1 Kings Bible Study | Chapter 2 | Mike Prah
Jun 16, 2021 | by Mike Prah
Reminder, Requests, Resting Place
I Kings 2: 1-12
Mike Prah
Introduction
David, whose death is near, speaks his final words to Solomon, the new king.
I Kings 2:1-12 (NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION)
1 When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son.
2 “I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, 3 and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go 4 and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’
5 “Now you yourself know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to the two commanders of Israel’s armies, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He killed them, shedding their blood in peacetime as if in battle, and with that blood he stained the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. 6 Deal with him according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to the grave in peace.
7 “But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead and let them be among those who eat at your table. They stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom.
8 “And remember, you have with you Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, who called down bitter curses on me the day I went to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord: ‘I will not put you to death by the sword.’ 9 But now, do not consider him innocent. You are a man of wisdom; you will know what to do to him. Bring his gray head down to the grave in blood.”
10 Then David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. 11 He had reigned forty years over Israel—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. 12 So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his rule was firmly established.
1. DAVID’S REMINDER (1 Kings 2:1-4)
David urges Solomon to obey the Lord’s commands written in the book of the Moses.
2. DAVID’S REQUESTS ( 1 Kings 2:5-9)
As humans, we learn through explanations, experiences, and examples. The Bible teaches us using bad examples for us to avoid as well as good example for us to follow. David leaves instructions for Solomon to carry out after David’s death.
A). Execute Joab and Shimel for their past crimes (2:5-6, 8-9)
B). Show kindness to the sons of Barzillai for their past faithfulness (2:7)
3. DAVID’S RESTING PLACE (1 Kings 2:10-12)
David dies after ruling Israel for 40 years. He is buried in the city of David. Solomon becomes king.
DIGGING DEEPER
SECTION 1: PERSONALIZING THE MESSAGE
(a). What insight from the message left the biggest impression on you? Why?
(b). What did you hear that encouraged or reassured you?
(c). What did you hear that challenged or convicted you?
(d). How did the message increase your appreciation for God the Father, Jesus Christ, or the Holy Spirit?
(e). From your personal experience, how can you illustrate a point from the message?
(f). Who can share the positive results of heeding the message or the painful consequences of disregarding its truth?
SECTION 2: ENCOURAGING APPLICATION OF THE MESSAGE
(a). What personal application of the message has the Lord shown you? How do you feel about following through with it?
(b). How should the message we heard affect or change our prayers?
(c). If we diligently apply the message, what effect would it have on personal lives and our daily walk with Christ?
(d). What would you say to share this helpful information to benefit someone who did not hear this message?