November 16th, 2015
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

The Heir Presumptive

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Opening Prayer

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] When King David was very old, he could not keep warm even when they put covers over him. [2] So his attendants said to him, “Let us look for a young virgin to serve the king and take care of him. She can lie beside him so that our lord the king may keep warm.” [3] Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful young woman and found Abishag, a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. [4] The woman was very beautiful; she took care of the king and waited on him, but the king had no sexual relations with her. [5] Now Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward and said, “I will be king.” So he got chariots and horses ready, with fifty men to run ahead of him. [6] (His father had never rebuked him by asking, “Why do you behave as you do?” He was also very handsome and was born next after Absalom.) [7] Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they gave him their support. [8] But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei and Rei and David’s special guard did not join Adonijah. [9] Adonijah then sacrificed sheep, cattle and fattened calves at the Stone of Zoheleth near En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the royal officials of Judah, [10] but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the special guard or his brother Solomon. [11] Then Nathan asked Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, “Have you not heard that Adonijah, the son of Haggith, has become king, and our lord David knows nothing about it? [12] Now then, let me advise you how you can save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. [13] Go in to King David and say to him, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to me your servant: “Surely Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’ [14] While you are still there talking to the king, I will come in and add my word to what you have said.” [15] So Bathsheba went to see the aged king in his room, where Abishag the Shunammite was attending him. [16] Bathsheba bowed down, prostrating herself before the king. “What is it you want?” the king asked. [17] She said to him, “My lord, you yourself swore to me your servant by the LORD your God: ‘Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne.’ [18] But now Adonijah has become king, and you, my lord the king, do not know about it. [19] He has sacrificed great numbers of cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the king’s sons, Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander of the army, but he has not invited Solomon your servant. [20] My lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, to learn from you who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. [21] Otherwise, as soon as my lord the king is laid to rest with his ancestors, I and my son Solomon will be treated as criminals.” [22] While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived. [23] And the king was told, “Nathan the prophet is here.” So he went before the king and bowed with his face to the ground. [24] Nathan said, “Have you, my lord the king, declared that Adonijah shall be king after you, and that he will sit on your throne? [25] Today he has gone down and sacrificed great numbers of cattle, fattened calves, and sheep. He has invited all the king’s sons, the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest. Right now they are eating and drinking with him and saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ [26] But me your servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon he did not invite. [27] Is this something my lord the king has done without letting his servants know who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Meditate

“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.

Closing prayer

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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