Bad Seed Had To Go

Then, at the king’s command, Benaiah son of Jehoiada took Shimei outside and killed him. So the kingdom was now firmly in Solomon’s grip. [1 Kings 2.46]

The execution of Shimei completed the firm establishment of Solomon as king in Israel. Before this, Adonijah and Joab were also executed and Abiathar was deposed as priest.

The point of this story is that Solomon was thorough in his 'house cleaning' (if you will) in order to position himself for the future. Adonijah, Abiathar, and Joab were 'problem areas' as far as the role of King of Israel was concerned. While Adonijah's request for Abishag's hand in marriage was no big deal in and of itself, it was, in fact, a step toward trouble for Solomon's reign. Because of Adonijah's earlier quest for the throne, 'bad seed' was existent there and Joab and Abiathar were parties to it also.

Solomon could have overlooked this small offense by Adonijah (which was most certainly a first-step by Adonijah in yet another attempt to claim the throne), but as surely as he did, it would come back as a problem to him later. Solomon did what had to be done. It should not be forgotten that Adonijah and Solomon were sons of the same father. The 'bad seed' had to go.

Was Solomon paranoid? Or, was Solomon wise? History reveals the latter.

As ugly and difficult as the executions of Adonijah and Joab were, they were necessary steps for Solomon to realize the next blessings in his reign - namely riches and unmatched wealth. It would have been easy for Solomon to ignore these 'small things' and remain focused on his new role as king, however, Solomon wisely surmised that Adonijah's request was no small thing and that Solomon's establishment as king was very much dependent upon taking every precaution to secure that role!

How does this apply to me? How does this apply to us? We need to review our lives and eliminate any 'bad seed' that could later prove an obstacle in the path the LORD lays before us. It has everything to do with how much we respect what God is doing in and through us. It has everything to do with how far we will go to preserve what (we believe) God is doing in and through us (remember, Solomon had not yet become the wisest or richest king ever)!

Father, help me to consider this story of Solomon's early reign as King of Israel as I also attempt to best position myself on the path You have laid out for me - simple or complex, or grand or obscure as it may be.