​Key Verse
8 And if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean.”
 
MEDITATION
Jesus became poor to make you rich in love. Paul discusses “genuine love” by describing the work of Jesus in economic language: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:8-9) When the poor in spirit focus their faith on Jesus and His work we become rich in grace and love.
 
Jesus was poor. Shortly after his birth Mary went to the temple to offer a sacrifice “according to the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle doves and two young pigeons” (Luke 2:22-24). Today’s chapter on purification procedures after childbirth is the Old Testament background informing us that this offering is a provision for a poor family who could not afford a lamb for sacrifice (8). Jesus was born into poverty so His people may be born again to find richness in His love.
 
Jesus had no place to rest His head during His ministry (Matthew 8:20). Jesus preached from borrowed boats, multiplied borrowed food, rode into Jerusalem on a borrowed colt, washed the disciples feet with a borrowed towel, and was buried in a borrowed tomb.
 
By faith believers do more than borrow Christ’s righteousness- We become righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21). By the work of Jesus, believers are adopted children who are freely given God’s Spirit, the seal of our eternal inheritance- riches from God’s eternal love (Ephesians 1:11-14). Believers are children adopted into God’s family, rich in love!


 
PASSAGE
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If a woman conceives and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days. As at the time of her menstruation, she shall be unclean. 3 And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. 4 Then she shall continue for thirty-three days in the blood of her purifying. She shall not touch anything holy, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying are completed. 5 But if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her menstruation. And she shall continue in the blood of her purifying for sixty-six days.

6 “And when the days of her purifying are completed, whether for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting a lamb a year old for a burnt offering, and a pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering, 7 and he shall offer it before the Lord and make atonement for her. Then she shall be clean from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who bears a child, either male or female. 8 And if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean.


 
Richly Dwelling
-What surprises you about the poverty of Jesus, the One in the form of God who took the form of a servant, obedient to death on a cross so you can know the riches of God’s eternal love?
 
-How does acknowledging our own poverty of righteousness, being poor in spirit, give us faith to receive Christ’s righteousness and discover the richness of His grace?
 
-Have you received the riches of God’s unconditional love in Christ? Why or why not? Jesus became poor to make you rich in love. Open your hands and hearts to receive His eternal blessings!
 
Key Verse
8 And if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean.”

Key Verse
10 In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, 11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Meditation
The depth of trust in God is directly proportional to the intimacy of personal relationship with Him and the elevation of His word in our life.
 
After being anointed king, David was on the run for his life, writing this Psalm from the hometown of Goliath in Philistia. David was “afraid”, “trampled” by men and feeling pressure “all day long” (1). Evil was plotted against him (5) and enemies were waiting to trip him up (6-7).
 
David trusted in God more than his circumstances because he elevated God’s word above his difficulties. David chose trust over fear (3, 4, 11) because David raised, or praised, God’s word (4, 10). God had been faithful to His word and rescued David in the past, (13) and from personal relationship with God David personally knew God’s intimate care (8) and power (4, 11).
 
Paul quotes this Psalm to empower the Church to find steadfast security in God’s sovereign love by trusting Jesus and His word  (Romans 8:31-32). The Author of Hebrews uses this Psalm to encourage the Church in the face of persecution. After reminding the Church of Jesus' promise, “I will never leave you or forsake you,” the Hebrew’s author declares, “I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6)
 
Today’s psalm of confidence offers lyrics of prayer and praise for people whose trust is in Jesus. From personal relationship, Jesus promises to be with us because He loves us. God’s word promises He is working all things for our good and His glory, inviting us to trust in Him!

Today's Reading
​Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me; 2 my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly. 3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

5 All day long they injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil. 6 They stir up strife, they lurk; they watch my steps, as they have waited for my life. 7 For their crime will they escape? In wrath cast down the peoples, O God! 8 You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? 9 Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me.

10 In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, 11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? 12 I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you. 13 For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the confidence of David in both God and His word?
 
-How can you draw upon your personal experience with Jesus, His faithfulness to His word in the past, to deepen your trust in Him and His word in the presence?  What promises do you need to believe?
 
-If God is for you then who can be against you? Seriously, answer that… If no one, then why are you afraid, anxious, and fearful? What does this reveal about where your trust really falls?
 
Key Verse
10 In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, 11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?

​Key verse
7 They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow; they shall flourish like the grain;
they shall blossom like the vine; their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.
​
Meditation
God’s grace is irresistible, compelling us to turn from the idols of our heart and return to Jesus with all our heart. God promises to turn from His anger and lavish us with love, restoring and renewing our humanity. Hosea’s invitation is echoed throughout Scripture, most clearly by Peter (Acts 3:19-20): 
 
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”
 
The word for “turn” or “return” is repeated five times in these nine verses. God invites Israel to return from their rebellion to relationship with Him (1, 2). God promises to heal their hurt and to turn from His anger (4). All who return to the Lord will be protected, flourishing in humanity to live fruitful lives (7).
 
Hosea began with imagery of a groom redeeming His wayward bride to restore her with steadfast love and he concludes with invitation to respond to redemption with returning to relationship. God’s wrath and judgment throughout the book are outshined by the Lord’s steadfast love, open arms longing for His people to return to Him.
 
We can return to the Lord’s love because the Father turned His face away from Jesus on the cross, turning the wrath for sin upon Christ as our sacrifice. Believers can return to find refreshment and renewal because Jesus was devastated in our place.
 
The grace of God is irresistible, compelling us to turn from our sin and return to relationship with Him. Our Heavenly groom awaits us, eager to lavish us with love.

Today's Reading
Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God,
    for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.
2 Take with you words
    and return to the Lord;
say to him,
    “Take away all iniquity;
accept what is good,
    and we will pay with bulls
    the vows of our lips.
3 Assyria shall not save us;
    we will not ride on horses;
and we will say no more, ‘Our God,’
    to the work of our hands.
In you the orphan finds mercy.”
4 I will heal their apostasy;
    I will love them freely,
    for my anger has turned from them.
5 I will be like the dew to Israel;
    he shall blossom like the lily;
    he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon;
6 his shoots shall spread out;
    his beauty shall be like the olive,
    and his fragrance like Lebanon.
7 They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow;
    they shall flourish like the grain;
they shall blossom like the vine;
    their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.
8 O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols?
    It is I who answer and look after you.
I am like an evergreen cypress;
    from me comes your fruit.
9 Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;
    whoever is discerning, let him know them;
for the ways of the Lord are right,
    and the upright walk in them,
    but transgressors stumble in them.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the emphasis on returning?
 
-God’s grace is greater than our sin. What do you need to turn from to return whole-heartedly to His steadfast love? Ask Jesus to restore and renew areas that have been ruined by your rebellion.
 
-Jesus was devastated so you can be healed. Our hope is in Jesus and His work! Take a moment to focus on the cross, the place where God’s wrath is satisfied. God is no longer angry with His people! Meditate on this truth- God is not angry with you and  longs for you to  turn to His love.
 
Key verse
7 They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow; they shall flourish like the grain;
they shall blossom like the vine; their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

​Key Verse
45 For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”
 
Meditation
Living in love is a greater distinction than not eating lobster. Today’s list of dirty and defiled animals defining diet is culturally distant! But the direction should not be disregarded. God desires His people to be distinct from the rest of the world (47), direction ultimately driving us to Jesus.
 
Peter quotes this chapter writing, “(since) He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:15-16) Peter previously had conflict in his conscience concerning clean and unclean foods ( Acts 10). Eventually Peter discovered true distinction is not defined by diet but moral purity marked by love, peculiarity propelled by personal relationship with Jesus.
 
Relationship is at the core of ancient Israel’s distinction, too. God’s glorious presence was restored with His people in the tabernacle (9:22-24) so Israel must remain ritually and morally pure, distinct from other peoples. Leviticus 11 uses animal lists to direct Israel in how to avoid ritual and moral impurity. The distinction of animals drove distinction for God’s holy people. Disregarding God’s direction would have led to delusion, compromising Divine design.
 
God desires more than dietary distinction. “Everything created by God is good, if it is received in thanksgiving.” (1 Timothy 4:4) This includes foods! But “life is more than food,” declares Jesus (Matthew 6:25) and love is a greater distinction than lobster. Through the finished work of Jesus, God wants your heart because relationship rules over ritual. From knowing our holy God personally, we live holy lives of love marked by obedience to His word.
 
Today's Reading
And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying to them, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, These are the living things that you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth. 3 Whatever parts the hoof and is cloven-footed and chews the cud, among the animals, you may eat. 4 Nevertheless, among those that chew the cud or part the hoof, you shall not eat these: The camel, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. 5 And the rock badger, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you.6 And the hare, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. 7 And the pig, because it parts the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. 8 You shall not eat any of their flesh, and you shall not touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you.

9 “These you may eat, of all that are in the waters. Everything in the waters that has fins and scales, whether in the seas or in the rivers, you may eat. 10 But anything in the seas or the rivers that does not have fins and scales, of the swarming creatures in the waters and of the living creatures that are in the waters, is detestable to you. 11 You shall regard them as detestable; you shall not eat any of their flesh, and you shall detest their carcasses. 12 Everything in the waters that does not have fins and scales is detestable to you.

13 “And these you shall detest among the birds;[a] they shall not be eaten; they are detestable: the eagle,  the bearded vulture, the black vulture, 14 the kite, the falcon of any kind, 15 every raven of any kind, 16 the ostrich, the nighthawk, the sea gull, the hawk of any kind, 17 the little owl, the cormorant, the short-eared owl, 18 the barn owl, the tawny owl, the carrion vulture, 19 the stork, the heron of any kind, the hoopoe, and the bat.

20 “All winged insects that go on all fours are detestable to you. 21 Yet among the winged insects that go on all fours you may eat those that have jointed legs above their feet, with which to hop on the ground. 22 Of them you may eat: the locust of any kind, the bald locust of any kind, the cricket of any kind, and the grasshopper of any kind. 23 But all other winged insects that have four feet are detestable to you.
24 “And by these you shall become unclean. Whoever touches their carcass shall be unclean until the evening,25 and whoever carries any part of their carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until the evening.26 Every animal that parts the hoof but is not cloven-footed or does not chew the cud is unclean to you. Everyone who touches them shall be unclean. 27 And all that walk on their paws, among the animals that go on all fours, are unclean to you. Whoever touches their carcass shall be unclean until the evening, 28 and he who carries their carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until the evening; they are unclean to you.
​
29 “And these are unclean to you among the swarming things that swarm on the ground: the mole rat, the mouse, the great lizard of any kind, 30 the gecko, the monitor lizard, the lizard, the sand lizard, and the chameleon. 31 These are unclean to you among all that swarm. Whoever touches them when they are dead shall be unclean until the evening. 32 And anything on which any of them falls when they are dead shall be unclean, whether it is an article of wood or a garment or a skin or a sack, any article that is used for any purpose. It must be put into water, and it shall be unclean until the evening; then it shall be clean. 33 And if any of them falls into any earthenware vessel, all that is in it shall be unclean, and you shall break it. 34 Any food in it that could be eaten, on which water comes, shall be unclean. And all drink that could be drunk from every such vessel shall be unclean. 35 And everything on which any part of their carcass falls shall be unclean. Whether oven or stove, it shall be broken in pieces. They are unclean and shall remain unclean for you. 36 Nevertheless, a spring or a cistern holding water shall be clean, but whoever touches a carcass in them shall be unclean. 37 And if any part of their carcass falls upon any seed grain that is to be sown, it is clean, 38 but if water is put on the seed and any part of their carcass falls on it, it is unclean to you.

39 “And if any animal which you may eat dies, whoever touches its carcass shall be unclean until the evening,40 and whoever eats of its carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until the evening. And whoever carries the carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until the evening.

41 “Every swarming thing that swarms on the ground is detestable; it shall not be eaten. 42 Whatever goes on its belly, and whatever goes on all fours, or whatever has many feet, any swarming thing that swarms on the ground, you shall not eat, for they are detestable. 43 You shall not make yourselves detestable with any swarming thing that swarms, and you shall not defile yourselves with them, and become unclean through them. 44 For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground.45 For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”

46 This is the law about beast and bird and every living creature that moves through the waters and every creature that swarms on the ground, 47 to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean and between the living creature that may be eaten and the living creature that may not be eaten.
 
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the desire articulate in verses 44-47?
 
-If you know God personally though Jesus Christ, is your life lived in distinction from people who do not know Jesus personally? Do you love has He loved you and live Holy from His love for you?
 
-God wants your heart. What are you holding back from trusting to God in relationship? How is this lack of trust connected to the above answers, contributing to conflict in dwelling with distinction?
 
Key Verse
45 For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”

​Key Verse
28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 
​
Meditation
Christian identity precedes participation in Christian mission because the Messiah’s mission is messy and serving our Savior will require struggle. The sovereign grace of God and real relationship with God are the foundation from which disciples “go!” to participate in the mission of God.
 
Identity is rooted in Jesus calling disciples to Himself and giving gospel authority to them (1) before He sends His disciples out on mission (5). Call proceeds commission so when conflict comes disciples will not surrender to opposition. And the question is when, not if, opposition will come to disciples serving Christ on mission.
 
Moving out from peace with God through the person and work of Jesus, disciples look for people of peace (11-15, but expect to encounter wolves- 16). Jesus cautions about people who will persecute (17-21) and even hate the disciples (22-23). Even so, the anticipated friction should not fuel fear, a repeated refrain by Jesus in His message before the mission (26, 28, 31). Fear is not an option for disciples who are secure in identity and call because we know Jesus is Lord of all.
 
The reign of King Jesus does not immediately inaugurate a period of peace. Rather, decisions to follow Jesus will lead to division, distinction from the world and divisiveness even in families (34-39). But as the prophets foretold, there will one day be eternal peace and prosperity for God’s people (Isaiah 11; 60-66; Amos 9:13; Joel 3:18). Until that day, disciples secure in gospel identity live on mission to advance Christ’s kingdom until He returns- And He will!
 
Today's Reading
And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles
5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. 9 Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.

Persecution Will Come
16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.

Have No Fear
26 “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

Not Peace, but a Sword
34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Rewards
40 “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the messiness and struggle of the mission for whim Christ commissions His disciples?
 
-Why is it important to serve Christ FROM the security of His call and FROM God’s sovereign grace?
 
-Where is Jesus calling you to proclaim His name and how does this passage prepare you for the problems and persecution that will accompany the proclimation? Be specific.
 
Key Verse
28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 

​When David's time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, 2 “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, 3 and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, 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 establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’

5 “Moreover, you also know what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, how he dealt with the two commanders of the armies of Israel, Abner the son of Ner, and Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed, avenging 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.6 Act therefore according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace. 7 But deal loyally with the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for with such loyalty[e] they met me when I fled from Absalom your brother. 8 And there is also with you Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous 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, 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. You will know what you ought to do to him, and you shall bring his gray head down with blood to Sheol.”

The Death of David10 Then David slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. 11 And the time that David reigned over Israel was forty years. He reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. 12 So Solomon sat on the throne of David his father, and his kingdom was firmly established.

Solomon's Reign Established
13 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. And she said, “Do you come peacefully?” He said, “Peacefully.” 14 Then he said, “I have something to say to you.” She said, “Speak.” 15 He said, “You know that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel fully expected me to reign. However, the kingdom has turned about and become my brother's, for it was his from the Lord. 16 And now I have one request to make of you; do not refuse me.” She said to him, “Speak.” 17 And 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 for you to the king.”

19 So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him on behalf of Adonijah. And the king rose to meet her and bowed down to her. Then he sat on his throne and had a seat brought for the king's mother, and she sat on his right. 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.” 21 She said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as his wife.” 22 King Solomon answered his mother, “And why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also, for he is my older brother, and on his side are Abiathar[f] the priest and Joab the son of Zeruiah.” 23 Then King Solomon swore by the Lord, saying, “God do so to me and more also if this word does not cost Adonijah his life!24 Now therefore as the Lord lives, who has established me and placed me on the throne of David my father, and who has made me a house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death today.” 25 So King Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he struck him down, and he died.

26 And to Abiathar the priest the king said, “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 David my father, and because you shared in all my father's affliction.” 27 So Solomon expelled 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.

28 When the news came to Joab—for Joab had supported Adonijah although he had not supported Absalom—Joab fled to the tent of the Lord and caught hold of the horns of the altar. 29 And when it was told King Solomon, “Joab has fled to the tent of the Lord, and behold, he is beside the altar,” Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down.” 30 So Benaiah came to the tent of the Lordand 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.” 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.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 the son of Ner, commander of the army of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, commander of the army of Judah. 33 So shall their blood come back on the head of Joab and on the head of his descendants forever. But for David and for his descendants and for his house and for his throne there shall be peace from the Lord forevermore.”34 Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up and struck him down and put him to death. And he was buried in his own house in the wilderness. 35 The king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada over the army in place of Joab, and the king put Zadok the priest in the place of Abiathar.

36 Then the king sent and summoned Shimei and said to him, “Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and dwell there, and do not go out from there to any place whatever. 37 For on the day you go out and cross the brook Kidron, know for certain that you shall die. Your blood shall be on your own head.” 38 And Shimei said to the king, “What you say is good; as my lord the king has said, so will your servant do.” So Shimei lived in Jerusalem many days.

39 But it happened at the end of three years that two of Shimei's servants ran away to Achish, son of Maacah, king of Gath. And when it was told Shimei, “Behold, your servants are in Gath,” 40 Shimei arose and saddled a donkey and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants. Shimei went and brought his servants from Gath. 41 And when Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and returned, 42 the king sent and summoned Shimei and said to him, “Did I not make you swear by the Lordand solemnly warn you, saying, ‘Know for certain that on the day you go out and go to any place whatever, you shall die’? And you said to me, ‘What you say is good; I will obey.’ 43 Why then have you not kept your oath to the Lord and the commandment with which I commanded you?” 44 The king also said to Shimei, “You know in your own heart all the harm that you did to David my father. So the Lord will bring back your harm on your own head. 45 But King Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the Lord forever.” 46 Then the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck him down, and he died.
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So the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.
 
Meditation
The foundation for flourishing life and leadership is established by responding to God’s covenant faithfulness with courageous obedience to God’s word.
 
David was dying (1) and desired to establish Solomon’s throne (12). David language of covenant renewal blessed Solomon with the same words Moses spoke to bless Joshua before he lead Israel into the promise land: “Be strong and courageous" (Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:9). The explanation of the covenant blessing was to walk in the ways of the Lord, keeping His commandments! Biblical strength and courage are centered on responding to God’s covenant faithfulness with obedience to His word.
 
“Established” unites the main sections of our reading (12, 24, 45, 46). The words “to die” are repeated eight times (24, 25, 26, 30, 34, 37, 42, 46) as Solomon consolidates his kingdom by removing internal threats. After the king’s death, courage removes internal threats by obeying the king’s direction. 

Through the death of King Jesus, Christians are established as God’s children and empowered by God’s Spirit to put to death any internal competition for the rule of Jesus in our hearts (Romans 8:13-15). Solomon faced manipulation and political power-grabs of other people. Christians face our flesh, the old person we used to be before Jesus changed us completely.
 
In Christ Jesus believers are justified, a secure position as children of the King. By His Spirit we are sanctified, and the sword of the Spirit is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17). A flourishing foundation for kingdom life and leadership is established when children of God obey the word of God.

 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the establishment of Solomon’s throne by obeying the king’s direction and removing internal threats.
 
-How does the sure establishment of your position as a child of God through the death of Christ empower you to be courageous, walking in the ways of the Lord?
 
-How can you put to death the deeds of the flesh, eliminating competitors to the throne, and build your foundation more on the rock of Jesus and his word?
 
Key Verse 45 But King Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the Lord forever.” 46 Then the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck him down, and he died. So the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.