Text: 1 Kings 1:38-40
Forgiveness of God
- Solomon’s mother was Bathsheba (1:11), well-known for her affair with David (2 Samuel 11)
- Punishment — the child born to Bathsheba would die (2 Samuel 12:14)
- This child died (2 Samuel 12:15-18) — the next child, Solomon, did not (2 Samuel 12:24), but rather became king
- When God forgives, He no longer holds those things against us (Hebrews 8:12)
- No matter what our sin is, we can obtain forgiveness (1 Timothy 1:15)
Presumption of Adonijah
- Rather than allowing David to select him, Adonijah presumed to make himself king (1:5)
- He recognized that he had no authority to do this (1:10) — tried to get away with it anyway
- David recognized the danger of presumptuous sins (Psalm 19:13)
- Acting presumptuously will bring condemnation today as well (Matthew 7:21-23)
The Missing Prophet
- Solomon’s administration (1:8) — Solomon (king), Benaiah (captain), Zadok (priest), Nathan (prophet)
- Adonijah’s administration (1:7) — Adonijah (king), Joab (captain), Abiathan (priest)… Where was Adonijah’s prophet?
- Role of the prophet was to reveal God’s will
- Without a prophet, Adonijah was simply following the will of man rather than the will of God — no surprise that he failed
David’s Charge (1 Kings 2:1-4)
- Be strong and show yourself a man (2:2) — carry out your responsibilities
- Walk in the ways of the Lord (2:3) — be obedient to His commandments
- If he would do this, God would fulfill His promises (2:4)
- If we obey the Lord, He will keep His promises today (Hebrews 4:1, 9-11; 5:9)
Read the article: The Missing Prophet
