Bible Chapter: I Kings 1 & 2

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    King David was a strong military leader.  But, he was a weak leader in his home.  He didn’t train his sons, he didn’t discipline them and guide them to become the kind of men they should be.  He didn’t seem to make the effort it took to bring them up in the way they should.  As a result they committed many selfish and sinful acts and many sad things happened.  As David got old and close to death, his son, Adonijah declared himself as David’s successor.  David had previously said Solomon would be the next king.  David had to restate that command and make Solomon the king.
    David learned a hard lesson through the failures of his sons.  He gave counsel to Solomon to teach his children to follow God.  He said that if his descendants watched how they lived they would bring on God’s blessings.  It was a painful lesson to learn that God’s blessings depend on living in God’s ways.  Sadly, Solomon’s sons did not heed David’s advice.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    With all the good things that God’s people did that are recorded in these historical books, we also see that they commonly broke the commandments.  The results were many deaths and much sorrow.  Then they would seek some kind of deliverance.  Often, it didn’t come.  The application for life is to do what God commanded in the first place.  Yes, His forgiveness and grace are available.  But, in the mean time there are many sorrows that come and, in the long run, there are many regrets.  Again, I think that if they had only been obedient they would have prevented a multitude of problems.

3.  How can I help someone?
    The old song comes to my mind here.  Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.  That is awesome advice.  And, it really works.