For Christian Sisters

Unfinished Business

11 July 2017 AnneT Blog, Solomon An ordered list of links for each blog series is on the Archive page. (0)

Fifth in the Solomon Series

David's last words as king (2 Sam 23:1) were in tender remembrance of God's mercy to him, but his last words to Solomon were pointed, instructing him to keep God's commandments, and not to show mercy to certain men. (1 Kings 2:1-9)

To carry out David's behests, and to deal with the insurrectionists, a man would be needed. Benaiah was that man.

Benaiah was one of David's mighty men and the son of Jehoiada who was the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel in southern Judah.

There is some confusion when we hear the name, "Jehoiada," which also was the name of a famous priest who lived a number of generations after the time of Solomon. The purpose in distinguishing Benaiah as Jehoiada's son was that there were two Benaiahs among David's mighty men. The other one was Benaiah the Pirathonite. Pirathon was a town in Ephraim.

Benaiah was in charge of the Cherethites and Pelethites. The Cherethites were the guards of King David whose jobs were to carry out capital punishments and to convey the king's orders as fast as possible to those in the king's service. The Pelethites were couriers (Gesenius's Lexicon).

Of Benaiah, we have these verses: And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow: And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear. These [things] did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men. He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the [first] three. And David set him over his guard. 2Sa 23:20-23. (This description is repeated in 1 Ch 11:22-25.)

To sum up, his notable exploits were:

  1. Power to destroy, two against one — a sign of God's help.
  2. Bravery to come against the lion — ability and courage to defeat both men and wild beasts — and that in inclement weather!
  3. Superior reflexes to disarm the enemy — Benaiah was so quick that he killed a man with the man's own weapon, after snatching it from him by a staff.

His abilities showed the favor of God on his life. Why, then, did he not "attain to the first three"? God had unfinished business: He planned to raise him up and set him in a high place, but this would come during Solomon's reign.

Are you in second place or much lower even though your skills are excellent? Wait on the Lord to finish all his business.

A Simple Matter

11 July 2017 AnneT Blog, Solomon An ordered list of links for each blog series is on the Archive page. (0)

Fourth in the Solomon Series

Following an attempted insurrection against King David, Solomon had been made king of Israel. Knowing death was near, David's mind sharpened to consider three matters; it would be for Solomon to conclude his unfinished business.

Two of the matters concerned difficult men, Joab and Shimei. We will look at these in future posts.

One matter was simple: David wanted the sons of Barzillai to be honored for their loyalty to him when he was nearly deposed by Absalom. But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother. 1 Ki 2:7

A proverb of Solomon reflects this remembrance: Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not... Pro 27:10a

Leaders must not only strategize to keep hold of the reigns of power, they must be thoughtful and kind, rewarding loyalty and setting an example. This must be done from the heart, not as a routine.

King Ahasuerus, famous as Esther's spouse, had forgotten to thank and reward her uncle Mordecai for preventing a plot to harm him. His remembrance of this deed, written down in a book of records, began the undoing of Haman who was the enemy of God's people. Paul often remembered those who helped him and their fellow believers, based on the Lord's own example.

If a leader will not demonstrate that he has respect for others' feelings and show gratefulness for their assistance, a certain type of culture will pervade his dominion. Back-stabbing and self-serving attitudes will be commonplace when they are considered to be acceptable behavior, but civility will be emulated, and brotherly love will increase under the kind-hearted.

Beloved

10 July 2017 AnneT Blog, Solomon An ordered list of links for each blog series is on the Archive page. (0)

Third in the Solomon Series

Since David was "a man after God's own heart," (1 Sam 13:14) there was no one more disappointed than he was about his sins. What a relief the call to repentance was, shared by Nathan the prophet.

God used David's understanding of how very special a single lamb may be in a given context to draw him into confession. (See 2 Sam 12:1-7)

But, if David was a man after God's own heart, specially loved by God because of his qualities, why did he disappoint so greatly? Why did he sin in such large ways? Possible answer: Being special to God does not mean we will not sin; it only means we desire to really repent when we fall.

Israel's first king, Saul, sinned and repented, but his regret was not repentance. In my experience and view, repentance is a gift. We need to pray to receive it, but it may be bestowed even when we do not ask for it.

When David repented it was heartfelt, as shown by his submission to the disciplines that ensued, in the short and long terms. He never balked or complained at the miseries that accompanied his moral failures, though he did cry out to God for help in his distress.

He embraced God as a Father who had the right to discipline him for his wrongdoings. This was the inner man or character of David known and loved by God. David means "beloved."

The man with strong character acknowledges that God has the right to be God. That man will fear God and learn from mistakes. Fortunately for Solomon, his father had a strong character.

David took Bathsheba as a wife whom he loved, and Solomon was conceived. Then, God gave David and Bathsheba three other sons, Shammua, Shobab and Nathan, whose names mean, in order: renowned, rebellious, giver. Solomon means "peace."

Bathsheba was further comforted by a promise that her son, Solomon, would be David's successor. (1 Ki 1:13)

Looking for children's activities?

Help your child learn to use a keyboard while memorizing Scripture.

Start now!