Seek First the King

Text: 1 Kings 2
Main Idea: Because the King has established His kingdom in righteousness, we must seek Him first and walk in faithful obedience.

The Question of What We Are Really Seeking

Every day we are pursuing something. Some pursue success. Others chase security, comfort, recognition, wealth, influence, or control. None of these things are necessarily wrong in themselves, but they become dangerous when they become the primary pursuit of our lives. Jesus reminds us that there is one pursuit that must stand above every other:

"Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
— Matthew 6:33

The question is not whether we are seeking something. The question is what we are seeking first.

1 Kings 2 confronts us with that very question. At first glance, it appears to be the story of David's final instructions to Solomon and Solomon's efforts to establish his kingdom. David dies, Solomon takes the throne, justice is carried out, and the kingdom is secured.

But beneath the historical events is a much greater lesson. This chapter teaches us that God's kingdom is established through obedience, righteousness, and justice—not human ambition. It reminds us that God blesses those who seek Him above everything else and warns those who merely pretend to follow Him while secretly pursuing their own agenda.

The question is not simply, "How did Solomon establish his kingdom?" The question is, "Is Christ truly King over my life?"

The Setting: The Beginning of Solomon's Reign

As we continue our study through 1 Kings, we come to the beginning of Solomon's reign. God had promised David that one of his descendants would sit upon his throne, establish God's kingdom, and build a house for the Lord. That promise now begins to unfold. David's life is coming to an end, but God's promises are not. One king is passing away while another takes the throne. Yet the emphasis is not on Solomon's greatness. The emphasis is on God's faithfulness.

Before David dies, however, he gives his son one final charge. These are not merely the words of an aging father. They are the instructions of a king who has experienced both the blessings of obedience and the painful consequences of sin. David wants Solomon to succeed where so many others would eventually fail.

1. The Charge of the King

1 Kings 2:1-4

David's first instruction is remarkably simple:

"Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways."
— 1 Kings 2:2-3

Notice what David does not say. David points Solomon to the Word of God. True strength is not found in independence. It is found in obedience. Throughout Scripture, courage is consistently connected to faithfulness. Joshua received the same command before leading Israel into the Promised Land. Be strong. Be courageous. But that courage came from carefully obeying God's Word.

David understands something every believer must remember: God's commands are not burdens meant to restrict us. They are gifts meant to protect us. The world often treats God's commands as obstacles to happiness. Scripture teaches the opposite. God's ways lead to life. Every time we choose our own wisdom over God's Word, we step away from His blessing. Every time we walk in His ways, we experience His faithfulness. Obedience is never about earning God's favor. It is about living within the design of the God who knows what is best for His people.

2. A Kingdom Built on Justice

1 Kings 2:5-9

David's next instructions may seem surprising. Rather than speaking only about worship or leadership, David tells Solomon to deal with unfinished matters from the past. Joab had shed innocent blood. Shimei had openly rebelled against the Lord's anointed king. Barzillai had faithfully served David during one of the darkest moments of his life. Each situation required a response. Justice is not merely punishing evil. Justice also rewards faithfulness. A righteous kingdom cannot ignore sin, nor can it forget loyalty.

This reminds us that God's kingdom is built upon righteousness. God is not indifferent toward evil. He is patient, but He is also just. Many people want a God of mercy but not a God of justice. Yet without justice there can be no lasting peace. A kingdom where rebellion is ignored is a kingdom that cannot stand. The Lord's justice reminds us that our choices matter.

3. The Kingdom Is Established

1 Kings 2:10-46

After David dies, Solomon begins establishing the kingdom. Verse 12 summarizes the entire chapter:

"So Solomon sat on the throne of David his father, and his kingdom was firmly established."
— 1 Kings 2:12

Yet the establishment of the kingdom requires dealing with those who continue to oppose God's chosen king. Adonijah returns. Although Solomon had shown him mercy in chapter one, Adonijah had not truly changed. He approaches Bathsheba with what appears to be a harmless request: he wants Abishag as his wife. But Solomon immediately recognizes what is happening.

In the ancient world, claiming a king's concubine or wife was often a symbolic claim to the throne itself. Adonijah was not asking for a marriage. He was making another attempt to become king. The rebellion had simply become more subtle. This reveals something profoundly true about the human heart. You can only hide who you really are for so long. Words can be rehearsed. Appearances can be managed. Religious activity can be performed. But eventually the heart reveals itself. Adonijah's earlier repentance was never genuine because his ambitions never changed. How often are we tempted to do the same?

4. The True You Will Be Revealed

The remainder of the chapter follows a similar pattern. Abiathar is removed from the priesthood because he sided with Adonijah. Joab runs to the altar seeking mercy after years of violence and bloodshed. Shimei is given another opportunity to demonstrate faithfulness, yet he eventually violates the king's command. Each man reveals his true character. None of them are condemned because God lacked patience. Eventually those choices expose what was already in the heart.

That truth still speaks today. It is possible to attend church while resisting Christ. It is possible to say the right words without having the right heart. It is possible to appear faithful while secretly seeking your own kingdom. But eventually the true you will be revealed. God is never fooled by outward appearances. He sees the motives no one else can see. He knows whether our worship is genuine. He knows whether our obedience flows from love or merely from obligation.

5. A Powerful Message: Seek First the King

The message of 1 Kings 2 is not merely that Solomon established his kingdom. The greater message is that every kingdom must decide who will truly reign. Jesus made this same point centuries later when He said:

"Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
— Matthew 6:33

Seeking God's kingdom means placing His rule above every other priority. It means His will comes before my desires. His Word before my opinions. His glory before my reputation. His kingdom before my own. This is what David wanted Solomon to understand. Life flourishes when God remains on the throne. Life begins to unravel when we seek ourselves first.

The Gospel Connection: The Greater Son of David

As important as Solomon is, this chapter ultimately points beyond him. Solomon established an earthly kingdom. Jesus establishes an eternal one. Solomon brought justice to rebels within Israel. Jesus will one day judge the entire world in perfect righteousness. Solomon required obedience from his subjects. Jesus not only commands obedience but also gives His Spirit to transform the hearts of those who trust Him. Unlike Adonijah, we all deserve judgment because we have rebelled against the rightful King. Yet Jesus offers something Solomon could never fully provide. He offers forgiveness. He offers grace. He offers a new heart. He invites us into His kingdom not because we deserve it, but because He has paid the price for our rebellion through His death and resurrection.

The question is whether we will truly surrender to Him. Will we merely say the right words while secretly pursuing our own kingdom? Or will we genuinely seek first the King? Seeking first the King means trusting His wisdom above our own. It means obeying His commands even when they are difficult. It means pursuing righteousness instead of convenience. It means believing that God's ways are always better than ours. The world says, "Seek yourself first." Jesus says, "Seek first the kingdom." One path leads to temporary satisfaction and ultimate disappointment. The other leads to eternal life. Every day we make that choice. Whose kingdom are we building? Who truly sits on the throne of our hearts The King has established His kingdom. Now He calls us to seek Him first.