Adonijah's request through Bathsheba, to marry Abishag, part of David's Harem, was discerned by Solomon to be a second attempt to gain the throne. So he had him put to death. Self-seeking people grabbing positions and things, expose themselves to loss and ultimate disaster.

"Thus the ruin of the enemies of Christ's kingdom is as sure as the stability of His kingdom, and both are sure as the being and life of God, the Founder of it all." Matthew Henry

1 Kings 2:27 "So Solomon removed Abiathar from being priest to the Lord, that he might fulfill the word of the Lord which He spoke concerning the house of Eli at Shiloh."

Abiathar was removed from being priest, by Solomon.

"This was for having taken part before with Adonijah ... Abiathar deserved this degradation. He supported Adonijah in his unnatural assumption of the royal dignity, even during the life of his father. But by it a remarkable prophecy was fulfilled (1 Samuel 2:13-35 ), God had told Eli that the priesthood should depart from his house; Abiathar was the last of the descendants of Ithamar, of which family was Eli, the high priest. Zadok, who was made priest in the place of Abiathar, was of the family of Eliezer; and by this change the priesthood reverted to the ancient channel." Adam Clarke Commentary

What God says we can be sure will come to pass.

The flight and death of Joab makes sad reading. The action of Solomon was a declaration that David had no part in the shedding of the innocent blood by Joab. The guilt was put where it belonged. Joab, a bold, hard and unscrupulous man was brought to accountability as all such will.

Shimei, whose heart was full of enmity to the house of David was conditionally pardoned by Solomon. He transgressed against the limits placed on him and forfeited his life. In the face of the human tendency to violate conditions put upon us for our own good by God, it becomes us to pray:

Psalm 19:13 "Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression."

Sometimes family or political, even monetary reasons may suggest a wise alliance through the covenant of marriage, as Solomon thought in making a treaty with Pharaoh and marrying his daughter. Solomon put political considerations before obedience to God's word to Israel.

Deuteronomy 7:3,4 ""Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son. ⁴ "For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the Lord will be aroused against you and destroy you suddenly."

"Now Solomon acted in direct opposition to these laws, and perhaps in this alliance were sown those seeds of apostasy from God and goodness in which he so long lived." Adam Clarke Commentary

The unequal yoke boded no good for the young king - nor will it for us.

1 Kings 3:4,5 "And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar. ⁵ In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee."

Worship brings communication with God. In a dream God gives Solomon a choice of gifts. To his credit he chose an understanding and discerning heart - a heart tuned in to hear God, which was graciously granted. Pleased, God added unequalled riches and honour. The Lord will give to those who ask believingly (John 15:7 ).

Solomon's handling of the problem presented by the two women, and the identification of their babies, gave evidence of the gifted insight into human nature, and of a bestowed wisdom. When we know our lack of wisdom, we can then believingly ask for wisdom, as we are exhorted to do in:

James 1:5,6 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."

"We have a glimpse into the administrative arrangements of Solomon in this chapter. Twelve areas were mapped out in Israel, and governors were appointed over each. These divisions were responsible, each in its month, to support the king's program financially (1 Kings 4:7 ). The daily consumption of food (1 Kings 4:22-23 ). And he had a strong army to assist him. He added a chariot wing to his army and built special chariot cities in strategic places (1 Kings 9:19 - 10:26 ). One of these has been found at Megiddo where excavation has revealed separate stable units, each housing thirty horses." Biblical Expositor

When God says He will prosper, that is exactly what God does. In Christ Jesus we have the one who declared Himself to be greater than a Solomon, and so He was and is. The best pale into insignificance beside Him.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. What was the motivation of Adonijah's request through Bathsheba? (1 Kings 2:13-25 ).
2. To what do self-seeking and grabbing of positions rightfully belonging to another, ultimately lead? (1 Kings 2:13-25 ).
3. Why did Solomon only dismiss Abiathar from office when his conspiracy was deserving of execution? (1 Kings 2:27 ).
4. How was the faithfulness of God to His word demonstrated in Abiathar's removal from office? (1 Kings 2:27 ).
5. What would you say was the main reason for Joab's execution? (1 Kings 2:28-33 ).
6. Do you see any significance in the burial of Joab in his own place? (1 Kings 2:34-35 ).
7. Do you regard the Lord's restrictions that He places on you, to be for your ultimate good? (1 Kings 2:36-38 ).
8. Do you see Shimmei's decision to leave Jerusalem to pursue his slaves as demonstrating a low view of Solomon's authority, and his disobedience proving that he had not changed? (1 Kings 2:39-46 ).
9. Should political considerations prevail over expressed laws of God? (1 Kings 3:1 ).
10. What kind of unequal yokes would be a hindrance in serving the Lord? (1 Kings 3: 1; Galatians 5:1; 2 Corinthians 6:14 ).
11. Why was offering sacrifices at high places an offence? (1 Kings 3:2-4; Leviticus 17:3-4 ).
12. Would you have chosen to have an understanding and discerning heart before riches and honour? (1 Kings 3:5-15 ).
13. What kind of gifted insight was shown in Solomon's handling of the problem of the women and the identification of the baby? (1 Kings 3:16-28 ).
14. What are the conditions to be met for you to have wisdom from God? (James 1:5-6 ).
15. Do you regard delegation of authority as a mark of wisdom? (1 Kings 4: 1-3 ).
16. When wisdom from God is practiced would you expect one of the benefits to be prosperity? (1 Kings 4:20-21 ).
17. Is wisdom from God superior to all other worldly wisdom? (1 Kings 4:30-31 ).
18. Where do you find recorded some of Solomon's 3 000 proverbs? And would you say that Solomon became an authority in botany and zoology? Do you look to God for special help in your chosen discipline? (1 Kings 4:32-34 ).