Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings chapter 5.  Here is a link to this Scripture – 1 Kings 5 NASB1995 – – Bible Gateway

I quote only the following verses.

“Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon, when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram had always been a friend of David.  Then Solomon sent word to Hiram, saying, “You know that David my father was unable to build a house for the name of the LORD his God because of the wars which surrounded him, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.  But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side;  there is neither adversary nor misfortune.  Behold, I intend to build a house for the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spoke to David my father, saying, ‘Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, he will build the house for My name.’  Now therefore, command that they cut for me cedars from Lebanon, and my servants will be with your servants;  and I will give you wages for your servants according to all that you say, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians.”

When Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, “Blessed be the LORD today, who has given to David a wise son over this great people.”  So Hiram sent word to Solomon, saying, “I have heard the message which you have sent me;  I will do what you desire concerning the cedar and cypress timber.  My servants will bring them down from Lebanon to the sea;  and I will make them into rafts to go by sea to the place where you direct me, and I will have them broken up there, and you shall carry them away.  Then you shall accomplish my desire by giving food to my household.”  So Hiram gave Solomon as much as he desired of the cedar and cypress timber.  Solomon then gave Hiram 20,000 kors of wheat as food for his household, and twenty kors of beaten oil;  thus Solomon would give Hiram year by year.  The LORD gave wisdom to Solomon, just as He promised him;  and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a covenant.”  1 Kings 5:1-12.

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Today’s Scripture leads us to meditate on wisdom’s product of peace.  

“The LORD gave wisdom to Solomon, just as He promised him;  and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, …”  Verse 12.

“My son, do not forget my teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;
2 For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.” Proverbs 3:1-2.

“Her ways are pleasant ways
And all her paths are peace.” Proverbs 3:17.

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.  And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”  James 5:17-18.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings chapter 4.  Here is a link to this Scripture – 1 Kings 4 NASB1995 – – Bible Gateway

I quote only the following verses.

“Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance;  they were eating and drinking and rejoicing.

Now Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt;  they brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.

Solomon’s provision for one day was thirty kors of fine flour and sixty kors of meal, ten fat oxen, twenty pasture-fed oxen, a hundred sheep besides deer, gazelles, roebucks, and fattened fowl.  For he had dominion over everything west of the River, from Tiphsah even to Gaza, over all the kings west of the River;  and he had peace on all sides around about him.  So Judah and Israel lived in safety, every man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.  Solomon had 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots, and 12,000 horsemen.  Those deputies provided for King Solomon and all who came to King Solomon’s table, each in his month;  they left nothing lacking.  They also brought barley and straw for the horses and swift steeds to the place where it should be, each according to his charge.

Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore.  Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.  For he was wiser than all men, than Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol;  and his fame was known in all the surrounding nations.  He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005.  He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon even to the hyssop that grows on the wall;  he spoke also of animals and birds and creeping things and fish.  Men came from all peoples to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.”  1 Kings 4:20-34.

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“My son, if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,
2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;
3 For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
4 If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5 Then you will discern the fear of the LORD
And discover the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
8 Guarding the paths of justice,
And He preserves the way of His godly ones.
9 Then you will discern righteousness and justice
And equity and every good course.” Proverbs 2:1-9.

“13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom
And the man who gains understanding.
14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver
And her gain better than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels;
And nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways
And all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who hold her fast.” Proverbs 3:13-18.

“14 “Counsel is mine and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, power is mine.
15 “By me kings reign,
And rulers decree justice.
16 “By me princes rule, and nobles,
All who judge rightly.
17 “I love those who love me;
And those who diligently seek me will find me.
18 “Riches and honor are with me,
Enduring wealth and righteousness.
19 “My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold,
And my yield better than choicest silver.
20 “I walk in the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,
21 To endow those who love me with wealth,
That I may fill their treasuries.” Proverbs 8:14-21.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings 2:10-25.

“Then David slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David.  The days that David reigned over Israel were forty years:  seven years he reigned in Hebron and thirty-three years he reigned in Jerusalem.  And Solomon sat on the throne of David his father, and his kingdom was firmly established.

Now Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon.  And she said, “Do you come peacefully?”  And he said, “Peacefully.”  Then he said, “I have something to say to you.”  And she said, “Speak.”  So he said, “You know that the kingdom was mine and that all Israel expected me to be king;  however, the kingdom has turned about and become my brother’s, for it was his from the LORD.  Now I am making one request of you;  do not refuse me.”  And she said to him, “Speak.”  Then he said, “Please speak to Solomon the king, for he will not refuse you, that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as a wife.”  Bathsheba said, “Very well;  I will speak to the king for you.”

So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah.  And the king arose to meet her, bowed before her, and sat on his throne;  then he had a throne set for the king’s mother, and she sat on his right.  Then she said, “I am making one small request of you;  do not refuse me.”  And the king said to her, “Ask, my mother, for I will not refuse you.”  So she said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as a wife.”  King Solomon answered and said to his mother, “And why are you asking Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah?  Ask for him also the kingdom—for he is my older brother—even for him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah!”  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.  Now therefore, as the LORD lives, who has established me and set me on the throne of David my father and who has made me a house as He promised, surely Adonijah shall be put to death today.”  So King Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada;  and he fell upon him so that he died.”  1 Kings 2:10-25.

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We may first wonder why Solomon was angered by the request of Adonijah.

Solomon was likely aware of the rebellion of Absalom against his father, David, and the advice of Ahithophel.

“Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your advice.  What shall we do?”  Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the house;  then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself odious to your father.  The hands of all who are with you will also be strengthened.”  2 Samuel 16:20-21.

Thus, Adonijah likely made this request for David’s nurse Abishag the Shunammite as an act of rebellion against Solomon.  

And, Solomon’s was likely further angered that he gave Adonijah a chance for his life to be spared.

“Solomon said, “If he is a worthy man, not one of his hairs will fall to the ground;  but if wickedness is found in him, he will die.”  So King Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar.  And he came and prostrated himself before King Solomon, and Solomon said to him, “Go to your house.”  1 Kings 1:52-53.

The theme of today’s Scripture that Solomon’s “kingdom was firmly established”, verse 12, leads us to consider that the LORD’S kingdom is also firmly established.

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:19.

“The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
Let the many islands be glad.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” Psalm 97:1-2.

“2 … Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
3 Fire goes before Him
And burns up His adversaries round about.” Psalm 97:2-3.

“3 “The LORD is a warrior;
The LORD is His name.
4 “Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea;
And the choicest of his officers are drowned in the Red Sea.
5 “The deeps cover them;
They went down into the depths like a stone.
6 “Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power,
Your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy.” Exodus 15:3-6.

“And in the greatness of Your excellence You overthrow those who rise up against You;
You send forth Your burning anger, and it consumes them as chaff.” Exodus 15:7.

“8 The LORD judges the peoples;
Vindicate me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and my integrity that is in me.
9 O let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous;
For the righteous God tries the hearts and minds.
10 My shield is with God,
Who saves the upright in heart.
11 God is a righteous judge,
And a God who has indignation every day.

12 If a man does not repent, He will sharpen His sword;
He has bent His bow and made it ready.
13 He has also prepared for Himself deadly weapons;
He makes His arrows fiery shafts.
14 Behold, he travails with wickedness,
And he conceives mischief and brings forth falsehood.
15 He has dug a pit and hollowed it out,
And has fallen into the hole which he made.
16 His mischief will return upon his own head,
And his violence will descend upon his own pate.

17 I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness
And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.” Psalm 7:8-17.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings 1:38-53.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%201&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“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 brought him to Gihon.  Zadok the priest then took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon.  Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!”  All the people went up after him, and the people were playing on flutes and rejoicing with great joy, so that the earth shook at their noise.

Now Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they finished eating.  When Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, “Why is the city making such an uproar?”  While he was still speaking, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came.  Then Adonijah said, “Come in, for you are a valiant man and bring good news.”  But Jonathan replied to Adonijah, “No!  Our lord King David has made Solomon king.  The king has also 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.  Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon, and they have come up from there rejoicing, so that the city is in an uproar.  This is the noise which you have heard.  Besides, Solomon has even taken his seat on the throne of the kingdom.  Moreover, the king’s servants came to bless our lord King David, saying, ‘May your God make the name of Solomon better than your name and his throne greater than your throne!’  And the king bowed himself on the bed.  The king has also said thus, ‘Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has granted one to sit on my throne today while my own eyes see it.’”  

Then all the guests of Adonijah were terrified;  and they arose and each went on his way.  And Adonijah was afraid of Solomon, and he arose, went and took hold of the horns of the altar.”  1 Kings 1:38-50.

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Other doctrine only wants to give limited sovereignty to our King and Lord, Jesus Christ.  Other doctrine will “allow” sovereignty to Jesus Christ over the stars, but not salvation.  Hand-off our free-will!

“2 The kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The LORD scoffs at them.
5 Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury, saying,
6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,
And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.
9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,
You shall shatter them like earthenware.’” Psalm 2:2-9.

“But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence.” Luke 19:27.

But, Reformed Doctrine rejoices in the total and perfect sovereignty of our King and Lord, Jesus Christ over everything, including salvation.

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:19.

“But our God is in the heavens;
He does whatever He pleases.” Psalm 115:3.

“For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” Romans 9:15-16.

“10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the LORD with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” Psalm 2:10-12.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel 24:15-25.

“So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning until the appointed time, and seventy thousand men of the people from Dan to Beersheba died.  When the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD relented from the calamity and said to the angel who destroyed the people, “It is enough!  Now relax your hand!”  And the angel of the LORD was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.  Then David spoke to the LORD when he saw the angel who was striking down the people, and said, “Behold, it is I who have sinned, and it is I who have done wrong;  but these sheep, what have they done?  Please let Your hand be against me and against my father’s house.”

So Gad came to David that day and said to him, “Go up, erect an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.”  David went up according to the word of Gad, just as the LORD had commanded.  Araunah looked down and saw the king and his servants crossing over toward him;  and Araunah went out and bowed his face to the ground before the king.  Then Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?”  And David said, “To buy the threshing floor from you, in order to build an altar to the LORD, that the plague may be held back from the people.”  Araunah said to David, “Let my lord the king take and offer up what is good in his sight.  Look, the oxen for the burnt offering, the threshing sledges and the yokes of the oxen for the wood.  Everything, O king, Araunah gives to the king.”  And Araunah said to the king, “May the LORD your God accept you.”  However, the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price, for I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God which cost me nothing.”  So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.  David built there an altar to the LORD and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.  Thus the LORD was moved by prayer for the land, and the plague was held back from Israel.”  2 Samuel 24:15-25.

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“For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near.  Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins?  But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year.  For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. …

…

Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins;  but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet.  For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.  And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us;  for after saying,

“THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM
AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD:
I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART,
AND ON THEIR MIND I WILL WRITE THEM,”

He then says,

“AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS
I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE.”

Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.”  Hebrews 10:1-4 and 11-18.