The movie above (at about 19 minutes in) relays what is depicted in I Kings Chapter 1 when King David is facing death and his successor to the throne is being chosen. A dispute over the throne arises as Adonijah attempts to take it for himself. In making this decision, Scriptures reports the following of Adonijah:
"Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king." I Kings 1:5a
All around the world, people are claiming their right to God's inheritance. "I am a King's Kid! I am blessed and not cursed! I am the head and not the tail!" Yet, like Adonijah, many are merely exalting themselves. Not having sought the genuine authority and anointing of the Lord, they are moving out in their own power to make of themselves some great one before the people. As we examine this story, there are interesting reflections we can see about the time in which we now live.
A Servant's Heart
When advising King David of Adonijah's betrayal, Nathan the prophet says:
"And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah. But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called." I Kings 1:24-26
Even though Solomon is also the King's son, Nathan appeals to King David based on Solomon being His servant. He doesn't demand that David act based on Solomon being a son or even based on the promises David had made about Solomon previously. He reminds David that Solomon has been his servant.
The difference between sons exalting themselves outside of the King's authority and sons submitting to that authority is servanthood.
"Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." Galatians 4:7
True sons are servants of God who are exalted as sons by the King Himself, not in their own power. In response to this news, King David tells Bathsheba:
"And the king sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress, Even as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day." I Kings 1:29-30
Solomon is presented as a servant, but King David exalts him as his son; confirming in him the promises which had been made before.
In a day where many are claiming to be God's sons - representing Him and His authority - it takes God Himself to distinguish between the two. The reason God must arise and confirm His anointed is because there are interlopers. There is misrepresentation before the people about exactly who has been sent by Him; and the self-exalted ones are leading God's people astray.
First Comes the False...With Much Fanfare
Notice that the self-exalted one, Adonijah, comes first. With much fanfare, he is presented before the people.
"Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him." I Kings 1:5
"For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah" I Kings 1:25
Adonijah commands horses, chariots, a large parade, and a great feast before the people. Who can doubt that this is any other than the King's chosen? All of the wealth, all of the splendor...it was surely a dazzling display before the people.
Yet, when King David determines to reveal the ones he has appointed, this is what he does:
"The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon: And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon." I Kings 1:33-34
The chosen, the truly anointed ones, come riding on a donkey. He is not self-exalted, but he comes humbly and lowly, a reflection of Jesus Christ knowing God alone will be the one to exalt him...in His way and in His timing.
"Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it." Psalm 37:34
The journey to being revealed as a true son of God may seem unimpressive. It is not as appealing to the flesh and to the people, it may seem as if you are and have nothing; but such are the real King's kids.
In the world, Adonijahs are preaching about prosperity, taking over worldly kingdoms, laws of attraction to gain position and wealth, angelic prophecies, signs and wonders...all under the guise of bearing the blessings of God. It is all a lie.
In the meantime, the true sons of God are being raised by God in an nondescript way. Externally, it may seem like nothing of any consequence is occurring, but it is the very journey itself which is making and molding the character of the servant in order to lead the people according to the ways of God as His chosen sons.
The End of the Day
"So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David's mule, and brought him to Gihon. And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon. And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them. And Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, Wherefore is this noise of the city being in an uproar?" I Kings 1:38-41
Solomon is anointed at Gihon, which means "bursting forth", and this is exactly how the true sons of God are made manifest.
Adonijah is allowed to have his celebration. He is permitted to eat, drink and be merry; reveling in his apparent conquest of the throne and the people. But then the King's anointed is revealed at the sound of the trumpet.
In one moment, everything changes, taking Adonijah off guard. As a result, even the people wake-up from the delusion realizing they have been fooled; and they scatter (I Kings 1:49).
A Dividing Line
The last thing that King David does before he dies is ensure judgment against his enemies (those who sided with Adonijah) and mercy for his followers. One of the enemies upon whom David pronounces judgment is Joab, who had been captain of David's army. In describing Joab's transgressions, Scripture says that he:
"...shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet." I Kings 2:5b
Joab means "Jehovah is father". Like the false religious leaders of Jesus' day, they claim a heritage as sons, but in works show themselves to be His enemy because the love of God is not in them (John 8:41). Instead of having his loins girt about in truth and his feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace, there is blood. Those fighting for the false reign of Adonijah are promoting falsehoods and preaching a false Gospel. This is the means whereby they ensnare the people with their pomp and circumstance.
Even when being extended mercy to repent (I Kings 1:52), Adonijah still seeks to gain for his own use the virgin set aside for the use of the King (I Kings 2:13-17). Just like the King of Sodom, he is willing to part with the riches and wealth, if only he can have the souls of the people (Genesis 14:21).
There is coming a day when God is going to make a change. He is going to rebuke the Adonijahs and reveal His anointed ones, confirming in them the promises He has made of old so that all will know who He has ordained.
If you have been fooled by the self-exalted ones, come out from among them so that you are not a partaker of the curse coming upon those who have falsely declared "Thus saith the Lord." while keeping the people in bondage. Seek the Lord now and study to show yourself approved so that you are not deceived by doctrines of men.
If you are an Adonijah, REPENT! There is still time but it is coming to a quick end as God does a quick work. Stop seeking to use and abuse God's people to satisfy your own lusts and make of yourselves some great one. Step down from the pulpits and stop espousing the lies of men as commandments of God.
Lastly, to those true servants of the Most High who are being revealed through humility, know that God will raise you in due time. Do not get discouraged when you see the wicked flourishing like a green bay tree. Grow not weary in well doing, but be strong and of good courage for in a time when we may think not, He will break forth in Glory and majesty through His chosen ones.
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." I Peter 5:6-7
wonderful article... it has given me much encouragement. i just graduate from college and can not find a career job i have been working at a retail store for about 4 months, and have been threatened and almost hurt by a coworker. i left the job.. i feel bad. i felt like i should have sticked it out. but i am happy it is over but i learned some valuable lessons on ignoring the wicked and not retaliate even though it was hard and i didn't do it everytime.
ReplyDeleteHi Floyd,
ReplyDeleteGod certainly does not want us to be abused in any way. Nor do we have to subject ourselves to unhealthy situations to try and be humble.
The main point I hope people get from this is that the way God does things is diametrically opposed to the way the world does. He intentionally does it that way so it is not attractive to those who are worldly, but also so that it kills off the worldliness in us. In a world where many people assume that material possession is godliness, it can be a fine dividing line. We cannot seek to serve God for what we can get out of it, but because we love Him and desire to please Him.
I am sure as you say that God is using every situation, even the unpleasant ones, to grow us up in Him. I pray that God will make a way for you to find the type of career opportunity you seek. In the meantime, keep moving forward and maintaining your focus on Him. These are very perilous times, but He is able.
God Bless
Excellent article. I've been reading your post now for about a year and I'm encouraged by the sincerity of them all. I saw this "preacher" on television yesterday who coined the phrase, "money cometh" and as he was "preaching" congregants were actually walking up to the podium and handing him money. He claims to be a child of the King and he is entitled to all the prosperous gifts thereof. These type of ministers are all over the place and I wonder why they think they are entitled to all this wealth and fame while walking in such arrogance. I also don't understand when they ask for a monetary offering every time they say God has moved in a service.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful teaching and a timely reading for me.
ReplyDelete