First Kings

Chapter One: The Beginning of Solomon’s Reign (part 1)

by

Jim Bordwine, ThD

Introduction

Without question, king David is one of the most well-known and beloved characters in the Bible, if not all of history. Our earliest impressions of David are formed when we hear that incredible story of his battle against Goliath. We picture small David standing before the giant, ready to defend the good name of God and God’s people. While being taunted by his oversized enemy, we hear of David picking up a few stones and using one to bring down that brute of a man. In the mind of a child, David comes across as an extraordinary character—brave and confident—and as one who loves the Lord. As we grow up, our initial impressions of David are, of course, confirmed.

Throughout most of his life, David lived up to that early impression established when he took a stand for righteousness and against pagan aggression. Under his leadership, the people of God enjoyed unparalleled prosperity and influence. David reigned with distinction in times of war and in times of peace. At the same time, however, this remarkable man provided a disturbing illustration of moral weakness. And yet, even in that lapse, we find an example that both instructs and inspires us.

When David fell into sin, he resisted repentance for a lengthy period of time. Eventually, David was broken by the Lord’s chastisement, confessed his transgressions, and was restored before God. In his writings, we find detailed accountings of his sin, his extended period of stubbornness, and his marvelous reconciliation as a man after God’s own heart. By all accounts, king David was a unique figure in God’s unfolding plan of redemption.

During David’s reign, the idea of an earthly kingdom existing under the authority of God became a reality. As David’s life and rule came to an end, another extraordinary figure was on the scene and ready to assume his role as king over God’s covenant people on the earth. That man is, of course, Solomon, the son of David.

This morning, I am starting a new sermon series from the book of 1 Kings. In this book, the emphasis is upon the rulers of Israel and Judah, as well as the operation of the prophetic office. The book opens with a record of king David’s final days in connection with the beginning of Solomon’s reign. As we are going to see, the rise of Solomon is accompanied by much intrigue, disloyalty, and deception. In this opening chapter, we will find elements of wisdom and examples of poor judgment. The order that makes Solomon the king is the last major command issued by David.

I have divided 1 Kings chapter 1 into three segments: Adonijah’s scheme, Nathan’s counsel, and David’s response. Let’s give our attention, therefore, to the opening verses where we read of a plan to put someone other than Solomon on the throne.

01. Adonijah’s Scheme (vv. 1-10)

¹ Now King David was old, advanced in age; and they covered him with clothes, but he could not keep warm. ² So his servants said to him, “Let them seek a young virgin for my lord the king, and let her attend the king and become his nurse; and let her lie in your bosom, that my lord the king may keep warm.” ³ So they searched for a beautiful girl throughout all the territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. ⁴ The girl was very beautiful; and she became the king's nurse and served him, but the king did not cohabit with her. ⁵ Now Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” So he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen with fifty men to run before him. ⁶ His father had never crossed him at any time by asking, “Why have you done so?” And he was also a very handsome man, and he was born after Absalom. ⁷ He had conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest; and following Adonijah they helped him. ⁸ But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David, were not with Adonijah. ⁹ Adonijah sacrificed sheep and oxen and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En-rogel; and he invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the men of Judah, the king's servants. ¹⁰ But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, and Solomon his brother.

David Approaches Death

As these verses indicate, David is nearing the end of his life. He is suffering, it appears, from poor blood circulation, which would’ve been one of the many weaknesses caused by his old age. In spite of the attempts to make him comfortable, the king could not keep warm. We read next of a common practice in this culture, which involved the services of a nurse whose primary duty was to lie in the bed with the king, not for sexual purposes, but in order to keep him warm.

A search was made for a young woman to fill this role, and the writer tells us that a girl named Abishag was found and brought to the king. From that point on, she served David as his nurse. Please note the confirmation of what I just said, namely, that the services of this young woman did not involve a sexual relationship. The writer specifically says “the king did not cohabit with her.”

This bit of preliminary information is given, I believe, so we might understand the frail nature of king David at this point in history. He is about to face the last serious challenge to his authority and is not the man of vitality he once was; his days are coming to a close. Of even greater importance, however, than the soon passing of David, is the issue of who will sit upon his throne after his death. As we will see, this was not simply a matter of who was appointed by David to assume the position of king upon his departure, it also involved those who desired the throne even apart from king David’s sanction. One man, in particular, is introduced by the writer, and his name is Adonijah.

Adonijah Nominates Himself

Adonijah, which means “my lord is Yahweh,” was the fourth of David’s sons, born to him by his fifth wife, Haggith. As we might expect, word of David’s condition must have been well known, so people realized it was only a matter of time before he passed away and another man became their king. Adonijah was determined to be that man. The text says that Adonijah “exalted himself” and declared “I will be king.” (v. 5) The word translated “exalted” means “to lift up or carry something” about. Used figuratively and negatively, as it is here, the term describes a prideful display of oneself as that which should be adored and desired.

Adonijah is saying, “Here I am, people; I will be your king and you are blessed to have me!” The man did not suffer from shyness. Right away, therefore, we understand the character of Adonijah. He was a self-promoter, he was not a man who waited to be called upon to serve his people or to be favored with a position of honor. Contrary to a number of Biblical exhortations and principles, this man thought so highly of himself, as his actions indicate, that he would announce himself as king. He was convinced that the kingdom would best be served by his rise to the throne. While very little is known about Adonijah, what we do know leaves us with an extremely unflattering opinion.

I don’t know exactly how many stories are in the Bible that involve the element of pride. My guess is that if we looked closely at each story, we would conclude that pride operated frequently in those cases where some wrong was committed, some sin ignored, or some advantage sought. Pride has always been an issue for fallen men; we routinely think more highly of ourselves than we should. Even among those most favored by God, pride sometimes appears—I’m thinking, for example, of the Savior’s own disciples who had to be challenged more than once regarding their over-blown sense of self-importance. What we see in Adonijah, therefore, is not a unique tendency, but it is a disturbing trait, especially in this context. Leaders who are motivated primarily by pride make decisions that are fueled by self-interest, not the interests of the people.

Adonijah’s actions demonstrate that he had no regard for tradition or protocol. The passing of one king and the rise of another was to be done a particular way; it wasn’t a time for a “free for all” to see who could outdo all others in deception and trickery. As David reached the end of his reign, this should have been a most sober moment in the nation’s history. Certainly those in his own family should have supported and required a respectful transition of power. There should have been consideration of the life and service of a great man of God. Instead, Adonijah makes it an opportunity to seize power. We would not be wrong, I would maintain, if we concluded that Adonijah saw his father’s death as a golden opportunity, rather than a time for mourning and sober reflection.

And I would add, in fact, that Adonijah had very little regard for his own father. A faithful son would have sought his father’s counsel and would have been prepared to carry out his father’s wishes. But Adonijah, seeing what he thought was an opportunity, as I just noted, put himself forward and boldly proclaimed his readiness to be king. And he did this without speaking to David—who was not only the still reigning king, but also his father! This, too, helps us determine what kind of man he was. He was, to be sure, self centered, self righteous, conceded, and, above all—and this is really important—earthly minded. Adonijah did not take note of David’s relationship with Jehovah; surely he knew his father had been appointed by God Himself; and he must have known something of his father’s relationship with Jehovah over the years.

How sinfully bold was it, therefore, to think that he could take up David’s rule without any word from God, without any command from his father, and, in fact, even without the support of some of the most important leaders (this is a fact that comes out momentarily)? Had Adonijah regarded his father rightly, he would never have made this grand assumption even before his father was dead. It appears, therefore, that Israel’s peculiar relationship with God was of little concern to Adonijah. No true servant of Jehovah would ever dare put himself forward in such an arrogant manner. Adonijah is behaving like the men of the earth, not the servants of God. He is seeking to be exalted, not to serve. He is planning for his own glory, not the glory of God. He was, as I said, an earthly-minded man.

Not only was Adonijah full of pride, he was also a woefully ignorant man. I say that because of the cavalier way he approached the throne of David. His confidence in his own abilities coupled with his obvious lack of comprehension concerning the critically important role of the king, produces a picture of a man wholly unsuited for high office. This man has no business putting himself forth as the next king. He is not wise enough, he is not knowledgeable enough.

Nevertheless, Adonijah made preparation for his public appearance as the self appointed king. The text says that he readied chariots and horsemen and runners to go before him as he announced his intention. Given this information, we might assume that Adonijah had considerable support. Such an assumption would be valid. In fact, he had the backing of some prominent men. Before they are identified, however, a comment is inserted at this point that tells us something extremely relevant given what we have just read.

Listen again, please, to v. 6: “His father had never crossed him at any time by asking, ‘Why have you done so?’” His father had never crossed him by questioning his son’s behavior. The KJV renders this phrase like this: “His father had not displeased him at any time. . .” Should we be surprised, therefore, when we read of Adonijah’s arrogance or his belief in his own superiority? As he grew up, Adonijah was not corrected when he acted inappropriately or when he spoke highly of himself. His father didn’t want to make him unhappy or make him face the wrong he did. Apparently, the fruit of that oversight is now being revealed.

Left unchecked, fallen human nature will manifest all kinds of disagreeable traits, including conceit. It appears that this was the case with David’s son. For reasons not stated, David had not provided the necessary discipline and interaction with Adonijah. The writer implies, you’ll notice, that this is at least part of the explanation for Adonijah’s self-exaltation. He grew up thinking too highly of himself and now that thinking is allowing him to ignore history, his father’s will, and his own lack of suitability—all because he wants to be king and he was not used to being told “no.”

David did many commendable things and he is to be admired for numerous accomplishments, including his dedication to the Lord, but we cannot ignore the disastrous outcome of his relationship with Adonijah. The story we are reading in this chapter is a result of David’s neglect. And, sadly, Adonijah was not the only one of David’s sons to rebel.

Getting back to our text, notice that the writer adds a couple more statements about Adonijah: “he was also a very handsome man, and he was born after Absalom.” This tells us that Adonijah would probably have been a likable man, which would have made control of his conceit even more of an imperative. He may have had a natural charisma that charmed people and made them want to please him.

We are told that as he made his plan to assume the throne, Adonijah conferred with other leading men, including Joab and Abiathar (v. 7). We know Joab, of course, as the commander of David’s army. He has shown fierce loyalty to David. This fact has led some to conclude that Joab’s support of Adonijah was not meant as a rebellion against David. According to the normal progression of things, Adonijah was in line to inherit the throne. David, however, had not endorsed this step, but had appointed another, namely, Solomon, to rule after him. Whatever the case, Joab finds himself in conflict with David and his supporters.

Abiathar was recognized as David’s a priest. Unlike Joab, there were occasional incidents that indicated this man wrestled with an element of self interest. Abiathar cannot be viewed in the same light as Joab when it comes to the loyalty each man manifested toward king David. We have, therefore, two influential men supporting Adonijah—Joab, out of a misplaced sense of who had the right to the throne after David, and Abiathar out of a more selfish ambition to secure for himself a place of power in the new administration. With these two men behind him, Adonijah could count on considerable support from the citizens.

David’s Supporters Ignored

Other important characters chose not to follow Adonijah. The list includes: Zakok the priest, Benaiah, David’s chief counselor, Nathan the prophet, Shimei and Rei, who are believed to have been two of David’s personal security force. Mentioned lastly are “the mighty men who belonged to David.” These men formed an inner circle that was fiercely loyal to the king. This division of influential men set the stage for a major confrontation.

Adonijah was moving ahead as if he had already been proclaimed king. For example, the writer cites one of Adonijah’s acts by which he celebrated his ascension to the throne. At a particular location, Adonijah made many sacrifices and invited all his brothers and all the men of Judah to the feast (cf. v. 9). Those who had sided with David, however, were not invited—for obvious reasons, we can surmise. (v. 10)

In spite of whatever pretense Adonijah offered to legitimize his action, he was usurping the throne. He did not have David’s blessing and could not simply declare himself king. This whole operation was illegal and you cannot help but think Adonijah hoped to take advantage of David’s infirm condition. He was hoping to make his move and get established in office before anything could be done to stop him. He may also have assumed that David was simply too old and feeble to get involved. Adonijah has made a number of costly miscalculations, however. Several of his assumptions are groundless and about to crumble before him.

Application

One of the great advantages of studying the history portions of the Bible is the tremendous amount of truly relevant application to be found in these stories. These stories tell of people and their schemes, they record how plans succeeded and failed. There is much, therefore, to be taken from the history sections of the Bible. That is certainly the case here in 1 Kings 1. I quickly came up with seven points of practical application from these verses we’ve just considered. I’m going to pause our study of this chapter, therefore, in order to offer these applications to you.

First, we must give our attention to v. 6: “His father had never crossed him at any time by asking, “‘Why have you done so?’” Remember the KJV’s version: His father had never displeased him at any time.” It might appear that this statement is thrown in, so to speak, as if the writer did not intend to be saying anything profound. I, however, would strongly disagree with that perspective. I think the writer made this comment precisely because he knew it explained this terrible scene in which a son is seeking to take the throne of his father against all that is lawful and traditional. As I said before, Adonijah was not used to being told “no.”

Fathers, please get this point: If you think it is somehow un-fatherly to displease your children, then you are setting up a situation that will produce much trouble for you one day. I know that many fathers struggle with telling their children “no” and with having to stand in the way of what their child wants to do. The struggle comes from thinking that you are somehow hindering the joy of your son or daughter by preventing them from doing what they want. The struggle is grounded in a misconception of parental love and the goal of parenting.

It is not your calling to be a friend to your children and, as a friend, facilitate whatever they want to experience. Your calling is to protect your children from decisions and actions that are, ultimately speaking, harmful or potentially harmful. Even if the child doesn’t seen the wisdom in your blocking of their desires, you must still do it because you know it is right and will, in the end, serve the interests of your child.

David made a colossal mistake in the way he raised Adonijah and now, at the very end of his life, the fruit of that mistake is being harvested—and it is a bitter harvest, indeed. God gives us those early years in which to set the course of our children’s lives. Those years are pivotal and you must take advantage of them. Later, when they are reaching adulthood, you will have the opportunity to facilitate your child’s desires and walk with them friend to friend.

Second, there is an application to be made concerning the danger of making assumptions. I’m referring to the assumptions that Adonijah made concerning the ease with which he could occupy the throne of his father. He assumed one of two things about David: his father would not object because he would want this son to assume the throne or his father was to and feeble to interfere regardless of what he thought about Adonijah. Adonijah clearly did not expect David to be a significant factor in his plan. I’m sure he knew there would be opposition from others, but he did not count on opposition from the king.

As you look at the story, and see how it unfolds, you must conclude that this assumption made by Adonijah was a significant blunder. In the end, it is the opposition of David that causes the plan to collapse. When Adonijah underestimated David’s interest in what happened to the throne after his passing, he assured himself of failure. Given that the record of David’s life, would it not have made more sense for Adonijah to count on his father’s involvement?

The lesson here, therefore, has to do with making important plans for your life or taking significant steps in your life the success of which rests squarely on some assumption you have made. If that assumption happens to be in error, then whatever plan you have made or step you have taken is, of course, in jeopardy. Yet, how many of us live our lives and make certain choices based up a guesses we have made regarding the future?

Several weeks ago, I preached a sermon on James 4: 13 ff. That passage warns us against making assumptions about the next day! It teaches us that our plans, her goals, and our desires are subject to the will of God. Therefore, when we speak of what we plan to do, we are wise if we qualify our assumption with the recognition that whatever we intend is ultimately governed by that which pleases God.

Consider again the example of Adonijah. The assumption he made regarding David was related to the entire course of the rest of his life. It was, therefore, an incredibly significant conjecture on his part. And as it turns out, his assumption was wrong. This mistake, this failure to take into account the overriding will of God for his life, cost Adonijah everything, including his very life in the end. Be careful, therefore, about presuming to know what God will or will not allow in your future. Do not, for example, neglect the duties that you know you have thinking that there will be plenty of time in the days to come for you to catch up, so to speak. Do not assume that you have plenty of time to conform yourself to the Word of God as, in the meantime, you live as you please.

You have no guarantee of tomorrow, or even the next breath that you draw. It is only the mercy of God that allows us to make the kind of unfounded assumptions we do without suffering all of the possible unpleasant consequences. Discipline yourself so that, when you think about what is to come and what you would like to accomplish and how you would like to live your life, you do so with full knowledge of and deep reverence for God’s holy will.

Third, this story provides an application having to do with the fact that not every situation that appears advantageous really is advantageous. Adonijah looked at his circumstances and concluded that he was in an advantageous position. His father would soon vacate the throne, he was the eldest son, and it appears he was a generally well liked man. What better time, therefore, then now to make his move and seek the throne for himself? From most perspectives, the situation could not have been more ideal. Adonijah, consequently, acted to take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity.

The problem, of course, was that Adonijah did not look beyond the obvious. Instead of analyzing carefully this opportunity to discover if there might be some elements making this opportunity less attractive, he jumped ahead and found out later that there were, in fact, aspects of this circumstance that rendered it far from advantageous.

The lesson, then, is that we should patiently examine and prayerfully consider that which appears to us at first glance to be some truly advantageous opportunity. Patience will give us plenty of time to investigate the circumstance so we have a fuller, more accurate understanding. And prayer incorporates the guidance of God. With both patience and prayer operating, we are better able to determine if what appears to be an advantage really is an advantage. And to patience and prayer we might add the counsel of others. Is it not logical to conclude that when we make use of these tools in assessing the situation, we are far more likely to make a wise choice?

For example, let’s say that a man hears of a job opportunity that would require him to move his family away from their present location. This job opportunity appears to be advantageous because it will mean more money. If the man does what so many of us do, he quickly packs up his family and off he goes. Later, he discovers that his family is not content and the additional money he is now making has not resulted in putting an end to his worries. He left behind good friends and a good church. While his pay is higher, he now knows that the cost of living is higher, too. This man cannot, however, move back to his former home as easily as he left it.

It is quite possible that this story could have had a more encouraging outcome had this man taken the time to compare aspects of his present location with aspects of the new location. In this case, patience might have prevented a mistake. And if you add to patience the prayerful consideration of such a move, God might very well have impressed upon the man the wisdom of remaining where he was. Moreover, a patient and prayerful man is also quite likely to seek the counsel of others. With that element added, the likelihood of making a mistake and coming to regret your decision is minimized greatly.

The story reminds us, therefore, that we must evaluate anything that appears to bring to us some advantage. It may be a job opportunity or it may be an educational opportunity for your children or it may be a relationship that you could develop with another with some effort. Many things in our lives appear to offer one advantage or another, but we must judge wisely if we desire to act wisely. Ideally, Christians simply don’t make any major decisions without exercising patience, without calling upon God in prayer, and without seeking the advice of others. The is wisdom. It takes more time to live this way, but we have to conclude that time is a small price to pay if it means we can avoid mistakes.

Fourth, please take note of the fact that Adonijah appears to have had a general disregard for tradition. His disregard for tradition led to disaster. I’m not saying that our lives should be governed by tradition; I’m saying that there is wisdom in paying attention to how things have been done by those who came before us. Unless you believe that every generation must discover for itself what good and what works best and what brings forth God’s blessings, then paying heed to tradition is going to be an important element in your life.

There was, as I said in the sermon, an established way for the throne to pass from one to another. In theory, it was an orderly method that eliminated strife and competition and the possibility of civil unrest. The tradition was for the departing king to name his successor. Adonijah cared more for his personal advancement than for time-honored tradition. This tendency can be of little consequence in our lives or it can be of significant consequence.

We don’t have to worry about a tradition of appointing kings, but we do need to consider tradition in other areas. Take, for example, theology. There are some people who think that traditional formulations are worn out and need to be replaced with a modern opinion. We are seeing this very thing being played out with regard to the doctrine of justification. Some are not satisfied with the traditional understanding of this topic and have proposed what they say are more insightful explanations and applications of Biblical texts. A disregard for tradition in this matter has deadly consequences. This is assuming, of course, that the tradition, Reformed statement of the doctrine of justification is Biblical, which I do.

We might also see the relevance of this application in the matter of worship. It seems that everywhere you turn these days, churches are incorporating new ideas about how we should worship God. In some circles, tradition in this matter is not only tossed out, it is spoken against with a measure of disdain. The belief is that old methods of approaching God won’t work with the present generation. I trust you see the problem immediately. They are concerned mainly with what pleases the worship, not what pleases God and that is the reason such innovation must always fail in time.

You may think that this application is good, but not really relevant to your situation. I would suggest that you take a look at what is going on in our society today. All forms of traditional understanding are being dismissed—it’s not just in the church that new ideas are replacing traditional doctrine and practice, but it is also happening in regard to the very nature and structure of the family unit. Several states in the past two weeks have legalized so-called “gay marriage.” That is certainly a break with tradition. To be honest, this break with tradition would be nothing more than a point of irritation to those of us who disagree were it not for that fact that some tradition is based on the unchanging Word of God. And that is the case with this aspect of the homosexual agenda.

What is being replaced is an understanding and practice that conform to the Word of God. What is being brought in is an understanding and practice that directly contradict the Word of God. It is when the tradition under consideration is founded upon the Scriptures that disregard for tradition becomes a critical issue. If the tradition of throwing rice at a wedding fades away over time due to concerns for the little birdies who might eat the rice, drink water, and explode, no great sin has been committed. But when that same wedding results in two men gaining the sanction of the state and some ignorant church people, then the tradition being replaced is fundamentally important and has to do with the division of our race into male and female, the relationships that our Creator has approved, and the nature of that essential community in culture known as the family, then there is much to be opposed and much to regret.

Adonijah had no respect for tradition because it did not, in this case in particular, serve his interests. Isn’t that exactly what is behind some of the most destructive movements currently seen in our society? These days, when the traditional conflicts with sinful impulses, the traditional is considered dispensable. In the past, it was not that way, but we are living in a day when all things traditional are being questioned and in some cases, as I just illustrated, this trend has enormously frightening implications for our survival as a nation.

A fifth application can be titled the dangers of earthly mindedness. Adonijah fits the mold of the self-promoting, prideful, ambitious man perfectly; this kind of man thinks the most important matter in his life is his own success. This approach to life might be typical in this fallen world, but it runs contrary to how God would have us live. The story we are considering clearly implies that Adonijah was chiefly concerned with what pleased him, what would result in his advancement, and what would put him in a position of superiority. Therefore, when he saw an opportunity, that being the coming death of the king, Adonijah proclaimed “I will be king.” Had he achieved that goal, he would have gained what he desired—a position of prestige and power. Often men succeed when they are so motivated, but not always.

For our purposes, let me ask if you remember the way in which Jesus handled this issue with His disciples. Speaking of the scribes and Pharisees in Matt. 23, the Savior warned His men about following their example of abusing others for the sake of personal gain. They are willing to lay heavy burdens on the people and just as unwilling to offer relief, Jesus says. They love the place of honor and respectful greetings in the marketplace. The legacy of the scribes and Pharisees was one of shutting off the kingdom of heaven from people, Jesus declares.

That is a serious charge, but it was grounded in the self-centeredness of the Lord's enemies. They would do anything to advance themselves, even if it meant spiritual disaster for some seeking to be instructed. In their judgment, the scribes and Pharisees concluded that their satisfaction was the most important goal in their lives. But Jesus counters this view when He says: “the greatest among you shall be your servant.” And, He adds, “whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”

Those who know Christ as Savior approach life from this perspective, the perspective of willing service rather than self-promotion. Adonijah’s attempt to exalt himself is a vivid reminder of the foolishness of seeking to glorify self instead of glorifying God by leading a tranquil and obedient life. I would ask you to take a look at yourself in light of this application. Are you motivated chiefly by what pleases you, what you think you deserve, of what you believe will give you advantage over others? Don’t be too quick to dismiss this idea. It is, as I noted, a common expression of our sinful natures.

We are studying a man who was motivated by self-interests, but this application is relevant in all our relationships. What happens in the marriage when the husband seeks to please himself most of the time? Obviously, his wife is, by necessity, going to be neglected. You cannot be a husband, as God commands, and also be concerned about creating a life in which you are most comfortable. And if there are children in the marriage, the potential destruction is greatly multiplied. Those children will not receive the training they need to grow up and lead honorable lives before God. Moreover, they will witness on a regular basis an example that, if followed by them later in life, is guaranteed to bring spiritual chaos.

If you are in any relationship where someone else is depending on you, then you should pay close attention to this word of application. Living to fulfill your desires will prevent you from providing what that person needs. Selfishness, at any level, serves no good purpose. When we see children acting selfishly, we immediately correct them and give them a short lecture; but when, as adults, we act the same way, we are not nearly as quick to condemn ourselves even though the damage being done is far greater. Take to heart, therefore, what you can learn from Adonijah’s misguided attempt to take the throne of his father.

Sixth, please note that, as this story illustrates, every life comes to a close and every life that comes to a close is survived by a legacy. I realize that I mention this issue regularly in my preaching, but this because it comes up frequently in the Scriptures one way or another. We do well to keep in mind, as our days come and go, that whatever a man does or does not do has implications for that time after he has left this earth.

Now that we have begun to study 1 Kings, what do you know about the man named Adonijah? We haven’t progressed beyond the first ten verses of the first chapter, but already we have formed an opinion of this man. That is because he left a legacy when he left this world. He is remembered for what he did and, as I just suggested, what he did not do. He is remembered for attempting to take the throne of his father in a manner that was most inappropriate. He is known for his prideful ambition, his disregard for tradition, and his disrespect for his own father. Adonijah is also known for what he did not do. He did not honor his father, he did not seek first the kingdom of God, he did not choose the path of service. Again, this is his legacy. This is how he is remembered.

Consider yourself in this light. You are going to be remembered for what you do and what you do not do. Every day that passes adds to our legacy and further establishes that for which we will be known now and after we die. The issue is extremely simple: What do you want to be known for after you are gone? I would expect every person here to respond by saying they want to be remembered positively and as a person who lived a good life. But wishing and achieving are two different things. When it comes to your legacy, how you live is of paramount importance.

If it is your desire to leave behind a reputation of honor God, then honor Him now. If it is your hope to have people remember you as a kind person, then show kindness now. If you want your memory to bring joy to your children, if you want thoughts of your life to encourage your descendants, then you must choose to live now in a manner that meets with God’s pleasure. There is no other way for you, as one of His children, to establish a legacy that will be gratefully embraced by your children instead of being reluctantly acknowledged. You have a definite amount of time appointed for you by God. When that precious time is wasted in empty pursuits or in neglect of duty or in living contrary to God’s will, you are dishonoring God, to say the least, and you are guaranteeing a shameful legacy.

Seventh, and finally, an application is to be made from the wrongful use of God’s blessings. I want you to think about the advantages given to Adonijah by the Lord. He was born into a family of greatness, not just in earthly terms, but in terms of what God desires. Adonijah’s father was one of the most godly men to walk the earth. He had a father who knew God like few others of his time. All things considered, Adonijah had been given many advantages by God. But what did he do in response? Adonijah wasted God’s blessings. He put God’s kind provisions to evil purposes. Adonijah was favored by God and then showed contempt for God’s grace.

I trust this application is already forming in your mind. Howe many of us have been favored by God, not because we had something demanding His blessings, but simply because He chose us and made us an object of grace? If you are saved, then you have been highly favored by God; you have been made the object of His marvelous grace. The obvious question, therefore, is: How have you responded? Are you seeking to make the most of the favored position given to you—a position of membership in the kingdom of the redeemed, a position of membership in the family of God, a position of a son to your heavenly Father?

We’re talking about the gospel, of course. According to God’s will, He sent His Son into this world to deliver us from condemnation. That condemnation was justly deserved because we were conceived in a state of alienation from God. We came into the world stained by sin and, therefore, could never cleanse ourselves so that we might return to God in peace. With no hope whatsoever of saving ourselves from the inevitable sentence of death, we were doomed. But then Jesus came—not because He was compelled, not because we asked Him, and not because He stood to gain some great advantage—He was, after all, God Himself. Jesus came as an expression of grace. This greatest of all blessings from God, redemption, was given to us freely. It pleased God to do so; it pleased Him to transfer us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light.

Have you been given this great blessing from God? Has He called you to salvation? If so, how are you responding to what you have received? If God has given you the ultimate advantage of having your sins paid for, have you now forsaken all manner of sin? If God has given you freedom from the power of sin, are you now living in that state of freedom by choosing the path of righteousness? If God has made you one of His children, are you now behaving like one of His children? Are you honoring God in response to what He has done for you or are you dishonoring Him and showing disdain for His grace by engaging in sinful thoughts, sinful speech, and sinful conduct?

You know your duty as a Christian. You know how God would have you live. Don’t pretend like this is some kind of mystery. If you are truly struggling with knowing how God would have you live, then seek help. If you are attempting to respond to God’s grace by living a life of thankful obedience, but are hampered by some particular sin, then seek help. Turn to His Word, turn to your parents, turn to a trusted friend, turn to your husband or wife, turn to your pastor or another officer, but don’t let sin reign over you for another minute. You belong to God and He is holy; you belong to God and He calls you to be holy. You belong to God because you have been purchased with the blood of God’s own Son. Rejoice in that truth and give evidence of your joy and gratefulness by living to please your heavenly Father and His Son sent into this world to rescue you from danger.

Let’s pray

Hymn for communion

Conclusion

The Savior extends to you an invitation. It is an invitation to partake of a sacred meal with Him. Because you are redeemed by His blood, you have a right to commune with Jesus Christ. And He has established this Table as a particular way of communing with Him this side of heaven. The bread and wine are symbolic representations of His body and blood. When you receive them, you are acknowledging, confirming, and strengthening the bond between the resurrected Christ, now residing at the Father’s right hand, and you.

This is not a bare memorial. It is an act of communication with your Savior. The bread verifies that the life of Jesus Christ was surrendered in place of yours. The wine verifies that the blood of Jesus Christ was spilled to pay for your sin. This sacrament testifies to that greatest of all blessings from a God of all grace—which is your deliverance from the wrath to come.

Let this time encourage you as you are reminded of what the Savior was willing to do for you. Let it inspire you to go forth to reflect His righteousness, credited to your account, in acts of kindness, forgiveness, steadfastness, and complete dedication to the way of truth.

Matt. 26 ²⁶ While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” ²⁷ And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; ²⁸ for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. ²⁹ But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom.”

In His name, I say to you: Take and eat the bread, for it is His body. Take and drink the wine, for it is His blood. And take great comfort in His promise. There will come a day when striving with sin will cease and we will find ourselves in His Father’s glorious kingdom. That will be a day of joy, peace, enthrallment, thanksgiving, and rest—and that day will never end. We await that day as we live for Him here and now.