1 Kings 1:1-9

David was old and close to death. Who will be the next king? There was a power struggle. Adonijah puts himself forward as the next king. “Now Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward and said, “I will be king.” So he got chariots and horses ready, with fifty men to run ahead of him.” (1 King 1:5).

His flair of showmanship reveals his selfish ambition and vain glory. He arrogated himself to the throne without divine endorsement. Like his brother, Absalom, he got chariots and horses with fifty men to run ahead of him. Adonijah surrounded himself with much pomp and did not align himself with God. His eyes are on the grandeur of the throne, not on the God of Israel.

God had promised David a lasting dynasty. “‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over, and you rest with your fathers, I will raise your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom.” (2 Samuel 7:11-12) Is Adonijah God’s choice?

David knows that Solomon is God’s choice. He fails to stop Adonijah’s claim to the throne. “His father had never at any time displeased him by asking, “Why have you done thus and so?” He was also a very handsome man, and he was born next after Absalom.” (1 Kings 1:6). How terrible is indulgence in parenting? David was firm on the battlefield but not at home.

Adonijah did not seek his father’s blessing. He conferred with Joab, and Abiathar, the priest, invited royal officials to a feast and installed himself king over Israel. How long did Adonijah last on the throne? Joab, Abiathar, Zadok and Nathan are aware of Solomon as God’s choice, but Joab and Abiathar conspired with Adonijah.

The Lord Jesus says, “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12). Adonijah knows that Solomon is God’s choice; selfish ambition blinded his eyes against God’s will. Adonijah fails to listen to Nathan and Zadok, the priest. He thinks that he can ascend the throne without them. In life pursuit, let us seek and respect God’s will; align ourselves with God’s plan and the right people.