The Field's Musings

The Reign of Solomon 2 Sam 12:24-25 David names his son Solomon. Solomon comes from Shalom meaning peace. ‘Now the LORD loved him’ The word love is used three times in the accounts of Samuel: 2 Sam 12:24 (YHWH loved Solomon, 1 Kings 3:3 (Solomon loved YHWH), 1 Kings 11:1 (Solomon loves many foreign women). ‘Jedidiah’ = ‘Beloved of YHWH’ This could have been Solomon’s throne or royal name. 1 Kings 1 Adonijah wants the throne 2 Kings 1:7 A new king was recognised by riding a mule 1 Kings 3:11-13 Solomon primary aim was to make the government strong. He made Israel into 12 districts. He was concerned about the internal aspect of Israel. David was more concerned about the external issues of Israel. The districts are found in 1 Kings 4 Judah is left out of this list Solomon constructed a magnificent temple and built fortresses. The period of Solomon’s reign was a prosperous time for the nation. He organised economic expeditions. Nationally Israel was doing well. What problems did Solomon ha

2 Sam 14:33 Absalom gives the appearance of submission, sorrow and repentance. In chapter 15 Absalom tries to take the throne from his father David. Psalm 3 tells us about David’s understanding about the situation with Absalom. 2 Sam 15:1-6 Absalom wickedly wants to take the Kingdom from his father. It is a plan of deception. 2 Sam 15:30 David weeps in agony. 2 Sam 17:12 Absalom plots to chase David and kill him. Absalom’s desire and passion is to kill his father. Psalm 3 David’s explanation of his circumstances from a human perspective 1 LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Most people in Israel were following Absalom. 1 Sam 15:12 Enmity is not a strange thing. Believers should expect great hostility (1 Peter 4:12) 2 Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah From a human perspective it seems that there is no hope for David. It seems that God has forsaken Him. 3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and

Structure David’s early successes: 2 Samuel 1-10 (lecture 6b) David’s grievous sins: 11-12 David’s sorrow and repentance: 13- 24 David’s Grievous Sins, Sorrow and Repentance 2 Sam 11:1 David stays in Jerusalem when he should have been going out to battle David commits adultery with Bathsheba then plots to kill Uriah. David’s sin was a planned sin. Even though David sinned. David’s faith in God is testified in his works. David has genuine sorrow in his disobedience. 2 Sam 12- David’s response to Nathan’s confrontation 2 Sam 12:13, David response to sin, “I have sinned against the LORD.” 1 Sam 15:30, Saul’s response to sin: “I have sinned; yet honour me now, please, before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may worship the LORD your God.” Psalm 51 gives detail to David’s repentance. David understands total depravity. In verses one to six he uses many different words to describe sin. V3 ‘For I know my transgressions’ ‘I know’ here means to have an intima