Before David dies, he gives Solomon final instructions regarding 3 men:
1) Kill Joab for killing David’s son Absalom and the 2 Israelite commanders, Abner and Amasa.
2) Show kindness to Barzillai’s sons bc of Barzillai’s loyalty to David when he was on the run from Absalom.
3) Kill Shimei for taunting David while he was on the run from Absalom.

David’s last words include, “He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God”. David knows that the only way to be just is to be in the Word of God as he instructs Solomon, “And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statues, His commandments, His judgements, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses”. King David dies after reigning for 40 years as king.

We are going to read the Psalms written by David and his lead song writers before we get into the story of King Solomon. Today David says, “Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!” “Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness…” So we have established that David’s righteousness is from the Lord but then David says, “The Lord tests the righteous”. We have also learned that the Lord doesn’t tempt anyone with evil but He does allow His people to be tested and to undergo trials in order to build their faith in Him. James, the brother of Jesus, will later say, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4) And Peter will say, “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6-7) Christians can still rejoice even through trials here on earth bc our hope is in Christ. As David says in his Psalm, “Let those who love Your name be joyful in You.”

We have 13 days of nothing but Psalms ahead of us…so keep reading!

(1 Kings 2:1-9, 2 Samuel 23:1-7, 1 Kings 2:10-12, 1 Chronicles 29:26-30, Psalms 4-6, Psalms 8-9, 11)

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Today David tells the people who have a willing heart to join him in giving gifts to the temple and they all gave generously to the house of the Lord. “Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered willingly, because with a willing heart they had offered willingly to the Lord; and King David also rejoiced greatly”. David explains how the people could give so joyfully in his prayer of praise “For all things come from You, And of Your own we have given You”.

Solomon is again presented as the next king but apparently his older half brother Adonijah isn’t on board with his younger brother becoming king. So Adonijah tries to seize what he thinks should belong to him once his dad dies. However, the Lord has other plans. God already said that Solomon would be the next king. When Nathan, the prophet, and Bathsheba inform David of what is happening, David quickly makes Solomon king in his place and says “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who has given one to sit on my throne this day, while my eyes see it!”. Adonijah then fears Solomon greatly and Solomon says if Adonijah “…proves himself a worthy man, not one hair of him shall fall to the earth, but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die”. Will Adonijah prove to be a worthy man? Gotta keep reading to see!

(1 Chronicles 29:1-22, 1 Kings 1:1-53)

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One thing King David knows is that you have to have order, good leadership, and clear roles and responsibilities to effectively manage anything. King David is managing an entire kingdom and he is laying out plans for the management of the temple. You probably noticed that Ahithophel is mentioned today as David’s counselor. From what I read, it is likely that he was David’s first counselor but we know how his story ended…bitter betrayal and suicide (2 Samuel 16 & 17).

Today David assembles all the leaders of Israel and makes 5 declarations:
1) God chooses David to be king over Israel forever which is referring to when the Lord told David that the throne will not leave David’s lineage (2 Samuel 7); pointing toward Jesus to come.
2) God chooses Judah to be ruler as prophesied by Jacob in Gen 49:10. King David is from the tribe of Judah.
3) The Lord selects Solomon, David’s son, to be the next king.
4) The Lord selects Solomon to build His house.
5) God says He will establish Solomon’s kingdom forever if he obeys the Lord.
The reading ends today with David telling Solomon to serve the Lord “…with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts”.

Then David hands the prep work for the building of the temple over to his son and says, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God – my God – will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord”. Keep reading bc tomorrow we find out that another one of David’s sons thinks he should be the next king. 😳

(1 Chronicles 26:1-28:21)

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David makes Solomon king over Israel and he continues the preparations for the temple that Solomon is going to build. Did you notice the inconsistency in the age eligible for the work of the Levites? In Numbers 4 the age assigned is 30-50 but this is specifically for the Kohath clan that had the stressful job of carrying the items within the tabernacle which required mature men…bc you touch, you die. In Numbers 8:24-26 we see the age is 25-50 for all Levites to do the work within the tabernacle. Today when David numbers the Levites, he originally counts the men 30 and above but then he lowers the age to 20. David says, “They shall no longer carry the tabernacle, or any of the articles for its service.” So the new age was lower because they no longer have to carry the tabernacle and this will also add more hands for the job. ✋✋

Lastly David assigns duties for the musicians. Before now the only organized music for the tabernacle was the blowing of the trumpets described in Numbers 10 but David loves music! He plays the harp and writes songs. So David takes fellow song writers, Asaph, Jeduthun, and Herman and their sons, and arranges them in 24 divisions, same as the priests, for handling the music for the temple. We will later read Psalms written by David’s lead song writers as well as David. Tomorrow David continues the temple prep work so keep reading. 

(1 Chronicles 23:1-25:31)

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“Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.”” 2 Chronicles 21 says the Lord allows Satan to move David to take a census. Ok. So we have seen this before in the book of Job where the Lord allows Satan to have his way with His people to accomplish His purposes. God never does evil but will allow it for a bigger purpose. The Lord does not say why He is angry with Israel and uses David’s census to bring judgment upon them but David knows he was wrong.

Not only is this action used to judge Israel but it could also be exposing pride in David’s heart. James 1:13-15 says, “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” David’s desire for military strength does not show humility and a dependence on the Lord. David also disobeys God’s law by not collecting a ransom for a person’s life during the census as instructed by the Lord in Exodus 30:12.

David later repents and the Lord allows David to choose between 3 punishments: 1) 7 years of famine, 2) 3 months of enemy attack, or 3) 3 days of plague. David chooses the plague so that the punishment is in the hands of the Lord and not man. David knows that God’s mercy is great. He says in Psalm 103:8, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.” So as David chose, the Lord sends a plague that kills 70,000 people and then the plague stops at the threshing floor of Araunah. David purchases the land and builds an altar to the Lord where he worships with sacrifices. David then begins gathering supplies for the house of the Lord that his son, Solomon, will build. David tells Solomon to be strong and courageous and to be careful to abide by the Word of God so that he will be prosperous. Will Solomon obey and walk in the ways of the Lord? Keep reading to see.

(2 Samuel 24:1-9, 1 Chronicles 21:1-6, 2 Samuel 24:10-17, 1 Chronicles 21:7-17, 2 Samuel 24:18-25, 1 Chronicles 21:18-22:19)

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David sings a song of praise to the Lord for delivering him from all of his enemies. David says the Lord is my rock, fortress, deliverer, my strength, my shield, horn of my salvation, my refuge, my Savior, and my lamp. David has a really high view of the Lord! 🙌

But… it also appears that David has a really high view of himself bc he says “The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness, According to the cleanness of my hands…For I have kept the way of the Lord, And have not wickedly departed from God…I was blameless before Him…” 🤔 Are you thinking what I am thinking? I hate to remind David of his affair and subsequent murder. How can David declare himself righteous? 👆 It is because David isn’t talking about his own righteousness. He knows that his righteousness does not come from himself or from his works; it comes from his faith in the Lord. David is fully aware that he is a sinner. He says in Psalm 25 “Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions…pardon my guilt for it is great”. And he says in Psalm 52 “Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities, Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me”. David is clean and righteous bc he trusts the Lord, he repents when he blows it, and he knows that God is the One who washes him clean. David can’t clean David! Same with us. We are righteous through the blood of Jesus and our faith in what He did for us.

Later in the Story Paul will say in Romans 3:20-25, ”For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe…(go read the rest 👌)” David goes on to say in today’s song “You will save the humble people, But your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down”. David may struggle with pride and sin but David doesn’t put his hope in his own righteousness, it’s in the Lord! This is good bc David stumbles again tomorrow. Keep reading.

(2 Samuel 22:1-51, Psalm 18)

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Today David has 2 major conflicts to settle and then ends with battling giants.

1) Judah escorts David back to Jerusalem which does not go over well with the other tribes who weren’t included in the escort. Conflict between the tribes begins and will continue throughout the Story. Sheba starts a revolt against David and David sends Amasa, the newly appointed head of army over Joab (2 Samuel 19:13), out to subdue Sheba. Joab must have not liked the demotion bc while in pursuit of Sheba, Joab shoves his sword in Amasa’s stomach killing him. 😳 Then the men follow Joab to the city where Sheba is. A wise woman talks Joab out of destroying the city in exchange for Sheba’s head. So Sheba’s head is chopped off and tossed over the wall which ends the revolt. Joab returns home as the commander of the army once again but David will not let Joab’s betrayal and murder go unpunished. As mentioned before, Solomon will be given orders regarding Joab.

2) Ok. So we read in Joshua 9 that the Gibeonites deceived Joshua and he made a covenant with them. Today we see how serious the Lord is about not breaking a covenant. There is a 3 year famine and David inquires of the Lord. The Lord says it is bc Saul attacked and killed the Gibeonites whom the Israelites were supposed to protect. David asks the Gibeonites how he can make things right with them and they ask for 7 of Saul’s sons to be handed over to be killed. So David gives them 7 of Saul’s sons but spares Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, bc of the oath he made with Jonathan. (The Mephibosheth that is handed over was another son of Saul’s with his concubine.) “After that God heeded the prayer for the land.”

The reading ends today with David and his men battling the Philistines where they take down 4 giants from Gath. Tomorrow David sings a song of praise to the Lord for the victories over his enemies. Keep reading.

(2 Samuel 19:31-20:26, Psalm 7, 2 Samuel 21:1-22, 1 Chronicles 20:4-8)

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Today we see 4 consequences as a result of yesterday’s 4 adversities.

1) Ahithophel, David’s former counselor gone traitor, kills himself when he finds out that Absalom did not take his advice.

2) Absalom pursues David and David sends his men out against him with a clear command to everyone, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom”. Well, I’m not sure what Joab’s definition of gently is but when he sees Absalom hanging in a tree by his head he drives 3 spears through his heart. 😳 Then Joab’s men finish him off. David mourns the death of his son so much that it puts a major damper on the victory David’s men are celebrating for defeating the enemy who was trying to kill David and take the kingdom. Joab rebukes David for making his servants feel ashamed for saving his life and the life of his family. David then takes a public seat among the people.

3) On David’s return to Jerusalem he runs into the insult slinging Shimei again. Now that David is restored as king, Shimei bows down before him and begs for forgiveness. David spares his life but this isn’t the last we hear of Shimei.

4) When David returns, loyal Mephibosheth is there waiting on David. David finds out that Ziba deceived Mephibosheth and left him behind. Therefore, David tells Mephibosheth to split the land with Ziba but Mephibosheth does not care about the land. He is just glad the king is home! 🙌

Tomorrow the Gibeonites show up again. Remember when they pretended to be from a far away country and Joshua made a treaty with them? Keep reading to find out why the Gibeonites are so upset. 

(2 SAmuel 17:15-29, Psalm 3, Psalm 63, 2 Samuel 18:1-19:30)

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Today we see King David face 4 major adversities:

1) His son Absalom positions himself as judge in Jerusalem, wins the favor of the people, and proclaims himself as king of Hebron. When David hears of this he flees with his men and all of their households in fear that Absalom would kill them and destroy Jerusalem. “But the king left 10 women, concubines, to keep the house.” David sends Zadok, the priest, and Abiathar back to Jerusalem with the ark of God. He also sends his friend Hushai back as his spy and to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, David’s former counselor who joined ranks with Absalom.

2) Ziba runs out to David with supplies and tells David that Mephibosheth abandoned David and stayed back to have the kingdom restored to him. 😏 This is a total lie. David believes the lie and tells Ziba he can have all that was Mephibosheth’s.

3) While on the run, Shimei comes out cursing David and throwing rocks at him. David’s men want to kill Shimei but David will not allow it. David says, “It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction, and the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing this day”.

4) Ahithophel, David’s former counselor and Bathsheba’s grandfather who could still be holding a grudge, advises Absalom to show his position over David by sleeping with his concubines. “So they pitched a tent for Absalom on top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all of Israel.” 🙈 This is just as the Lord told David would happen after his affair with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah (2 Samuel 12:11-12).

The reading ends with Hushai overthrowing Ahithophel’s advice to Absalom regarding attacking David and his men. Wow! 🤯 That’s a lot of deception, betrayal, and animosity toward King David. There is bound to be some major fallout. Keep reading to find out what happens.

(2 Samuel 15:1-17:14)

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So today we start to see some of the chaos in David’s house begin to unfold as Nathan prophesied. David’s son Amnon lusts after his half sister Tamar. So Amnon’s cousin, Jonadab, comes up with an idea for Amnon. He tells Amnon to pretend he is sick and ask his dad, King David, to send Tamar to bring him some food. When Tamar is in his room, Amnon forces himself on her. Tamar says, “No, my brother, do not force me, for no such thing should be done in Israel…And I, where could I take my shame?” Tamar tells Amnon to ask their dad, David, to take her properly in marriage but Amnon does not control his lust and he rapes her and then kicks her out. She leaves crying in shame and goes to live with her brother Absalom.

When King David hears about it he is angry but does nothing. “So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.” You know, David could have done something. He could have told Tamar where to take her shame. David himself knew where. He even wrote in Psalm 25:1-3, “In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. I trust in you. Don’t let me be put to shame. Don’t let my enemies win the battle over me. Those who put their hope in you will never be put to shame.” We all have shame and we all have a place we can take our shame for healing and that is to the Lord!

Well, David’s son Absalom lets his anger toward his brother Amnon fester for 2 years and then he has Amnon killed. Absalom then flees to Geshur and lives there for 3 years. What a family mess! 😱 Amnon is dead, Tamar is desolate and Absalom is deserted. Joab eventually convinces David to bring Absalom home but it will be 2 years after Absalom’s arrival back home that David will agree to see him. Tomorrow Absalom wins the hearts of the men of Israel and King David is on the run again. This time from his own son. Keep reading.

(2 Samuel 12:26-31, 1 Chronicles 20:2-3, 2 Samuel 13:1-14:33)

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