Today, we begin 1st Kings, Chapter 1.
For the Complete Jewish Bible, click HERE.
For the King James Version, click HERE.
Alrighty, today we’re gonna start diving into the text of Chapter One of the awesome Book of Kings.
But before we do, there’s something I gotta make clear.
So listen up.
Sequentially speaking, 1st Kings 1 does NOT come right after the last chapter of 2nd Samuel.
I get that most of the time, one chapter will logically follow after another in Scripture.
Or we’re usually dealing with a book that was originally one large work that was later divided up into multiple books.
That’s not the case here.
The last four chapters of 2nd Samuel are actually an appendix of sorts containing information about David’s reign that was considered crucial for context.
So, lemme reiterate.
The opening verse of 1st Kings is NOT a logical continuation of the last words of 2nd Samuel 24.
So, if that’s the case, then which chapter is?
The answer is 2nd Samuel Chapter 20.
That’s right, homies.
Sequentially speaking, 2nd Samuel Chapter 20 is the chapter that should come before 1st Kings Chapter 1.
Recall this was the story of a 2nd rebellion against David, led by a dude named Sheva from the northern tribes of Israel.
This rebellion followed right after the one led by David’s son Absalom.
Let’s take a look at the closing verses of 2nd Samuel Chapter 20.
“Joab was over Israel’s entire army; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; Adoniram was in charge of forced labor; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; Sheva was secretary; Zadok and Abiathar were priests; and Ira the Jairite was David’s priest.”-2 Samuel 20:23-26
This is a quick summary of David’s inner circle at the time.
Alrighty, now that that’s clear, let’s jump into our text study.
So the first 11 chapters of 1st Kings deal with Solomon’s reign.
This was a wonderful period when Israel was at its peak in terms of prosperity and influence.
However, right off the bat, we encounter a fellow named Adonijah who tried to declare himself king while David was still alive and weak.
Now, Adonijah wasn’t a nobody.
He was the fourth son of David after Amnon, Absalom, and Chileab.
We’re also told he was very handsome.
Since Adonijah was David’s oldest surviving son, he simply assumed he would be next up to assume the throne.
Interestingly, he copied his rebellious brother Absalom in many ways.
He exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.”
He copied Absalom’s public show of power (chariots, runners).
He gathered political allies behind David’s back.
He even threw a coronation-style feast without royal approval.
The problem was that Adonijah represented ambition without authorization.
He seemed to overlook something kind of important.
In Israel, kingship wasn’t about seniority alone.
It was about God’s choice.
And that’s your takeaway for today.
You can bestow titles on yourself…
Surround yourself with the ornaments of authority…
Even surround yourself with figures of authority…
But if you’re not anointed by HaShem…
Your authority is based on shifting sand, not solid rock.
Ya feel me?
Done.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“No one takes this honor
upon himself,
But he receives it
when called by God.”
— Hebrews 5:4
“This is My beloved Son,
in whom I am well pleased.”
— Matthew 3:17
“The Spirit of the Lord
is upon Me,
because He has anointed Me
to preach good news.”
— Luke 4:18
“The Lord said to my Lord,
‘Sit at My right hand,
until I make Your enemies
Your footstool.’”
— Matthew 22:44
“All authority
has been given to Me
in heaven
and on earth.”
— Matthew 28:18
“God has made Him
both Lord and Messiah,
this Yeshua
whom you crucified.”
— Acts 2:36
“Therefore God
has highly exalted Him
and given Him the name
above every name.”
— Philippians 2:9
“For the Father judges no one,
but has committed
all judgment to the Son.”
— John 5:22
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