Pray
Loving Father, as I breathe the very air that sustains me, I am reminded of Your love that has given me new life.
Read
1 KINGS 1:1-27
[1] Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat. [2] Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat. [3] So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. [4] And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not. [5] Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. [6] And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom. [7] And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him. [8] But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah. [9] And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by Enrogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants: [10] But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not. [11] Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not? [12] Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon. [13] Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign? [14] Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words. [15] And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king. [16] And Bathsheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou? [17] And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne. [18] And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not: [19] And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called. [20] And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. [21]Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders. [22] And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in. [23] And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground. [24] And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? [25] For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah. [26] But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called. [27] Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed it unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?
Scripture quotations taken from the King James Version, Public Domain
Meditate
Consider: "In the midst of the incredible mess these kings are making of God's purposes, God continues to work his purposes, and uses them in the work--doesn't discard them or detour around them. They are part of his sovereign rule" (Eugene Peterson). A cause for heart-felt thankfulness!
Think Further:
There are a lot of situations in the world at the moment where it seems impossible to work out what the right course of action could be or to distinguish between the goodies and the baddies. Which of several fallible leaders should we support? When should we be proactive and when should we just wait and see? How long should we allow an unacceptable situation to continue? The writer of Kings is very well aware of this kind of dilemma. It is a challenge for readers to identify the different layers of interest lying behind the apparently straightforward account of events.
Without actually using the word "incompetent," we are shown clearly that David was no longer fit to rule, but he had made no attempt to appoint a successor. He had never been a good father, and the spoiled prince Adonijah, the eldest of David's remaining sons, could not be blamed for presuming that he should be the next ruler. His fault, if any, was in acting presumptuously--trying to manipulate the nation into accepting his leadership. Nathan and Bathsheba then conspire together to ensure that it will be Solomon rather than Adonijah who will take over from David. It is not clear whether David's promise to Bathsheba was a reality or an invention--David would not be able to remember either way, and his statement in verse 30 may simply reflect an idea planted in his mind. It is interesting that Nathan told Bathsheba what to say, but made no reference to that promise himself. It is also interesting that there is no mention anywhere in this section of seeking God's way forward. Apparently neither Adonijah nor Solomon had been appointed or anointed by Yahweh. At this stage we are presented simply with a story of political intrigue, with two parties trying to ensure that the situation works out to their own advantage.
Apply
Have you ever resorted to the kind of manipulation described in today's passage? How did it make you feel? Read 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 and reflect on the implications.
Pray
Lord, give me wisdom to know whom I should support and courage to offer such support without ever resorting to manipulation or deceit.
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