Foundations Week 19, Day 3

Scripture Read: 1 Kings 2
Title: Solomon Becomes King
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H.E.A.R. Entry
(H) Highlight verse:  "I am about to go the way of all the earth.  Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the LAw of Moses, that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you turn..."  1 Kings 2:2,3

(E) Explain:  Shortly after David and Bathsheba lost their first son due to David’s sin, Solomon was born to the couple.  By rights Solomon was the second heir to the throne of David, right behind Adonijah.  Unbeknownst to Adonijah he did not realize that David promised Bathsheba that Solomon would be heir to the throne.  When David was on his deathbed Adonijah proclaimed himself as heir to the King, yet Bathsheba and Nathan informed him that he was not king.  Adonijah went away without an issue and thus Solomon became king.  There is a lot involved in this story as you have read which ends with the death of Adonijah and others.
Solomon was the third king of Israel and he succeeded his father David.  He began his reign as king on the right foot as he walked with God and sought him in all he did.  Unfortunately, unlike his father, he did not walk with God through the course of his life.  What Solomon is most famous for was his wealth, wisdom, and women aplenty. 

(A) Application:  The beginning of Solomon's reign started with much bloodshed.  I am not going to focus on all the killing today, but will focus more on the parting words of Solomon's father David.  When David was about to die he gave Solomon wisdom on how he can be a successful king.  If you recall both Saul and David had some major problems in their ruling and both of their problems stemmed from disobedience to God.  David implores his son to keep the commands and statutes of God, in doing so he will be given success as a king.
This applies to us today.  Obedience to the LORD and allowing him to be center of our lives is what gives us success today.  I know that there are millions of books, seminars and teachings on how to be successful in life, but we are only guaranteed success in life if we remain faithful and obedient to God and his Word.  Let us keep this in mind this very day, God wants to bless his people, and He will bless us when we live in obedience and faithfulness to Him  May we all commit to successful living before the LORD as we live in obedience and to Him and His Word?  

(R) Respond: What steps can you and I take today to ensure that we live successful lives before the LORD?  What areas of life do you need to be more obedient to the LORD?