READING FOR JUNE 27, 2025: 1 KINGS 2, PHILIPPIANS 4, PSALM 60 1 KINGS 2 As you can tell by now, 1 Kings offers a slightly different perspective of the transition from David to Solomon than does the end of 1 Chronicles. This chapter focuses on David’s more private thoughts regarding key personnel. When administrations change hands in America, often we see old officials let go and new officials installed. This was especially dramatic as we moved from the Biden to the Trump term. In ancient monarchies, sometimes such former officials were not just fired but executed. Here we see David advising Solomon regarding certain figures whose actions were not honorable and yet whom he had not fully punished as justice required. He entrusted Solomon with completing the job.
Before he got into specifics, David again reminded Solomon to be strong in following God’s word given centuries earlier to Moses. He knew that following God’s commands, while totally logical, is not easy in a world where many other value systems exist. This is one of the big question marks for Christians today. Can we be strong in obeying God’s word in the midst of a post-Christian society that ridicules and is offended by God’s objective and timeless truths? How is the Yorktown Methodist doing in all the domains of life that the Bible specifically addresses? Do we even know what it commands? Do we think they still apply?
David first brought up the complicated case of Joab. While he served David well at times, he also needlessly murdered Abner and Amasa. At the end, he sided with Adonijah in opposition to Solomon. David told Solomon he needed to be executed, likely to secure his authority. On the other hand, the sons of Barzillai needed to be supported due to Barzillai’s good actions. Shimei, whom we first met when he mocked David and pelted him with stones, also sided with Adonijah and also needed to experience the same end as Joab. With these sober words of judgment, David’s reign in 1 Kings ended.
Adonijah, who should have been grateful to escape with his life, asked Bathsheba to ask Solomon for permission to marry Abishag the Shunammite, David’s body warmer/nurse. The entire incident is weird. Solomon apparently interpreted this as one last grasp for power for Adonijah and his entire gang. This led to the immediate death of Adonijah and Joab. Shimei was given a reprieve and house detention. He didn’t take this restriction literally, though, and left his house to recapture a servant. He must have felt this situation warranted a relaxation of the restriction. He was literally “dead wrong.” The final words of the chapter certainly imply Solomon was correct in all these actions: “The kingdom was established in the hands of Solomon.”
PHILIPPIANS 4 The famous church women Euodia and Syntyche struggled to get along and the news of it spread to Paul in Rome. Interestingly, Paul seems to suggest it’s the job of the entire church to help them be
READING FOR JUNE 27, 2025 CONTINUED: PHILIPPIANS 4, PSALM 60 reconciled. Despite their less than perfect behavior, Paul is certain that their names are written in the book of life, which is another way of saying they are born again, saved, believers, Christians, or followers of Jesus Christ—all New Testament terms meaning the same. Even though it’s not good these two didn’t agree, isn’t it a bit reassuring to know other churches have had these minor personal challenges without losing their effectiveness?
As we age, perhaps we gain new insight into the Bible. For example, to a young person in great health with a bright future, the idea of rejoicing in the Lord might mean being thankful to God for positive circumstances. For those of us in diminished health with few professional and even ministry opportunities, rejoicing in the Lord might be more of a spiritual discipline done out of obedience rather than how we feel. The fact that Paul states the same command twice in verse 4 suggests he means it. We had better do it!
But, isn’t it disingenuous to force ourselves to rejoice when the feeling isn’t there naturally? Maybe not. Paul says we can still plead with God about our requests. It’s not either or. Plus, we are not hypocritically rejoicing about our present problems. We are rejoicing in and for a God who will never leave us, who died for us, and who is preparing a stunning place for us with Him in heaven. God promises if we do this, we can enjoy a peace that makes no worldly sense and protects our hearts and minds. Sounding better all the time.
Paul then expands from shaping our prayers to directing our thoughts to positive places, not allowing our minds to wallow in negativity or falsehood. This is related to what psychologists call metacognition. Here is definition from Psychology Today: “Metacognition is the practice of being aware of one’s own thinking. Some scholars refer to it as ‘thinking about thinking.’” Paul, however, goes further by not only monitoring thoughts but consciously directing them.
Paul concludes this letter much the same as he began it: by complimenting the church. He specifically mentions their generosity to him. He has an unorthodox way of thanking them, saying he would have been fine financially without their gift, but was happy for what it shows about their heart for God. The last greeting is from believers in Caesar’s house. Curious.
PSALM 60 The historical context for David’s prayer seems somewhat captured in the following: “King David also dedicated these to the Lord, with the silver and the gold which he had carried away from all the nations...Moreover, Abishai the son of Zeruiah defeated eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. Then he put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became servants to David. And the Lord helped David wherever he went” (1 Chron. 18:11-13).
The beginning of this Psalm mentions setbacks Israel experienced due to God’s displeasure with them. David acknowledges this but also mentions Israel still has been a banner of truth to raise and asks for God’s help in doing so. David reminds God (not that He forgot) of the specific places yet to be given Israel, for God’s sake. David then asks for God’s help for victory despite the current discipline they are suffering. He admits it is hopeless without God but will be a valiant victory with Him. The passage from 1 Chronicles shows God completely answered this prayer. Do we have a banner of truth to raise in Yorktown? Perhaps we could confess any shortcomings and plead for Kingdom victories.
