A King's Place

   

     King David was about to die.  Adonijah decided he should be the one to take his father's place on the throne and took it upon himself to make it happen without his father's permission or blessing.  One problem - David had already promised Bathsheba that her child, Solomon, would rule in his place one day.  After the problem was taken care of, and David was about to die, he gave a charge to Solomon.  1 Kings 2:2-4 says, "So be strong, show yourself a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires:  Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go, and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: 'If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.' "
     I have to admit, I am taken aback by what David says following this.  He basically goes on to tell Solomon that he should take revenge on a couple of people - people that David had mercy on.  (1 Kings 2:8-9) "...When he (Shimei) came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord: 'I will not put you to death by the sword.'  But now, do not consider him innocent.  You are a man of wisdom; you will know what to do to him.  Bring his gray head down to the grave in blood."  It was similar with Joab.
     David had kept his promise to not harm, but then expected Solomon to retaliate instead.  This makes me wonder if it was pride and anger on David's part or if God's hand was in it.  It doesn't seem like revenge is something the Lord would want.  In regards to Joab, my Bible commentary says that "To shed blood in peacetime as if in battle (vs. 5) was a criminal act.  Even though Joab had acted without David's knowledge, the king was still responsible for his commander's actions.  David felt that justice should be met in Joab's case, but didn't feel that he should administer it."  As far as leaving the dirty work of dealing with Shimei to Solomon, my Bible commentary say, "Though Shimei had cursed David as the king and his men fled Jerusalem, David had spared him (2 Sam. 16:5-13; 19:18-22).  Now a new king would be tested.  It was shred political strategy for Solomon to establish his power by avenging his father's honor.  Nevertheless, Solomon acted justly.  He did not inflict the long-delayed punishment until Shimei openly disobeyed his command (1 Kings 2:36-46).
    Another interesting tidbit that my father-in-law pointed out to me is that family lines were important back then.  Solomon came long after Adonijah in the family tree.  He really shouldn't have been put in the role of King.  God looks at the heart.  He knows who needs to be where.  Whether it is political power, family stance, custody battles, etc... God has set people in their place and will take care of what needs fixing so that "every knee will bow".  God be praised!