The First Book of Kings
Chapter 2
¹ When David's time to die drew near, he charged his son Solomon, saying: ² I am about to go to the way of all the earth. Be strong, be courageous, ³ and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his ordinances, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verses 1 to 3)
Oh God, my beloved Father, this is the most beautiful and precious testament of all that is far better than a huge quantity of money or property. I would like to make it my inheritance for there is nothing better than to live a life in obedience to Your Will Amen.
⁴ Then the LORD will establish his word that he spoke concerning me: 'If your heirs take heed to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail you a successor on the throne of Israel.'
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 4 )
Oh God, my beloved Father if we had to walk before You instead of against You the world would be a much better place to live in. I pray that we learn to pay heed to Your Word Amen and consider it as being the true Word of God Amen.
⁵ "Moreover you know also what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me, how he dealt with the two commanders of the armies of Israel, Abner son of Ner, and Amasa son of Jether, whom he murdered, retaliating in time of peace for blood that had been shed in war, and putting the blood of war on the belt around his waist, and on the sandals on his feet.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verses 5)
Oh God my Father, when given the opportunity we all show our true colours, we all show are real feelings and values. At times we end up betraying and hurting each other by doing things that in different circumstances we would not have done Amen.
⁶ Act therefore according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 6)
God my Father, I thank You for this verse, I pray for more wisdom so that I can behave think and feel according to Your wisdom which I can then transfer to the world. I pray that You save me from myself and save my soul from perishing in hell Amen.
⁷ Deal loyally, however, with the sons of Barzillai the Giledite, and let them be among those who eat at your table; for with such loyalty they met me when I fled from your brother Absalom.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 7)
On his death bed, King David stuck to the teachings and values that You had given to him. You are telling me to learn to forgive and not hold grudges against those people who have hurt me and even those who are still trying to do so. Grudges are like cancer, they eat us up from our inside and do irreparable damage like sin Amen. The cure to both is Jesus. Amen.
⁸ There is also with you Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a terrible curse on the day when I went to Mahanaim; but when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the LORD, 'I will not put you to death with the sword.'
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 8)
Oh God my Father I thank You for Your forgiveness. Even though we do not deserve it, You forgive us of our sins and do not hold it against us Amen. Thank You Jesus Amen.
⁹ Therefore do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man; you will know what you ought to do with him, and you must bring his gray head down with blood to Sheol."
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 9)
Oh God, my Father You also know that I am not a guiltless person. You are more than aware of the mistakes that I did in this marriage. I pray for Your forgiveness. I pray for Your mercy for the price that I am paying in respect of my daughter is not just Amen.
¹⁰ Then David slept with his ancestors, and was buried in the city of David.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 10)
Oh God my Father, David died with all his glory, writings and achievements. On leaving we leave all behind us. I pray that I leave many good deeds and many people whom I have helped during my life on earth Amen.
¹¹ The time that David reigned over Israel was forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron, and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 11)
Oh God my Father, You have been my king and ruler ever since I was born. I can divide my life in three major parts, meaning the time of my birth, my adulthood and the present post-separation period. I pray that Your reign will be never-ending Amen.
¹² So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David; his kingdom was firmly established.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 12)
Oh God my Father one might think that once one is separated one is the king of one's life, in the sense that one does all that one desires. However, I pray that You will always sit on the throne of my life and help me manage it. I pray that You take full control Amen.
¹³ Then Adonijah son of Haggith came to Batsheba, Solomon's mother. She asked,"Do you come peaceably?" He said, "Peaceably." ¹⁴ Then he said, "May I have a word with you? She said, "Go on."
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verses 13 to 14)
Oh God my Father, I thank You for answering my prayer and giving me a confirmation regarding my decision Amen. Thank You Jesus.
¹⁵ He said, "You know that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel expected me to reign, however, the kingdom has turned about and become my brother's, for it was his from the LORD.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 15)
Oh God, my Father, we may have many plans and expectations as humans, however, at times we may end up angry or disappointed because things may not go as we planned them. I give overall my plans to You my God and Father and may Your will be done Amen.
¹⁶ And now I have one request to make of you; do not refuse me." She said to him, "Go on." ¹⁷ He said, "Please ask King Solomon-he will not refuse you-to give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife". ¹⁸ Bathsheba said, "Very well; I will speak to the king on your behalf."
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verses 16 to 18)
Oh God my Father as much as King Solomon would not refuse the queen and her requests, You as King of Kings and my loving Father will never refuse my and our prayers, especially if we intervene on other's behalf Amen. Thank You, Jesus, for always listening to me and for always having time Amen.
¹⁹ So Batsheba went to King Solomon, to speak to him on behalf of Adonijah. The king rose to meet her, and bowed down to her; then he sat on his throne, and had a throne brought for the king's mother, and she sat on his right.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 19)
Oh Holy Mary Mother of God my Father, I thank You for intervening before Your Son on my behalf, for I am not worthy of appearing in His Holy presence Amen.
²⁰ Then she said, "I have one small request to make of you; do not refuse me," And the king said to her, "Make your request, my mother; for I will not refuse you."
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 20)
Oh God my Father today I would like to make my request to You and I know that You are not going to refuse me. I would like to have a new and long-lasting relationship with my daughter Maria. I know that if You will it, this will be possible Amen. Thank You Jesus.
²¹ She said, "Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to your brother Adonijah as his wife."
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 21)
Oh God my Father many times You ask of me tasks that I am stubborn enough not to want to undertake such as that of working with a counsellor to see my daughter. You are speaking to me by means of my mother who is a very wise person. I pray that I will obey You by means of such people Amen.
²² King Solomon answered his mother, "And why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom as well! For he is my elder brother; ask not only for him but also for the priest Abiathar and for Joab son of Zeruiah!
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 22)
Oh God many times during our life people demand from us issues that in our minds are not reasonable or tasks that are beyond our capacity and we panic instead of placing our trust in You. I pray that when I am pushed out of my comfort zone I place my trust in You alone Amen.
²³ Then King Solomon swore by the LORD, "So may God do to me, and more also, for Adonijah has devised this scheme at the risk of his life!
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 23)
Oh God my Father, You are so kind. You turn my pitfalls into successes and my woe into happiness. I thank You for always being there ready to save me Amen.
²⁴ Now therefore as the LORD lives, who has established me and placed me on the throne of my father David, and who has made me a house as he promised, today Adonijah shall be put to death."
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 24)
Oh God my Father when we grow in power we may think that we have become God Almighty and deserve to declare who is to live and who is to die. I pray for humility for You are the only God and only You have the authority and power over life and death Amen.
²⁵ So King Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he struck him down, and he died.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 25)
Oh God my Father, even though You have blessed us with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, we tend not to use it in an intelligent way, but refer to our emotions instead. I pray that we learn to control our feelings and learn to refer to You in the situation instead of our feelings Amen.
²⁶ The king said to the priest Abiathar, "Go to Anathoth, to your estate; for you deserve death. But I will not at this time put you to death, because you carried the ark of the Lord GOD before my father David, and because you shared in all the hardships my father endured."
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 26)
Oh brothers and sisters what is the point in condemning others while at the same time we as sinners merit condemnation ourselves. I pray that we learn how to forgive ourselves and others so that then we can deserve to merit Your forgiveness Amen.
²⁷ So Solomon banished Abiathar from being priest to the LORD, thus fulfilling the word of the LORD that he had spoken concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 27)
Oh brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ our God and Father, let us not be afraid of what is happening to the world right now. We have angered the heart of God and we are paying for our sinful ways. We are experiencing the discipline of God. God is showing us that He is in control and not us. We can be advanced in science and technology, prosperous and strong in military power, even so a small virus can destroy many people. Empower us to repentance my God and Father Amen!
²⁸ When the news came to Joab-for Joab had supported Adonijah though he had not supported Absalom-Joab fled to the tent of the LORD and grasped the horns of the altar.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 28)
In a fit of desperation, Joab grabbed the horns of the altar in order to pierce himself and commit suicide. Oh God my Father may we realize that our lives are not our own and that we have no right to do such a thing Amen.
²⁹ When it was told King Solomon, "Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and now is beside the altar," Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, "Go strike him down."
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 29)
Oh God my Father I pray that by means of the gift of wisdom that You have given us we learn how to make good decisions based on Your will instead of according to our feelings Amen.
³⁰ So Benaiah came to the tent of the LORD and said to him. "The king commands, `Come out,`" But he said, "No, I will die here," Then Benaiah brought the king word again, saying, "Thus said Joab and thus he answered me"
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 30)
Oh God my Father in such a critical situation Benaiah did not carry out the King's orders and kill Joab as he wished but went back to the King for further instruction. I pray that we always refer to You especially when it comes to making important decisions Amen.
³¹ The king replied to him, "Do as he has said, strike him down and bury him; and thus take away from me and from my father's house the guilt for the blood that Joab shed without cause.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 31)
Oh God my Father as You well know the blood of one person who is slaughtered does not compensate for that of others. It is only in Your case that Your blood was redemptive for our salvation for the intentions of Your death were good from the beginning not as in the case of Joab Amen.
³² The LORD will bring back his bloody deeds on his own head, because without the knowledge of my father David he attacked and killed with the sword two men more righteous and better than himself, Abner son of Ner, commander of the army of Israel, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of the army of Judah.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 32)
Oh God my Father as humans we are tempted with arguments based on human logic in order to justify acts such as murder. We try this method among ourselves and we also try it with You. Amen. Please forgive us when we do such a thing Amen.
³³ So shall their blood come back on the head of Joab and on the head of his descendants forever, but to David, and to his descendants, and to his house, and to his throne, there shall be peace from the LORD forevermore."
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 33)
Oh God my Father I thank You for this covenant of peace and love. Even though the world may not be at peace at the moment I share inner peace with You Amen and within myself Amen.
³⁴ Then Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up and struck him down and killed him; and he was buried at his own house near the wilderness.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 34)
Oh God my Father, to what extent is obedience to take us. Are we to commit murder in obedience to our superiors? Can we say that we only followed the given orders and therefore we are not to blame? I pray that we be more obedient to You and Your Ways than to those of the world Amen.
⁴ Then the LORD will establish his word that he spoke concerning me: 'If your heirs take heed to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail you a successor on the throne of Israel.'
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 4 )
Oh God, my beloved Father if we had to walk before You instead of against You the world would be a much better place to live in. I pray that we learn to pay heed to Your Word Amen and consider it as being the true Word of God Amen.
⁵ "Moreover you know also what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me, how he dealt with the two commanders of the armies of Israel, Abner son of Ner, and Amasa son of Jether, whom he murdered, retaliating in time of peace for blood that had been shed in war, and putting the blood of war on the belt around his waist, and on the sandals on his feet.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verses 5)
Oh God my Father, when given the opportunity we all show our true colours, we all show are real feelings and values. At times we end up betraying and hurting each other by doing things that in different circumstances we would not have done Amen.
⁶ Act therefore according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 6)
God my Father, I thank You for this verse, I pray for more wisdom so that I can behave think and feel according to Your wisdom which I can then transfer to the world. I pray that You save me from myself and save my soul from perishing in hell Amen.
⁷ Deal loyally, however, with the sons of Barzillai the Giledite, and let them be among those who eat at your table; for with such loyalty they met me when I fled from your brother Absalom.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 7)
On his death bed, King David stuck to the teachings and values that You had given to him. You are telling me to learn to forgive and not hold grudges against those people who have hurt me and even those who are still trying to do so. Grudges are like cancer, they eat us up from our inside and do irreparable damage like sin Amen. The cure to both is Jesus. Amen.
⁸ There is also with you Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a terrible curse on the day when I went to Mahanaim; but when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the LORD, 'I will not put you to death with the sword.'
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 8)
Oh God my Father I thank You for Your forgiveness. Even though we do not deserve it, You forgive us of our sins and do not hold it against us Amen. Thank You Jesus Amen.
⁹ Therefore do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man; you will know what you ought to do with him, and you must bring his gray head down with blood to Sheol."
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 9)
Oh God, my Father You also know that I am not a guiltless person. You are more than aware of the mistakes that I did in this marriage. I pray for Your forgiveness. I pray for Your mercy for the price that I am paying in respect of my daughter is not just Amen.
¹⁰ Then David slept with his ancestors, and was buried in the city of David.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 10)
Oh God my Father, David died with all his glory, writings and achievements. On leaving we leave all behind us. I pray that I leave many good deeds and many people whom I have helped during my life on earth Amen.
¹¹ The time that David reigned over Israel was forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron, and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 11)
Oh God my Father, You have been my king and ruler ever since I was born. I can divide my life in three major parts, meaning the time of my birth, my adulthood and the present post-separation period. I pray that Your reign will be never-ending Amen.
¹² So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David; his kingdom was firmly established.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 12)
Oh God my Father one might think that once one is separated one is the king of one's life, in the sense that one does all that one desires. However, I pray that You will always sit on the throne of my life and help me manage it. I pray that You take full control Amen.
¹³ Then Adonijah son of Haggith came to Batsheba, Solomon's mother. She asked,"Do you come peaceably?" He said, "Peaceably." ¹⁴ Then he said, "May I have a word with you? She said, "Go on."
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verses 13 to 14)
Oh God my Father, I thank You for answering my prayer and giving me a confirmation regarding my decision Amen. Thank You Jesus.
¹⁵ He said, "You know that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel expected me to reign, however, the kingdom has turned about and become my brother's, for it was his from the LORD.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 15)
Oh God, my Father, we may have many plans and expectations as humans, however, at times we may end up angry or disappointed because things may not go as we planned them. I give overall my plans to You my God and Father and may Your will be done Amen.
¹⁶ And now I have one request to make of you; do not refuse me." She said to him, "Go on." ¹⁷ He said, "Please ask King Solomon-he will not refuse you-to give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife". ¹⁸ Bathsheba said, "Very well; I will speak to the king on your behalf."
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verses 16 to 18)
Oh God my Father as much as King Solomon would not refuse the queen and her requests, You as King of Kings and my loving Father will never refuse my and our prayers, especially if we intervene on other's behalf Amen. Thank You, Jesus, for always listening to me and for always having time Amen.
¹⁹ So Batsheba went to King Solomon, to speak to him on behalf of Adonijah. The king rose to meet her, and bowed down to her; then he sat on his throne, and had a throne brought for the king's mother, and she sat on his right.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 19)
Oh Holy Mary Mother of God my Father, I thank You for intervening before Your Son on my behalf, for I am not worthy of appearing in His Holy presence Amen.
²⁰ Then she said, "I have one small request to make of you; do not refuse me," And the king said to her, "Make your request, my mother; for I will not refuse you."
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 20)
Oh God my Father today I would like to make my request to You and I know that You are not going to refuse me. I would like to have a new and long-lasting relationship with my daughter Maria. I know that if You will it, this will be possible Amen. Thank You Jesus.
²¹ She said, "Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to your brother Adonijah as his wife."
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 21)
Oh God my Father many times You ask of me tasks that I am stubborn enough not to want to undertake such as that of working with a counsellor to see my daughter. You are speaking to me by means of my mother who is a very wise person. I pray that I will obey You by means of such people Amen.
²² King Solomon answered his mother, "And why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom as well! For he is my elder brother; ask not only for him but also for the priest Abiathar and for Joab son of Zeruiah!
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 22)
Oh God many times during our life people demand from us issues that in our minds are not reasonable or tasks that are beyond our capacity and we panic instead of placing our trust in You. I pray that when I am pushed out of my comfort zone I place my trust in You alone Amen.
²³ Then King Solomon swore by the LORD, "So may God do to me, and more also, for Adonijah has devised this scheme at the risk of his life!
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 23)
Oh God my Father, You are so kind. You turn my pitfalls into successes and my woe into happiness. I thank You for always being there ready to save me Amen.
²⁴ Now therefore as the LORD lives, who has established me and placed me on the throne of my father David, and who has made me a house as he promised, today Adonijah shall be put to death."
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 24)
Oh God my Father when we grow in power we may think that we have become God Almighty and deserve to declare who is to live and who is to die. I pray for humility for You are the only God and only You have the authority and power over life and death Amen.
²⁵ So King Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he struck him down, and he died.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 25)
Oh God my Father, even though You have blessed us with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, we tend not to use it in an intelligent way, but refer to our emotions instead. I pray that we learn to control our feelings and learn to refer to You in the situation instead of our feelings Amen.
²⁶ The king said to the priest Abiathar, "Go to Anathoth, to your estate; for you deserve death. But I will not at this time put you to death, because you carried the ark of the Lord GOD before my father David, and because you shared in all the hardships my father endured."
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 26)
Oh brothers and sisters what is the point in condemning others while at the same time we as sinners merit condemnation ourselves. I pray that we learn how to forgive ourselves and others so that then we can deserve to merit Your forgiveness Amen.
²⁷ So Solomon banished Abiathar from being priest to the LORD, thus fulfilling the word of the LORD that he had spoken concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 27)
Oh brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ our God and Father, let us not be afraid of what is happening to the world right now. We have angered the heart of God and we are paying for our sinful ways. We are experiencing the discipline of God. God is showing us that He is in control and not us. We can be advanced in science and technology, prosperous and strong in military power, even so a small virus can destroy many people. Empower us to repentance my God and Father Amen!
²⁸ When the news came to Joab-for Joab had supported Adonijah though he had not supported Absalom-Joab fled to the tent of the LORD and grasped the horns of the altar.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 28)
In a fit of desperation, Joab grabbed the horns of the altar in order to pierce himself and commit suicide. Oh God my Father may we realize that our lives are not our own and that we have no right to do such a thing Amen.
²⁹ When it was told King Solomon, "Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and now is beside the altar," Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, "Go strike him down."
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 29)
Oh God my Father I pray that by means of the gift of wisdom that You have given us we learn how to make good decisions based on Your will instead of according to our feelings Amen.
³⁰ So Benaiah came to the tent of the LORD and said to him. "The king commands, `Come out,`" But he said, "No, I will die here," Then Benaiah brought the king word again, saying, "Thus said Joab and thus he answered me"
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 30)
Oh God my Father in such a critical situation Benaiah did not carry out the King's orders and kill Joab as he wished but went back to the King for further instruction. I pray that we always refer to You especially when it comes to making important decisions Amen.
³¹ The king replied to him, "Do as he has said, strike him down and bury him; and thus take away from me and from my father's house the guilt for the blood that Joab shed without cause.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 31)
Oh God my Father as You well know the blood of one person who is slaughtered does not compensate for that of others. It is only in Your case that Your blood was redemptive for our salvation for the intentions of Your death were good from the beginning not as in the case of Joab Amen.
³² The LORD will bring back his bloody deeds on his own head, because without the knowledge of my father David he attacked and killed with the sword two men more righteous and better than himself, Abner son of Ner, commander of the army of Israel, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of the army of Judah.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 32)
Oh God my Father as humans we are tempted with arguments based on human logic in order to justify acts such as murder. We try this method among ourselves and we also try it with You. Amen. Please forgive us when we do such a thing Amen.
³³ So shall their blood come back on the head of Joab and on the head of his descendants forever, but to David, and to his descendants, and to his house, and to his throne, there shall be peace from the LORD forevermore."
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 33)
Oh God my Father I thank You for this covenant of peace and love. Even though the world may not be at peace at the moment I share inner peace with You Amen and within myself Amen.
³⁴ Then Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up and struck him down and killed him; and he was buried at his own house near the wilderness.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 34)
Oh God my Father, to what extent is obedience to take us. Are we to commit murder in obedience to our superiors? Can we say that we only followed the given orders and therefore we are not to blame? I pray that we be more obedient to You and Your Ways than to those of the world Amen.
³⁵ The king put Benaiah son of Jehoiada over the army in his place, and the king put the priest Zadok in the place of Abiathar.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 35)
Oh God my Father I pray that we do not feel the urge for more power and end up tied to our job, for today we are alive and working and tomorrow we may not even wake up to see the dawn of the new day! I pray that we live as free people who are ready to die without having anything or anybody to keep them tied to this earth Amen.
³⁶ Then the king sent and summoned Shimel, and said to him, "Build yourself a house in Jerusalem, and live there, and do not go out from there to any place whatever.
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 36)
Oh God my Father I believe that You speak to us both directly and by means of others including scripture. I am convinced that when You spoke to me and gave me my calling it was actually Your voice that I heard and not my imagination Amen.
³⁷ For on the day you go out, and cross the Wadi Kidron, know for certain that you shall die; your blood shall be on your own head."
(The First Book of Kings Chapter 2 verse 37)
Oh God my Father we are responsible and accountable to You for all of our actions of which You are more than aware Amen. However You love us so much that You paid the price of the blood that was on our head Yourself Amen.
