1 Kings 2 - Introduction

CHAPTER THREE
SOLOMON'S RULE ESTABLISHED

1 Kings 2:1 to 1 Kings 3:3

Twice in chapter two the sacred historian declares that Solomon was established on the throne of David (1 Kings 2:12; 1 Kings 2:46), Solomon's rule was made secure because (1) he listened to the death-bed advice of his father (1 Kings 2:1-11); (2) he acted decisively in the face of another conspiracy by his brother (1 Kings 2:12-35); (3) he moved swiftly when his royal authority was taken lightly (1 Kings 2:36-46); (4) he requested and received the hand of Pharaoh's daughter (1 Kings 3:1); and (5) he walked in the path of fidelity to God (1 Kings 3:2-3).

REVIEW OF CHAPTER THREE

I. FACTS TO MASTER

A. Relate how each of the following persons figure in the events of this section:

1. Adonijah

6. Abiathar

2. Bathsheba

7. Shimei

3. Solomon

8. Benaiah

4. Abishag

9. Achish

5. Joab

B. Know why each of the following were alluded to in this section:

1. Abner

5. Absalom

2. Amasa

6. Mahanaim

3. Eli

7. Hebron

4. Shiloh

8. Jerusalem

C. Know how each of the following places figure in the history recorded in this section:

1. Bahurim

3. Kidron

2. Anathoth

4. Gath

D. List three men executed by Benaiah.
E. List three individuals David instructed Solomon to deal with in his final admonition.
II. QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1.

What motivated David to give Solomon his final admonition regarding Shemei and Joab?

2.

Was Adonijah's request for Abishag an innocent romance or a shrewd scheme?

3.

Why was Bathsheba so willing to act as intercessor for Adonijah before Solomon?

4.

Was Solomon justified in ordering the execution of Adonijah? of Joab?

5.

Why was Shimei put on probation in Jerusalem? Why did he violate the terms of his probation?

6.

What was the attitude of the author of Kings toward worship in the high places before the erection of the Temple?

7.

What mutual advantages would Solomon's treaty with Egypt entail?

REVIEW OF CHAPTER THREE

I. FACTS TO MASTER

A. Relate how each of the following persons figure in the events of this section:

1. Adonijah

6. Abiathar

2. Bathsheba

7. Shimei

3. Solomon

8. Benaiah

4. Abishag

9. Achish

5. Joab

B. Know why each of the following were alluded to in this section:

1. Abner

5. Absalom

2. Amasa

6. Mahanaim

3. Eli

7. Hebron

4. Shiloh

8. Jerusalem

C. Know how each of the following places figure in the history recorded in this section:

1. Bahurim

3. Kidron

2. Anathoth

4. Gath

D. List three men executed by Benaiah.
E. List three individuals David instructed Solomon to deal with in his final admonition.
II. QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1.

What motivated David to give Solomon his final admonition regarding Shemei and Joab?

2.

Was Adonijah's request for Abishag an innocent romance or a shrewd scheme?

3.

Why was Bathsheba so willing to act as intercessor for Adonijah before Solomon?

4.

Was Solomon justified in ordering the execution of Adonijah? of Joab?

5.

Why was Shimei put on probation in Jerusalem? Why did he violate the terms of his probation?

6.

What was the attitude of the author of Kings toward worship in the high places before the erection of the Temple?

7.

What mutual advantages would Solomon's treaty with Egypt entail?