KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Friday, April 08, 2016
Chapters: 1 Kings 1-3
Message: 1 Kings: By Appointment

Hello My Friend,

The book of 1 Kings is the eleventh book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains twenty-two chapters. The author of the book is Jeremiah and it was written to the Israelites. The timeline for these events took place approximately 1015 BC to 897 BC. The purpose of the book was to record God's dealings with His people from King Solomon, through the division of Israel, and the reigns of Ahab and Jehoshaphat. What we are to learn from the book is that compromise always comes with a cost. “Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.” - 1 Kings 11:11.

David was growing old and his health was failing quickly. Adonijah, David's eldest son, took it upon himself to try and make himself king fully knowing that Solomon was appointed to be the son who would reign. Adonijah persuaded the two most influential men in Israel to join him and become traitors to David, Abiathar, the high priest, through whom Adonijah would have religious approval by the people, and Joab, commander-in-chief of David's army. However, Nathan the prophet sought out Bathsheba and together they went to David about the matter. It was while Adonijah was out celebrating his becoming king that David had Solomon anointed as king.

“The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon: And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon. Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead: and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah. And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, Amen: the LORD God of my lord the king say so too. As the LORD hath been with my lord the king, even so be he with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord king David. And moreover the king's servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. And the king bowed himself upon the bed. And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.” - 1 Kings 1:33-37,47,50.

“and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule,” The humbling act of a king riding on a mule or donkey was a symbol of royalty and authority. As David gave Solomon his mule to ride this was full assurance that he had appointed him to be his successor and the people gladly accepted him. David was the only living king to pass the reign over to his son. When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem He rode on a donkey proving not only that He was royalty in the human sense as he descended in the flesh through the seed of David, but that He is one of great authority. Jesus is King of all kings. “And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.” - Luke 19:37,38.

While Adonijah would have been the rightful son to become king as he was the next eldest in line to the throne, God had already appointed Solomon to be king, which is why David did what he did before he died. David knew that his success as king was not because of who he was, but who his God was, which is why after Solomon was anointed king, David gave him some words to live by.

“I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel. Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet. Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace.” - 1 Kings 2:2-6.

“Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me,” People think that they can live a secret life and that their wicked ways in how they became great goes unnoticed, but someone is always watching. Joab's past caught up to him, he and all the men that conspired to make Adonijah king, except for the priest were executed. God has made each and every one of us for a purpose, and when He appoints, chooses us, for something, there is no one who can stand in His way. “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” - John 15:16.

In the beginning of his reign Solomon truly loved God, he regularly gave sacrifices, prayed, spoke highly of God, and did all that David instructed him to do,but since the temple had not been built yet he allowed sacrifices to be made in high places. Now, after seeing this, making an alliance with the Pharaoh of Egypt, and marrying his daughter, God thought He better speak to him. While in Gibeon to offer sacrifices, God spoke to him in a dream and asked him a simple question, “Ask what I shall give thee?” It was then that God reveals to Solomon that if he simply asked for wisdom to take care of His people than everything else, wealth, prosperity, and provisions will be given to him.

“And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days. And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.” - 1 Kings 3:11-15.

“then I will lengthen thy days.” No matter what we do in life, or how many accomplishments we make, true success and prosperity comes through our relationship with Christ. An understanding heart, this is something tall Christians need to ask God for. Let me tell you, we are all human, and since we all have this sin nature, we can be lured into temptation, therefore, we need understanding to discern the right judgment toward others. Yes, we all must stand before God to be judged, but we are not free to live our lives the way we please and not expect judgment to come before Jesus does. While we will not face damnation, we will have to make the right judgment, and are rightfully appointed to do so. “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:9,10,14,15.

Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the oil used to anoint Solomon as king (1:39). Oil, symbolic of the Holy Spirit, was poured out upon those chosen for special service. “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” - Acts 10:38.

Today's Prayer: God, You have appointed all of us for some purpose, may we be used to be a testimony of the life You have given us through Your Son, and not an example of what happens if we are not. You are my life, I am nothing apart from You, I do not want riches or fame, all I want is to know Your will for my life and how I am to obtain that. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your power to walk with You everywhere I go, give me wisdom and understanding on how to make the right decisions and judgment of people, and give me the strength I need to do what You have appointed me to do. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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