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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise I praise you today, for you are a sovereign God. Wicked men may plot and plan, but your will cannot be thwarted. “Though they plan evil against you, they will not succeed. Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power” (Ps 21:11, 13). Praise the Lord! Today in Your Word Today you told me about Adonijah’s attempted coup d’état. Adonijah, David’s oldest living son, decided that he, not Solomon (cf. 1 Chr 22:9), should be the next king. He began by imitating the example of Absalom: “He prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him” (cf. 1 Kgs 1:5 and 2 Sam 15:1). How could he get away with such behavior? Because his father never corrected or disciplined him (1 Kgs 1:6a). This teaches me that it’s possible for great and godly men to fail as parents. It also shows me that my children do not inherit my faith. Godly character must be instilled in them from the earliest age, and much time, effort, patience and discipline must be expended to set them on the right path (cf. Prov 22:6). David failed to correct his son, and rather than being a source of pride in his old age, Adonijah was busy plotting to seize the kingship. His plan almost worked, and if not for Nathan’s quick thinking and Bathsheba’s reminder, Adonijah would have been Israel’s next king. David took decisive action and had Solomon crowned king at Gihon. Solomon’s first decision was to dismiss Adonijah and send him home. He could have killed Adonijah, but instead he had mercy. This was not weakness on Solomon’s part; rather, it demonstrated his authority and power. Choosing to forgive a personal attack shows more strength than lashing out in revenge. Reflection When Adonijah realized his attempt to seize power had failed, he ran in panic to the altar, the place of mercy and forgiveness (cf. Exod 21:12–14). Yet he went there after his treasonous plans were exposed. Those who seek forgiveness only when their sin has found them out, may one day find that it is too late. Request Father, remind me that I should never allow my service to you, even in leadership positions, to take up so much time and energy that I neglect my responsibility to lead my family. Thanksgiving Thank you for being a father who loves me enough to discipline me when I’m wrong, encourage me when I’m right, and guide me when I don’t know the way. Hallelujah! In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Rejoice, the Lord Is King” — Charles Wesley. Meditation Verse: 1 Kings 1:48. |