King David said, “Ask Bathsheba to come back in”—and she came and stood before him. Then he said to her, “I promise you by the living Lord, who has rescued me from all my troubles, that today I will keep the promise I made to you in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, that your son Solomon would succeed me as king.”
Adonijah jumped the gun, not having the patience that Absalom had (2 Samuel 15:7-13). In the Game of Thrones, that usually proves to be an expensive mistake (1 Kings 2:25). David had grown feable (1 Kings 1:5-6) but was still very determined.
“It shall be done,” answered Benaiah, “and may the Lord your God confirm it! As the Lord has been with Your Majesty, may he also be with Solomon and make his reign even more prosperous than yours.”
The decision to make it happen and the desire for God to confirm it. And you most certainly did, Lord (1 Kings 10:23-25). Please confirm and complete what you’ve started in and through me, Lord (Habakkuk 2:2-3; Philippians 1:6).
As Adonijah and all his guests were finishing the feast, they heard the noise. And when Joab heard the trumpet, he asked, “What’s the meaning of all that noise in the city?” Before he finished speaking, Jonathan, the son of the priest Abiathar, arrived. “Come on in,” Adonijah said. “You’re a good man—you must be bringing good news.”
How we rush to make such declarations when we so want something to be true! May I rather let things unfold as they may, Father.
“I’m afraid not,” Jonathan answered. “His Majesty King David has made Solomon king. He sent Zadok, Nathan, Benaiah, and the royal bodyguards to escort him. They had him ride on the king’s mule, and Zadok and Nathan anointed him as king at Gihon Spring. Then they went into the city, shouting for joy, and the people are now in an uproar. That’s the noise you just heard. Solomon is now the king.
*oops*
King David bowed in worship on his bed and prayed, ‘Let us praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who has today made one of my descendants succeed me as king, and has let me live to see it!’”
If only Solomon had taken more interest in raising a wise son (1 Kings 12:12-17) and Ezekiel in raising a righteous one (2 Kings 20:19-21:2). May what follows me be good and lasting, Father.