1 Kings 1–4: A New King & Wisdom

Read the Bible in 2011 ◊ Week 22: Tuesday

Then Solomon said, “You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, according as he walked before You in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward
You; and You have reserved for him this great
lovingkindness, that You have given him a son
to sit on his throne, as it is this day. Now, O LORD
my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted. So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”
1 Kings 3:6–9

Tuesday’s Bible reading of 1 Kings 1–4, begins a new book that marks the end of the reign of King David. Tragically, however, once again the transfer of authority elicits a desire for power, and the transition to a new king is marked by rebellion and bloodshed. Adonijah, an older half-brother of Solomon, usurps the throne while David is still alive, and upon David’s death, Adonijah and some of his co-conspirators are executed by Solomon.

These chapters record Solomon’s famous prayer for wisdom, and his famous judgment determining the mother of the living child.

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Isaiah 42 Photograph: ChristianPhotos.net – Free High Resolution Photos for Christian Publications
Суд царя Соломона (Judgment of King Solomon), Nikolaj Nikolajewitsch Ge: Public Domain