January 7, 2023: Haftorah - I Kings 2:1-12
This week's Haftorah reading is from I Kings 2:1-12. Join Dr. Jeffery Myers as he recounts the impactful and vibrant life of King David, his ups and downs and how his life serves as an amazing example for this generation!
Follow along in the AUDIO PODCAST, by clicking on the play button below, and reading along with the notes, as you listen to today's Haftorah:
Lion of Judah Speaks: Haftorah Portion – I Kings 2:1-12
What a life David had! He was a shepherd, a soldier, an outlaw, a king, a fugitive, a sinner, a saint, a poet, and a worshipper. In every experience you see the writing of Adonai upon his life. Every circumstance, situation, turn of events and every right or wrong decision was making him into a man after Adonai’s own heart.
David’s reign was more important and critical than any other in the history of Israel, both from a secular and religious point of view. David reigned over Israel for 40 years, seven years in Hebron and for 33 years he reigned in Jerusalem. It was Israel’s “Golden Age”, and its memories bring us anticipation of the coming of the Messiah. David, as King, steered his tribes from being jealous tribes to a kingdom where they had a position among the nations. He strengthened his people’s attachment to Adonai by being an example of a man whose zeal was shown in the way he honored and worshipped Yah, and was obedient to the prophets who counseled or admonished him in HaShem.
As a man, his character was not free from reproach: he was guilty of adultery and murder, he was cruel in war, as seen in II Sam. 8:2, “David also defeated the Moabites. He made them lie down on the ground and measured them off with a length of cord. Every two lengths of them were put to death, and the third length was allowed to live. So, the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.” However, if he sinned grievously, he repented sincerely; and by his humility, resignation in adversity, and his faith in the divine mercy…he still is an example for us. It means that Adonai can use anyone as long as their heart is pliable to the will of Adonai and they have a sincere love for who Yah is and His commandments even if we fail.
David was 70 years old when he died but he died in shalom. David died in victory, and Israel was at shalom and in control of her neighbors when Solomon began to reign.
His life is coming to an end and it is time to pass the torch of leadership. The Kingdom is successfully given to Solomon. David’s final charge relays the importance of faithful obedience to Yah’s Word in order to enjoy the covenantal blessings of Adonai. This is true for all of us today! We cannot ignore the Word of Adonai; his statutes, commandments, and decrees and expect to be in true covenant relationship. The Kehillah, in this area, has missed the mark! We desire all the benefits of the Kingdom of Adonai without taking the responsibilities of following and loving Yah with all our heart, soul, will and strength. We can no longer, as His bride, set aside the responsibility of that position. As the bride, we are to prepare ourselves by applying to our life His holiness, becoming one without spot or wrinkle. David, before he dies, instills in Solomon what will truly make him a powerful king. A king who follows hard after Yah’s own heart.
Solomon must gird himself like a man and take courage to face the challenges and cost of this leadership over Adonai’s people. The first priority is to sure his heart to HaShem. Whether it is the Davidic king or a disciple of Yeshua, true stability only comes through obedience to Adonai’s commands. As He said, “If you love me, you will keep my commands.” This is not only true in our personal lives but also for the people of Yah as a corporate body. Kingdom stability is not anchored in our experiences or profession, neither in our education or pedigree and certainly not in our ministerial achievement, but only in obedience to the absolute truth that we are supposed to live by every day. We must realize, as David did, that even though he is dying, his legacy will continue, the future is attached to him. David is also making sure Solomon understands the importance of relationships.
We have a generation that does not know how to be a man, and we have a generation that does not know how to be strong when it gets rough. We now have a whole generation that has lots of wealth, choices, never having experienced war, watching their friends die, and basically has done very little work to accumulate what they have gotten…too many handouts! Because of this they do not appreciate the cost it took, or that it takes! I know it’s not all of this generation but the majority is stuck in this blindness. We see it in the Body of Yeshua. We are in apathy right now and the next step is bondage and then finally destruction.
In order to be strong, we must be persistent in obedience to our King Yeshua and His Word. We must be positive in our attitude, which seems not to be a trait in the personality of this generation. Everything is bad. They cannot cope. They are oppressed, depressed and seemingly can’t live a joyful life. We also must persevere in our living! Things happen, good and bad, but we must pick ourselves up and push through the circumstances of life by trusting in Adonai.
David is trying to prepare and encourage Solomon for a successful reign as king. David’s final charge to Solomon is to obey covenant law…that is number one! In order to move through difficult tasks and battles of the future, we have to be strong in Adonai. David knew that whatever unexposed weaknesses Solomon had the kingship would reveal and test them in greater ways than before. David knew Solomon needed strength and courage. Great responsibilities require great strength and courage! Do we have these as we walk through the end-times?
Solomon’s age at this time is somewhere between 14 and 20. That is young to carry the weight of a kingdom, but if we yield to Adonai and His ways, we can handle the responsibility! Our ancestor King David, is talking to us as he addresses Solomon. We need men who believe it is manly to follow the commandments and live a godly life. However, for many, manhood is rated on how you hold your liquor, how immoral you can live, how coarsely you can speak. However, in reality, living as a follower of Yeshua is living according to the Word of HaShem ,and that’s what makes a real man! A godly man is not a geek. He struggles and perseveres. He demonstrates strength under control. He is a righteous husband and father. These things are not easy! They take effort, strength, and self-control! Any idiot can get drunk, and any bozo can curse, but it takes a real man to live a life of discipline and set an example of what godliness looks like in our lives as a follower!
David tells Solomon in I Kings 2:3, “Keep the charge of Adonai your Yah, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go.” And to that I say Amen and Amen!
David’s legacy to Solomon was more than just territory, borders, wealth and prestige. It was a love for Adonai and His Word! A love for Hashem’s law (instruction), Testimony (a witness to Yah’s will and man’s duty), Statutes or precepts (a collection of specific injunctions), Commandments (the expression of the will of a personal Yah). Solomon was given a proper orientation to life and leadership and was himself an outstanding role model despite his failures. He was a man whose heart truly beat for Elohim. That same orientation to life is given to us. Be the disciple Adonai wants you to be… be strong, be courageous, live holy, be a light to the next generation.
Shabbat Shalom Mishpocha,
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Have a great and blessed Sabbath! Remember before you can pass the torch you have to be the Torch…let the Ruach burn inside of you!
See you next week! See you at the altar!