Typically we might need that God had chosen us for one thing greater, extra essential, extra public, or extra lasting. We might even really feel extra certified or like we deserve it greater than the particular person serving within the position you need. However it isn’t for us to query the Lord’s alternative for us or for others. He is aware of the plans He has for every one in every of us, and He has His causes. As an alternative of wishing we had a unique position to play, we must always give our all to the aim He has for us.
A Frail King – 1 Kings 1:1-4
When David was nearing the tip of his life, his physique might now not regulate his temperature, and he was unable to maintain heat. So, his servants recommended that they discover a virgin lady to put with David to maintain him heat. Her physique would generate extra warmth than the blankets they’d been piling on to no avail. Why they couldn’t have simply let one in every of his wives carry out this service, I have no idea. However the king agreed, and so they searched till they discovered a lovely younger lady named Abishag. So, she was introduced in to be the king’s nurse and serve him and David by no means slept along with her both as a result of that was not her function or as a result of David was impotent.
The Oldest Acts as King – 1 Kings 1:5-10
Whereas the king spent most of his time resting at residence, David’s oldest residing son, Adonijah, took the chance to exalt himself as David’s successor. Despite the fact that Adonijah was David’s fourth son, he was the oldest one who was nonetheless alive. His firstborn, Amnon, had been killed by his third son, Absalom, who was later killed in a battle over the throne (2 Samuel 13, 18). Then, David’s second son, Chileab, apparently died as a baby as a result of he’s solely talked about within the family tree (2 Samuel 3:2-5). Because the oldest, Adonijah would usually inherit the rights of the firstborn, which presumably would come with rights to the throne. The issue is that David had already provided that proper to Solomon.
Nonetheless, simply as Absalom did when he tried to take the throne from David, Adonijah ready chariots and 50 horsemen to his service (2 Samuel 15). He acquired the assistance of Abiathar the priest and David’s commander, Joab. He sacrificed sheep, oxen, and calves by the Serpent’s Stone close to En Rogel and invited Joab, Abiathar, all his brothers aside from Solomon, and all of the king’s servants from the land of Judah. However he failed to ask the opposite priest Zadok, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the top of his guard, David’s mighty males, Shimei, and Rei.
As a result of Adonijah didn’t invite these males, it’s evident that he knew David’s needs had been for Solomon to observe him as king. Apparently, he was simply hoping that his father would die earlier than he discovered or that he was too previous and weak to do something about it. Additionally, by solely inviting the servants of Judah and assembly on the stone in Judah, he was exhibiting his bias in direction of his father’s tribe. Do not forget that Judah adopted David as their king for seven years earlier than the remainder of Israel. It was throughout his time because the king of Judah that Adonijah was born. Now, over 30 years later, there may be nonetheless a divide between the southern tribe of Judah and the remainder of the Israel within the north.
Nathan and Bathsheba Inform David – 1 Kings 1:11-37
When Nathan noticed what was occurring, he informed Bathsheba, and so they deliberate how they might method David with the information. First, Bathsheba went to the king in his bed room the place Abishag was serving him. She reminded David of his promise that Solomon would succeed him as king. Then, she informed him that Adonijah had claimed the dominion behind his again and invited all David’s sons to the sacrificial feast aside from Solomon. Now everybody was ready for David to definitively declare who his successor could be. If David didn’t set the file straight, Bathsheba and Solomon could be thought of offenders of the king as soon as he died.
Then, Nathan got here in and requested the king if he needed Adonijah to be his successor, as a result of he had invited the remainder of the king’s sons, the commanders of the military, and Abiathar the priest to a feast the place they’re declaring him the king. He additionally informed David that Adonijah had not invited him, Zadok, Benaiah, or Solomon. Then, Nathan requested once more if David needed this and had simply not relayed it to them. Nathan had been the one to inform David that God didn’t need him to construct the Temple however that He would elevate up a son to succeed him and construct it as an alternative (2 Samuel 7:4-16). Although the Lord didn’t inform them which son that may be on the time, Nathan clearly knew that David had beforehand believed it was Solomon.
In response, David reassured Bathsheba, saying that he would affirm Solomon as his successor. Then, she bowed to the king in honor and mentioned, “Might my lord King David dwell endlessly,” referring to his kingdom. After this, David known as in Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah. He informed them to have Solomon journey on the king’s mule into the city of Gihon the place they might anoint him as king. After the anointing, David needed Solomon to take the throne as ruler over Israel and Judah. To this, Benaiah mentioned “Amen,” and expressed his want that the Lord be with Solomon as He was with David and make his kingdom even higher than David’s.
