Note: (CL) = Controling Lesson (OT) = Old Testament (OTA) = Old Testament Alternative (NT) = New Testament (NTA) = New Testament Alternative (G) = Gospel (GA) = Gospel Alternative (Ps) = Psalm; one of these will follow all lessons for the week.

Note: Please be sure to look at previous posts because some of the week may have already been posted.


Monday, March 4, 2013

The Fourth Sunday in Lent (OTA)

1 Kings 2:36-46

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 Lord and 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.
So the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.

It is simple: “Your blood shall be on your own head.”  These are the words.  The King speaks these words to Shimei as an act of mercy.  It is mercy that stays the hand of the King.  It is wisdom that helps him place the condition.  But even when we know it is wrong, we still fall into the trap.

The two servants flee from their master.  They run for an unknown reason.  But the master runs after his servants. He runs to reclaim his lost property.  In saddling his donkey did he ever recall the promise he previously spoke? Did he think about trying to sneak out without being seen? Or did he just long for death?

Solomon the Just fulfills his promises.  He becomes the King and takes his father’s Kingdom.  He now holds the keys to the Kingdom.  He is the one who sits on the throne of David, which the LORD God established forever.  Solomon starts off by fulfilling his promises.

God established this Kingdom forever.  God crowned his own Son to be King forever.  God did this by fulfilling his promise and making the necessary sacrifice. “Your blood shall be on your own head.” is no longer the statement. “Jesus’ blood shall be on our heads,” because it cleanses us from all unrighteousness and helps us reign with him.

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