1 Kings 2:1-12

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

King David’s Final Charge to Solomon

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Good parents give wise counsel to their children.

  2. David was a man after God’s own heart.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Let’s not forget to reward kindness.

QUESTIONS

  1. Three kings ruled the United Kingdom of Israel. Name these three kings.

  2. David started out as king in Hebron. Why didn’t he stay there?

  3. How long did David reign as king?

  4. How old was David when he died?

  5. Before David died, he gave some sound advice to his son Solomon, the new king of Israel. Name the two themes of this wise counsel.

  6. Why wasn’t David considered the greatest father? When was he considered to be a good father?

  7. David warned Solomon to beware of two men. Who were these two men?

ANSWERS

  1. Saul, David and Solomon.

  2. Jerusalem was more central than Hebron was, and Jerusalem was more easily defended in time of war than Hebron. So it was a diplomatic and wise move on the part of David.

  3. David, like both Saul and Solomon reigned for forty years.

  4. David was 70 years old when he died. See 2 Samuel 5:4 and 1 Kings 2:10-11.

  5. Themes: a walk and a warning. Solomon was to walk before the Lord and to be aware of certain individuals who could cause trouble for Solomon in the future.

  6. David wasn’t the greatest father because he failed to discipline his sons, both Absalom and Adonijah. David was a good father when he gave wise counsel to his son Solomon.

  7. Joab, who had served as David’s military commander, and Shimei, who had cursed David.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. When Solomon was to succeed David as king, David counseled him about two things: 1) to walk before the Lord (to keep His ways, to put the Lord first in his life), and 2) to beware of certain people who had proved themselves to cause problems. Parents today need to counsel their children to put the Lord first in their lives, and they must warn them about certain people to avoid. Counsel concerning priorities and counsel concerning potential problems is wise counsel. Have you so counseled your children?

  2. David had committed some terrible sins against the Lord, yet God in His grace looked at the overall life of David and saw a man with a heart for God. See Acts 13:22. Yes, David reaped what he had sown, but God saw the repentant attitude of his heart. There is a good lesson here for us, for we, too, can be men and women after God’s own heart, even though we have sinned. How’s your heart attitude toward God?

CHALLENGE

  1. David said to Solomon, “Show kindness to the sons of Barzillai.” Read 1 Kings 2:7 and 2 Samuel 17:27-29. How have you shown kindness to those who have shown kindness to you? Think hard about these people and what you have done for them. Perhaps even the next generation would be encouraged as you told them about the kindness of their parents to you. Have you ever had this happen? It’s a warm feeling in your heart, both toward your parents and the one who commended them for their kindness.

KEY VERSES

  • “Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son…’be strong…prove yourself a man…keep the charge of the Lord your God…that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn…that the Lord may fulfill His word to me…” 1 Kings 2:1-4

  • “Watch out for Joab and Shimei…” 1 Kings 2:5, 8

  • “Show kindness to the sons of Barzillai…” 1 Kings 2:7

  • “So David rested…then Solomon sat on the throne of his father David…” 1 Kings 2:10-12

1 Kings, Old Testament, TalksRon Reid1 KINGS 2:1-12