From 2 Samuel 3:1-5, 5:13-16, I read of the names of David’s sons. 6 born in Hebron, 11 born in Jerusalem.
A question comes to mind: How come God did not choose any of them other than Solomon to be David’s successor? Why did He choose the son born to Bathsheba, the woman with whom David committed adultery?
After the death of their first son, Bathsheba gave birth to Solomon. “Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The Lord loved him; and because the Lord loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah.” (2 Sam 12:24-25)
Not only did God choose Solomon to be king, He even gave Solomon his name. Above and behind all that He did, God loved Solomon. Jedidiah means loved by the Lord.
So back to my question… why did God choose Solomon? Perhaps because he was the son born to David after he admitted his sin to God? Maybe God rewarded David with another son after his prayer of confession and repentance (Psalm 51)? I do not know. One thing I know, God loved Solomon.
Many things I do not know… why God did what He did… I will never understand many of his choices. Yet this one thing I am sure of: God is Creator of the whole world. He holds the world in His mighty loving hands. God loves.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Eternal life is not only about life in heaven, the life beyond the physical body on earth in the far future. Even in the suffering world today, eternal life is here and now – on earth as it is in heaven because God loves the world and God is with us.
Last Sunday, our family had bible study on King Jehoshaphat. A vast army from Edom was going to invade Judah. King J stood up to pray after hearing the news. These are the concluding words of his prayer:
“Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” Read 2 Chronicles 20 and see how God defeated the enemies for them.
I do not know the mysterious ways of God. Many things I will not understand. Many times I also did not know what to do. But God has shown me again and again that He loves me and that He is with me whatever life is about. My hope is in the Lord… the Lord of all wisdom and knowledge and power and might.. the God of love, mercy and compassion.