In 1 Kings 1, King David is weak, a frail old man and on his death bed. His 4th son, Adonijah, decides he wants to be David's successor to the throne, then rallies some of his associates, priests, royal officials, some brothers, soldiers and throws a big party for himself, slaughters cattle, blows trumpets to proclaim himself king (vs 7-11)
Only problem is that he wasn't anointed by priest or prophet to be king, nor chosen by David. Nor, most importantly, by God. Solomon was to be king (vs 30).
The sad irony is that Adonijah's name means "my Lord is Jehovah" but his life does not reflect that. (Adoni= Lord, Jah= Jehovah). Jehovah did not install him as king, it was also huge insult to his father David. Adonijah was running on good looks (vs 6), greed, and political maneuvering, not the Lord's direction.
It's easy to point and stare at Adonijah, like a car wreck on the side of the road. But how often do I share the shame of Adonijah? Call myself Christian, and Jesus "Lord" but do not do what he says? We need to trust in the Lord's anointing by the Holy Spirit in our lives for our leading.
Vs 41 is really awkward and also pretty funny. Picture it: Adonijah is having this huge party outside of town, he's probably up on stage belting out Neil Diamond on the Karaoke machine, when he hears a noise in the distance. It was the party being thrown for Solomon, with an even bigger celebration and more rockin' Karaoke that maybe even had a smoke machine!!!!
Inside the city walls Solomon has ridden the king's donkey, been anointed with oil and is sitting on the throne with trumpets blaring. All signs of royal succession. Meanwhile, Adonijah was just sitting on a lawn chair at his picnic, oil from the KFC drumstick dripping from his fingers, looking very much like a jackass.
When Johnathan arrived to announce to Adonijah the coronation of Solomon, all of the people in the party "rose in alarm and dispersed" (vs 49). This is like a kegger at the teenager's house whose parents aren't home, then the cops show up and people start climbing out windows, diving through bushes, hiding under the bed!!
The chapter ends with an amazing act of grace by the newly anointed King Solomon, his first recorded act as king. He showed mercy to his brother Adonijah who by all rights and customs should have been killed. I love that! Often the first thing recorded in the Bible is the most important. And here, the one who is utterly humbled, deeply aware of his failing, is brought from the altar of sacrifice to the throne of the King and finds grace when he bows before Solomon.
Only problem is that he wasn't anointed by priest or prophet to be king, nor chosen by David. Nor, most importantly, by God. Solomon was to be king (vs 30).
The sad irony is that Adonijah's name means "my Lord is Jehovah" but his life does not reflect that. (Adoni= Lord, Jah= Jehovah). Jehovah did not install him as king, it was also huge insult to his father David. Adonijah was running on good looks (vs 6), greed, and political maneuvering, not the Lord's direction.
It's easy to point and stare at Adonijah, like a car wreck on the side of the road. But how often do I share the shame of Adonijah? Call myself Christian, and Jesus "Lord" but do not do what he says? We need to trust in the Lord's anointing by the Holy Spirit in our lives for our leading.
Vs 41 is really awkward and also pretty funny. Picture it: Adonijah is having this huge party outside of town, he's probably up on stage belting out Neil Diamond on the Karaoke machine, when he hears a noise in the distance. It was the party being thrown for Solomon, with an even bigger celebration and more rockin' Karaoke that maybe even had a smoke machine!!!!
Inside the city walls Solomon has ridden the king's donkey, been anointed with oil and is sitting on the throne with trumpets blaring. All signs of royal succession. Meanwhile, Adonijah was just sitting on a lawn chair at his picnic, oil from the KFC drumstick dripping from his fingers, looking very much like a jackass.
When Johnathan arrived to announce to Adonijah the coronation of Solomon, all of the people in the party "rose in alarm and dispersed" (vs 49). This is like a kegger at the teenager's house whose parents aren't home, then the cops show up and people start climbing out windows, diving through bushes, hiding under the bed!!
The chapter ends with an amazing act of grace by the newly anointed King Solomon, his first recorded act as king. He showed mercy to his brother Adonijah who by all rights and customs should have been killed. I love that! Often the first thing recorded in the Bible is the most important. And here, the one who is utterly humbled, deeply aware of his failing, is brought from the altar of sacrifice to the throne of the King and finds grace when he bows before Solomon.
Doesn't that capture the many times in our lives we've not followed the leading of the Lord? And then returned with humility and repentance to find abundant grace and mercy.
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