Author Archives: John Sanzone

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ADONIJAH’S DEATH WISH. I KINGS 2:13-25. 3/13/2022. #05.

1 Kings 2:13-25 [New King James Version]

¹³ Now Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. So she said, “Do you come peaceably?” And he said, “Peaceably.” ¹⁴ Moreover he said, “I have something to say to you.” And she said, “Say it.” ¹⁵ Then he said, “You know that the kingdom was mine, and all Israel had set their expectations on me, that I should reign. However, the kingdom has been turned over, and has become my brother’s; for it was his from the Lord. ¹⁶ Now I ask one petition of you; do not deny me.” And she said to him, “Say it.” ¹⁷ Then he said, “Please speak to King Solomon, for he will not refuse you, that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as wife.” ¹⁸ So Bathsheba said, “Very well, I will speak for you to the king.” ¹⁹ Bathsheba therefore went to King Solomon, to speak to him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her and bowed down to her, and sat down on his throne and had a throne set for the king’s mother; so she sat at his right hand. ²⁰ Then she said, “I desire one small petition of you; do not refuse me.” And the king said to her, “Ask it, my mother, for I will not refuse you.” ²¹ So she said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as wife.” ²² And King Solomon answered and said to his mother, “Now why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also—for he is my older brother—for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.” ²³ Then King Solomon swore by the Lord, saying, “May God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah has not spoken this word against his own life! ²⁴ Now therefore, as the Lord lives, who has confirmed me and set me on the throne of David my father, and who has established a house for me, as He promised, Adonijah shall be put to death today!” ²⁵ So King Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he struck him down, and he died.

1. Adonijah’s request

                a. Adonijah had barely escaped execution earlier

                                a1. Adonijah declared himself to be king before David had died

                                a2. David installed Solomon as king

                                a3. Solomon promised to spare Adonijah if he proved himself a worthy man

                b. Like David, who lusted after Bathsheba, Adonijah lusts after Abishag, David’s caregiver

                                a1. Since Absalom cared for the king and shared his bed, she was off limits of everyone else

                                a2. Absalom probably was secluded with David’s wives and concubines

                c. Adonijah knows better than to approach Solomon directly for any favors (suspicion)

                                a1. Adonijah approaches Bathsheba to ask her to ask Sol. to give him Absalom to be his wife

                                a2. Adonijah figures that Solomon wouldn’t turn down any requests from his mother

                d. Bathsheba did whatever was asked of her (this is her nature; not an insightful or thoughtful person)

                                a1. Many people are not equipped to reason

                                a2. Glamor was her main asset

2. Wisdom runs off the rail

                a. Adonijah would have been wise to leave well enough alone

                                a1. Many men have been slain by lust

                                a2. He knew that Solomon wouldn’t grant his request, so he tried to manipulate him with his mom

                b. Bath. sees nothing wrong with the request

                                a1. A simple desire of a man for an attractive maiden (David did worse by taking her)

                                a2. Especially after Adonijah acknowledged that the Lord had put Sol. on throne, Bath. Did not see him as a threat (though Adonijah claimed that all of Israel was following him)

3. Request with a death sentence

                a. Solomon tells his mother that he’d grant her any wish

                                a1. Open ended commitments are dangerous

                                a2. Solomon sees the request as Adonijah’s request, not his mother’s (she was being kind and helpful)

                b. Solomon explodes into anger and indignation

                                a1. Probably confusing to Bath.

                                a2. Solomon views Adonijah’s request as a threat to his rule (David’s caregiver = a connection)

                                a3. Solomon = sensitive to possible threats

                c. Adonijah made mistakes on three levels:

                                a1. He needed to stay away from Solomon

                                a2. By going after Absalom, he raised suspicions

                                a3. By using Solomon’s mother, he insulted the king

                d. There is a difference between fighting necessary battles and just stirring up trouble for yourself

                                a1. Some people speak the truth in an abrasive way, compromising their position (Ep. 4:15)

                                a2. Proverbs 27:12 a wise man avoids trouble

                                a3. Acts 5 only when trouble finds you as you promote truth and honor, is it proper

                e. Adonijah picked a fight via his own desires (James 1:12-15)

                                a1. Absalom = not worth dying for

                                a2. By Adonijah manipulating Bath., he dies

                f. Solomon orders the death of Adonijah

                                a1. Solomon figures that Adonijah will be a risk always                                 a2. Adonijah’s lust led to his death (fatal attraction)

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MORAL LAW. I Timothy 1:8-11. 3/6/2022. #2.

1 Timothy 1:8-11 [New King James Version]

⁸ But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, ⁹ knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, ¹⁰ for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, ¹¹ according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.

1. The place of the Mosaic Law

                a. Many teach that there is nothing in the OT Law that pertains to the church

                                a1. Matthew 5:17 Jesus came to fulfill the Law

                                a2. Romans 6:12-14 not under law, but grace

                b. Romans 7 the Law is righteous

                                a1. All the tenets of the moral law (honesty, fidelity, purity, respect…) are still valid

                                a2. The Law is the foundation of moral teaching and behavior

                c. 3 aspects of the Law have no authority over us

                                a1. Romans 5 the penalty of the Law has been paid for by Jesus & believers are under

                                     no condemnation because of it (Romans 8)

                                a2. The ritual of the Law is of no effect, being made void at the cross (Hebrews 10)

                                a3. The trappings of the Law are superseded by grace (no Sabbath Day observance, Yom Kippur, Tabernacle, Passover…)

                d. Legalists try to incorporate restrictive rules

2. The Law is made for the lawless

                a. Romans 7:7-8:1 the Law defines sin & convicts sinners; it can save no one

                b. A righteous person needs no Law (Romans 2:15-17)

                                a1. Romans 3:23 = no one is righteous

                                a2. Isaiah 64:6 = the most righteous fall short

                c. Jesus added thought life to sinful acts (Matthew 5)

                d. The Law defines sin and assigns guilt

                e. This partial list of sins of lawless & rebellious convicts everyone:

                                a1. General: ungodly, sinners, & unholy

                                a2. Profane (“cross the threshold”) = to go beyond decency, morals, & honor

                                a3. Murderers of fathers & mothers

                                a4. Manslayers (slayers of men)

                                a5. Fornicators (porneia, illicit sexual intercourse) – only marriage is legitimate avenue for sexual intercourse

                                a6. Sodomites = homosexuals

                                a7. Kidnappers = slave dealer

                                a8. Liars (pseustais, falsehood) = deceiver

                                a9. Perjurers – to swear a false oath

                                a10. Opposing sound doctrine

3. Using the Law properly

                a. By using the moral law to teach proper Christian behavior, we properly teach holy living

                b. If we attempt to bring believers under the Law, we falsely use God’s Law

                c. One can be moral without being legalistic

                                a1. Satan loves when the Word of God is twisted into error

                                a2. The Word must be used properly

                d. Gal. 1 no other gospel is the true Gospel

                e. The Lord wants us saved, moral, & serving

                f. The heart of sound doctrine is righteous living

Key verse: Romans 7:7-8:1⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” ⁸ But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. ⁹ I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. ¹⁰ And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. ¹¹ For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. ¹² Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. ¹³ Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. ¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. ¹⁵ For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. ¹⁶ If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. ¹⁷ But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. ¹⁸ For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. ¹⁹ For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. ²⁰ Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. ²¹ I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. ²² For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. ²³ But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. ²⁴ O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? ²⁵ I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. ^8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

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DAVID’S DEATHBED INSTRUCTIONS. I Kings 2:1-25. 3/6/2022.  #4

I Kings 2:1-25 [New Kings James Version]

¹ Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying: 2 “I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. ³ And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; ⁴ that the Lord may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul,’ He said, ‘you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’ ⁵ “Moreover you know also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two commanders of the armies of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner and Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed. And he shed the blood of war in peacetime, and put the blood of war on his belt that was around his waist, and on his sandals that were on his feet. ⁶ Therefore do according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray hair go down to the grave in peace. ⁷ “But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for so they came to me when I fled from Absalom your brother. ⁸ “And see, you have with you Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a malicious curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim. But he came down to meet me at the Jordan, and I swore to him by the Lord, saying, ‘I will not put you to death with the sword.’ ⁹ Now therefore, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man and know what you ought to do to him; but bring his gray hair down to the grave with blood.” ¹⁰ So David rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David. ¹¹ The period that David reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years he reigned in Hebron, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years. ¹² Then Solomon sat on the throne of his father David; and his kingdom was firmly established. ¹³ Now Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. So she said, “Do you come peaceably?” And he said, “Peaceably.” ¹⁴ Moreover he said, “I have something to say to you.” And she said, “Say it.” ¹⁵ Then he said, “You know that the kingdom was mine, and all Israel had set their expectations on me, that I should reign. However, the kingdom has been turned over, and has become my brother’s; for it was his from the Lord. ¹⁶ Now I ask one petition of you; do not deny me.” And she said to him, “Say it.” ¹⁷ Then he said, “Please speak to King Solomon, for he will not refuse you, that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as wife.” ¹⁸ So Bathsheba said, “Very well, I will speak for you to the king.” ¹⁹ Bathsheba therefore went to King Solomon, to speak to him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her and bowed down to her, and sat down on his throne and had a throne set for the king’s mother; so she sat at his right hand. ²⁰ Then she said, “I desire one small petition of you; do not refuse me.” And the king said to her, “Ask it, my mother, for I will not refuse you.” ²¹ So she said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as wife.” ²² And King Solomon answered and said to his mother, “Now why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also—for he is my older brother—for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.” ²³ Then King Solomon swore by the Lord, saying, “May God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah has not spoken this word against his own life! ²⁴ Now therefore, as the Lord lives, who has confirmed me and set me on the throne of David my father, and who has established a house for me, as He promised, Adonijah shall be put to death today!” ²⁵ So King Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he struck him down, and he died.

1. David’s spiritual instruction to Solomon

                a. David is about to die, so he calls for Solomon

                                a1. Solomon has been placed on the throne

                                a2. Solomon had superseded many other older sons of David to the throne (1 Chronicles 3)

                                                b1. Abigail’s son, Chileab (Daniel), was the oldest surviving son of David

                                                b2. Bathsheba had 3 older sons

                b. David gave sound spiritual advice to Solomon

                                a1. David charged (commanded) Sol. to be strong and show himself to be a true man

                                a2. Solomon = keep the commandments of the Lord

                                                b1. Walk in his ways (holiness, integrity)

                                                b2. Keep statutes (specific decrees to him) and commandments (laws; precepts)

                                                b3. Keep judgments (rulings) and testimonies (situational rulings, such as

                                                      covenant with Gibeonites or prohibition against the Moabites)

                c. If Sol. honors God, he will prosper

                                a1. Difficult = David and Bathsheba/Uriah

                                a2. Solomon is drawn off by women and wealth

                d. If David’s royal progeny walked with God, the royal line would not end (ends with Zedekiah in 586 BC)

                                a1. Jesus will ascend to the throne in Millen.

                                a2. Jesus is the ultimate royal son of David

2. Of revenge and protection

                a. David instructs Sol. to execute Joab and Shimei

                                a1. Joab = murdered Abner and Amasa

                                a2. Shimei = cursed David when fleeing from Absalom during the rebellion 

                b. David had not brought Joab to account

                                a1. Joab had won many victories for David

                                a2. Joab had killed Absalom

                                a3. Joab had sided with Adonijah to be king

                                a4. David’s decree is both revenge and justice

                c. David had pardoned Shimei, both at the time of his mocking of David and when he returned to Jerusalem

                                a1. David had not forgotten the insult

                                a2. It is odd that David did not execute him

                                a3. Again, revenge is a motive, but removing threats to Solomon’s rule may also been a factor

3. Death of a king

                a. After a 40 year reign, David dies at 70 (II Samuel 5:4)

                                a1. Psalm 90 considered a full lifetime

                                a2. 1 Chronicles 29 = was prosperous and blessed

                b. Solomon’s throne was well established

                c. David’s reign was blessed, but sin tainted it

                                a1. Anointed king to take Saul’s place

                                a2. Slaying of Goliath solidified David’s fame

                                a3. David’s army division defeated Philistines

                                a4. Saul attempted to kill David due to jealousy

                                a5. After Saul fell against Philistines, David was anointed to be king

                                a6. David’s reign was successful

                                a7. God declared David to be a man after His own heart (writer of Psalms; led worship)

                                a8. David committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband, Uriah, killed

                                a9. Judgment on David’s household costs the rape of one daughter, and death of 3 sons

                d. David repented, but faced the consequences

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GUARDING THE FAITH. I Timothy 1:1-7. 2/27/2022. #01.

I Timothy 1:1-7 [New King James Version]

¹ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope, ² To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. ³ As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may [a]charge some that they teach no other doctrine, ⁴ nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. ⁵ Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from [b]sincere faith, ⁶ from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, ⁷ desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.

1. Introduction

                a. A new section of Paul’s epistles

                                a1. The Pastoral Epistles (First and Second Timothy and Titus)

                                a2. Timothy and Titus were pastoring churches to train leadership

                                a3. Along with Philemon = written to individual people and not churches

                b. Written in early 60s AD

                c. Church polity (organization) comes from these epistles = tells us how the church is to function

                d. Timothy is Paul’s favorite disciple and emissary

                                a1. Timothy felt inadequate for the job

                                a2. Tim. = shier and not as certain as Paul

                e. Paul emphasizes his apostleship

                                a1. What he is giving Tim. is authoritative

                                a2. Tim. = not doubt Paul, but the church needed to know that his words = from God

                f. As Paul moved on to Macedonia (Philippians, Thessalonians), he left Tim. at Ephesus to continue teaching and organizing the church

                g. Paul spent 3 years at Ephesus

2. Timothy, the pastor

                a. Timothy’s primary task = secure church in sound doctrine (solid teaching)

                                a1. Doctrinal drift destroys churches

                                a2. Doctrine effects belief and practice

                b. 3 areas cause doctrinal drift

                                a1. Family and cultural traditions

                                a2. Influence of others around us

                                a3. Sin nature resisting biblical admonition

                c. Paul warns against myths, fables, and endless genealogies that pollute the Word of God

                                a1. The Jews followed heritage as being a sign of spirituality (Philippians 3, Matthew 3:9)

                                a2. The Gentiles were steep in myths

                d. A danger to mix former beliefs with faith

                                a1. Liberal church background = can taint biblical teaching

                                a2. Must cast out old error for God’s truth

                e. Paul states that there are 3 goals (telos = ends)

                                a1. Love and purity from relation with Lord

                                a2. A good conscience (lit. “with knowledge”) = from right belief and practice

                                a3. A sincere faith (sincere = “without wax” => no hypocrisy) – genuine walk

3. False teachers of prideful disputations

                a. Tim. is up against prideful teachers of the Mosaic Law who don’t know subject

                                a1. Self-deceived (think they are experts)

                                a2. Strayed = missed the mark (drifted)

                b. Many grab on to a concept and fixate to error, building an errant belief system (II John 1:4-11)

                c. Idle talk = futile speculation (empty speaking)

                d. Many desire to teach, but are neither called or equipped to do so, leading others astray (James 3:1)

                e. Only the well-grounded can discern error

Key verse: 2 John 4-11

⁴ I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. ⁵ And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. ⁶ This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it. ⁷ For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. ⁸ Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.

⁹ Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; ¹¹ for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

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SOLOMON TAKES THE THRONE. I Kings 1:28-53. Feb 27, 2022. #03

1 Kings 1:28-53 [New King James Version]

²⁸ Then King David answered and said, “Call Bathsheba to me.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before the king. ²⁹ And the king took an oath and said, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life from every distress, ³⁰ just as I swore to you by the Lord God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,’ so I certainly will do this day.” ³¹ Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and paid homage to the king, and said, “Let my lord King David live forever!” ³² And King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” So they came before the king. ³³ The king also said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord, and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule, and take him down to Gihon. ³⁴ There let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel; and blow the horn, and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ ³⁵ Then you shall come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne, and he shall be king in my place. For I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah.” ³⁶ Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king and said, “Amen! May the Lord God of my lord the king say so too. ³⁷ As the Lord has been with my lord the king, even so may He be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David.” ³⁸ So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David’s mule, and took him to Gihon. ³⁹ Then Zadok the priest took a horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. And they blew the horn, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!” ⁴⁰ And all the people went up after him; and the people played the flutes and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth seemed to split with their sound. ⁴¹ Now Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they finished eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the horn, he said, “Why is the city in such a noisy uproar?” ⁴² While he was still speaking, there came Jonathan, the son of Abiathar the priest. And Adonijah said to him, “Come in, for you are a prominent man, and bring good news.” ⁴³ Then Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, “No! Our lord King David has made Solomon king. ⁴⁴ The king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites; and they have made him ride on the king’s mule. ⁴⁵ So Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon; and they have gone up from there rejoicing, so that the city is in an uproar. This is the noise that you have heard. ⁴⁶ Also Solomon sits on the throne of the kingdom. ⁴⁷ And moreover the king’s servants have gone to bless our lord King David, saying, ‘May God make the name of Solomon better than your name, and may He make his throne greater than your throne.’ Then the king bowed himself on the bed. ⁴⁸ Also the king said thus, ‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who has given one to sit on my throne this day, while my eyes see it!’ ” ⁴⁹ So all the guests who were with Adonijah were afraid, and arose, and each one went his way. ⁵⁰ Now Adonijah was afraid of Solomon; so he arose, and went and took hold of the horns of the altar. ⁵¹ And it was told Solomon, saying, “Indeed Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon; for look, he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon swear to me today that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.’ ” ⁵² Then Solomon said, “If he proves himself a worthy man, not one hair of him shall fall to the earth; but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die.” ⁵³ So King Solomon sent them to bring him down from the altar. And he came and fell down before King Solomon; and Solomon said to him, “Go to your house.”

1. David fulfills his promise to Bathsheba

                a. After listening to Bathsheba and Nathan, David has Bathsheba called into his room

                                a1. David swears that Solomon will rule after David

                                a2. God affirms the choice by allowing the transition to take place

                b. David instructs Nathan, Zadok, and Benaiah to anoint Solomon as king immediately

                                a1. Solomon takes throne before David dies

                                a2. This avoids a potential civil war

2. Ceremony at Gihon

                a. David orders Solomon to be placed on the king’s mule and ceremonially be taken to Gihon Spring to be anointed king

                                a1. Sacrifices, celebration, and the royal horn announce the transition of power

                                a2. Solomon is to sit on David’s throne

                b. The Spring of Gihon is chosen for the event

                                a1. Gihon (to gush forth) is an underground spring that bursts forth in the Kidron Valley outside of Jerusalem

                                a2. King Hezekiah later connected Gihon to the Pool of Siloam through a 1600’ tunnel dug by hand through solid limestone

                c. Much of Jerusalem turns out to the celebration

                                a1. This demonstrates the weakness of Adonijah’s claim to the throne

                                a2. Only after David officially makes his selection does the nation rally around the next king

                d. This event is occurring at the same time that Adonijah’s celebration is going on

                                a1. David moved quickly after Nathan’s prompting him to settle the matter

                                a2. Important to stop Adonijah lest another Absalom disaster occur

3. Adonijah’s reign crumbles

                a. On same afternoon of Adonijah’s ascent, he falls

                                a1. He had no official claim to the throne

                                a2. He did not have the solid support that he imagined

                b. Joab wonders what all the noise from Jerusalem was and what the tumult meant (3 miles away)

                                a1. A celebration greater than Adonijah’s

                                a2. The party was just winding down

                c. Jonathan, son of Abiathar, runs up to group (Jonathan was a messenger during Abs. rebellion and was the one who informed David that his sons were returning to Jerusalem—only Amnon had been killed)

                                a1. Informs Adon. that Solomon now ruled

                                a2. In terror, all those at celebration flee

                d. Adonijah’s support was superficial

                                a1. No one would fight and die for him

                                a2. He was a king of convenience

                e. Adonijah flees to Tabernacle to grab horns of altar

                                a1. Sanctuary and asylum plea

                                a2. He fears Solomon’s retribution

                f. Solomon is told of Adonijah’s fear

                                a1. Sol. = Adon. will live if he behaves

                                a2. Solomon sends Adon. home in peace

                g. Ps. 2 all power not blessed by God is in vain

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WHOLESOME FELLOWSHIP. II Thessalonians 3:13-18. 2/20/2022. #08.

2 Thessalonians 3:13-18 [New King James Version]

¹³ But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. ¹⁴ And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. ¹⁵ Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. ¹⁶ Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. ¹⁷ The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write. ¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

1. Persevering Diligence

                a. Paul had admonish church to deal with the unruly

                                a1. Those who did not work should not eat

                                a2. The church was not to allow disruptive and burdensome behavior in the assembly

                b. As with the Galatians (6:9), Paul tells the Thessalonians not to become weary in well doing

                                a1. Correction and admonishing are hard

                                a2. Unruly believers can wear down a church

                                a3. It was important to stay consistent in work

                c. Many challenging areas that can wear us down

                                a1. Staying moral in midst of temptation (Joseph)

                                a2. Consistent Bible study (Ecclesiastes 12:12)

                                a3. Wrestling with temptation (Ephesians 6:11-12)

                                a4. Vibrant prayer life (James 4:1-4)

                                a5. Witnessing in face of opposition (Acts 5)

                                a6. Church discipline (Matthew 18:15-18)

                                a7. Physical infirmities (II Corinthians 12)

                d. Philippians 3:14 we must persevere in our walk

                e. Weariness of mind and flesh is caused by weakness

                                a1. We desire to be at peace and to relax

                                a2. No one likes to deal with problems

                                a3. We tire of dealing with problem people

                                a4. John 16:33 we are called to persevere

2. De-fellowshipping

                a. Paul tells us to have no company with disobedient

                                a1. Those who violate Word are not to be encouraged by complicit brethren (I Corinthians 5)

                                a2. Romans 16:17-18 avoid the disorderly

                b. Paul gives several steps to restore the wayward:

                                a1. Refuse to keep company with rebel (we are not to enable this behavior)

                                a2. Goal is to produce sense of shame

                                                b1. Guilt can motivate repentance

                                                b2. True believers know how to blush

                                a3. Not treat him as an enemy (errant brother)

                                a4. Hebrews 10:19-25 admonish the wayward to repent and be restored (purpose of church)

                                                b1. Lk. 10 the wayward are to be rescued; not rejected

                                                b2. Active seeking and not ignoring

                c. Once there is repentance, then fellowship can be restored (forgiveness means not holding to account)

3. Benediction

                a. Paul closes the epistle with a usual benediction

                                a1. May God give you peace (peace of mind, peace within spirit, peace with the body of Christ, and peace in hope [Philippians 4:7])

                                a2. The Lord is with us (Matthew 28:12-20)

                                a3. The grace of God be with you

                b. Paul signs the letter with his own hand

                                a1. Silvanus or some other scribe usually wrote the letter as Paul dictated

                                a2. Paul added his authentic signature

                c. Paul emphasizes that peace only comes when the entire body is obeying God

                                a1. The leadership must watch over the flock

                                a2. Every church has challenges to face and must remain diligent (Revelation 2-3; Hebrews 13:7-17)

                d. 3 aspects of church life must be always guarded

                                a1. Correct belief (II Timothy 3:15-17)

                                a2. Correct behavior (James 1:22-25)

                                a3. Correct building of kingdom (Matthew 28:19)

Key Verse: Hebrews 10:19-25

¹⁹ Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, ²¹ and having a High Priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

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NATHAN’S PLOT. I Kings 1:11-27. 2/20/2022. #02.

1 Kings 1:11-27 [New King James Version]

¹¹ So Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king, and David our lord does not know it? ¹² Come, please, let me now give you advice, that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. ¹³ Go immediately to King David and say to him, ‘Did you not, my lord, O king, swear to your maidservant, saying, “Assuredly your son Solomon shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’ ¹⁴ Then, while you are still talking there with the king, I also will come in after you and confirm your words.” ¹⁵ So Bathsheba went into the chamber to the king. (Now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.) ¹⁶ And Bathsheba bowed and did homage to the king. Then the king said, “What is your wish?” ¹⁷ Then she said to him, “My lord, you swore by the Lord your God to your maidservant, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’ ¹⁸ So now, look! Adonijah has become king; and now, my lord the king, you do not know about it. ¹⁹ He has sacrificed oxen and fattened cattle and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of the army; but Solomon your servant he has not invited. ²⁰ And as for you, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, that you should tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. ²¹ Otherwise it will happen, when my lord the king rests with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be counted as offenders.” ²² And just then, while she was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in. ²³ So they told the king, saying, “Here is Nathan the prophet.” And when he came in before the king, he bowed down before the king with his face to the ground. ²⁴ And Nathan said, “My lord, O king, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne’? ²⁵ For he has gone down today, and has sacrificed oxen and fattened cattle and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king’s sons, and the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest; and look! They are eating and drinking before him; and they say, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ ²⁶ But he has not invited me—me your servant—nor Zadok the priest, nor Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, nor your servant Solomon. ²⁷ Has this thing been done by my lord the king, and you have not told your servant who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”

1. The prophet and the preferred wife

                a. Bathsheba does not initiate this response

                                a1. We never see her initiating anything (David, Nathan, Adonijah…)

                                a2. She is a follower

                b. Nathan the Prophet comes to Bathsheba

                                a1. He hatches a plot to make sure that Solomon will be the next king

                                a2. Ironically, Nathan had confronted David and pronounced death on Bathsheba’s first born son initially (II Samuel 12)

                                a3. Was Nathan’s concern about God’s will, David’s promise, or Adonijah’s unfitness?

                c. The plot was simple:

                                a1. Bathsheba was to go to David to ask why Adonijah is ruling

                                a2. David supposedly did not know about this (seems unlikely in light of vs. 6)

                                a3. David had promised that Solomon would rule after David

                                a4. Solomon and Bathsheba’s lives at stake

                                a5. Nathan would come in to confirm words

                d. Bathsheba as preferred wife was given this promise

2. Bathsheba and Solomon

                a. Bathsheba was the daughter of Eliam, one of David’s mighty men (granddaughter of Ahithophel)

                                a1. She was given to Uriah (a mighty man)

                                a2. She was very beautiful (a problem for Uriah just like Sarah was a problem for Abraham and Rebekah was a problem for Isaac)

                                a3. David sees her bathing in a purification rite and takes her, impregnating her

                                a4. After arranging for Uriah’s death, David takes her to be his wife

                b. Solomon

                                a1. I Chronicles 3:5 Solomon was Bathsheba’s fourth son (Shimea, who died, Shobab, Nathan)

                                a2. Solomon not only jumps over David’s other sons to inherit the throne, but also 2 brothers

                                a3. No explanation is given as to how Solomon became the favored son or why David promised that he would succeed him

3. The decision making process

                a. David = easily manipulated and made snap decisions

                                a1. Sent Tamar to Amnon at his request

                                a2. Pronounced judgment on a fictitious man from Nathan’s story

                                a3. Manipulated by Joab through a woman to bring back Absalom from exile

                                a4. Believed Ziba’s story and gave him Mephibosheth’s land as a result

                                a5. Makes Bathsheba the favorite wife over all his other wives (II Samuel 5) because of her exceptional beauty (keep in mind that both Michal and Abigail rescued David) – fleshly!

                b. Bathsheba did whatever men told her to do

                                a1. She yielded to David’s desires

                                a2. She yields to Nathan’s scheme

                                a3. She yields to Adonijah’s request

                c. All these problems stem from carnal desires

                                a1. Power and lust destroy men and kingdoms

                                a2. Gal. 6:7 we always reap what we sow

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CHRISTIAN WORK ETHIC. II Thessalonians 3:6-12. 2/13/2022. #7.

II Thessalonians 3:6-12 [New King James Version]

⁶ But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; ⁸ nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, ⁹ not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. ¹¹ For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. ¹² Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

1. One issue to deal with

                a. After much praise of the church, Paul waits until the end of the letter to deal with a thorny issue

                                a1. There were those who had quit their jobs, awaiting the Lord’s return

                                a2. Idleness brought on intrusiveness into the lives of others

                b. Paul uses the word disorderly three times

                                a1. Paul set the example by refusing to impose on others for food and shelter (I Chronicles 9:9-12)

                                                b1. He could have insisted on this

                                                b2. By ministering, he could expect support from those he taught

                                a2. Paul = not want to be accused of being in the ministry for gain

                                a3. Paul worked with leather to support himself and those with him (I Corinthians 4:8-12)

                c. Paul warns against fellowshipping with the disorderly (irresponsible)

                                a1. There are many challenges within churches

                                a2.  Irresponsible and immature believers are a burden and challenge to others in the church

                                a3. Even though most of the church acted properly, some did not

                d. The problem with irresponsible believers in church

                                a1. Irresponsible behavior is contagious (particularly among the least mature)

                                a2. We must not encourage irresponsible acts by ignoring them

                                a3. Irresponsibility is disruptive in a church

2. Loving discipline

                a. Paul commands to withdrawal from the irresponsible (unaccountable, reckless)

                                a1. Romans 16:17-18 avoiding troublemakers

                                a2. Matthew 18:15-18 the entire church becomes involves with dealing with disruption

                                a3. Revelation 2:20 a church shirks its responsibility of discipline; God will step in with harder measures to solve the issue

                b. Paul not only taught the way of salvation and correct doctrine, but proper behavior also (I Thessalonians 4:7-12)

                                a1. People read our behavior first

                                a2. Paul was strove to set a good example

                                a3. Christianity is relational, doctrinal, and moral

                c. Jm. 1:22-25 belief must be put into action to be real

3. The face of irresponsibility

                a. The irresponsible = a blot on Thessalonica church

                b. Paul never taught the return of Christ meant idleness

                c. Three results of irresponsibility:

                                a1. Disorderliness and a disruptive influence

                                a2. Became busybodies in other men’s affairs

                                               b1. Idleness produced nosiness (they had lots of time on hands; others did not)

                                                b2. I Peter 4 hinders others from their work

                                a3. Sponged off of others (took advantage)

                d. Paul commanded three things:

                                a1. If a man doesn’t work = he doesn’t eat

                                                b1. I Timothy 5 take care of own family

                                                b2. Those who refuse to work and take care of self are not owed charity

                                                b3. Charity is for true needs

                                a2. Eat own bread in quietness of own home

                                a3. Church is to exhort the disruptive ones to repent (poor testimony to freeload)

Key verse:  I Thessalonians 4:7-12⁷ For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. ⁸ Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who[a] has also given us His Holy Spirit. ⁹ But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; ¹⁰ and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; ¹¹ that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, ¹² that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.

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DAVID’S FINAL DAYS. I Kings 1:1-10. 2/13/2022. #1.

1 Kings 1:1-10 [New King James Version]

¹ Now King David was old, advanced in years; and they put covers on him, but he could not get warm. ² Therefore his servants said to him, “Let a young woman, a virgin, be sought for our lord the king, and let her stand before the king, and let her care for him; and let her lie in your bosom, that our lord the king may be warm.” ³ So they sought for a lovely young woman throughout all the territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. ⁴ The young woman was very lovely; and she cared for the king, and served him; but the king did not know her. ⁵ Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king”; and he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. ⁶ (And his father had not rebuked him at any time by saying, “Why have you done so?” He was also very good-looking. His mother had borne him after Absalom.) ⁷ Then he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they followed and helped Adonijah. ⁸ But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David were not with Adonijah. ⁹ And Adonijah sacrificed sheep and oxen and fattened cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by En Rogel; he also invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants. ¹⁰ But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or Solomon his brother.

1. Preparing to exit

                a. David is old & feeble, preparing to die

                                a1. Though only 70, ancient lifestyles took a toll on the body

                                a2. David cannot stay warm, even with many covers on him

                b. Like much of David’s life, his exit is sloppy

                                a1. He has not named a successor

                                a2. He will instruct Solomon to kill several who had wronged him

                c. David’s servants find a beautiful young virgin, Abishag, to be his nurse & hot water bottle to keep him warm

2. Adonijah’s power grab

                a. Adonijah is the 3rd son that David did not properly discipline

                                a1. Amnon raped Tamar

                                a2. Absalom killed Amnon & later he rebelled

                b. Adonijah figures that he is next in line to the throne

                                a1. He was Absalom’s younger brother

                                a2. He gathers footmen, chariots, & trumpeters to announce his assent to the throne

                c. Adonijah is somewhat premature

                                a1. David is not yet dead

                                a2. David had not been consulted

                                a3. His power is weak & superficial

                d. Several factors worked against Adonijah

                                a1. He did not have either his father’s or the leaders of Israel’s sanction

                                a2. David remained silent throughout Adonijah’s ceremony (no endorsement)

                                a3. He gathered powerful people around him, but he chose them & they did not choose him (no popular mandate)

                e. Adonijah gathers to himself Joab & a couple priests

                                a1. Joab had gone with David against Absalom, but now he sides with Adonijah

                                                b1. No hint why Joab made this decision

                                                b2. Joab is usually shrewder than this

                                a2. Notice that Adonijah did not invite Zadok the High Priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the Captain of the Guard, or any of the Mighty Men

                                                b1. These are key figures for support

                                                b2. Adonijah did not seek their support for he knew that he could not get it

                f. Since Adonijah did this secretly, he knew that he could not receive David’s blessing openly

                                a1. Trying to take advantage of David’s weakened position

                                a2. He tried to make his ascent an accomplished fact

3. Ceremony is not Coronation

                a. Adonijah sacrifices at En Rogel, south of Jerusalem (ironically, this is where spies from David’s camp received messages from Hushai with Absalom)

                b. It is noted that Solomon was not invited

                                a1. It must have been known that David had promised Bathsheba that her son, Solomon, would sit on throne after him

                                a2. Solomon skips over many sons to throne

                c. By not going through proper channels, Adonijah guarantees failure

                                a1. Dan. 2:21 God sets up & removes kings

                                a2. Adonijah did not learn from Absalom

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GOSPEL WARFARE. II Thessalonians 3:1-5. 2/6/2022. AM.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 [New King James Version]

¹ Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, ² and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. ³ But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. ⁴ And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. ⁵ Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

1. Paul asks Thessalonians for prayer

                a. Paul asked each one of the churches for prayer

                                a1. Paul believed in the effectiveness of prayer

                                a2. Our major struggle is not physical, but spiritual (takes spiritual resources)

                b. Paul’s requests were always the same:

                                a1. Not for physical needs

                                a2. For the effectiveness of his Gospel witness

                                a3. Paul wanted the Word to go forth freely

                c. Paul again repeats his praise of the Thessalonians church

                                a1. He wanted all his witnessing to be as effective as it was with the Thess. (joyous)

                                a2. The Thess. grew quickly and withstood trials

                                a3. Not all churches embraced a godly walk and stood firm (Corinthians; Galatians)

                                a4. All churches should respond like the Thessalonians

2. Hindrances to the Gospel

                a. Paul wants prayer to be delivered (rescued) from the perverse and the wicked

                b. Perverse (atopov) = lit., “out of place” (a [not] + topos [place] as in topography or utopia)

                                a1. Translated in KJV as “unreasonable”, which is not quite right (nothing to do with reason)

                                a2. Meaning = not proper, out of alignment, or off of the correct standard

                c. The unsaved are out of sync with God

                                a1. Everyone is born out of sync (Romans 3:23)

                                a2. Most do not realize that they are out of sync due to everyone else being out of sync

                                a3. Many do not want to be in sync with God, for they are used to being out of sync

                                a4. Out of sync people oppose people who are in sync with God (too convicting and no one wants others not to conform with crowd)

                d. People can be out of sync on many levels:

                                a1. Wrong belief system (world religion, cults, pantheism, syncretism, occult…)

                                a2. Humanistic philosophies (atheism, egoism, hedonism, pragmatism, universalism…)

                                a3. Conventionalism = group think and peer group and society conforming

                e. WICKED (poneras) = bad, evil

                                a1. I John 3:19 men love darkness rather than light (driven by evil impulses in them)

                                a2. Darkness hates the light, so it hates God, which means it hates the people of God

                                a3. Evil opposes righteousness (illogical)

                f. Paul prays that perverse and evil men will not prevent the Gospel from freely going forth

                g. Not everyone comes to faith

                                a1. Most people will not respond to Gospel

                                a2. True faith is rare, precious, and opposed

                                a3. Witness takes place in midst of opposition

3. Divine empowerment

                a. Paul encourages the Thess. that God will help them

                                a1. They are not alone (John 16:25-33)

                                a2. God is faithful to protect his saints

                b. God’s protection is sufficient against Satan

                                a1. “Evil One” = same word as in Lord’s prayer

                                a2. 1 Corinthians 10:13 God promises effective defense

                c. Paul is confident that they will continue in faith and obey what Paul taught them

                                a1. Must continue in the love of God

                                a2. Continue in faithfulness through trials

Key Verse: John 16:25-33

²⁵ “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. ²⁶ In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; ²⁷ for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. ²⁸ I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.” ²⁹ His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! ³⁰ Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God.” ³¹ Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? ³² Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. ³³ These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”