People of the World where are you going? Turn back to God! Back to your faithful principles!
SOLOMON’S OFFICIALS AND A PROSPEROUS NATION
Solomon’s Officials and a Prosperous Nation. Judah and Israel lived in security, every man under his vine and fig tree [in peace and prosperity], from Dan [in the north] to Beersheba [in the south], during all the days of Solomon
PRESUMING AND PERISHING THEREFORE
Presuming And Perishing Therefore. So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck down Shimei, and he died. So the kingdom was established in the hands of Solomon.
PAYING PENALTY FOR BLOODY DEEDS
Paying Penalty For Bloody Deeds. The king said to him, “Do as he has said. Strike him down and bury him, so that you may remove from me and from my father’s house the innocent blood which Joab shed.
A FOOLISH AND FATAL PETITION
A Foolish And Fatal Petition. So now I am making one request of you; do not refuse me.” And she said to him, “Speak.” He said, “Please speak to King Solomon, for he will not refuse you; ask that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as a wife.”
ANOINTING THE CHOSEN ONE SOLOMON ANOINTED KING
Anointing The Chosen One Solomon Anointed King. Zadok the priest took a horn of [olive] oil from the [sacred] tent and anointed Solomon. They blew the trumpet, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!”
ADONIJAH SETS HIMSELF UP AS KING
Adonijah Sets Himself Up as King. Then Adonijah the son of [David’s wife] Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I [the eldest living son] will be king.” So [following Absalom’s example] he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.
ONE HEAD SAVES MANY
One Head Saves Many. Then the woman in her wisdom went to all the people [to inform them of the agreement]. And they beheaded Sheba the son of Bichri and threw his head [down] to Joab. So he blew the trumpet [signaling the end of the attack], and they dispersed from the city, every man to his own tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to [David] the king.