Today you should read: 1 Kings 1:1-27
I couldn’t help but think of the phrase spoken by Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings films when I read this passage:
“There is only one Lord of the Ring, only one who can bend it to his will. And he does not share power.”
In this passage, King Solomon has just officially taken over the throne of his father, David. His first steps as King are to rid the kingdom of those who would try to usurp the throne for themselves. Yielding to David’s dying instructions, King Solomon begins a campaign to kill or expel those who are not loyal to him:
Adonijah (13-25): Adonijah had a seemingly innocent request. “Please ask King Solomon… to give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife” (v. 17). The problem with this request is that Abishag was recruited as a servant to the King alone (see 1 Kings 1:3-4). Adonijah’s request was an attempt to begin stealing the throne away from his younger brother. For his treachery, Solomon had him killed.
Abiathar (26-27): Of the house of Eli, his role as a priest was now being revoked as a fulfillment of 1 Samuel 2:27-36.
Joab (28-35): Joab was a supporter of Adonijah. When he heard of King Solomon’s campaign, he tried to seek refuge at the altar. However, the altar proved to provide no sanctuary for Joab as it is only to provide refuge for those who have killed accidentally (Exodus 21:12-14).
Shimei (36-46): David’s promise to Shimei was that he would not put him to death by the sword (v. 8, 1 Samuel 19:18-23). But when Shimei broke a promise to Solomon that he would not leave Jerusalem, he sent for him to be killed.
At a glance, this campaign of violence seems harsh and unnecessary. But there is more happening in these verses than the establishment of Solomon’s reign. Verse 33 speaks of an eternal reign; a greater purpose for the house of David. “…for David and for his descendants and for his house and for his throne there shall be peace from the LORD forevermore.” From the reigns of David and Solomon will come one whose reign will never end.
So here’s my question to you:
- What is in your life that seeks to take the throne away from Christ?
- What area in your life have you been holding on to; refusing to let go of its control? The consequences, as seen is this passage, could be devastating. After all, there is only one LORD, and he does not share power.
Posted by: Adam Mabe, Richmond Campus Student Ministry Intern
JumpstartCPC.com 
I think the Scripture to read should be 1 Kings 2:13-46.