February 23, 2024 • 42 mins
Chapter 30 of Heroes in the Bible: David with Dr. Tony Evans is inspired by 2 Samuel 23 - 1 Kings 2.
The Death of a Hero - David enters into the rest of his Lord, and the crown is passed to an unlikely heir.
Today's opening prayer is inspired by Romans 12:2, GDon’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by
the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove
what is the good, well pleasing, and perfect will of
God Romans twelve two. Father to day, I am hungry
for more of you. I come to you with a
(00:22):
real desire to learn and grow. I come to you
with a teachable spirit, eager to be filled with your
wisdom your power. I will not step into this new
season of my life clinging to the old ways. I
declare that I am being transformed by the renewing of
(00:44):
my mind. As I look to you, I am becoming
increasingly aware of your infinite ability to bring new life,
new growth from what seems to be dead or dying.
I am excited the unlimited potential that will be realized.
I can't wait to see the renewal that will take
(01:06):
place in each of my life's assignments. I will walk
in your good and perfect will for me. I choose
to ignore any discouraging words from within or without that
would seek to distract me and derail me from my destiny.
(01:27):
Conforming the low thinking will no longer be a part
of my life because I am being transformed. As I
answer your highest calling. I confess that I'm no longer
the same. I've been forever changed. I'm a new creation
in Christ Jesus. I live for His kingdom and his
(01:50):
glory in Jesus name. Amen, stay tuned to immerse yourself
and the greatest stories ever told from prey dot COM's podcast,
Heroes in the Bible.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Hello. My name is Matthew Potter, co founder of Prey
dot com, and before we start today's episode of Heroes
in the Bible, I wanted to ask do you know
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(02:28):
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Speaker 3 (02:48):
Hi, I'm back to Tony Evans, your host for Heroes
in the Bible. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far,
please share it with your family and friends and help
us spread God's word. Welcome to the epic adventure of David,
a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
and murder. While most people know of David the myth,
(03:10):
few know about David the man. This is our final episode.
It has been a joy to go on this journey
with you. David's story is rich with deep truths about
the faithfulness of God, the fragility of man, and the
heart of a true hero. This episode is the final
seal on the scroll of David's life, conveying his last
words and wishes for the kingdom he gave his life
(03:33):
to protect. In this episode, David chooses his heir to
the throne, and we are given hope that he will
be a good steward of God's people. As the flickering
flame of David's life phase, we are left with one
resounding theme that prevails throughout scripture. David is not the
greatest hero of the Bible. However, as we listen to
(03:54):
his final poetic musings and contemplate his legacy, we can't
help but smile and conceive that while he may not
be the Bible's greatest hero, he certainly came the closest
David's heir will have a lot to live up to,
and we are certain that he will have faith at
times and fall at times like his father. Isn't that
one of the greater themes of our story so far?
(04:16):
Faithfulness requires that we fail. God has called you and
I to a grand adventure, and it would be silly
to think that we can take risks without stumbling. Every
once in a while, David stumbled and God propped him
back up. David's story reminds us that we can be brave,
but when we aren't, God will be brave for us.
(04:37):
We can be wise, but when we aren't, God will
be wise for us. We can be righteous, but when
we aren't, God will be righteous on our behalf. God
bless the story of David. Let's finish up this glorious
series with episode thirty, The Death of a Hero.
Speaker 4 (04:58):
Prelude to Chat thirty. Samuel picked up his staff and
wandered past the stables and up the grassy hill. The
wild flowers were in full bloom, arranged the grassy hills
in splendor. Soft music could be heard from a distance.
Samuel smiled as he looked at the flowers, swaying back
and forth, in the breeze. It was as if they
(05:20):
were dancing to the music. Samuel made his way up
the hill. Sheep were grazing lazily in the mild sun.
The music seemed to soothe them. Samuel looked around for
the source of the melodies. Underneath the cypress tree in
the shade was the shepherd boy Jesse spoke of. He
leaned his back against the trunk of the tree, strumming
(05:40):
his harp to the same tempo of the wind. Samuel
approached the tree, trying not to interrupt the boy's playing.
He sat on a stone only a few yards away
from where the boy lounged. The old prophet leaned back
and observed him. He could not have been any older
than sixteen. His long hair was lighter than his brother's.
(06:00):
He was not as looming as his oldest brother Eliab. However,
he was very handsome and ruddy in appearance. Samuel was
content to be silent for a while and listened to
the music. The song was a bomb to his weary
and downcast sole. The boy's music was emotional and somber,
yet filled with an unwavering joy. Clearly, it was a
(06:22):
song written from the heart As the song gently came
to a close, Samuel leaned over as he sat and
cleared his throat. The boy jumped back and grabbed his staff.
Who are you, the young shepherd said quickly. Samuel laughed
and waved his hands.
Speaker 5 (06:39):
Ha ha ha. I'm sorry if I startled you, my son,
Please do not be alarmed.
Speaker 4 (06:44):
I come in peace. The boy lowered his staff and
looked at the man up and down.
Speaker 5 (06:48):
You must be the prophet I heard about. I could
hear my father clamoring to my family about you from here.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
The boy bowed a knee in respect. Samuel peered at
the boy for a long while before speaking again. Tell
me why were you not in attendance at the feast,
he asked.
Speaker 5 (07:08):
The boy shrugged. I am only a shepherd, he replied.
I suppose my place is among my sheep.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
In that moment, Samuel felt a surge of God's joy
well up from within him, as if the voice of
God was striking like lightning in his mind. He could
hear the Lord say, arise anoint.
Speaker 6 (07:28):
Him with This is the one I have chosen.
Speaker 4 (07:32):
Samuel stood in front of the boy.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
Surely you are not only a shepherd.
Speaker 4 (07:37):
What is your name?
Speaker 6 (07:38):
David.
Speaker 7 (07:39):
He replied, kneel before the Lord, David, for the Lord
desires to bless you.
Speaker 4 (07:45):
Samuel took his horn of oil and anointed David's head,
and the spirit of God rushed upon the shepherd boy
like a mighty tempest. A surge of courageous fire burned
within David's belly. Although David hadn't the slightest clue why
Samuel had anointed him, he knew that from that day forward,
the Lord had destined him for great things, Chapter thirty,
(08:10):
Death of a Hero. Every moment was like being lost
in the dead of winter. His bones rattled and his
limbs felt numb. Every movement of his body was an
insurmountable task. The giant Slayer, the warrior King, laid awake
in his bed, unable to care for himself. His broad
(08:32):
shoulders that once held up the armies of Israel were
now sunk into a pillow, never to bear any weight again,
he moaned as he rolled on to his side. Slowly,
he lifted himself up and stepped off his bed. He
could not feel the cedar floor beneath him. The man
who once ran across the wilderness to save his family
(08:52):
could now barely make it from his bed to his fireplace.
He struggled to get to his seat by the fire
and groaned as he sat down. He held out his
hands to warm them, but it was no use. He
was perpetually cold and shivered like he was caught up
in a snow storm. He stared into the fading fire.
It had been burning for a while, but the coals
(09:14):
broke off from one another, causing the flame to dissipate.
David took an iron rod and moved them closer together.
The small flame was stoked, and the fire began to
regain its height. David smiled and set down the rod
beside his chair. He drew a deep breath and coughed.
He continued to shiver beside the fire, contemplating the state
(09:36):
of his kingdom. The major enemies of the lord had
been vanquished, and Israel had established itself as the elder
brother of the region. Although there were more enemies on
the horizon, Israel's immediate safety was secure. The shivering king smiled,
content that his final years as king successfully brought a
decade of peace. The door knocked, Come in, David said,
(10:01):
in her raspy old voice. A young woman walked in.
She had dark skin that was tanned from the sun,
and her hair was pulled back behind her head covering.
She had a radiant smile, and hidden behind her eyes
was poetic wisdom. A younger David would have been intoxicated
by her. However, in his old age, David's desires for
(10:21):
pleasure had faded. She was his nurse and tended to
him day and night. She also slept with him in
his bed to keep him warm, but the two did
not know each other intimately. She was like a daughter
to him, and he trusted her with his health and
well being. Hello, Abishagg, David whispered, wrapping himself in his robes.
Speaker 8 (10:43):
You are out of bed again, Abishag said sternly.
Speaker 4 (10:47):
Her voice was gentle and soft. She could curse him
and it would still sound like a sweet blessing. David
smiled and gestured for her to sit beside him. The
king sighed and continued to look at the fire. I
fear that my final days are drawing near, he said,
as I lay in my bed. Sometimes I wish I
(11:10):
had died years ago in the glory of battle.
Speaker 9 (11:17):
Passing at an old age in your bed is its
own glory. Abishak said, you have lived long and fought
many battles. You have earned a moment of peace.
Speaker 4 (11:27):
David chuckled and began to cough again.
Speaker 6 (11:30):
I have earned nothing, my dear. It is the Lord
who has given me everything.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
Abishak smiled and escorted David back to his bed. She
dressed him in another layer of robes and tucked him
under the blankets. She went to the fire and placed
another log in. The flame consumed it quickly, and the
room was filled with more warmth. However, the king continued
to shiver. His bones were brittle and losing life. Abishag
crawled into bed with him and kept her close. The
(12:01):
king sighed a breath of relief and fell asleep. Fifty
horsemen rode up the hills with brilliantly adorned armor. The
sound of galloping thoroughbreds echoed across the plains leading up
to joe AB's estate. Behind them was Prince Adenija, David's
eldest son after the death of Absalom. He was mounted
(12:22):
on a black horse and adorned with golden scaled armor.
His breastplate was laced with jewels, and his belt shimmered
with gemstones. Adanija was the most handsome man in all Israel.
His long curls gracefully blew in the wind, and his
broad shoulders and chest accentuated his decad and armour. Joeab
was standing in front of his home, leaning on his
(12:43):
cane for balance. Adnijah dismounted his horse and held out
his arms to embrace Joab.
Speaker 8 (12:50):
Israel's greatest commander. Joe Ab, How are you, old friend.
Speaker 4 (12:55):
Joab bowed his head and the two of them hugged.
Speaker 10 (12:58):
Dear Prince Adnija, I see you have come with a
king like entourage.
Speaker 4 (13:02):
He said, gesturing to the fifty men behind him. Adonijah
looked back and shrugged.
Speaker 8 (13:08):
Well, if I am to be king soon, it is
best for me to begin preparing myself. These men are
the finest young warriors in Israel. I have recruited them
to be my personal guard.
Speaker 10 (13:20):
Impressive, Joab exclaimed, Come in, we have much to discuss.
Speaker 4 (13:24):
The two men walked into Joab's home. Abiathar, the priest,
was already inside waiting. The three of them sat down
to discuss the future of Israel and the succession of
the king. I will be king, Adanija said, plainly.
Speaker 8 (13:38):
A king is in his final weeks. I have seen
it myself. He is near death, and it is time
for us to begin planning.
Speaker 4 (13:46):
Abiathar nodded and said, has David given you his blessing
to succeed him? Adanaijah shook his head.
Speaker 8 (13:55):
I am the oldest and the greatest warrior of my
father's sons. Although my father has not said so explicitly,
I have begun my preparations with you two behind me.
I am sure the nation will accept me as their king.
Speaker 10 (14:10):
What if Solomon, Abiathar said, did not your father request
he succeed him on the throne.
Speaker 4 (14:16):
Joe Ab scoffed and.
Speaker 10 (14:17):
Said, Solomon does not have a steady enough hand to
be king. He wastes his time in scrolls, studying ancient
languages and philosophies. He reads more than he fights, and
he enjoys rhetoric more than action. Adnaija is the clear choice.
He is a warrior and the firstborn. I will support
him as king, even if David does not see it.
Speaker 4 (14:37):
Joe Ab and Abiathar spoke from a place of bitterness.
Since the victory over the Philistines, Benaiah and Nathan, the
prophet had become David's closer, allies and confidants. They felt
cast aside and angry with David, so they conspired with
his son.
Speaker 6 (14:53):
Joe.
Speaker 4 (14:53):
Ab says is true. Adnija agreed.
Speaker 8 (14:57):
Israel does not need a philosopher, it needs a king.
Speaker 4 (15:00):
The prince placed a hand on each of them and said.
Speaker 8 (15:02):
You too are trusted by my father and respected by
the nation. If I have you two by my side,
I know I can become a great king.
Speaker 4 (15:12):
The three of them continued to speak about the future
of Israel. They strategized, drew maps, and dreamed about a
new Israel under a new rule. However, in all of
their planning, they did not think once to ask David
for permission. They kept him in the dark, hoping that
he would die before making his preference for Solomon known.
Speaker 8 (15:32):
We must show the people that God favors us as well.
Speaker 4 (15:36):
Ade Nija exclaimed.
Speaker 8 (15:37):
Abiathar a range of sacrifice for us so that we
might worship the Lord. Then we will hold a great
feast for my siblings and the nobles of Israel. I
desire for them to recognize me as king.
Speaker 4 (15:50):
Abiathar stood and bowed. It was a brilliant idea. So
they met on a hill called Serpent Stone. The sons
of David, the royal official of Judah, and the rich
nobles of Israel were all in attendance. Adenaija sacrificed sheep,
oxen and fattened cattle before the lord. They burned the
fat of the animals as an offering and cooked the
(16:12):
meat for themselves to feast. They gathered in celebrations of Adonaija.
They raised their cumps to his future reign as king
of Israel. However, David was not in attendance, nor did
he know of their gathering. All of David's sons were
there except for Solomon, and all of David's officials except
for Benaiah and Nathan. News of Adenaija's bid for the
(16:35):
throne reached the ears of Nathan the prophet. He leaned
on his cane and sighed deeply. This is not good,
he whispered. The old prophet put on his cloak and
made his way to the home of Bathsheba, David's wife.
Even in her advancing years, Bathsheba was a vision to behold.
Since the tragedy of Uriah and the birth of her
(16:56):
son Solomon, she had regained a sense of self assurreedance,
and strength. David trusted her more than his other wives,
and she was an influential voice in the decisions of
the nation. Nathan entered her home, bowing his head in
honor your grace. I have come with urgent news, he
said solemnly.
Speaker 9 (17:17):
Dear Nathan, please sit and speak.
Speaker 4 (17:20):
Bathsheba gestured for Nathan to sit. The prophet groaned as
he sat and sighed. He was a weary man. After
years of advising David, he had thought his work had
come to an end. Yet here he was once again
entangled in the drama of David's life.
Speaker 6 (17:37):
Have you heard that Otu Niger's establishing himself as king?
Speaker 4 (17:43):
Bathsheba's brow furrowed, her jaw clenched as she spoke.
Speaker 9 (17:47):
Was this David's doing?
Speaker 4 (17:49):
She asked?
Speaker 6 (17:50):
No, the King does not seem to be aware this
has happened. You and I were both in attendant when
David promised the throne to Solomon. However, it seems that
Ada Niga has garnered the favor of Joab and Abiathar
the priests. If this is true, it is only a
(18:15):
matter of time before he comes for you and Solomon
to take you out the prophet leaned over and said,
you must go to the king and confirm that Solomon
is indeed his choice. Bathsheba nodded, her hands trembled in fear.
If ade Nija possessed even half the ambition as Absalom
(18:37):
once did, her and Solomon were in grave danger. Nathan,
sensing her feelings, took her hand gently. I will come
with you when you have spoken to the king. I
will enter as well and confirm your position. Fear not,
dear Bathsheba, The Lord will take care of you and
(19:01):
your son.
Speaker 4 (19:05):
Solomon leaned against the stone wall, perusing scrolls ridden by
the thinkers of old. He was entranced by the hidden
knowledge captured in words. Beside him were the scrolls of Moses.
He had been reading all morning, losing track of time.
As he was lost in thought, he heard a small
thump in the other room. Solomon looked up and saw Abshag,
(19:27):
the Shumut woman, passing through with a cup of broth
with the king. She was as radiant as ever and
captured Solomon's complete attention. Abishag, Solomon said gently. The servant
of the king smiled when she saw Solomon. He was
taller than his brother's with a leaner face and shorter beard.
Although Solomon did not possess the same good looks as
(19:48):
his brother at Nijah, he had kind and wise eyes
that made Abishag curious. She blushed when she saw him
and greeted him with a.
Speaker 9 (19:57):
Small bough Hello, Solomon.
Speaker 4 (20:00):
The two lingered in the same room for a moment,
enjoying a brief moment together. They both felt the silence
with laughter, and Abishag bowed again, saying, I.
Speaker 9 (20:12):
Must return to your father. It was nice seeing you.
Speaker 4 (20:15):
Solomon waved goodbye and watched her leave the room. He
leaned his head against the stone wall and smiled.
Speaker 10 (20:22):
Behold you are beautiful, my love.
Speaker 1 (20:25):
Behold you are beautiful.
Speaker 10 (20:27):
Your eyes are doves.
Speaker 4 (20:28):
He whispered. Solomon put down the scrolls and picked up
a pen and parchment, writing poems about the love welling
up within him. Abishag walked up the stairs leading into
David's bedroom. She opened the door quietly, not wanting to
wake the king. However, he was already up, gazing longingly
out the window. The king turned to her and smiled,
(20:51):
thing graciously took the cup of broth in his hands.
Before he could take a moment to sip, the door
opened again. This time it was Bathsheba. David smiled and
gestured for her to come forward, my bride, he said, softly,
how can I serve you to day? Bathsheba was distraught
and unsure how to begin. She bout at the side
(21:13):
of his bed and kissed his hand. It was difficult
for her to see the king in such a frail state.
She remembered how strong his arms used to be. They
were the arms of a warrior, and she melted in
his presence. However, his age had stolen his strength, and
Bathsheba dealt with him gently.
Speaker 9 (21:31):
I have come to ask about your will, my lord,
she said. You swore to me before God that Solomon
would reign after you and sit on your throne. Now
I hear word that Atanasia has made himself king.
Speaker 4 (21:44):
What do you mean, David asked, I did not know
any of this. The king stirred in his bed and
tried to prop himself up, but fail ah. Bathsheba wiped
tears from her eyes and said, he has.
Speaker 9 (21:57):
Gone up to sacrifice to the Lord. Your sons have
gone with him, as have Joab and Abiathur, My Lord, King, David,
the eyes of Israel are on. You tell them who
shall sit on the throne after you. If you do
not act soon, and you die without declaring an air,
(22:18):
you doom Solomon and I.
Speaker 4 (22:21):
As Bathsheba said these things, Nathan entered the room. He
bowed to the king and said.
Speaker 6 (22:27):
My lord, did I miss the message you sent about
Adanija being king. The last time we spoke, Solomon was
to be your heir. Now Adonijah has made a spectacle
then host to defeast in honor of his.
Speaker 4 (22:47):
David rose his hand and interrupted Nathan. He looked at
Bathsheba and said.
Speaker 6 (22:52):
My bones may be brittel that my word remains firm
as the Lord lives, who has saved my soul oh
from the clutches of every adversary. Solomon will reign after me.
He shall rule in my place and be the steward
over God's people. And when my body rests deepen the ground,
(23:16):
your son will listen to the throne. Bathsheba looked at
the king with tender admiration. His eyes were resolute and
filled with strength. In that moment she caught a glimpse
of his noble and heroic heart. She took his hand
in hers and bowed beside him.
Speaker 9 (23:33):
May you live forever, she.
Speaker 4 (23:35):
Said admiringly through our son I shall, David replied, gently,
placing a hand on her cheek. He looked to his servant,
who was standing at the door, and said.
Speaker 6 (23:47):
Called Zadik the priest, and Benighah, my captain.
Speaker 4 (23:51):
The servant did not delay. The two men were brought
before the king. David rose from his bed, with the
help of Abhishak, up straight and locked them in the eye, saying,
guy them.
Speaker 6 (24:03):
My entire household and the remaining mighty men. Take my
horse and have Solomon sit on top of it, ride
him throughout the city, and sound the trumpets with loud voices.
Have all the servants shout, long Live King Solomon.
Speaker 4 (24:21):
David leaned against the side of his bed and held
his ribs. He composed himself again and said.
Speaker 6 (24:28):
Zaduk, anoint Solomon as king, just as I was anointed
by Samuel. After you have anointed him, place him on
my throat. For I hereby relinquish the title of king
and give it to my son Solomon. He shall reign
(24:51):
over Israel and Judah.
Speaker 4 (24:54):
Beniah beamed with pride and saluted the king.
Speaker 6 (24:58):
Amen.
Speaker 10 (24:59):
He declared May the Lord agree with your words, as
he has been faithful to you. May he be even
more with King Solomon.
Speaker 4 (25:06):
Beniah approached David and knelt at.
Speaker 10 (25:08):
His feet, Thank you for your faithfulness as a king,
a brother, and a friend.
Speaker 4 (25:14):
He stood up and kissed David on the cheek. The
two embraced his brothers, and Beniah went to retrieve the
next king of Israel. It was early in the morning,
and Solomon was overlooking the hill country of Jerusalem from
the balcony of his home. He was a young man,
just barely twenty years old, yet within him was an
(25:35):
old and contemplative soul. He would often stare out at
the horizon and think about the meaning of life. His
thoughts on existence, suffering, joy, and prosperity were continually on
his mind. He brought his ideas to the Lord and
weighed them against his law. He thirsted for knowledge as
some would thirst for glory and power, and he knew
(25:55):
that God alone was the source of all truth. As
the sun peeked over the valley and the birds began
their mourning song, Solomon enjoyed this silent and meditated practice
of prayer. The young prince closed his eyes and breathed
in the crisp morning air, then descended down the stairs
into the garden. As he walked the pathway leading to
the city, he was stopped by Benaia and Zaduk, the priest.
(26:18):
Solomon smiled and waved.
Speaker 10 (26:20):
Hello, my friends, How might I be of service to you?
Speaker 4 (26:23):
The two of them said nothing. Instead, they approached Solomon
with looks of reverence and bowed at his feet. Entering
the gates of Solomon's home were all the servants of
King David. The mighty men, the Cherathites and Pelethites, all
gathered and bowed at his feet. Beniah lifted his head
and declared.
Speaker 10 (26:42):
Long Live King Solomon.
Speaker 4 (26:44):
Solomon looked out at the sea of faces, all of
them joining in one voice, singing.
Speaker 6 (26:50):
Long Live King Solomon, Long Live King Solomon, Long King Solomon.
Speaker 4 (26:59):
The choir mixtures of the congregation were in attendance, and
music was lifted into the heavens. They mounted Solomon onto
David's horse and rode him through the city. The earth
shook from the thousands of voices declaring his name. The
sun made its way over the valley and was now
emerging over the walls of Jerusalem. Its rays joned directly
onto Solomon, signaling a new era in Israel. Meanwhile, at
(27:26):
the Serpent Stone, ad the Nija lay on his back,
asleep with his belly full of food. The party lasted
for days, and the rich young men of Israel had
their bellies filled with wine. Each person in attendance was
fast asleep, recovering from several nights of drunken festivities. However,
all of them awoke to the same noise. Trumpets and
(27:47):
cheers cracked the skies like thunder, and ad A Nija
startled awake. He stood up and rubbed his eyes. He
walked out of his tent and looked out.
Speaker 8 (27:55):
What is God such an uproar in the city.
Speaker 6 (27:58):
He asked.
Speaker 4 (27:59):
Joe Apple, already awake and looking down to the city
as well, he wondered the same thing. Jonathan, the son
of Abiathar, ran up the mountain to greet them.
Speaker 8 (28:09):
Jonathan, Ada, Nija, yell, have you come from the city?
Speaker 4 (28:12):
I have, my lord, he replied, solemnly.
Speaker 8 (28:15):
What news do you have? Why are people cheering?
Speaker 4 (28:18):
The man who is to replace David has been chosen,
Jonathan said.
Speaker 10 (28:22):
Solomon now sits on the throne.
Speaker 4 (28:24):
When the rest of Adda the Knyg's guests heard what
Jonathan had said. They quickly gathered their things and fled.
They trembled in fear of being caught in a conspiracy
against the king. Adam Nige's heart began to beat quickly.
He realized now that he had made a grave mistake
assuming his place as heir to the throne.
Speaker 8 (28:42):
He will surely kill me, he whispered, I must speak
with him and beg for mercy.
Speaker 4 (28:46):
He grabbed Jonathan by the robe frantically and.
Speaker 8 (28:49):
Said, go and tell the king. I need to speak
with him. Tell him to not put me to death.
Speaker 4 (28:56):
King Solomon stood alone in the throne room. Tapestry telling
stories of David's life lace the walls. In the middle
of the room was an iron pit. In it a
fire burned. Solomon stood over it, allowing himself to be
entranced by the flames. He held the crown in his hand.
The flickering light from the flames bounced off the golden crown.
(29:17):
He ran his fingers over the engravings, admiring the fine
detail and handiwork. The crown seemed heavy in his hands.
He looked up at the throne and stepped forward. When
he was a child. The throne of his father always
seemed so large and terrifying. Now it seemed larger than ever.
He took another hesitant step toward the throne and paused again.
Speaker 10 (29:39):
Am I worthy of this?
Speaker 4 (29:41):
He whispered. A voice from behind broke the silence. My
King Solomon turned around. It was Beniah. He bowed and said.
Speaker 10 (29:51):
Forgive my intrusion, but your brother ad Anijah has sent
word begging for your mercy. He requests you allow him
to live despite his pursuit of the throne. What do
you say?
Speaker 4 (30:03):
This was Solomon's first decision as king. He looked down
at his father's crown, then back up at his father's throne.
Speaker 10 (30:09):
David would show mercy, he.
Speaker 4 (30:12):
Thought to himself. Solomon placed the crown on his head.
Speaker 10 (30:16):
If he shows himself a worthy man, not one hair
on his head shall be touched. However, if wickedness is
found in him, he shall be punished.
Speaker 4 (30:25):
Beniga bowed and began to leave. However, he stopped then
turned around to Solomon.
Speaker 10 (30:31):
I actually had another message for you, King Solomon. Banya said,
David requires your presence in his chambers. Solomon nodded, thank you, Beniah,
I shall go at once.
Speaker 4 (30:44):
The young king slowly creaked open the chamber doors. A
rush of warm air blew against his face as he entered.
The room was dry and smelled of spikenard and cedar.
The fire continued to burn in the fireplace, painting the
room with flickering light. His father lay in the bed
with abish acts, standing beside him. She gave Solomon a
(31:05):
gentle smile and waved. She kissed David's cheek and left
his side, touching Solomon's arm before leaving. Now it was
only he and David in the room, the glorious King
David and his heir, King Solomon. He stood beside his
father and reached out to hold his hand. David looked
up and smiled. His breathing was labored and his eyes
(31:27):
were weary. I am about to go the way of
all the earth, David whispered. Solomon felt tears about to break,
but he held them back to listen to his father
speak his final words. Be strong, my son, David said,
squeezing his hand. Show yourself a man, and keep the
(31:50):
charge of the Lord your God. Walk in his ways
and keep his commandments. Go but your heart with his rules,
his testimonies, and the law of Moses. If you keep
his word close, all that you do will prosper wherever
(32:16):
you go, and whatever you do, God will bless you.
David turned his gaze to his window and side.
Speaker 5 (32:26):
AH.
Speaker 6 (32:28):
For all my triumph in life, I have also had failure.
Yet God remained faithful to me. He promised me that
if my sons paid close attention to his ways and
walked before him in faithfulness with all their hearts and souls,
(32:53):
they would lack nothing.
Speaker 4 (32:56):
He beckoned for Solomon to lean down next to him.
Solomon knelt down beside his father. He laid a hand
on his son and said a prayer. Then he kissed
him on the forehead. Keep the call in the flame,
he said, with a smile. David then pulled out a
scroll and placed it in Solomon's hand. He patted him
(33:16):
on the hand and let go.
Speaker 7 (33:18):
I am tired, he said, I think I shall rest now.
David closed his eyes and fell asleep. Solomon leaned over
and kissed his father on the forehead, stroking his hair.
As he watched him fall deeper and deeper into sleep.
He knew in his heart that David would not wake.
(33:43):
Solomon walked down the stairs With the scroll in his hand,
he walked into the library and sat at the desk.
He held a candle close to the scroll and unraveled it.
It was David's handwriting in the scroll was the final Song,
the last words of David, the son of Jesse, the
(34:04):
oracle of a man raised on high and anointed by
the God of Jacob, the sweet Psalmist of Israel. Solomon
smiled and ran his fingers over the words and.
Speaker 10 (34:15):
Read, the Spirit of the Lord speaks to me. His
word is on my lips. The God and Rock of
Israel has spoken, saying, when one rules with justice and
fear of God, he dawns on the people like the
morning light, like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning,
like rain that makes grass sprout on the earth. For
(34:37):
my house stands with God. He has made me an
everlasting covenant that is secure and trustworthy. Worthless men are
like thorns that are thrown away, for they cannot be
taken with the hand. Do not touch them, and keep
your distance, For all a wicked man is good for
is to be consumed with fire.
Speaker 4 (35:01):
Solomon leaned back in his chair and rolled up the scroll.
He tucked it in his cloak and kept it close.
He leaned over the desk and blue bunk canal. That evening,
David went to be with his forefathers. He was buried
in the city of Jerusalem, his shining achievement. He never
did get the chance to see Solomon build the Temple. However,
(35:24):
one day he would witness something even more glorious. He
would witness the promised Messiah, a son of David, would
raise up and new Jerusalem and establish the perfect will
of God, lasting into all the tyranny. One day David
would hear the trumpets of victory sound once again and
(35:44):
be welcomed home into the loving embrace of his God.
The man after God's own heart would be close to
the heart of God forevermore. God's chosen hero and anointed
King was a flawed and fractured image, ultimately pointing to
a greater hero and a greater king. One who would
(36:05):
be brave and never stumble, One who would be tempted
and never give in, One who would feel the sting
of death but rise again to conquer it. This hero
was the one David hoped for. From David's seed, this
hero would be born. However, he would not fight with
a sling before shepherd's staff, Nor would he march with
(36:26):
a sword and shield. He would meet his enemy bearing
a cross on his shoulders and vanquish death once and
for all.
Speaker 3 (36:41):
There you have it, the beautiful end to David's grand adventure.
The prelude took us back to the beginning, when Samuel
walked up the hill to the sound of music. What
a glorious life David lived after that moment. After he
was anointed as king, opportunities presented themselves at every corner,
Opportunities to the life God's people, seek his character and
(37:02):
obey his commands. Although David was not always perfect, he
was always pure. Even in his greatest failures. He returned
to the heart of God like a deer returns to
a stream of water. Another slemist would go on to sing,
as a deer pants for flowing streams, So pants my
soul for you, Oh God, my soul thirst for God,
(37:23):
for the living God. David, from beginning to end thirsted
after the heart of God, and after his story is complete,
we are invited to do the same. I hope this
series inspired you to seek God just like David did,
honestly with a pure heart. And a courageous spirit. This
episode brought back the flame. Its light was slowly fading away,
(37:45):
but David meticulously cared for it, even though there was
a brief time in his life when he ignored the coals.
At the very end, he kept them burning. Solomon stood
by the fire as well. He was curiously staring at it,
but we didn't get to see what he did with it.
This is a purposeful cliffhanger, for we don't know yet
(38:06):
what type of king Solomon will be. If you want
to see if he keeps the fire burning, then you
can read for yourself. His story, along with hundreds of others,
are available to you. Isn't that beautiful? The story of
God's heroes and chosen people are available to you and I.
We can learn from their victories and defeats, and we
can discover the heart of God. The Word of God
(38:28):
is available to us. Within it lie the rich truths
of what it means to be human, wrestle with our
God and prevail over sin, shame, and lies. Truth was
an important part of this episode. For the bulk of
the story, we are led to believe that Adonijah's lies
were going to prevail, but truth won in the Inn
and Solomon became king. Adenijah's character was supposed to tease us.
(38:53):
He bore more resemblance to Saul than David, and we
were led to believe we might have another gory mess
on a hands, But that is no way to end
David's story. The crowning of Solomon was a perfect final
act for David, who needed to be reassured that God's
flock would be taken care of. He is a shepherd,
after all, and he would not be able to depart
(39:15):
unless he knew the sheep were okay. Before we depart,
I want to revisit an old theme, mercy. At the
end of the episode, Solomon shows at Nija mercy because
that is what his father would have done. David was
criticized by people close to him that he always showed
too much mercy. He showed too much mercy to saw Abna, Michael,
(39:38):
Joe Ab and Absolom. But those critics don't understand David
as well as they think they do. David showed mercy
because he was a shepherd. He knew that sheep tended
to stray away from the pasture. When one sheep leaves
the flock, most people would assume it's fine to let
the sheep leave, better to let it die in the
wilderness than to risk your own life. But that is
(39:58):
not how David saw the word. He was a good
shepherd and always left the flock to pursue his lost sheep.
David believed that nobody was too far gone or beyond saving.
He always believed that the heart of God could prevail
in the most wicked hearts. He always showed mercy because
a good shepherd never abandons a sheep to the wilderness,
(40:20):
He goes after them. God is a good shepherd. He
went after us when we strayed from him. He pursued
David when he strayed from him as well. You see,
David is not just a picture of Jesus, He is
a picture of us. David failed misteps and got lost,
but God always brought him back. When we fail, misstep
and lose our way, we have a good shepherd who
(40:42):
will endure the wilderness and wolves to find us again.
You have a God who fights for you, believes in you,
and will never let you go. The final words of
David are another song. This beautiful hymn perfectly summarizes the
heart of our hero. He called God the Rock of
Israel and gave his final advice to anyone who desires
(41:02):
to rule. His words were for Solomon, but also for us,
so let's soak them in together. The spirit of the
Lord speaks to me. His word is on my lips.
The God and Rock of Israel has spoken, saying, when
one rules with justice and fear of God, he dawns
on the people like the morning light, like the sun
(41:24):
shining forth on a cloudless morning, like rain that makes
grass sprout on the earth. For my house stands with God.
He has made with me an everlasting covenant that is
secure and trustworthy. Worthless men are like thorns that are
thrown away, for they cannot be taken with the hand.
(41:44):
Do not touch them, and keep your distance, for all
a wicked man is good for is to be consumed
with fire. I wanted to thank you again for embarking
on this journey with me. My hope is that the
life of David stoked your love for Jesus, our ultimate hero.
But I hope that David's life inspired you to be brave, courageous,
and merciful. I hope that you drew inspiration from his
(42:07):
life and found hope that we can all be heroes
in our own way. If you ever find yourself in
need of valor, I pray these stories stir you to
seek God. If you find yourself in need of more
inspiring stories, daily prayers, and wisdom to last a lifetime,
go to pray dot com. Please leave a review and
let us know how this series impacted your life. Follow
(42:30):
the podcast so you get the newest release on the
Story of Jesus coming out soon. Thank you again and
God bless you.
Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by
the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove
what is the good, well pleasing, and perfect will of
God Romans twelve two. Father to day, I am hungry
for more of you. I come to you with a
(00:22):
real desire to learn and grow. I come to you
with a teachable spirit, eager to be filled with your
wisdom your power. I will not step into this new
season of my life clinging to the old ways. I
declare that I am being transformed by the renewing of
(00:44):
my mind. As I look to you, I am becoming
increasingly aware of your infinite ability to bring new life,
new growth from what seems to be dead or dying.
I am excited the unlimited potential that will be realized.
I can't wait to see the renewal that will take
(01:06):
place in each of my life's assignments. I will walk
in your good and perfect will for me. I choose
to ignore any discouraging words from within or without that
would seek to distract me and derail me from my destiny.
(01:27):
Conforming the low thinking will no longer be a part
of my life because I am being transformed. As I
answer your highest calling. I confess that I'm no longer
the same. I've been forever changed. I'm a new creation
in Christ Jesus. I live for His kingdom and his
(01:50):
glory in Jesus name. Amen, stay tuned to immerse yourself
and the greatest stories ever told from prey dot COM's podcast,
Heroes in the Bible.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Hello. My name is Matthew Potter, co founder of Prey
dot com, and before we start today's episode of Heroes
in the Bible, I wanted to ask do you know
what your bank does with your money? At America's Christian
Credit Union, your everyday banking helps grow churches, expand the
reach of missions agencies, and supports fellow believers across the country.
(02:28):
Learn more about specials for switching to ACCU and their
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Speaker 3 (02:48):
Hi, I'm back to Tony Evans, your host for Heroes
in the Bible. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far,
please share it with your family and friends and help
us spread God's word. Welcome to the epic adventure of David,
a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
and murder. While most people know of David the myth,
(03:10):
few know about David the man. This is our final episode.
It has been a joy to go on this journey
with you. David's story is rich with deep truths about
the faithfulness of God, the fragility of man, and the
heart of a true hero. This episode is the final
seal on the scroll of David's life, conveying his last
words and wishes for the kingdom he gave his life
(03:33):
to protect. In this episode, David chooses his heir to
the throne, and we are given hope that he will
be a good steward of God's people. As the flickering
flame of David's life phase, we are left with one
resounding theme that prevails throughout scripture. David is not the
greatest hero of the Bible. However, as we listen to
(03:54):
his final poetic musings and contemplate his legacy, we can't
help but smile and conceive that while he may not
be the Bible's greatest hero, he certainly came the closest
David's heir will have a lot to live up to,
and we are certain that he will have faith at
times and fall at times like his father. Isn't that
one of the greater themes of our story so far?
(04:16):
Faithfulness requires that we fail. God has called you and
I to a grand adventure, and it would be silly
to think that we can take risks without stumbling. Every
once in a while, David stumbled and God propped him
back up. David's story reminds us that we can be brave,
but when we aren't, God will be brave for us.
(04:37):
We can be wise, but when we aren't, God will
be wise for us. We can be righteous, but when
we aren't, God will be righteous on our behalf. God
bless the story of David. Let's finish up this glorious
series with episode thirty, The Death of a Hero.
Speaker 4 (04:58):
Prelude to Chat thirty. Samuel picked up his staff and
wandered past the stables and up the grassy hill. The
wild flowers were in full bloom, arranged the grassy hills
in splendor. Soft music could be heard from a distance.
Samuel smiled as he looked at the flowers, swaying back
and forth, in the breeze. It was as if they
(05:20):
were dancing to the music. Samuel made his way up
the hill. Sheep were grazing lazily in the mild sun.
The music seemed to soothe them. Samuel looked around for
the source of the melodies. Underneath the cypress tree in
the shade was the shepherd boy Jesse spoke of. He
leaned his back against the trunk of the tree, strumming
(05:40):
his harp to the same tempo of the wind. Samuel
approached the tree, trying not to interrupt the boy's playing.
He sat on a stone only a few yards away
from where the boy lounged. The old prophet leaned back
and observed him. He could not have been any older
than sixteen. His long hair was lighter than his brother's.
(06:00):
He was not as looming as his oldest brother Eliab. However,
he was very handsome and ruddy in appearance. Samuel was
content to be silent for a while and listened to
the music. The song was a bomb to his weary
and downcast sole. The boy's music was emotional and somber,
yet filled with an unwavering joy. Clearly, it was a
(06:22):
song written from the heart As the song gently came
to a close, Samuel leaned over as he sat and
cleared his throat. The boy jumped back and grabbed his staff.
Who are you, the young shepherd said quickly. Samuel laughed
and waved his hands.
Speaker 5 (06:39):
Ha ha ha. I'm sorry if I startled you, my son,
Please do not be alarmed.
Speaker 4 (06:44):
I come in peace. The boy lowered his staff and
looked at the man up and down.
Speaker 5 (06:48):
You must be the prophet I heard about. I could
hear my father clamoring to my family about you from here.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
The boy bowed a knee in respect. Samuel peered at
the boy for a long while before speaking again. Tell
me why were you not in attendance at the feast,
he asked.
Speaker 5 (07:08):
The boy shrugged. I am only a shepherd, he replied.
I suppose my place is among my sheep.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
In that moment, Samuel felt a surge of God's joy
well up from within him, as if the voice of
God was striking like lightning in his mind. He could
hear the Lord say, arise anoint.
Speaker 6 (07:28):
Him with This is the one I have chosen.
Speaker 4 (07:32):
Samuel stood in front of the boy.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
Surely you are not only a shepherd.
Speaker 4 (07:37):
What is your name?
Speaker 6 (07:38):
David.
Speaker 7 (07:39):
He replied, kneel before the Lord, David, for the Lord
desires to bless you.
Speaker 4 (07:45):
Samuel took his horn of oil and anointed David's head,
and the spirit of God rushed upon the shepherd boy
like a mighty tempest. A surge of courageous fire burned
within David's belly. Although David hadn't the slightest clue why
Samuel had anointed him, he knew that from that day forward,
the Lord had destined him for great things, Chapter thirty,
(08:10):
Death of a Hero. Every moment was like being lost
in the dead of winter. His bones rattled and his
limbs felt numb. Every movement of his body was an
insurmountable task. The giant Slayer, the warrior King, laid awake
in his bed, unable to care for himself. His broad
(08:32):
shoulders that once held up the armies of Israel were
now sunk into a pillow, never to bear any weight again,
he moaned as he rolled on to his side. Slowly,
he lifted himself up and stepped off his bed. He
could not feel the cedar floor beneath him. The man
who once ran across the wilderness to save his family
(08:52):
could now barely make it from his bed to his fireplace.
He struggled to get to his seat by the fire
and groaned as he sat down. He held out his
hands to warm them, but it was no use. He
was perpetually cold and shivered like he was caught up
in a snow storm. He stared into the fading fire.
It had been burning for a while, but the coals
(09:14):
broke off from one another, causing the flame to dissipate.
David took an iron rod and moved them closer together.
The small flame was stoked, and the fire began to
regain its height. David smiled and set down the rod
beside his chair. He drew a deep breath and coughed.
He continued to shiver beside the fire, contemplating the state
(09:36):
of his kingdom. The major enemies of the lord had
been vanquished, and Israel had established itself as the elder
brother of the region. Although there were more enemies on
the horizon, Israel's immediate safety was secure. The shivering king smiled,
content that his final years as king successfully brought a
decade of peace. The door knocked, Come in, David said,
(10:01):
in her raspy old voice. A young woman walked in.
She had dark skin that was tanned from the sun,
and her hair was pulled back behind her head covering.
She had a radiant smile, and hidden behind her eyes
was poetic wisdom. A younger David would have been intoxicated
by her. However, in his old age, David's desires for
(10:21):
pleasure had faded. She was his nurse and tended to
him day and night. She also slept with him in
his bed to keep him warm, but the two did
not know each other intimately. She was like a daughter
to him, and he trusted her with his health and
well being. Hello, Abishagg, David whispered, wrapping himself in his robes.
Speaker 8 (10:43):
You are out of bed again, Abishag said sternly.
Speaker 4 (10:47):
Her voice was gentle and soft. She could curse him
and it would still sound like a sweet blessing. David
smiled and gestured for her to sit beside him. The
king sighed and continued to look at the fire. I
fear that my final days are drawing near, he said,
as I lay in my bed. Sometimes I wish I
(11:10):
had died years ago in the glory of battle.
Speaker 9 (11:17):
Passing at an old age in your bed is its
own glory. Abishak said, you have lived long and fought
many battles. You have earned a moment of peace.
Speaker 4 (11:27):
David chuckled and began to cough again.
Speaker 6 (11:30):
I have earned nothing, my dear. It is the Lord
who has given me everything.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
Abishak smiled and escorted David back to his bed. She
dressed him in another layer of robes and tucked him
under the blankets. She went to the fire and placed
another log in. The flame consumed it quickly, and the
room was filled with more warmth. However, the king continued
to shiver. His bones were brittle and losing life. Abishag
crawled into bed with him and kept her close. The
(12:01):
king sighed a breath of relief and fell asleep. Fifty
horsemen rode up the hills with brilliantly adorned armor. The
sound of galloping thoroughbreds echoed across the plains leading up
to joe AB's estate. Behind them was Prince Adenija, David's
eldest son after the death of Absalom. He was mounted
(12:22):
on a black horse and adorned with golden scaled armor.
His breastplate was laced with jewels, and his belt shimmered
with gemstones. Adanija was the most handsome man in all Israel.
His long curls gracefully blew in the wind, and his
broad shoulders and chest accentuated his decad and armour. Joeab
was standing in front of his home, leaning on his
(12:43):
cane for balance. Adnijah dismounted his horse and held out
his arms to embrace Joab.
Speaker 8 (12:50):
Israel's greatest commander. Joe Ab, How are you, old friend.
Speaker 4 (12:55):
Joab bowed his head and the two of them hugged.
Speaker 10 (12:58):
Dear Prince Adnija, I see you have come with a
king like entourage.
Speaker 4 (13:02):
He said, gesturing to the fifty men behind him. Adonijah
looked back and shrugged.
Speaker 8 (13:08):
Well, if I am to be king soon, it is
best for me to begin preparing myself. These men are
the finest young warriors in Israel. I have recruited them
to be my personal guard.
Speaker 10 (13:20):
Impressive, Joab exclaimed, Come in, we have much to discuss.
Speaker 4 (13:24):
The two men walked into Joab's home. Abiathar, the priest,
was already inside waiting. The three of them sat down
to discuss the future of Israel and the succession of
the king. I will be king, Adanija said, plainly.
Speaker 8 (13:38):
A king is in his final weeks. I have seen
it myself. He is near death, and it is time
for us to begin planning.
Speaker 4 (13:46):
Abiathar nodded and said, has David given you his blessing
to succeed him? Adanaijah shook his head.
Speaker 8 (13:55):
I am the oldest and the greatest warrior of my
father's sons. Although my father has not said so explicitly,
I have begun my preparations with you two behind me.
I am sure the nation will accept me as their king.
Speaker 10 (14:10):
What if Solomon, Abiathar said, did not your father request
he succeed him on the throne.
Speaker 4 (14:16):
Joe Ab scoffed and.
Speaker 10 (14:17):
Said, Solomon does not have a steady enough hand to
be king. He wastes his time in scrolls, studying ancient
languages and philosophies. He reads more than he fights, and
he enjoys rhetoric more than action. Adnaija is the clear choice.
He is a warrior and the firstborn. I will support
him as king, even if David does not see it.
Speaker 4 (14:37):
Joe Ab and Abiathar spoke from a place of bitterness.
Since the victory over the Philistines, Benaiah and Nathan, the
prophet had become David's closer, allies and confidants. They felt
cast aside and angry with David, so they conspired with
his son.
Speaker 6 (14:53):
Joe.
Speaker 4 (14:53):
Ab says is true. Adnija agreed.
Speaker 8 (14:57):
Israel does not need a philosopher, it needs a king.
Speaker 4 (15:00):
The prince placed a hand on each of them and said.
Speaker 8 (15:02):
You too are trusted by my father and respected by
the nation. If I have you two by my side,
I know I can become a great king.
Speaker 4 (15:12):
The three of them continued to speak about the future
of Israel. They strategized, drew maps, and dreamed about a
new Israel under a new rule. However, in all of
their planning, they did not think once to ask David
for permission. They kept him in the dark, hoping that
he would die before making his preference for Solomon known.
Speaker 8 (15:32):
We must show the people that God favors us as well.
Speaker 4 (15:36):
Ade Nija exclaimed.
Speaker 8 (15:37):
Abiathar a range of sacrifice for us so that we
might worship the Lord. Then we will hold a great
feast for my siblings and the nobles of Israel. I
desire for them to recognize me as king.
Speaker 4 (15:50):
Abiathar stood and bowed. It was a brilliant idea. So
they met on a hill called Serpent Stone. The sons
of David, the royal official of Judah, and the rich
nobles of Israel were all in attendance. Adenaija sacrificed sheep,
oxen and fattened cattle before the lord. They burned the
fat of the animals as an offering and cooked the
(16:12):
meat for themselves to feast. They gathered in celebrations of Adonaija.
They raised their cumps to his future reign as king
of Israel. However, David was not in attendance, nor did
he know of their gathering. All of David's sons were
there except for Solomon, and all of David's officials except
for Benaiah and Nathan. News of Adenaija's bid for the
(16:35):
throne reached the ears of Nathan the prophet. He leaned
on his cane and sighed deeply. This is not good,
he whispered. The old prophet put on his cloak and
made his way to the home of Bathsheba, David's wife.
Even in her advancing years, Bathsheba was a vision to behold.
Since the tragedy of Uriah and the birth of her
(16:56):
son Solomon, she had regained a sense of self assurreedance,
and strength. David trusted her more than his other wives,
and she was an influential voice in the decisions of
the nation. Nathan entered her home, bowing his head in
honor your grace. I have come with urgent news, he
said solemnly.
Speaker 9 (17:17):
Dear Nathan, please sit and speak.
Speaker 4 (17:20):
Bathsheba gestured for Nathan to sit. The prophet groaned as
he sat and sighed. He was a weary man. After
years of advising David, he had thought his work had
come to an end. Yet here he was once again
entangled in the drama of David's life.
Speaker 6 (17:37):
Have you heard that Otu Niger's establishing himself as king?
Speaker 4 (17:43):
Bathsheba's brow furrowed, her jaw clenched as she spoke.
Speaker 9 (17:47):
Was this David's doing?
Speaker 4 (17:49):
She asked?
Speaker 6 (17:50):
No, the King does not seem to be aware this
has happened. You and I were both in attendant when
David promised the throne to Solomon. However, it seems that
Ada Niga has garnered the favor of Joab and Abiathar
the priests. If this is true, it is only a
(18:15):
matter of time before he comes for you and Solomon
to take you out the prophet leaned over and said,
you must go to the king and confirm that Solomon
is indeed his choice. Bathsheba nodded, her hands trembled in fear.
If ade Nija possessed even half the ambition as Absalom
(18:37):
once did, her and Solomon were in grave danger. Nathan,
sensing her feelings, took her hand gently. I will come
with you when you have spoken to the king. I
will enter as well and confirm your position. Fear not,
dear Bathsheba, The Lord will take care of you and
(19:01):
your son.
Speaker 4 (19:05):
Solomon leaned against the stone wall, perusing scrolls ridden by
the thinkers of old. He was entranced by the hidden
knowledge captured in words. Beside him were the scrolls of Moses.
He had been reading all morning, losing track of time.
As he was lost in thought, he heard a small
thump in the other room. Solomon looked up and saw Abshag,
(19:27):
the Shumut woman, passing through with a cup of broth
with the king. She was as radiant as ever and
captured Solomon's complete attention. Abishag, Solomon said gently. The servant
of the king smiled when she saw Solomon. He was
taller than his brother's with a leaner face and shorter beard.
Although Solomon did not possess the same good looks as
(19:48):
his brother at Nijah, he had kind and wise eyes
that made Abishag curious. She blushed when she saw him
and greeted him with a.
Speaker 9 (19:57):
Small bough Hello, Solomon.
Speaker 4 (20:00):
The two lingered in the same room for a moment,
enjoying a brief moment together. They both felt the silence
with laughter, and Abishag bowed again, saying, I.
Speaker 9 (20:12):
Must return to your father. It was nice seeing you.
Speaker 4 (20:15):
Solomon waved goodbye and watched her leave the room. He
leaned his head against the stone wall and smiled.
Speaker 10 (20:22):
Behold you are beautiful, my love.
Speaker 1 (20:25):
Behold you are beautiful.
Speaker 10 (20:27):
Your eyes are doves.
Speaker 4 (20:28):
He whispered. Solomon put down the scrolls and picked up
a pen and parchment, writing poems about the love welling
up within him. Abishag walked up the stairs leading into
David's bedroom. She opened the door quietly, not wanting to
wake the king. However, he was already up, gazing longingly
out the window. The king turned to her and smiled,
(20:51):
thing graciously took the cup of broth in his hands.
Before he could take a moment to sip, the door
opened again. This time it was Bathsheba. David smiled and
gestured for her to come forward, my bride, he said, softly,
how can I serve you to day? Bathsheba was distraught
and unsure how to begin. She bout at the side
(21:13):
of his bed and kissed his hand. It was difficult
for her to see the king in such a frail state.
She remembered how strong his arms used to be. They
were the arms of a warrior, and she melted in
his presence. However, his age had stolen his strength, and
Bathsheba dealt with him gently.
Speaker 9 (21:31):
I have come to ask about your will, my lord,
she said. You swore to me before God that Solomon
would reign after you and sit on your throne. Now
I hear word that Atanasia has made himself king.
Speaker 4 (21:44):
What do you mean, David asked, I did not know
any of this. The king stirred in his bed and
tried to prop himself up, but fail ah. Bathsheba wiped
tears from her eyes and said, he has.
Speaker 9 (21:57):
Gone up to sacrifice to the Lord. Your sons have
gone with him, as have Joab and Abiathur, My Lord, King, David,
the eyes of Israel are on. You tell them who
shall sit on the throne after you. If you do
not act soon, and you die without declaring an air,
(22:18):
you doom Solomon and I.
Speaker 4 (22:21):
As Bathsheba said these things, Nathan entered the room. He
bowed to the king and said.
Speaker 6 (22:27):
My lord, did I miss the message you sent about
Adanija being king. The last time we spoke, Solomon was
to be your heir. Now Adonijah has made a spectacle
then host to defeast in honor of his.
Speaker 4 (22:47):
David rose his hand and interrupted Nathan. He looked at
Bathsheba and said.
Speaker 6 (22:52):
My bones may be brittel that my word remains firm
as the Lord lives, who has saved my soul oh
from the clutches of every adversary. Solomon will reign after me.
He shall rule in my place and be the steward
over God's people. And when my body rests deepen the ground,
(23:16):
your son will listen to the throne. Bathsheba looked at
the king with tender admiration. His eyes were resolute and
filled with strength. In that moment she caught a glimpse
of his noble and heroic heart. She took his hand
in hers and bowed beside him.
Speaker 9 (23:33):
May you live forever, she.
Speaker 4 (23:35):
Said admiringly through our son I shall, David replied, gently,
placing a hand on her cheek. He looked to his servant,
who was standing at the door, and said.
Speaker 6 (23:47):
Called Zadik the priest, and Benighah, my captain.
Speaker 4 (23:51):
The servant did not delay. The two men were brought
before the king. David rose from his bed, with the
help of Abhishak, up straight and locked them in the eye, saying,
guy them.
Speaker 6 (24:03):
My entire household and the remaining mighty men. Take my
horse and have Solomon sit on top of it, ride
him throughout the city, and sound the trumpets with loud voices.
Have all the servants shout, long Live King Solomon.
Speaker 4 (24:21):
David leaned against the side of his bed and held
his ribs. He composed himself again and said.
Speaker 6 (24:28):
Zaduk, anoint Solomon as king, just as I was anointed
by Samuel. After you have anointed him, place him on
my throat. For I hereby relinquish the title of king
and give it to my son Solomon. He shall reign
(24:51):
over Israel and Judah.
Speaker 4 (24:54):
Beniah beamed with pride and saluted the king.
Speaker 6 (24:58):
Amen.
Speaker 10 (24:59):
He declared May the Lord agree with your words, as
he has been faithful to you. May he be even
more with King Solomon.
Speaker 4 (25:06):
Beniah approached David and knelt at.
Speaker 10 (25:08):
His feet, Thank you for your faithfulness as a king,
a brother, and a friend.
Speaker 4 (25:14):
He stood up and kissed David on the cheek. The
two embraced his brothers, and Beniah went to retrieve the
next king of Israel. It was early in the morning,
and Solomon was overlooking the hill country of Jerusalem from
the balcony of his home. He was a young man,
just barely twenty years old, yet within him was an
(25:35):
old and contemplative soul. He would often stare out at
the horizon and think about the meaning of life. His
thoughts on existence, suffering, joy, and prosperity were continually on
his mind. He brought his ideas to the Lord and
weighed them against his law. He thirsted for knowledge as
some would thirst for glory and power, and he knew
(25:55):
that God alone was the source of all truth. As
the sun peeked over the valley and the birds began
their mourning song, Solomon enjoyed this silent and meditated practice
of prayer. The young prince closed his eyes and breathed
in the crisp morning air, then descended down the stairs
into the garden. As he walked the pathway leading to
the city, he was stopped by Benaia and Zaduk, the priest.
(26:18):
Solomon smiled and waved.
Speaker 10 (26:20):
Hello, my friends, How might I be of service to you?
Speaker 4 (26:23):
The two of them said nothing. Instead, they approached Solomon
with looks of reverence and bowed at his feet. Entering
the gates of Solomon's home were all the servants of
King David. The mighty men, the Cherathites and Pelethites, all
gathered and bowed at his feet. Beniah lifted his head
and declared.
Speaker 10 (26:42):
Long Live King Solomon.
Speaker 4 (26:44):
Solomon looked out at the sea of faces, all of
them joining in one voice, singing.
Speaker 6 (26:50):
Long Live King Solomon, Long Live King Solomon, Long King Solomon.
Speaker 4 (26:59):
The choir mixtures of the congregation were in attendance, and
music was lifted into the heavens. They mounted Solomon onto
David's horse and rode him through the city. The earth
shook from the thousands of voices declaring his name. The
sun made its way over the valley and was now
emerging over the walls of Jerusalem. Its rays joned directly
onto Solomon, signaling a new era in Israel. Meanwhile, at
(27:26):
the Serpent Stone, ad the Nija lay on his back,
asleep with his belly full of food. The party lasted
for days, and the rich young men of Israel had
their bellies filled with wine. Each person in attendance was
fast asleep, recovering from several nights of drunken festivities. However,
all of them awoke to the same noise. Trumpets and
(27:47):
cheers cracked the skies like thunder, and ad A Nija
startled awake. He stood up and rubbed his eyes. He
walked out of his tent and looked out.
Speaker 8 (27:55):
What is God such an uproar in the city.
Speaker 6 (27:58):
He asked.
Speaker 4 (27:59):
Joe Apple, already awake and looking down to the city
as well, he wondered the same thing. Jonathan, the son
of Abiathar, ran up the mountain to greet them.
Speaker 8 (28:09):
Jonathan, Ada, Nija, yell, have you come from the city?
Speaker 4 (28:12):
I have, my lord, he replied, solemnly.
Speaker 8 (28:15):
What news do you have? Why are people cheering?
Speaker 4 (28:18):
The man who is to replace David has been chosen,
Jonathan said.
Speaker 10 (28:22):
Solomon now sits on the throne.
Speaker 4 (28:24):
When the rest of Adda the Knyg's guests heard what
Jonathan had said. They quickly gathered their things and fled.
They trembled in fear of being caught in a conspiracy
against the king. Adam Nige's heart began to beat quickly.
He realized now that he had made a grave mistake
assuming his place as heir to the throne.
Speaker 8 (28:42):
He will surely kill me, he whispered, I must speak
with him and beg for mercy.
Speaker 4 (28:46):
He grabbed Jonathan by the robe frantically and.
Speaker 8 (28:49):
Said, go and tell the king. I need to speak
with him. Tell him to not put me to death.
Speaker 4 (28:56):
King Solomon stood alone in the throne room. Tapestry telling
stories of David's life lace the walls. In the middle
of the room was an iron pit. In it a
fire burned. Solomon stood over it, allowing himself to be
entranced by the flames. He held the crown in his hand.
The flickering light from the flames bounced off the golden crown.
(29:17):
He ran his fingers over the engravings, admiring the fine
detail and handiwork. The crown seemed heavy in his hands.
He looked up at the throne and stepped forward. When
he was a child. The throne of his father always
seemed so large and terrifying. Now it seemed larger than ever.
He took another hesitant step toward the throne and paused again.
Speaker 10 (29:39):
Am I worthy of this?
Speaker 4 (29:41):
He whispered. A voice from behind broke the silence. My
King Solomon turned around. It was Beniah. He bowed and said.
Speaker 10 (29:51):
Forgive my intrusion, but your brother ad Anijah has sent
word begging for your mercy. He requests you allow him
to live despite his pursuit of the throne. What do
you say?
Speaker 4 (30:03):
This was Solomon's first decision as king. He looked down
at his father's crown, then back up at his father's throne.
Speaker 10 (30:09):
David would show mercy, he.
Speaker 4 (30:12):
Thought to himself. Solomon placed the crown on his head.
Speaker 10 (30:16):
If he shows himself a worthy man, not one hair
on his head shall be touched. However, if wickedness is
found in him, he shall be punished.
Speaker 4 (30:25):
Beniga bowed and began to leave. However, he stopped then
turned around to Solomon.
Speaker 10 (30:31):
I actually had another message for you, King Solomon. Banya said,
David requires your presence in his chambers. Solomon nodded, thank you, Beniah,
I shall go at once.
Speaker 4 (30:44):
The young king slowly creaked open the chamber doors. A
rush of warm air blew against his face as he entered.
The room was dry and smelled of spikenard and cedar.
The fire continued to burn in the fireplace, painting the
room with flickering light. His father lay in the bed
with abish acts, standing beside him. She gave Solomon a
(31:05):
gentle smile and waved. She kissed David's cheek and left
his side, touching Solomon's arm before leaving. Now it was
only he and David in the room, the glorious King
David and his heir, King Solomon. He stood beside his
father and reached out to hold his hand. David looked
up and smiled. His breathing was labored and his eyes
(31:27):
were weary. I am about to go the way of
all the earth, David whispered. Solomon felt tears about to break,
but he held them back to listen to his father
speak his final words. Be strong, my son, David said,
squeezing his hand. Show yourself a man, and keep the
(31:50):
charge of the Lord your God. Walk in his ways
and keep his commandments. Go but your heart with his rules,
his testimonies, and the law of Moses. If you keep
his word close, all that you do will prosper wherever
(32:16):
you go, and whatever you do, God will bless you.
David turned his gaze to his window and side.
Speaker 5 (32:26):
AH.
Speaker 6 (32:28):
For all my triumph in life, I have also had failure.
Yet God remained faithful to me. He promised me that
if my sons paid close attention to his ways and
walked before him in faithfulness with all their hearts and souls,
(32:53):
they would lack nothing.
Speaker 4 (32:56):
He beckoned for Solomon to lean down next to him.
Solomon knelt down beside his father. He laid a hand
on his son and said a prayer. Then he kissed
him on the forehead. Keep the call in the flame,
he said, with a smile. David then pulled out a
scroll and placed it in Solomon's hand. He patted him
(33:16):
on the hand and let go.
Speaker 7 (33:18):
I am tired, he said, I think I shall rest now.
David closed his eyes and fell asleep. Solomon leaned over
and kissed his father on the forehead, stroking his hair.
As he watched him fall deeper and deeper into sleep.
He knew in his heart that David would not wake.
(33:43):
Solomon walked down the stairs With the scroll in his hand,
he walked into the library and sat at the desk.
He held a candle close to the scroll and unraveled it.
It was David's handwriting in the scroll was the final Song,
the last words of David, the son of Jesse, the
(34:04):
oracle of a man raised on high and anointed by
the God of Jacob, the sweet Psalmist of Israel. Solomon
smiled and ran his fingers over the words and.
Speaker 10 (34:15):
Read, the Spirit of the Lord speaks to me. His
word is on my lips. The God and Rock of
Israel has spoken, saying, when one rules with justice and
fear of God, he dawns on the people like the
morning light, like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning,
like rain that makes grass sprout on the earth. For
(34:37):
my house stands with God. He has made me an
everlasting covenant that is secure and trustworthy. Worthless men are
like thorns that are thrown away, for they cannot be
taken with the hand. Do not touch them, and keep
your distance, For all a wicked man is good for
is to be consumed with fire.
Speaker 4 (35:01):
Solomon leaned back in his chair and rolled up the scroll.
He tucked it in his cloak and kept it close.
He leaned over the desk and blue bunk canal. That evening,
David went to be with his forefathers. He was buried
in the city of Jerusalem, his shining achievement. He never
did get the chance to see Solomon build the Temple. However,
(35:24):
one day he would witness something even more glorious. He
would witness the promised Messiah, a son of David, would
raise up and new Jerusalem and establish the perfect will
of God, lasting into all the tyranny. One day David
would hear the trumpets of victory sound once again and
(35:44):
be welcomed home into the loving embrace of his God.
The man after God's own heart would be close to
the heart of God forevermore. God's chosen hero and anointed
King was a flawed and fractured image, ultimately pointing to
a greater hero and a greater king. One who would
(36:05):
be brave and never stumble, One who would be tempted
and never give in, One who would feel the sting
of death but rise again to conquer it. This hero
was the one David hoped for. From David's seed, this
hero would be born. However, he would not fight with
a sling before shepherd's staff, Nor would he march with
(36:26):
a sword and shield. He would meet his enemy bearing
a cross on his shoulders and vanquish death once and
for all.
Speaker 3 (36:41):
There you have it, the beautiful end to David's grand adventure.
The prelude took us back to the beginning, when Samuel
walked up the hill to the sound of music. What
a glorious life David lived after that moment. After he
was anointed as king, opportunities presented themselves at every corner,
Opportunities to the life God's people, seek his character and
(37:02):
obey his commands. Although David was not always perfect, he
was always pure. Even in his greatest failures. He returned
to the heart of God like a deer returns to
a stream of water. Another slemist would go on to sing,
as a deer pants for flowing streams, So pants my
soul for you, Oh God, my soul thirst for God,
(37:23):
for the living God. David, from beginning to end thirsted
after the heart of God, and after his story is complete,
we are invited to do the same. I hope this
series inspired you to seek God just like David did,
honestly with a pure heart. And a courageous spirit. This
episode brought back the flame. Its light was slowly fading away,
(37:45):
but David meticulously cared for it, even though there was
a brief time in his life when he ignored the coals.
At the very end, he kept them burning. Solomon stood
by the fire as well. He was curiously staring at it,
but we didn't get to see what he did with it.
This is a purposeful cliffhanger, for we don't know yet
(38:06):
what type of king Solomon will be. If you want
to see if he keeps the fire burning, then you
can read for yourself. His story, along with hundreds of others,
are available to you. Isn't that beautiful? The story of
God's heroes and chosen people are available to you and I.
We can learn from their victories and defeats, and we
can discover the heart of God. The Word of God
(38:28):
is available to us. Within it lie the rich truths
of what it means to be human, wrestle with our
God and prevail over sin, shame, and lies. Truth was
an important part of this episode. For the bulk of
the story, we are led to believe that Adonijah's lies
were going to prevail, but truth won in the Inn
and Solomon became king. Adenijah's character was supposed to tease us.
(38:53):
He bore more resemblance to Saul than David, and we
were led to believe we might have another gory mess
on a hands, But that is no way to end
David's story. The crowning of Solomon was a perfect final
act for David, who needed to be reassured that God's
flock would be taken care of. He is a shepherd,
after all, and he would not be able to depart
(39:15):
unless he knew the sheep were okay. Before we depart,
I want to revisit an old theme, mercy. At the
end of the episode, Solomon shows at Nija mercy because
that is what his father would have done. David was
criticized by people close to him that he always showed
too much mercy. He showed too much mercy to saw Abna, Michael,
(39:38):
Joe Ab and Absolom. But those critics don't understand David
as well as they think they do. David showed mercy
because he was a shepherd. He knew that sheep tended
to stray away from the pasture. When one sheep leaves
the flock, most people would assume it's fine to let
the sheep leave, better to let it die in the
wilderness than to risk your own life. But that is
(39:58):
not how David saw the word. He was a good
shepherd and always left the flock to pursue his lost sheep.
David believed that nobody was too far gone or beyond saving.
He always believed that the heart of God could prevail
in the most wicked hearts. He always showed mercy because
a good shepherd never abandons a sheep to the wilderness,
(40:20):
He goes after them. God is a good shepherd. He
went after us when we strayed from him. He pursued
David when he strayed from him as well. You see,
David is not just a picture of Jesus, He is
a picture of us. David failed misteps and got lost,
but God always brought him back. When we fail, misstep
and lose our way, we have a good shepherd who
(40:42):
will endure the wilderness and wolves to find us again.
You have a God who fights for you, believes in you,
and will never let you go. The final words of
David are another song. This beautiful hymn perfectly summarizes the
heart of our hero. He called God the Rock of
Israel and gave his final advice to anyone who desires
(41:02):
to rule. His words were for Solomon, but also for us,
so let's soak them in together. The spirit of the
Lord speaks to me. His word is on my lips.
The God and Rock of Israel has spoken, saying, when
one rules with justice and fear of God, he dawns
on the people like the morning light, like the sun
(41:24):
shining forth on a cloudless morning, like rain that makes
grass sprout on the earth. For my house stands with God.
He has made with me an everlasting covenant that is
secure and trustworthy. Worthless men are like thorns that are
thrown away, for they cannot be taken with the hand.
(41:44):
Do not touch them, and keep your distance, for all
a wicked man is good for is to be consumed
with fire. I wanted to thank you again for embarking
on this journey with me. My hope is that the
life of David stoked your love for Jesus, our ultimate hero.
But I hope that David's life inspired you to be brave, courageous,
and merciful. I hope that you drew inspiration from his
(42:07):
life and found hope that we can all be heroes
in our own way. If you ever find yourself in
need of valor, I pray these stories stir you to
seek God. If you find yourself in need of more
inspiring stories, daily prayers, and wisdom to last a lifetime,
go to pray dot com. Please leave a review and
let us know how this series impacted your life. Follow
(42:30):
the podcast so you get the newest release on the
Story of Jesus coming out soon. Thank you again and
God bless you.
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