Daily Reading
Daily Thought
The first words of the first book of Kings remind us our time is transitory, “Now King David was old and advanced in years” (1 Kings 1:1). The reign of David would pass on to another, to his son Solomon, and God tells David, “Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his surrounding enemies. For his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days” (1Chronicles 22:9). Except the first chapter of his reign was bloody. His inauguration was marked by violent justice, because true and lasting peace comes, not from wishfulness, but righteousness. Solomon would be the man of peace who delivers righteousness, cleansing a land stained in blood.
Before Solomon could claim the throne, however, another of David’s sons, Adonijah, seeing an opportunity, asked for Abishag to be his wife. Abishag had been King David’s concubine. If she became his wife, it became Abishag’s claim to the throne. Unfortunately for Adonijah, who asked for Abishag, Solomon, instead, asked for wisdom, and wisdom saw through the treachery. “Ask for him the kingdom also!” (1King 2:22), cried Solomon, for he knew the true heart of Adonijah was not for Abishag, but for the throne. Adonijah’s treachery was exposed and Adonijah was executed.
Two others had displayed treachery in the past and could not be trusted in the future, and they, too, would feel the sword of justice. Joab had spilled the innocent blood of Abner and Amasa while David was king. Shimei, a relative of Saul, aroused rebellion in the people. “Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity” (Proverbs 22:8)–you reap what you sow–and at the inauguration of his reign, Solomon sowed justice and blood was spilled. Justice shall rule the land; and through justice, righteousness; and out of righteousness, peace.
To find peace, you first must pursue righteousness, and only then will peace follow.
Daily Prayer
God of peace, I know that You are good and You made this world good. When I follow You, I am blessed. Your discipline is good. It comes from Your love and Your desire to see me live a life of righteousness and peace.
Your correction is painful, at times, but I am glad for it. It puts me back on the right track. Do not let me become blind and deaf to the consequences of evil, but help me remember the joy of walking with You, so I will always long for it.
Amen
Daily Question
Why is righteousness essential for peace?