Assumed Leadership

 

    With the recent political turmoil, I think we all know what it looks like when a person assumes leadership.  They think they have all the answers and that everything will go their way.  The problem is that they don't have the right to assume.  When leaders fight for the same position is made worse by the fact they they drag everyone else into it.  It becomes all consuming for the nation, state, office, church, or home.

    King David had become an old man to the point where he could not stay warm.  I don't know what it is about getting older, but it seems like the blood just does not flow through the body like it did in youth.  The older a person gets the colder they become.  The household found him Abishag to take care of him.  She was a young beautiful virgin and she stayed that way.

    Adonijah was the eldest of David's living sons, so he took this as his time to step up as the next king.  He actually told people that he would be the next king and began to live excessively.  David said nothing.  It is amazing how David was such a good leader and person, but not the best parent.  

    Adonijah held a party as he made the announcement and invited all his brothers, but Solomon.  I think Solomon was looked down upon by his brothers because of his mother and David's relationship.  Adonijah had the support of Joab and Abiathar. The prophet Nathan, Benaiah from the royal guard, or Zadok the royal priest were not a party of the celebration either.  He was setting things up for change, but not in a good way. His actions reveal discontent toward his father too with the total disrespect of those that had always been loyal to the king.

    Bathesheba was never a woman to sit by and let things happen.  She went to David to make sure he knew what was happening with his nation and save herself and Solomon.  There was a good chance that if Adonijah became king that they would be executed or at least banished.  

    This tugged at Davis's heart, so he declared that Solomon would be the next king.  He knew that Solomon would treat his brothers and their mothers fairly.  That night he had Solomon be anointed, so that there would not be a power struggle.  The people celebrated because no one wanted a warring royal household.  David praised God because he now could leave this world knowing that things the nation would be in stable hands.  From that moment Solomon would start reigning with his father until David died.

    Adonijah was still at his own "I am King" party when the news arrived.  He was angry and the tension was thick.  His guest scattered, to save their own lives and reputations.  He was now afraid of Solomon because Solomon had every right to do to him as he had planned for his little brother.  News reached Solomon and he swore he would never lay a hand on Adonijah unless Adonijah intended harm to him.  Mercy was a good way to start a reign in the direction of wisdom, fairness, and peace.

1 Kings 1