1 Kings 1-22. Week 1.

Choice 1: David died and Solomon became King. (1 Kings 1-2)

b) David was the current King of the throne of Israel, but was getting old, and the time for a new king was coming.  His 4th oldest son, Adonijah, was the next in line to be king and decided he would get the plans started to take on this task.  So he had Joab, who was commander of the military, Abiathar, the high priest, and others who held high positions, help him plan a great feast that would announce him as king.  They did not inform Zadok, a priest, or other Solomon loyalists of their plan.

When Nathan the prophet, Solomon's brother, heard about the plan, he told his mother, Bathsheba, and they both went to inform King David of the plan.  David quickly appointed Solomon as his co-regent and they went about taking the steps to have him inaugurated as King of Israel.

c)  In Kings 2:1-4, King David gives Solomon some advice before he dies.  He tells him to follow the commandments of Moses, and to walk in the ways of Christ, in his statutes and judgments.  He also said that, David himself, was promised, "If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their souls, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel."  An amazing promise that they would reign successfully if they followed the commandments.

d) Characteristics of a man of God
Christlike
Determined in one mind and one heart
United in all things
Perfect understanding
Strong and mighty
Soul of joy, liberty, and freedom
Thankful to God
Hard worker for his people's welfare
Firm in the faith

A man of God is someone who gives their whole life and being to the raising up of the Kingdom of God. They have a strong testimony and share it with all they meet by their actions and words.  This man is someone who has the light of Christ in his eyes and in his soul and is who has been specifically called to lead and guide his people.  This is the type of man I want to lead my home, marry my daughters, and grow spiritually from.

Becki Johnson 18 January 2014