Solomon’s sole reign over Israel begins with several challenges to his rightful rule. Solomon recognizes Adonijah’s request to marry Abishag as an attempt to usurp the throne of Israel, so Solomon swiftly executes his treacherous brother. Joab, the general who had sided with Adonijah, realizes that he is in danger as well. He unsuccessfully flees for refuge to the horns of the altar, and the innocent blood Joab shed is brought back upon his head. While Shimei is given the opportunity to remain a...
May 05, 2025•54 min
Adonijah and his supporters quickly realize with terror that Solomon will be king after David. Adonijah pleads for Solomon’s mercy and receives it, along with a warning that Adonijah prove himself faithful to the rightful king of Israel. Solomon begins to reign alongside of David before David dies. David instructs Solomon to be faithful to the word of the LORD and to enact true justice in a few open cases from David’s reign. When David dies, he goes to sleep in the LORD, and Solomon reigns as ki...
May 02, 2025•56 min
The book of Kings begins where Samuel left off. David is old and near the end of his reign, but he has not clearly laid out which son will succeed him as king. Adonijah attempts to take advantage of the situation to establish himself as king, with the help of Abiathar and Joab. However, Nathan the prophet knows the intent of David and the LORD. Nathan enlists the help of Bathsheba to remind David of his previous promise that Solomon would reign as king over Israel next. David takes quick action ...
May 01, 2025•52 min
"A Kingdom Divided” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through 1-2 Kings. The division in the kingdom of Israel in this part of history was greater than a matter of north and south. The biggest division was between the people and their God. Yet even as the people rebelled against the LORD as their King, still He remained faithful to call them back to Himself through His prophets, working through history to send the good and gracious King, Jesus Christ. Sharper Iron , hosted by Rev. Timothy Ap...
May 01, 2025•3 min
Failing the LORD’s test, David sinfully decrees a census of the warriors in Israel. Upon being struck by the condemnation of the Law, David confesses his sin and places himself in the hands of the LORD, who brings a three-day pestilence against Israel. David pleads for mercy upon the people, and Gad the prophet brings God’s Word to David to buy the threshing floor where the LORD stopped His pestilence. This later becomes the place where Solomon builds the temple to the LORD, testifying to the LO...
Apr 30, 2025•55 min
David speaks his last will and testament, prophetically looking ahead to his Son, Jesus—the faithful and righteous King who will reign over His people forever, defeating all enemies. Reflecting on David’s own reign, the names and exploits of his mighty men are recorded. Their strength came from the Lord, who granted great victories through them for His people. These mighty deeds foreshadow the even greater works of Christ our Lord, who has saved us from our enemies. Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz, pastor ...
Apr 29, 2025•56 min
The psalm of David recorded at the end of his reign summarizes the LORD’s deliverance for David throughout the king’s life. The LORD is not simply Rock and Refuge generally, but He is Rock and Refuge for David. When David called, the LORD came in mighty ways to rescue David from his enemies. This was done for David in the righteousness that he had through faith in Christ that covered all of David’s sins. In this way, the one true God has been David’s God, even as He brought others into this king...
Apr 28, 2025•53 min
As 2 Samuel draws toward its conclusion, several events shed light on the entirety of David’s reign. After a lengthy famine, David learns from the LORD that bloodguilt remains on Israel due to a crime Saul committed against the Gibeonites. David seeks to make atonement for this sin while also remaining merciful to the oath that he swore to Jonathan. David’s battles and victories against mighty Philistine warriors were worked by the LORD through Israelite soldiers even after David was no longer f...
Apr 25, 2025•55 min
As Israel questions David’s reign over all of them, a Benjaminite named Sheba begins to lead a rebellion against David. David’s new commander Amasa delays in dealing with the problem, and Joab treacherously murders Amasa to regain his spot as commander for David. Joab and his brother pursue Sheba even to a city where Sheba is likely to find allies, and through the wisdom of a woman in that city, Sheba’s rebellion is brought to an end before much traction is gained. Rev. Steve Andrews, pastor at ...
Apr 24, 2025•56 min
Joab rebukes David’s overwhelming grief over the death of one who meant David harm, lest the people of Israel abandon their rightful king. Upon receiving Joab’s rebuke, David begins to make plans for his return to Jerusalem, starting with allegiance from his kinsmen in Judah. As David encounters those who both harmed and helped him during his time away from Jerusalem, he is consistently gracious and merciful to them, even as the rest of Israel wants to make sure that they have a share in David’s...
Apr 23, 2025•55 min
As David prepares to lead his army into battle, his men recognize how valuable his one life is compared to theirs. His three commanders go out in his stead with specific instructions to be gentle with Absalom. The LORD delivers the victory to David over Absalom, but Joab disobediently takes matters into his own hands and kills Absalom. When news reaches David of the death of his son, he is overwhelmed by grief and sorrow. Rev. Chris Hull, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church and Student Center in ...
Apr 22, 2025•55 min
Although Ahithophel's counsel to seek to destroy only David's life is sound, the LORD defeats this counsel through Hushai's shrewd words to Absalom. David's allies in Jerusalem manage to get news to David so that he is able to avoid Absalom's plan, leading Ahithophel to take his own life. As the two sides draw up for battle, David's allies strengthen him in the wilderness. Rev. Rick Jones, Chaplain and Vice President of Spiritual Life at the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch in Minot, ND, joins host R...
Apr 21, 2025•57 min
As David goes past the Mount of Olives, Ziba, a servant of Saul's house, comes and offers David help while claiming the house of Saul intends to retake the throne. Unable to investigate the matter fully, David receives the needed aid. As the king continues to flee, another member of Saul's house curses David. The king refuses to return violence or take vengeance, but instead he receives it as the LORD's chastisement and waits for the LORD's deliverance. Meanwhile in Jerusalem, the LORD's Word co...
Apr 18, 2025•55 min
Absalom's plot against his father's throne takes shape right under David's nose until Absalom's followers grow strong enough to declare him king at Hebron. David quickly recognizes the great danger and gathers a group of faithful followers to go with him from Jerusalem, even while he directs certain supporters of his to remain and thwart Absalom's work in the capital city. David's weeping and flight from Jerusalem by way of the Mount of Olives looks forward to our Lord Jesus' tears and passion o...
Apr 17, 2025•55 min
Joab watches David mourn over Absalom's continued absence, even as David takes no action. Joab takes matters into his own hands by sending a wise woman with a wise story to David in order to call the king to make a decision concerning Absalom. In response, David brings Absalom back to Jerusalem, but Absalom does not come into the king's presence. This continued passivity on David's part leads Absalom to act out in violence and begin to plot against his father. Rev. Sean Daenzer, director of wors...
Apr 16, 2025•55 min
The consequences of David's sins against Bathsheba and Uriah begin quickly, just as the LORD had spoken. David's oldest son Amnon wickedly desires and violates his half-sister. When David takes no action, his third son Absalom waits patiently for the right time to take vengeance and assassinate Amnon. David's inaction continues for three years while Absalom stays away from Israel in exile. As one sin leads to another, the need for a greater Son of David is seen. Rev. Sam Wirgau, pastor at Bethle...
Apr 15, 2025•55 min
The LORD will not let David languish in unrepentant sin. He sends Nathan the prophet to confront him through a parable by which David speaks the judgment against himself. When Nathan makes clear the sin that David has committed and speaks God's punishment for his sin, the Holy Spirit miraculously brings David to confession and repentance. Nathan speaks God's absolution to him, even as the child born to David and Bathsheba dies. This event provides a picture of the sacrifice made by the greater S...
Apr 14, 2025•55 min
David’s idleness provides a playground for the devil’s temptations. Although the king should have come to his senses and turned from his sin at any number of times, over and over David chose evil. His laziness led to lust. His lust led to adultery. His adultery led to murder. David’s sin leads others into sin and brings great harm upon them. Uriah’s righteousness stands in ironic contrast to David’s callousness. Rather than repenting at such a sting of conscience, David kills the man who reminds...
Apr 11, 2025•56 min
When David sends a merciful diplomatic contingent to Ammon, his kindness is met with violence. David seeks to cover the shame of his men while also seeking justice against the Ammonites who have defied him. As Ammon strengthens its position through menacing mercenaries, David sends Joab, whose wisdom and trust in God leads to success. After the Ammonite threat against Israel ends, David ensures that Syria too will no longer trouble the people of God. Even as David continues to succeed militarily...
Apr 10, 2025•56 min
Even after the death of Saul and Jonathan, David is faithful to the promises he made. He seeks out a member of Saul’s household to whom he might show mercy. Whereas a king ruling in the way of the world would seek to eliminate even the slightest threat to his throne, David seeks out Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan to destroy any shame he still has from his family name or from his physical disability. David invites Mephibosheth to dine at the king’s own table, thereby making the son of Jonathan ...
Apr 09, 2025•56 min
David’s kingdom experiences continued blessings from the LORD of hosts. At each of the four points of the compass, the LORD grants David victory over great and powerful enemies. Through such victories, the LORD shows Himself to be the true God over and against any idols of the nations. As some from the nations ally themselves with David, we see a picture of God gathering His Church from all nations. David’s reign proves a blessing to the foreign nations and to all of Israel through his wise rule...
Apr 08, 2025•55 min
David goes before the ark of the LORD to pray in awe and thanksgiving at the LORD’s promise. In humility, David recognizes the LORD’s greatness in continuing to teach His people concerning the coming Christ. The Lord GOD has done this because of His own heart, not only for David, but for all Israel, whom the Lord GOD has claimed as His own people. Therefore, David prays that the LORD would confirm His promise and bless David’s house, just as He has said He will do. Rev. Carl Roth, pastor at Grac...
Apr 07, 2025•56 min
God’s gift of family came to His creation before the fall into sin. Even though our lives in the family experience the hurt of sin, these vocations from God remain good. Husbands are given to love their wives with respect and gentleness, sacrificing themselves for their wives as Christ has done for His Church. Wives are to receive this love from their husbands with submissiveness and joy, as the Church receives the gifts of her Lord. Parents are to raise their children with love that points them...
Apr 04, 2025•48 min
The Table of Duties is the third section of the Small Catechism that helps us to know our place in life as Christians. Pastors are to live their lives so that they do not become a scandal to the Word of God that they are given to teach to their hearers, and hearers are given to support their pastors financially and gladly hear the Word that their pastor preaches. The civil government must recognize that all authority comes from God and use it to promote what is good and punish what is evil, whil...
Apr 03, 2025•47 min
David’s desire to build a house for the LORD seems pious enough, as is Nathan’s initial response confirming David’s desire. The LORD interrupts, however, to let David know that His plans are much larger than what David has in mind. The LORD reminds David that the LORD has done everything for David individually and Israel collectively. The LORD has remained mobile along with His people, and that has served both Him and Israel well. The time is not yet for a permanent structure for the LORD, but t...
Apr 03, 2025•55 min
Now that David’s capital city is secure, he brings the ark of the LORD to Jerusalem with great joy. The initial happy procession halts quickly as the LORD strikes careless Uzzah dead. David’s anger turns to fear, and the ark stays outside of Jerusalem for a time. When David realizes that the LORD’s presence, rightly respected, does mean blessing, David finishes bringing the ark to Jerusalem in the right way, and the king dances mightily in the procession because of what God has done. David’s wif...
Apr 01, 2025•56 min
At last all of Israel recognizes David as their king whom God has appointed to be their shepherd. Once more, David is anointed as king, and we learn that his combined reign in Hebron and Jerusalem was a complete forty years. Although the Jebusites mock David’s ability to take their city, the LORD grants David success and gives to him Jerusalem. There, Hiram the king of Tyre builds David a palace for David’s growing family and court. The LORD further gives David success on the battlefield against...
Mar 31, 2025•53 min
David refuses to gloat over the death of Abner. In his mourning, David makes it plain that Joab killed Abner without David’s approval. In this, David shows wisdom to unite Israel under his reign. Meanwhile, Ish-bosheth realizes his precarious position now that Abner has died. Two treacherous men assassinate Ish-bosheth in his own bed. Though these men thought they would be doing David a favor, David continues to show faithfulness to the house of Saul and rightly executes justice against the two ...
Mar 28, 2025•56 min
The civil war in Israel between the houses of Saul and David continues bitterly for a while. David’s house grows stronger as he gains wives and sons, even as those same details cause trouble for David later on. In the house of Saul, an accusation against Abner leads the mighty general to switch to David’s side. Abner meets David’s demands and begins to bring all of Israel over to David. Joab refuses to forgive Abner and assassinates Saul’s old general before the unification is entirely complete....
Mar 27, 2025•55 min
David receives the LORD’s instruction to go back to the city of Hebron in Judah. There, Judah anoints David as their king, but the son of Saul, Ish-bosheth, is set up as king over the rest of Israel in Mahanaim. Abner, the general of the house of Saul, and Joab, the general over David’s men, agree to a competition between the young men of their armies, but this competition soon turns deadly. During the melee, Abner kills one of Joab’s brothers. A full-blown battle is only avoided by the wisdom o...
Mar 26, 2025•55 min
