Today you should read: 1 Kings 1:28-53
Welcome to the book of 1 Kings – such an exciting book, full of rich characters and great application for our lives!
Yesterday, Erik took us through the first half of this chapter – today we pick it up with verses 28-53. This contains the story of one of King David’s last acts – the anointing of Solomon – his son, as king. As you read it you’ll understand the drama that was taking place. Jonathan, Saul’s son had great concern. Often there were threats, murders, and treachery at the time a new king was installed. Even though David was a loyal friend of Jonathan, there was fear of what would happen when he was gone. Solomon promises to honor Jonathan’s descendants, just as his father did.
This story seems pretty straight forward, at first blush but when you look deeper, there are two very interesting, and encouraging, caveats.
Bathsheba
Remember her? She was the wife of Uriah the Hittite. She was the woman that David committed adultery with and whose husband he murdered. (If you need a refresher read 2 Samuel 11.) Now she’s the wife of the king and the mother of the new king to be, Solomon. David had many wives and children, but God chose His line, through which Jesus would come, to appear smack dab in the middle this story of sin and grace. I love that the Bible doesn’t shield us from evil and wrong but shows us God’s glory and grace in it.
Nathan the prophet
Remember him? He was the prophet who took his life in his own hands by confronting King David about his sin with Bathsheba. Need a refresher on this story? Read 2 Samuel 12. David not only doesn’t kill him, he repents of his sin. Now we find that godly prophet, one who stood up for the right, as a continued part of David’s life and involved in the crowning of his son Solomon as king. Once again, God’s grace and glory are revealed.
What’s my Point?
God’s grace is amazing! He takes us as we are and makes us what we will become (Philippians 1:6). He works in and through our messed up lives to bring glory to Himself.
Take some time today and do a Grace Inventory:
- How has God extended grace to you? (name the ways)
- How has He worked through your messed up life to bring glory to Himself? (rehearse the means)
- Have you stopped lately to bask in His wonderful grace and thank Him for extending it to you?
Posted by: Tim Parsons
JumpstartCPC.com 
Dear JumpStart Readers,
I owe you an appology – I made an error in my writing. My dear friend Jason Cummins reminded me that the Jonathan referred to in this story is not Jonathan the son of Saul (who died in battle before David was made king) but Jonathan the son of the priest Abiathar (1 Kings 1:42). Please Please forgive me for this mistake. It’s always our intention to write clearly and factually. David did make a commitment to the decendants of Jonathan (ie. Mephibosheth [2 Sam 9]), but not to this Jonathan.
Again – forgive me please. Thankful for careful students of scripture that help keep us clear and clean with what we teach.
Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17:11
Have a blessed day as you follow Jesus!
TIM