1 Kings 1 & 2, Psalms 37, 71& 94
A new book!
And a big juicy section of NIV study notes. Notes about features of these next few books
that shed light on context, theme and authorship.
“Kings was probably written by a Judahite exile. And these books of Samuel and Kings were
originally, in their initial translations, designated as 1st, 2nd,
3rd and 4th Kings.
Kings is like a sequel to 1 and 2 Samuel. It is a covenantal assessment rather than a
social or political or economic assessment of the monarchy and the reigns of
individual kings.”
While the writer depicts Israel’s obedience or
disobedience to the Sinai Covenant as decisive for her historical destiny, he
also recognizes the far reaching historical significance of the Davidic
Covenant which promised that David’s Dynasty would last forever.
There is a strong relationship between prophecy and
fulfillment in the historical developments of the monarchy. The result of this emphasis is the history of
the kingdom is not presented as a chance occurrence or mere interplay of human
actions but as the unfolding of Israel’s historical destiny under God’s
omnipotent guidance; Israel’s covenant LORD, who rules all history in
accordance with his sovereign purposes.
The author also stresses the importance of the prophets
themselves in their roles as official emissaries from the court of Israel’s
covenant LORD the great King to whom Israel and her king were bound in service
through the covenant.
The LORD sent a long succession of such prophets to call
king and people back to covenant loyalty.
For the most part these warnings and exhortations fell on deaf ears.
Reflections on these features suggests that 1 and 2 Kings
were written to explain to a people in exile that the reason for their
condition of humiliation was their stubborn persistence in breaking the
covenant. And after much patience God
imposed the curses of the covenant, which had stood as a warning from the
beginning.
The kings who receive the most attention are either
notable in their deviation from or affirmation of the covenant, or have
significant interaction with the prophets during their reign. “
So I love the background that is shaped by all those
notes in the introduction. Notes that
say as much about what is in the writing as they say about what is
missing.
The first 2 chapters of 1 Kings paint a different picture
of David than the parallel found in Chronicles. In Kings, we read of David’s frailty. He is an old, old man, who cannot keep
himself warm even when they put covers on him. And Abishag, a beautiful Shunnamite
is found to keep him warm and wait on him hand and foot.
The Chronicler does not mention Adonijah’s conspiracy for
the throne, bypassing David’s right to designate a successor. In Chronicles,
David travels to Solomon for the coronation, and gives a rousing speech. In Kings, David is not well enough to travel
to this anointing and sends the remaining members of his cabinet, Nathan,
Zadok, and Benaiah. Joab and Abiathar
have sided with Adonijah. It is not
neat and clean or pristine. It’s messy
and awkward.
In 1 Kings 2, the guilt of Joab’s sins catch up with
him. David, in his charge to Solomon,
reveals that he has known about Joab’s misdeeds all along. “Now you yourself know what Joab son of
Zeruiah did to me-what he did to the two commanders of Israel’s armies, Abner
son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He
killed them, shedding their blood in peacetime as if in battle, and with that
blood, stained the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. Deal with
him according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to the grave
in peace. “(vs 5,6)
Psalm 37 reveals a comparison between the righteous and
the wicked. Thoughts that obviously have
crossed David’s mind when he contemplated the treacheries of those he thought
he could trust; How this has played out on his own doorstep. Thoughts about how their lives will go. Where the righteous prevail and will be
upheld by God’s hand and God’s favour.
And Psalm 71 so full and beautiful, a prayer for God’s
help in old age.
Ps 71:20 “Though You have made me see troubles, many and
bitter
You will restore my life again;
From the depth of the earth
You will again bring me up.
21 You will increase my honor
And comfort me once again.
22 I will praise You
With the harp
For your faithfulness, O my God.”
Such a fitting song/poem, at this junction. This hindsight
look at life of the path travelled and choices made. And the forward look with hope that he will
not finish this journey alone or forsaken.
That no matter what comes, that this Singer of Songs will continue to
seek refuge in God, looking to God as his or her only hope.
God, who rules all history in accordance with his
sovereign purpose.
He is.
He was.
He always will be.
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