Good Morning Friends,
Israel was in a time of transition. King David
was growing old and it was obvious that he would not serve as king much longer.
David had several sons and the question was which son would succeed David as
king of Israel.
Adonijah was one of David’s sons and he wanted
to be king – he even set himself up as king, trying to take the decision out of
David’s hands and take the throne for himself. That was a tactic that did not
work. Instead, David chose another of his sons, Solomon, and had him anointed
as the new king. “Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the sacred tent
and anointed Solomon. Then they sounded the trumpet and all the people shouted,
‘Long live King Solomon!’” (1 Kings 1:38-39)
When the news reached Adonijah that Solomon had
been anointed king – fear swept Adonijah’s heart. (1 Kings 1:50)
It was justifiable fear. Adonijah’s rival had
been given a position of absolute authority over him. Adonijah was afraid that
Solomon would seek vengeance for Adonijah’s attempt to take the throne for
himself. Adonijah was afraid that Solomon would move quickly to rid himself of
all rivals to his power and position.
The question is – how would God have us respond
to the temptation to get vengeance when we have the power to do so? When we
have the power to do something about them, how would God have us respond to
those who are rivals to whatever position we hold?
Here was Solomon’s wise response to Adonijah:
“If he shows himself to be a worthy man, not a hair of his head will fall to
the ground; but if evil is found in him, he will die.” (1 Kings 1:52)
Solomon carried out no revenge against Adonijah
… Solomon did not seek to remove all rivals … instead, he responded to
Adonijah’s power grab with grace.
His, by Grace,
Steve
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