DEVOTIONAL

Chronologically, the story makes a hard transition at the end of 1 Chronicles from the celebration in the assembly to conspiracy and death to open the book of 1 Kings. What stands out to me is the non-climatic end of King David’s life and how far pride drives Adonijah until he gets what he wants. Let’s take a closer look together.

The health of King David declines. People anxiously pace while they wait for him to die. When will the next chapter begin for Israel? Sensitivity is tossed out the window. Adonijah takes it a step further. Forget waiting to grieve the death of his father, King David. With selfish motives, Adonijah declares himself the next king all on his own while his father lies on his death bed. Adonijah is next in birth order to the throne after Absalom, who is dead. Can you see Adonijah rub his hands together and smile big with selfish delight? Adonijah believes he can lead better than King David and God if only he had control. So, there is no time like the present. Adonijah makes his move.

Q: Do you get anxious in the waiting? What is the last situation where you jumped in to try to control because you believed your plan was better than God’s plan? How did things turn out?

When Adonijah steps out to name himself the next king, the council of King David divides between Adonijah and Solomon in 1:5-10. The selfish motive of Adonijah clearly separates him from his half-brother Solomon. Joab (the commander of the Israel army) and Abiathar (priest) rallied behind Adonijah with plans to wield the power of Israel among the nations for their own glory. However, others like Nathan (prophet) and Zadok (priest) show their obedience to God with faithful allegiance to Solomon who takes the throne at a young age with humility and the fear of God.

Pick up the story with me in 1:40 which says, “And all the people went up after King Solomon, playing on pipes, and rejoicing with great joy, so that the earth was split by their noise.” My mouth dropped open in shock, too. There are moments where God provides very clear evidence to what is the right choice in front of you. This is one of those moments. Israel physically feels the affirmation from God that King Solomon is who will lead them forward. Israel enters a new chapter in their story with God. The last forty years with King David, Israel has been on the move, seeking refuge, longing for peace, and craving a deep exhale. Israel does not know what the next forty years will bring under King Solomon, but they trust him as the king God anoints for this next chapter.

And all the people went up after him, playing on pipes, and rejoicing with great joy, so that the earth was split by their noise.

1 Kings 1:40

After the celebrations of King Solomon, maybe the following day, we read an intimate moment between a dying father and a young son. Solomon learned a lot by watching his father David, but there are life lessons and kingship lessons Solomon will not have time to learn from him. David shares with Solomon in his last days words that propel Solomon forward on the right foot as king. It all is rooted in God. David reminds Solomon to hold fast to the word of God (Psalm 119) and follow His lead above everyone else because God always makes a way. God is faithful to His people Israel. King Solomon is young and maybe feels under qualified to step in as king, but David tells Solomon to lean on wisdom and trust God has firmly established his kingdom (2:6,9,12).

I do not know how much time passed between 2:1-12 and 2:13-46, but we know King Solomon gets to work. He wastes no time to bring justice on the heads of men who schemed against the plans of God. Who is on the list? Adonijah, Joab, Abiathar, and Shimei. This is important to not skip over. Remember what God said about Solomon to King David? When God anointed Solomon as the next king of Israel, He promised to give Israel peace and quiet in the days of King Solomon (1 Chronicles 22:9). King David is known as the king of wartime, but Solomon will be known as the king of peace and rest. To establish peace for Israel, King Solomon obediently plucks out evil and division and appoints men like Benaiah and Zadok that he trusts will counsel him in the ways of God. Solomon’s boldness stands out to me. How did he courageously do it? He stands strong in God and fiercely believes no compromise is better than the ways of God. Oh, I needed to hear this today.

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Psalm 37:3-7

The passing of the crown was not immediate. People did crazy things in the waiting period. Some wrestled with fear or anxiety asking themselves, will God’s promise prevail through the plans of evil? The answer is always yes. God made a way for Israel the last forty years fighting enemies on all sides. And we will see God continue to make a way for Israel the next forty years of peace. God is with us in the good seasons just as much as the hard seasons. Will Israel pull away from God in this next season of peace and rest or choose to remain close to God? I encourage you to keep reading with me to find out.

Q: When your life is running smoothly, do you pull away from God or remain close? Does self-sufficiency whisper you do not need God? How can you remain close to God when your life is not on fire?

Additional reading: Psalm 37, 94, 119