Week 83, Day 5: Adonijah’s Rebellion
Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 1:1-53
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
In today’s reading, Adonijah, one of David’s sons, made an attempt to usurp the throne of David. In his efforts, he drew Joab and Abiathar (both men who had been very loyal to David) away from David and Solomon. Adonijah went so far as to make sacrifices, call the people together to celebrate, and have them cry out “Long live king Adonijah!” This was, however, in direct contrast to the will of God, who had chosen Solomon to be the next king (1 Chronicles 28:5). It was evident that Adonijah knew this to be the case as well, based on what he would tell his mother, Bathsheba in 1 Kings 2:15. He was upset that he had lost the kingdom, and that God had chosen Solomon instead!
Adonijah’s action is reminiscent of Saul’s actions toward the end of his life. Saul knew that God had taken the kingdom from him, and given it to one who was better than he, and yet he continually tried to get around God’s will! He thought if he could just kill David then God’s plan would have to be changed. Adonijah seemed to think that if he could just get all the people on his side, he could change the will of God. He thought, through the implementation of his own selfish desires, that he could force God to do his will! Of course, God’s will was accomplished in the end, with Solomon established by David as the next king over Israel, and Adonijah would soon get his just rewards.
Adonijah’s actions are not unlike those of many people today. It is easy to look into the pages of the word of God and find what His will for us is. And yet, the practice of many is to try and circumvent the will of God. Because of selfish desires or ambitions, too many people try to force God to conform to their wills. This can be seen in the sheer number of denominations that have formed with different doctrines developed to organize the local group, some national or international group, and to define the work of those bodies. Instead of focusing on what we want, the church should be focused upon what God wants, and conform itself (through the individuals that comprise it) to the prescribed commands of scripture! If we act like Adonijah, we will end up with the same spiritual consequence.
Question: When it comes to serving God, are we selfless, or selfish?
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