The removal of Abiathar from being priest.- At this time it seems that there were two lines of priests working. Abiathar and Zadok. Abiathar had revolted against Solomon as future king. Zadok had upheld the choice of Solomon. [see 1 Kings 1:7-8] therefore Abiathar was removed [1 Kings 2:27] and Zadok installed as priest [1 Kings 2:35]

The genealogy is thus.

The removal of Abiathar is the fulfilment of 1 SAM 2:31

The Sons of Korah

Solomon followed on with wise deeds in today's chapter - but do notice that this is before his gift of wisdom from God.  The Lord was obviously pleased with the way Solomon had started.

V.17 Adonijah's request to marry Abishag was not an innocent act.  It was a treacherous attempt to take the throne.  Perhaps Bathsheba could not see the ploy, but Solomon did.  

Abishag, although not intimate with David, was, nevertheless, considered his concubine.  Acquiring a former king's wives was considered an act of succession to the throne. 

David experienced such a situation vis-à-vis Saul (2Sam 12:8).  In reading the situation, Solomon displayed uncommon wisdom even before he received Yahweh's unique blessing of wisdom.

V.9 Solomon had given early indications of wisdom before his request for the ability to discern between good and bad (1Kings 3:11), and his own sound judgement would dictate the coures that should be followed in any offense that Shimei might commit.

Solomon was paralleling the role of Jesus, the greater son of David, in pronouncing judgement on the outstanding sins of:

-Joab vs.22; 29-33.

-Shimei vs.8; 36-44.

-Abiathar vs.26,27 See 1Sam 2:30-33.

-Adonijah vs.19; 21-24.

Solomon cleared the books at the beginning of his reign.  The Lord Jesus will first judge when He returns, and then His peaceful reign will follow.

2:3  When David, quoting Moses, told Solomon to keep God’s statutes he is quoting Deut 29:9. Whilst Deuteronomy speaks of a covenant David speaks of statutes and commandments. Thus we see that obedience to the statutes was tantamount to observing the covenant. God had promised – Israel were to obey. These are the two sides of the covenant.

Solomon showed wisdom before Yahweh increased it.  Yahweh, it appears, is prepared to increase a virtuous quality that already exists. The principle is illustrated in 2Cor 9:10. 

On the other hand, Yahweh does not appear ready to turn a person 180 degrees, from foolishness to wisdom, for example.  He states that a foolish person will repeat his folly, thus showing that Yahweh will not interfere with that state (Prov 26:11). 

Thus, if we are trying to attain the virtuous qualities which please Yahweh, it is a reasonable expectation that He will help us with our development (1Cor 3:7).    

1Kin 2:36,37 Jerusalem became for Shimei a city of refuge cp Num 35:26,27

As discussed by others above, Solomon used his talent/gift of wisdom before he prayed for God to give him wisdom to guide His people aright. Do we pray for the gifts that God has given each of us, so that we may use them in His service, for His people.

The fact that Adonijah and his group of followers were still a threat to Solomon is demonstrated several times in this chapter. First, Bathsheba's reaction to him when he approached her was "Do you come peacably?" (v13). Secondly, Solomon's reaction upon hearing Adonijah's request was to instigate measures against the whole group, not just the man himself. Solomon obviousy realised that the group were still scheming his downfall. Thirdly, the scripture announces once these threats had been nuetralised: "thus the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon" (v46).

2:4  In speaking of ‘if thy children take heed …’ David is thinking of the promise of 2 2Sam 7:14

V.5 David instructed Solomon to tie up the loose ends of his affairs.  The question is, why didn't David correct those things during his reign?  Take Joab, for example.  He was guilty of the murders of Abner and Amasa.  And yet, David had not addressed those murders until now. 

He did not address the murder that his son Absalom committed either.  Ironically, it was Joab who killed Absalom and did the job that David should have done under the Law (2Sam 18:14,15). 

 David had no compunction in dispensing justice to outsiders, but not to those close to him (2Sam 1:13,14; 2Sam 4:10-12). Why?

2:26 Solomon’s treatment of Abiathar shows respect to one who was anointed of God. This is the significance of the comment about bearing the ark. He was happy to leave the matter in God’s hand rather than just slay the Lord’s anointed. In this his attitude matched that of David – 1Sam 24:10 - when he could have killed Saul.

V.10 Normally, tombs were not allowed within city boundaries.  Jerusalem was the exception (Acts 2:29).

V.11 David died in Jerusalem after 33 years of reign there.  Jesus died in Jerusalem after 33 years of life.  Actually, Jesus died outside the North Gate of the city to fulfil the Law (Heb 13:11-13).

V.25 Benaiah was the faithful commander of David’s bodyguard (2Sam 8:18).  Now, Solomon elevated him to the commander-in-chief of his army.

2:25 Benaiah’s faithfulness to Solomon is a continuation of his faithfulness to David, Solomon’s father.

V.26 "mad" SHAGA (7691) "to rave through insanity". Inspired prophets were often so called by the ungodly.(2Kin 9:11, Acts 26:24) Jeremiah is in this a type of Christ, against whom the same charge was brought.(John 10:20)

Vs.5,6 When Yahweh commanded Judah to go into exile to Babylon, they were not to be put in jail on bread and water rations.  On the contrary, they were to prosper. 

V.7 The people were to pray for the peace of Babylon, just as we are to pray for the peace of the places in which we live (1Tim 2:1,2). 

During the seventy years' sojourn, the generations which grew up in prosperity in Babylon had no direct association with Jerusalem. 

And so, what motivated these new generations to go to a Jerusalem they had never seen?  The answer must be through the constant teaching and vision handed down by their parents and grand-parents (please read Psa 137).  

Likewise, how do we motivate our children to want to leave the Babylon, in which we live, to go to the New Jerusalem (Heb 13:14; Rev 3:12; 21:2)?  The answer, again, is through constant teaching and vision (Prov 22:6; 29:18). 

It’s interesting to note that the message of the 70 years’ captivity was taken to Babylon (Jer 29:1-4,10). This obviously enabled Daniel to know, and to make his prayer at the end of the 70 years (Dan 9:2); see also Jer 25:11-14.

29:1  Maybe those who had been taken to Babylon had thought that at least they would not have to listen to Jeremiah any more – but then a letter arrived from Jerusalem written by Jeremiah!

29:11  How did Jeremiah know ‘the thoughts of God’? The answer is clear. Jeremiah listened to Him speaking to him. Whilst we are not prophets we still can ‘listen’ to God speaking by reading His word.

29:4-7 The words of the prophet to the people who would go into captivity might have been seen as treason by the Jews in Jerusalem. However the advice was the advice that any sojourner should follow in the land of their sojourning. It is the advice that we are given by Paul – Rom 13:1-6

29:32 God does not tolerate usurpers. As soon as Shemaiah uttered his word his fate was sealed. Of course those who heard him and Jeremiah’s response would still have to decide for themselves who they would serve. The evidence was presented but the decision had to be made – and so often we, even when presented with the evidence, make the wrong choices!

V.2 Queen (KJV) should be correctly rendered queen mother (ESV). Her name was Nehushta which means copper (2Kin 24:8). Nehushta is the same name as the brazen (copper) serpent in the wilderness (2Kin 18:4).

There were four waves of deportation to Babylon.

First: This was the deportation of the princes of Israel in 606 BC. Among those taken was Daniel (Dan 1:1-4).

Second: The departure of Jeconiah, and the others, took place in 597 BC (v.2).  Among the captives was Ezekiel (Eze 1:1,2).

Third: 832 principal men of Judah were taken in 588 BC (Jer 52:29).

Fourth: The final deportation saw 4600 family members leave in 581 BC (Jer 52:30).

Vs.5,6 Judah was to prosper in Babylon.  Some attained considerable wealth during the seventy years’ sojourn. 

But, there was a second and third generation of captives born in Babylon.  That was their home - they knew nowhere else.  And so, it must have been difficult for some to uproot themselves from a comfortable existence to go to a place that was unknown to them.  It needed faith.

Only constant reminders of the reason for the captivity, and of the goal to return, would keep the desire fresh in the minds of everyone.  Prophets like Ezekiel and Daniel helped in this process. Nevertheless, there were some who were too comfortable in Babylon, and did not want to go back.

The same is true of us and our children.  We need constant reminders that we are just sojourners.  Like Abraham, we are looking for a better city (Heb 11:8-10). If we do not have a burning desire for the Kingdom, it means that we are too satisfied with staying in Babylon (Matt 6:21).  If that is the case, then we certainly shall not be in the Kingdom.

The signs of the times indicate that these present earthly conditions are about to radically change.  In fact, they are already doing so. 

Jesus will return soon.  Are we ready? Now it is time to put our house in order (Luke 6:47-49).

The familiar context of Daniel

If we are not familiar with the Prophecy of Jeremiah, it helps to slot it into the context of a more familiar story, Daniel. In v1-2 we have his captivity. In v1,3,4,15 etc. Babylon is mentioned. In v4-23 is the letter Daniel read in Dan 9:2. Particularly v10 is the 70 year period he understood from that prophecy. Then v12-14 is his prayer which God listened to in Dan 9:3-23. The practice of burning men in the fiery furnace, similar to that prepared for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego is mentioned in v22.

Daniel and his friends had received this letter from Jeremiah and taken it to heart. They sought the peace of their city of captivity all their lives, even when Babylon changed hands through several different empires. We should seek the peace of the cities we live in, wherever we are, praying to God for it (v7 comp. Titus 3:1-2).

29:24 The ‘Nehelamite’ is a ‘dreamer’ – see margin. The word is only used in Jer 29:24,31,32 The person being spoken of in this way is ‘Shemaiah’ of verse:24

So we see that the Pharisees were involved in a long term offensive against Jesus. On reviewing their 'comrades' in these offensives we will see that they were non too particular as to who they worked with as they were willing to work with those whose political and religious views they disagreed with.

How perverse is it, to do what the Pharisees did in v1-6, denying a man of healing for their own ends? Yet Jesus' anger was not because of this, but because of the lack of compassion in their hearts. His anger was due to the frustration of not being allowed to save these sinners who so desperately needed saving (Matt 23v37). How refreshing it must have been for him to encounter a Gentile multitude who allowed him to heal them un-hindered! (v7-10).

V.21 Jesus' family called his sanity into question.  Obviously they did not understand his mission. 

Vs.31,32 From outside the crush of the crowd Jesus' family tried to corral him. 

Vs.33-35 Jesus was told that his family was outside. Then, He explained that his real family was one of the spirit and not of the flesh. 

Important to note that his mother Mary is also included in those who questioned Jesus' sanity and tried to restrain Him.  Odd for one who is claimed, by some, to be the Queen of Heaven?

3:6 Pharisees and Herodians together! What a combination! Pharisees were the strictest sect - Acts 26:5- The name ‘Pharisee’ means ‘separate’ and here they were in collusion with Herodians - supporters of the Roman occupation!

3:6     What an indictment. Jesus had healed a man and they wanted to destroy Jesus. This behaviour was borne out of jealousy. Do we ever behave in ways which manifest jealousy rather than compassion?

V.6 The Herodians was a Jewish group who supported the Herodian rulers.  They were dutiful towards the Roman overlords. The Herodians shared these two aspects, of loyalty to the Herods and to Rome, with the Sadducees  

V.8 Idumea is the western part of Edom. The Idumeans were compelled to become Jews in 126 BC. The Herods were Idumeans.

Vs.14,15 The apostles were given powers of the Holy Spirit before the events of the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).

V.22 Beelzebub (Baal Zvuv) literally means Master or Lord of the flies (i.e. dung god). 

The fly (probably scarab) was worshipped as a god by the Egyptians.  Yahweh sent a plague of flies to declare Himself as the one true God, by refuting the idolatrous gods of Egypt (Exo 8:24; Prov 26:5).

The scribes blasphemed God (their God) by, in effect, attributing His power to the idolatry of Egypt. I wonder what they thought about during Passover.

The rejection of the Lord's works brought a stern warning of judgement from the Lord (Matt 11:23).

3:14 This event, the lord choosing 12 that ‘should be with him’ is the detail which prompts Peter – Acts 1:21 – to specific the criteria required of the one who would replace Judas.