time -- the story of Solomon deciding the fate of an infant claimed by two mothers.

“Perhaps Solomon’s best-known achievement is the building of the magnificent temple in Jerusalem. A temple unsurpassed in beauty, it would become a national monument symbolic of Israel’s special relationship with God. King David had drawn up the initial plans, and it is now left to Solomon to oversee the construction. The detail with which the temple is described is reminiscent of that which accompanied the building of similar in design, though multiple stories and a grand porch are two major additions in the case of the temple.

“Much of the work is to be done with materials provided by the skilled workmen from Tyre. The record begins with the making of a contract between Solomon and King Hiram of Tyre. Sometime later, another man by the same name of Hiram will be brought from Tyre to do the brasswork for the temple furnishings. The completed work is magnificent beyond description.

“The temple and its furnishings now complete, Solomon brings the people together for a solemn dedication of the temple of God’s use and glory. Solomon reminds his people of the covenant relationship signified by the temple, and thus of their obligation to remain faithful to God. Solomon’s dedicatory prayer asks that God will hear the people’s prayers and bless them in times of special need. As the dedication begins, the old tabernacle is brought to the temple site.” At the same time, a royal palace for Solomon is built.