When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son. “I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’ “Now you yourself know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to the two commanders of Israel’s armies, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He killed them, shedding their blood in peacetime as if in battle, and with that blood he stained the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. Deal with him according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to the grave in peace. “But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead and let them be among those who eat at your table. They stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom. “And remember, you have with you Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, who called down bitter curses on me the day I went to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord: ‘I will not put you to death by the sword.’ But now, do not consider him innocent. You are a man of wisdom; you will know what to do to him. Bring his gray head down to the grave in blood.” Then David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David.
—1 Kings 2:1-10

~~~~~

The Crown and the Cross

By Jennifer Kane

The crown is not a gentle weight,
But forged in fire, ruled by fate.
A shepherd once with sling and song,
Now warns of right, corrects the wrong.

He wept for Joab, cursed the sword,
Yet knew what peace his hands ignored.
For mercy unchecked turns to chain,
And kindness can invite more pain.

Not every psalm is sung in peace,
Not every note brings soft release.
Some songs are sung through gritted teeth,
A father warning what lies beneath:

“Be strong, my son. The path is steep.
Don’t let old wolves disturb your sleep.
The ones I spared, though I forgave,
Still dig new wounds beneath the grave.

I held my sword, but stayed my hand,
Hoping time would still the land.
But silence bred deceitful schemes,
And mercy fed rebellious dreams.

Now old and tired, I see too well
The times I let injustice dwell.
So now, my son, rise not in hate—
But act before it grows too late.”

Let mercy lead, but justice guide.
Let neither drift nor truth divide.
For peace, though soft in tone and name,
Is anchored by a righteous flame.

David ruled with blood and gold,
Justice firm and mercy bold.
But even David’s throne would shake—
Too many cracks, too much at stake.

Then came One, both Lamb and King,
With healing hands and suffering.
He judged with truth, yet stooped to save,
And bore our judgment in the grave.

Where David passed the sword to kin,
Christ bore the sword to conquer sin.
And now His throne is just and pure—
A Kingdom holy, strong, and sure.

~~~~~

Scripture: 1 Kings 2:1-10

King David, the shepherd boy turned king, the poet of the Psalms, the man after God’s own heart, spends his final breath not singing—but instructing Solomon to deal with unfinished justice.

At first glance, it seems jarring. Where we expect a soft farewell, we hear names: Joab, Shimei, Adonijah. Where we might anticipate mercy, we witness justice—swift and unrelenting.

But perhaps what we’re seeing is not vengeance, but a king who has learned the cost of delay. David had once shown mercy to these men, but their hearts remained rebellious. Their actions threatened not just David’s legacy—but the peace and future of the kingdom of God’s people.

David had come to realize something we often struggle with:
Mercy and justice must walk hand in hand.
Mercy without boundaries invites harm. Justice without mercy becomes a sword too sharp to wield.

Solomon was being called not to cruelty, but to wise kingship. And David, weary from war and regret, was preparing his son to succeed where he had faltered.

As believers under the new covenant, we look to Jesus, the greater Son of David, who holds perfect justice in one hand and perfect mercy in the other. He forgives the sinner, yet will one day judge the world in righteousness.

Are there places in your life where you’ve leaned too far into mercy—avoiding confrontation, letting harm go unchecked? Or are there places where you’ve been quick to judge, slow to forgive?

Ask God for discernment like Solomon: “Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.” (1 Kings 3:9)

Let His Spirit teach you when to speak, when to act, and when to forgive.

~~~~~

Lord, give me a heart that reflects Yours—full of compassion, yet unwavering in truth. Teach me to walk in wisdom, to forgive like You forgive, and to stand firm when justice is needed. Help me to leave a legacy not of regret, but of faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

June 12 2025