I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading. I had been using One Year Bible Online, but it was time for a change.

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

    I had previously spoken of those who believe that Bathsheba was an ambitious woman who caught David’s eye on purpose in order to gain power. At that time I expressed my doubts about that scenario. Today’s passage is inconsistent with the idea of Bathsheba as someone who schemed to gain power. If Bathsheba had truly been the player of palace politics that some believe her to be she would have recognized Adonijah’s request to marry Abishag (David’s last concubine) for what it was. If Adonijah had been able to marry Abishag he would have had one more claim on the throne of Israel and would have been in a position to threaten Solomon’s rule. It is interesting that Solomon did not exile Abiathar or execute Joab for their support of Adonijah’s attempted usurpation of the throne, but he did so in response to this action by Adonijah even though neither seemed to be involved. It was also after this attempt by Adonijah that Solomon took action to neutralize Shimei. Perhaps Adonijah’s ploy caused Solomon to realize that he needed to eliminate those power bases which were controlled by people whose loyalty was not to him.

    When Solomon was asked by God what he wanted most, Solomon replied by requesting wisdom. This should be our inspiration. We should desire wisdom, and to do what is wise, more than pleasure, more than wealth, even more than health and long life. Solomon received wealth and a healthy long life because he chose wisdom. However, God does not promise us that such will always be the case. Nevertheless, it is wisdom which we should desire above all else. Of course, the beginning of wisdom is fear of God.