But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not. 1 Kings 1:10

King David was coming to the end of his life. David’s son Adonijah “exalted himself” to become king. Adonijah slews sheep and oxen to have a dinner with the kings sons and servants. In his exalted himself he was trying to buy favor with the people he desired to lead. He was getting everybody on board except for those with whom he should be most concerned.

Adonijah sought approval by people who only had to gain from agreeing with him. He probably interrupted events in life through the filter of God making a way for him to be the next king so he did not need the prophets approval. He probably over estimated his accomplishment and underaprraised the value of the mighty men so their opinions were mute to him. He may have spent years of developing reasons he would be a better king than Solomon and questioned his motives so he did not need his confirmation.

Obviously, Adonijah should have been have seeking the Lord for direction before starting on this journey. There is also two other groups of people he intentional ignored. He did not seek the counsel of Nathan the prophet, the respect of the men who fought for his father, or his brother Solomon who was also another well known candidate for the office.

I completely understood I am reading into this passage. However, the aboce verse makes it clear who ignored. We know from life and the stories of the kings to come our desire to surround ourselves with people who agree with us. I do not want to be this man. I want to fight with the mighty men so that I would value their opinion. I want to recognize the Godly advisors God has put into my life and make a habit of seeking their advice. I want to grow from those around me who are my peers who are being used greatly of God and my one day lead a ministry I serve through.

Share on Facebook