Solomon’s Retribution

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees. Isaiah tend one, God of heaven and earth. You see every motive before the words even form on our tongues. Nothing hides from you, not strategy wrapped in flattery, not ambition dressed up as humility. You were not fooled by our language games. You read the heart, then, Lord, we admit we've played those games too. We've reached for things you never offered. We've tried to sit on thrones we weren't called to, convincing ourselves that we were just helping. But you don't need our power place. You ask for obedience. So give us clean hearts, unclenched hands, and the wisdom to recognize when ambition is rotting the roots beneath us. And thank you. Thank you for being just and still merciful. Teach us to walk that line. Amen, thank you for praying with me to day. This is the Chosen People. With ye yel Egstine, stay here for a dramatic retelling of a biblical story told with cinematic flare. If this podcast has blessed you, we would love it if you left a review and shared it. 00:01:57 Speaker 2: With a friend previously on the Chosen People had a Niger poured himself wine, his tone casual as he took his seat. 00:02:10 Speaker 3: Ah, the king is dying. No one says little loud, but we all know it's time we prepare. 00:02:17 Speaker 4: Has the King named you as heir? 00:02:20 Speaker 3: No nobody will. I am his first surviving son and the strongest, A thrown his mind by right and capability. 00:02:28 Speaker 4: Screw right. This is David we're talking about. 00:02:32 Speaker 5: He leaves with the heart. Solomon has had him wrapped around his little fingers since birth. 00:02:40 Speaker 6: And the Niger has begun his campaign. 00:02:44 Speaker 7: He's gathered Joben a biathon to his side. 00:02:48 Speaker 1: If Adgenniger takes the throne, you and your son will not live to see the dawn of his reign. He will not rass Solomon's claims nor yours. 00:03:01 Speaker 7: Why boat may be brittle, but my word has not shaded. As the Lord lives, who delivered me from the jaws of lions and the grip of giants. Solomon shall reign after me. 00:03:15 Speaker 3: He shall rule in my state. 00:03:18 Speaker 4: Solemn man, Oh good, this be you tried, lad and fain Most people do when they face dated. 00:03:30 Speaker 7: Do I wait, You'll kill me? 00:03:32 Speaker 3: I know it had to go to Solomon and to tell him I throw myself at his mercy and go go now, hurry, it's tell the king I begged, I beg for my life. 00:03:42 Speaker 4: Get off me, send you a messenger. I'm going home. 00:03:47 Speaker 5: I'll accept whatever judgment comes my way like a man, So should you. 00:03:57 Speaker 8: Justice can feel like violence when we've confused sentiment for holiness. Shelloh, my friends, from here in the holy Land of Israel, i'm el Extein with International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen People. Well, we've arrived at a turning point. King David has died. The throne of Israel now belongs to Solomon. But just because the crown is passed doesn't mean the conflict is over, Actually far from it. Today we're going to hear a story where loyalty is tested and ambition is exposed, not in loud speeches but in subtle requests, and yet lives are on the line. The question beneath the whole story, how do you tell the difference between someone who's looking for peace and someone who's only seeking power? And when you're the king, how do you respond when mercy might just threaten your throne. 00:04:55 Speaker 9: The crown upon Solomon's head fell twice as heavy today as it happen at his first hurried coronation. King David had been buried, and it was now up to Solomon to carry on his legacy and exact his justice. David had marked certain men for death, betrayers, mockers of Israel, and enemies of the throne. They were surely out there plotting against him. A crown and coronation were no guarantee of power. Solomon knew there were people who would seek to take advantage of his youth and an experience, but he was determined to show Israel that he was more than a spoiled prince with a famous father. He paced the length of his private quarters and paused at the expansive window beyond the palace walls. He could already imagine scaffolding lining the city like a skeleton of what could be. Soon workers would labor on the great projects that would make Jerusalem the envy of the world. Solomon longed to get to work, not as a ruler, but as a builder. But power came first. Stability came first. Before he could build, he had to tear out the rot a knock on the door interrupted Solomon's brooding thoughts. Solomon's head servant, a high Shah, entered. He was a kind, paternal sort and had recently entered Solomon's household. 00:06:32 Speaker 5: Enter, your majesty, the spies have followed Prince and Niger. 00:06:37 Speaker 4: He is here within the palace. 00:06:40 Speaker 6: He's begging an audience with your mother. 00:06:43 Speaker 4: Solomon raised his eyebrows at that. 00:06:46 Speaker 5: Shall I leert the gods, your majesty, should they question him? 00:06:50 Speaker 7: Now, let us see what trap he is laying. 00:06:53 Speaker 9: First, Solomon could see the concern that remained in the old servant's eyes. Solomon sighed and shook his head. 00:07:03 Speaker 7: My mother's private guard should be more than sufficient if he means to attack. That's not a d Nija's style. He is an apisaer, a politician. He relies on his ability to charm others to achieve his answer. Her life is not in immediate danger. Come, tell your men to ready the throne room and summon the king's court. I want all the elders there After ade Nija visits my mother, we will summon him to court. 00:07:34 Speaker 9: Yes, your majesty, as you say, Solomon turned and gripped the smooth stone of the window overlooking the courtyard gardens below. 00:07:44 Speaker 4: He loved the garden. 00:07:46 Speaker 9: It was a lush oasis, protected and hidden away from the chaos and clamor of the busy streets beyond the palace walls. His young wife, Naomah giggled with the nursemaid as they coaxed baby rear Bohem to take more than three toddling steps in a row before collapsing in a fit of laughter. Solomon smiled at the domesticity of at all. It wasn't a marriage of love. Nayemar was an arranged marriage for politics and property. But love, Solomon supposed, was like a garden. It could be tended to. The kingdom was like a garden as well, and Solomon knew there were weeds that needed to be plucked. Solomon did not long for violence, but he was not weak, and he would do what was necessary for a thriving kingdom. Bath Shibah weighed the risk and possible outcomes in her mind as she nervously chewed the tip of her finger nail. The last time she had seen ad Nija was right after his failed coup. If he had succeeded that day, Adanija would have murdered her Solomon, Nayamarah and baby Rhea bone without a second thought. 00:09:11 Speaker 1: My lady, Prince Adonijah is here requesting entrance. 00:09:16 Speaker 3: Should I show him in? 00:09:18 Speaker 9: The servant's voice made Bathsheba jump. She shook her head, realizing how lost in thought she was. 00:09:25 Speaker 4: It was time to decide. 00:09:27 Speaker 9: But it never hurts to err on the side of caution. 00:09:31 Speaker 6: Oh not yet, ask him if he comes peacefully first. 00:09:36 Speaker 9: The servant nodded and hurried away. Bathsheba sighed. She supposed his answer would not matter much if his designs were set on murder, but she had to admit she was intrigued. Perhaps the recent death of David had softened Adanaija's heart. Perhaps he wanted to consult her on how best to approach King Solomon. Bath sh Sheba started again as the servant re entered her formal receiving room and inclined her head as she spoke, Gibber, I. 00:10:09 Speaker 4: Did as you asked, The prince said, he came peacefully. 00:10:13 Speaker 6: He wishes to speak with you very well. Show him in. 00:10:19 Speaker 9: The servant bowed once more before slipping silently from the room. Bathsheba lifted her chin, straightened her spine, and drew back her shoulders. The queen stood confidently, framed against the ivory inlaid frescoes and the sprawling windows behind her, offering sweeping views of the city below. Bathsheba was the Gebira, the great lady. She had always been the favored wife of the king, and that alone carried weight, but now she was the queen mother. Ade Nija entered the room, flanked by guards. He bowed reverently before her. 00:11:01 Speaker 6: Prince said, Anija, you asked to have a word. You stand before me. What is it that you want? 00:11:09 Speaker 9: Her eyes narrowed as she studied the prince, and Anijah was just as handsome as Absalom was. Tall, tanned, lean, athletic build, broad shoulders, broad a smile that oozed irresistible charisma. Bathsheba had always assumed, as most people did, that he was more looks than substance, but that was before the power grab on his father's deathbed. Though he towered over Bathsheba had a Nijah stooped and kept his head inclined respectfully. 00:11:44 Speaker 3: Gibirah, thank you for seeing me. I know when I saw you last, I was not at my best. 00:11:53 Speaker 6: The guards had to drag you from claiming sanctuary in the tabernacle to stand before my son like a man. 00:12:00 Speaker 9: The beautiful man's smile cracked, but he plowed forward. 00:12:05 Speaker 3: Come now, Kibira, can you blame me for assuming I was going to be made king. I am the eldest of David's remaining sons. I was simply accepting the mantle Israel. 00:12:15 Speaker 4: Expected to me. 00:12:17 Speaker 6: Yes, you were humbly accepting the role the reluctant prince. 00:12:22 Speaker 3: How noble, no, no, no, I would be lying if I said I didn't want the throne. Be that as it may. I know what I've been beaten. The Lord has clearly given it to Solomon. My brother has graciously spared my life and sent me home, and I plan to leave peacefully. 00:12:42 Speaker 6: Yet here you remain in my presence. 00:12:45 Speaker 3: Why I have one one request to make. I beg you not to turn me down, for it is a matter of the heart. 00:12:54 Speaker 9: Bathshibah blinked in surprise. She wasn't sure what Adanaijah had in mind, but she never guessed it would be a matter of the heart. Did the boy have a heart, surely not like David's. But Bathsheba wasn't sure anyone would, including Solomon. The Great Lady leaned forward in her seat. She could not deny that she was intrigued. 00:13:18 Speaker 6: Go on, tell me your request. 00:13:21 Speaker 3: I I must confess a young woman as captured my heart. I long to be with her and take her as my wife. I will retire to my home. But I beg you, Ghberra, make me the happiest man in Jerusalem by allowing me to claim my bribe. 00:13:42 Speaker 6: Ah. Well, that is very romantic and domestic of you, ed Nija and noble even to seek my blessing. But I do not understand. I have no daughters to give you. Why are you seeking my permission? 00:13:56 Speaker 3: Well, here is the rub Ghebira. She belongs to the household of our late King David. 00:14:02 Speaker 6: You seek to marry a member of King David's haram. 00:14:05 Speaker 3: Please GiB forgive me. I presume too much. All I seek is a wife, not an officer a throne. That is all I want. Please speak to King Solomon. Since he won't turn you down, let him give me Abhishek the Shunamite, as a wife. 00:14:26 Speaker 6: Abashek, the King's nurse. 00:14:29 Speaker 9: Bathsheba sucked in her breath sharply. This was a dangerous request. In the eyes of Israel. Abishag was a member of David's harem, but truly she was only his caretaker in old age. With David gone, what would be the harm in allowing such a girl to be married into a prominent family. Bathsheba did not know that Abishag was precious to solemnon I. 00:14:58 Speaker 3: I know it is an impossible dream, but I would I would not be able to live with myself if I did not ask. Here before you, you have the rare opportunity to have your hand in a match that is purely born out of love, no politics or a genus, and I would forever be in your death my bride, and I would retreat to our estate, and you would never see us in court again. 00:15:24 Speaker 4: I swear it. 00:15:26 Speaker 9: Bathsheba considered the man before her, searching his eyes for deception or subterfuge. She could not deny. She was moved by his pleadings. He had the honest appearance of a humble and love sick young man, and it did seem a shame to deny the poor girl a life hidden away and denied a husband. Bathsheba saw a bit of herself in Abishak. Bathsheba had risen far higher and fared far better than her wildest expectations, even despite all the pain and heartache in the wake of Euriah's death. Who was she to deny another young woman the same opportunity? And could this favor cement peace between Solomon and Adanija? Could she hope for such a thing? Her wits told her to grant the request, but her guts said otherwise. 00:16:22 Speaker 6: If I do this for you, you swear that you will not harm my family? Will you honor your word? 00:16:29 Speaker 3: I swear it, Pleasekibira, My future happiness is in your hands. 00:16:37 Speaker 9: The throne room was filled with elders and the king's counsel. Summoned by Solomon, they all rose with Solomon. As Bathsheba entered the throne room, the sound of benches scraping against stone echoed through the chamber as the court followed his lead. Rising in unison. The king bowed deeply to her and honor, befitting her station, and the entire assembly did the same. When Solomon straightened, he caught the flicker of confusion in Bathsheba's eyes as she took in the gathered court. Behind Solomon were Beniah, jashubin Zadok and Nathan key figures in David's inner circle, the men who had helped secure Solomon's throne. Solomon sensed Bathsheba's unease at all the formality. 00:17:29 Speaker 7: Hibarrah, mother, it is good to see you. Come and sit. 00:17:36 Speaker 9: Solomon placed a throne to his right and gestured for her to take her place at his side. Adenaija was already seated amongst the throng, having been swept up and ushered into court. Solomon's face was a practiced mask of passive indifference, but inwardly he was calculating, always calculating. 00:18:00 Speaker 6: Your majesty, my son, it is good to see you. 00:18:04 Speaker 7: Tell me mother what's on your mind. 00:18:07 Speaker 6: I have one small request of you. 00:18:10 Speaker 9: Solomon's tongue rolled behind his pursed lips, his jaw clenched. He knew that whatever was about to come out of Bathsheba's mouth would be on behalf of Adanaija. The thought of him manipulating his mother made his blood boil. Luckily, Solomon was slower to anger than his father was. He was methodical, thoughtful, surgical. 00:18:36 Speaker 6: My son, let abishak the shuna might be given to your brother Adonijah as a wife. He loves her, and I have surmised that only love compels him nothing more. I would consider this a peace treaty between the sons of David, so our kingdom can heal and unite under your rule. 00:18:57 Speaker 9: Solomon's anger stole that the earnest hope in his mother's eyes. It seemed that a part of her wanted to believe Adanija, believe in true love, happy endings, and reconciliation. David may have been swayed by such passions, but Solomon was a man of logic. The man who had been spared from death once was now toying with it. This was no changed heart. A pardoned man does not ask for more. No, this was a bid for power. The kindling of a rebellion had been rekindled. Solomon's eyes flickered to Adanija for the briefest of moments. Solomon saw it, a slight twitch of the lips. Solomon could see right through him. 00:19:50 Speaker 7: Is this true, Adeonajia? 00:19:52 Speaker 9: Adenijah bowed his head, feigning reverence. 00:19:57 Speaker 3: My love burns bright. All I ask is you allow me to retreat to my estates and rolled with abhshak. 00:20:09 Speaker 9: Solomon's eyes locked with his brother. Somehow Adanijer knew about Solomon's love for Abishak. This was a trap, backing Solomon into a corner where he would have to deny Bathsheba's request and in so doing reveal his own treason against David. And if Solomon granted the request, Adanija would have more claim to the throne by marrying one of David's concubines. It was a clever plan, but not clever enough. Solomon didn't need to yield or confess. Solomon stood abruptly and addressed the court. He found Adenija in the crowd and watched his face fall as he raised his hand to accuse him. 00:20:56 Speaker 7: He has requested Abishak, the Shulamite, for a bride, a member of the King's harem, another feather in your cap. As you paraded around Judea, bribing for another bid at the throne. 00:21:08 Speaker 9: The entire room's eyes locked on ade Nija. He shrank back, but there was nowhere to hide. 00:21:16 Speaker 7: My great father, David of Blessed Memory, loved the Law of the Lord. He savored it, meditated on it day and night. He said it was a lamp under his feet and a light onto his path. Our history is our life. We must learn from it or be doomed to darkness. Was it not Reuben, the first born of Jacob, who tried to seize power by taking Jacob's concubine. I tell you such sins brought a curse upon the children of Reuben. Those of us of Judah know this well. Judah replaced Reuben as the favorite heir of Jacob's. 00:21:58 Speaker 9: Blessing solemn and pointed to add Nija. 00:22:02 Speaker 7: Is abershad this generation's belith. 00:22:06 Speaker 3: I speak from the heart, good king, out of love. 00:22:10 Speaker 7: Love you say, tell me that what's the name of Abishak's grandfather? She's the woman you love. Surely you know the answer. I and her brothers they're both married. What are their wife's names? 00:22:28 Speaker 3: This? This is, this is foolish. It's I am. 00:22:33 Speaker 7: You do not stand in the court of fools at Nijah. I see your intentions. To have a member of the king's harem would be one step closer to the throne. Another claim alongside being. 00:22:47 Speaker 4: The first born. 00:22:49 Speaker 7: You're stagging dead. You're another player. 00:22:53 Speaker 3: Do you believe last day you dare lacture me when you enough? 00:22:59 Speaker 9: Solemon's guards, led by Benaiah, sprang forward and hauled at Anijah before Solomon's throne. His eyes rolled back in terror, and he thrashed, sobbing on shock, but it did nothing to loosen the God's iron grip. Bathsheba's hands covered her face in horror at the revealed deception before her sputtering, and Anijah found his words at last. 00:23:25 Speaker 5: Ah, my good, mercy, Mercy Solomon, as you say we are brothers, I have only I've only ever saw peace. 00:23:38 Speaker 3: Give me a chance to prove my loyalty. 00:23:44 Speaker 7: Brother, you had a chats Did I not tell you that if you made another play it would end with your death? Brother? This was not a clever deception, but he was too clever for you alone. No, I recognize the hands of the same conspirators who once sought to place you on the throne, and I will deal with them next. 00:24:11 Speaker 2: Oh, Mabie, the priest. 00:24:13 Speaker 7: And joy son of Zuriah. 00:24:17 Speaker 2: I'm coming for them. 00:24:20 Speaker 7: Now before all these witnesses. I swear this oath before the Lord. May God punish me and do so severely that Adeenijah has not made this request at the cost of his life. And now as the Lord lives, the one who established me seated me on the throne of my father David and Elijah will be put to death to day. 00:24:46 Speaker 9: Solomon's words were still echoing off the walls of the chamber as Beniah's sword flashed and swung high and swiftly. Adnijah's still contorted face fell to the stone floor with a dull bunks. Seconds after it fell, Solomon exhaled slowly, his gaze sweeping the court, searching for the next face he would summon forward. 00:25:11 Speaker 4: This was not over. 00:25:12 Speaker 9: The conspirators were not yet fully dealt with. Somewhere in the city. Aviathar and Joab were running out of places to hide. For one there would be mercy, For the other there would be none. The time for leniency was over. Solomon would cut out the rot of rebellion before it could take hold again and poison another reign of Israel's kings. The air in the chamber had changed. No one spoke, no one moved. Even the distant torches on the stone walls flickered as if dimmed by the weight of the moment. Then Solomon lifted his head. 00:25:54 Speaker 7: Now let us deal with the rest of them. 00:26:02 Speaker 8: That wasn't a feel good story, but it was a real one. We talked so much about the beauty of the kingdom, but this is how it started, not with parades and palm branches, but with difficult decisions and with death. The kingdom begins, more specifically, with the death of Adonia. Adonia wanted to be king instead of his brother Solomon, whom God has chosen. Of course, Adonia knew that God himself had chosen Solomon to reign after David's death, so why did he feel like he could go against God? 00:26:34 Speaker 2: Now? 00:26:35 Speaker 8: Solomon, like David, his father, had consulted with the prophet Nathan many times, but we don't find anywhere in the Bible that Adonia ever consulted with Nathan, or with any of God's prophets for that matter. So it seems that Adonia wasn't at all interested in what God was saying. But for Solomon that was unthinkable. How could someone who wanted to sit on the throne of the Chosen people not want to be in touch with God. Solomon, even at this very young age, realized that his brother's reasons for wanting the throne had nothing to do with leading the chosen people in a godly direction. Adonia just wanted power, and he had no interest in receiving accurate messages from God during the age of Prophecy. For Solomon, that wasn't acceptable for the people of Israel. Adonia would move Israel away from their spiritual path, the very opposite of what God wanted for his chosen people. And so Solomon took this step hinted at by his father David, and the result, well, it was Adunia's death. But the death that ended today's story began with the death. In our last episode there we'd found David on his deathbed passing down his final words to his son, and among the directions that David shared Solomon was this command quote, but Joe, kindness to the sons of Barzilie of Gilead, and let them be among those who eat. 00:28:01 Speaker 4: At your table. 00:28:02 Speaker 8: They stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom end quote. When David experienced what was perhaps the most painful episode of his entire life, a rebellion led by his very own son Absalom, Barzi Lai had stood by David's side. Many of David's followers and even many of his friends had deserted him, but Barzi Laie, a very wealthy, elderly man, he had loyally stood by King David's side, providing for his needs. So as one of David's last lessons to his son, he actually taught Solomon about the importance of everlasting gratitude. Even the descendants of Barzi Lai were to be welcomed guests at the king's table for years to come. So even in these stories that are uncomfortable, that seem to be all about death, God's word is teaching us here. It's teaching us the importance of remembering the people who have helped us in our lives, the importance of sharing our gratitude. Those who have helped us must always have a place at our table and in our hearts. So what do we do with a story like this? A king killing his brother, a crown secured by silencing voices. It's tempting to sanitize the Bible, to skip the grit, the dust, the silence after a sword falls, to rush past the violence and get to the peaceful parts, the proverbs, the psalms. But God's word it does not flinch. As Rebbi Abraham Joshua Heschel once wrote, indifference to evil is worse than evil itself. Solomon did not stand indifferent. He confronted the moral decay with unwavering clarity, choosing righteousness over complacency. And he wasn't just preserving his throne, he was protecting something sacred. I wonder how many of us are carrying our own version of Adonia's request. We're not stored and he thrones, of course, but maybe we're hanging on to dreams that God never meant us to dream. My friends, the Kingdom of God isn't something we sees. It's something we receive, like manna, like mercy. So take a look hard at your request to God, take a look card at your dreams and ask what throne am I standing too close to? And then, if it's not for you, take a step back, because here's the good news. Our loving God raises the lowly, He lifts up the humble, and he reaches for the ones who stop grasping. He is there for you, with your perfect part in his perfect plan for the chosen people. 00:30:44 Speaker 9: You can listen to the Chosen People with the isle e Stein add free by downloading and subscribing to the pray dot Com app today. This prey dog com production is only made possible by our dedicated team of Creative Talents. Steve Katina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabarger and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People with Yile Eckstein. Edited by Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold, Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Aaron Salvado, bre Rosalie and Chris Baig. Special thanks to Bishop Paul Lanier, Robin van Ettin, Kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller, and the team at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. You can hear more Prey dot com productions on the Prey dot Com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed The Chosen People with Yile Eckstein, please rate and leave a review.