I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on 1 Kings 2-3.

    David’s final instructions to Solomon are interesting. He took the time to single out three people for special treatment by Solomon. First, he instructed Solomon to bring Joab to justice for the murders of Abner and Amasa, both of whom David had made his army commander in Joab’s place. The basis for the animosity that David had for Joab is unclear, perhaps it was these murders, but they each appear to come after an attempt by David to get rid of him. Second, he asks Solomon to look after the sons of Barzillai (which is technically more than one person, but it is Barzillai who, in the form of his sons, is getting special treatment). This is simple pay back for what Barzillai did for David when he fled Absalom. Finally, David asks Solomon to make Shimei pay for cursing him when he fled Absalom. Even in the way David asks Solomon to arrange Shimei’s death we see that Shimei held some power limiting the king’s ability to kill him.
    Shortly after this, Solomon’s brother Adonijah made another play for the throne by attempting to marry David’s final concubine. As a result, Solomon consolidated his power by having Adonijah and Joab executed while deposing Abiathar from his priesthood. Then Solomon ordered Shimei to build himself a house in Jerusalem and never again leave the city on pain of death. When, after some time, Shimei violates this command, Solomon has him executed. It is interesting that this account of Shimei’s execution is included with the conspirators who tried to usurp the throne since Shimei was listed among those of David’s advisers who refused to support Adonijah’s attempt for the throne.

    As part of his consolidation of power, Solomon went to Gideon to offer sacrifices. While there he experienced a vision in which God offered him his deepest desire. By seeking wisdom rather than wealth, long life, or vengeance against his enemies, Solomon chose wisely. If we do not seek wisdom we will not find it, while wisdom may bring us wealth and long life. It may even grant us vengeance against our enemies. Of course, once we obtain wisdom it may lead us to no desire other things more than those.
    I love the story of Solomon’s decision regarding the child claimed by two women. When he realized that he had no evidence to choose which woman was the child’s mother, he offered to kill the child and split him between them. One woman begged him to instead give the child to the other, while the other was happy that if she could not have the child neither could her rival. Solomon’s ruling was that the former was the child’s real mother and gave her the child. When I was growing up, I was told that by their answers Solomon knew which woman was truly the birth mother and thus gave her the child. As I have gotten older I realized that Solomon’s decision was much wiser than that. Solomon realized that it did not matter which woman was the birth mother of the child. The one which was willing to sacrifice her own interests for those of the child was the one who would provide the better home for him. The child’s real mother was willing to sacrifice herself for her child whether or not she was the child’s birth mother.
    The first part of today’s passage was about Solomon consolidating power, but, in some ways, so was the part about Solomon seeking wisdom and making a wise judgment. Solomon’s judgment between the two women is an example of how he balanced the conflicting interests of his people. Those who were willing to give up what they desired for the greater good were demonstrating that they sought the greater good (suggesting that what they desired was likely for the greater good).