By whatever stroke of chance or luck (or the-opposite-of-luck), I’ve never had to follow in anyone’s footsteps when starting a new job. I’ve always stepped into an unformed role and had the joy (and challenge) of shaping it to fit the opportunities before me.
But a few months ago, that changed. I took a job that someone had held previously, and the awkwardness of learning to walk in your own shoes on someone else’s tightrope has required more grace and patience than I ever could have expected. It’s like constantly looking in a mirror but the reflection isn’t you. I feel like I’m tipping over all the sacred cows, even as I try to tread lightly while I also prove myself. It’s a mess of idols and pride, and it’s hard.
David was the king. He was King David, a man after God’s own heart. He was King David, who brought the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem. He was David, to whom God promised a descendant on his throne forever. The shepherd boy who became king, David was the standard against whom all other kings of Israel would be judged. Taking his place would have been daunting, but it would also lead to unprecedented power.
When David was on his deathbed, two men believed they held claim to his throne: Adonijah and Solomon. Both wanted to step into his shoes, lead his people, and claim his fame. Adonijah was David’s oldest surviving son, but David had promised Bathsheba that their son Solomon would be the next king (1 Kings 1:13). Chaos ensued, with back-room conversations and an attempted coup. But David, when told that “the eyes of all Israel are on you to tell them who will sit on the throne” (v.20), affirmed that Solomon was his choice.
Chapter 2 opens with David’s charge to Solomon. It is full of encouragement to “be strong and be a man” (v.2), and admonishes the soon-to-be king to walk in God’s “ways [and] keep his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees” (v.3). David then reminds his son of the covenant promise God made to him: “If your sons guard their way to walk faithfully before me with all their heart and all their soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel” (v.4).
Our privilege as those who hold the entire canon of the Bible is that we know how this story goes: Solomon didn’t always follow the Lord and His ways. His father David didn’t. Nor did the rest of Israel and Judah’s other kings.
But despite the failures of humankind, our God reigns. In Israel’s time of transition, God reigned. In every second before and every second after, God reigned, is reigning, and will reign forever. While our earthly leaders matter, our ultimate allegiance is to God’s Kingdom and to the perfect King of kings, Jesus. It means we can live lightly but intentionally, resting in the holy, sovereign kingship of the One who will make everything new as we advocate for His Kingdom to grow on earth here and now.
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68 thoughts on "King David’s Last Days"
Sarah, praying for you!
Yes. Today, yesterday, tomorrow, OUR GOD REIGNS!
When I hear it and see the news (I rarely watch it because it’s horrible most of the time) I know one thing for sure, MY God reigns forever!
Yes! He is on the throne amidst the crisis of this world.♥️
Jill – this is from GotQuestions.com “In those days of royal harems, taking possession of a king’s concubines was a declaration of one’s right to the throne. This had been one of Absalom’s methods when he led a coup against David (2 Samuel 16:22). Since Abishag was considered part of David’s harem, her marriage to Adonijah would have strengthened the usurper’s claim to the throne.”
Hi everyone, prayer request. This week is going to be really busy for me…I have a lab report due tomorrow, a big presentation on Friday (which I still need to practice for), working a couple days during the week, volunteering over the weekend, and a test next Tuesday. Please pray for peace and strength, that I would do well in my assignments and be productive over this next week. After this week it should get better, it’s just going to be a little crazy and I’m definitely feeling stressed, even though it’s already Monday. Even as I was reading my Bible, I just kept thinking about all that I need to get done. I know I just need to relax and do the best that I can. Thank you all!
Praying for you Sarah!
Praying for you!
May God give you peace Sarah and wisdom to get it all done.
Worry not Sarah, you got this.
God is in control.
David is about to exit this world and the world he is leaving behind is in tumult. His own household is divided. The nation of Israel is in danger from competing factions within. Yet, and most importantly, God’s covenant promise stands firm and overrides all man’s plans.
How like our own world! There is indeed “nothing new under the sun.” Tumult. Division. Fighting factions. Then. And now. Yet, and most importantly, God reigns over all. His promises stand firm and His plans will succeed. What comfort and reassurance this provides. When I read today’s news reports, I overlay them with the Word of God and I do not fear. God, good and gracious,strong and mighty, faithful and true, reigns over all. Then. Now. Forever. Amen!
Amen and Amen! Thank you Churchmouse for your constant encouragement surrounding the truth of God’s Word. Your insight is a blessing to me!
Jill –
It’s likely a different Jonathan. It was a common name then as it is now.
The whole Abishag thing is outrageous because Absalom – the brother of Adonijah – asserted his rebellious claim on David’s throne by taking David’s concubines unto himself. Adonijah wants to declare or build a claim to Solomon’s throne by taking David’s widowed concubine as his wife.
This idea also has historical examples. Among the ancient Persians and Arabs the new king took the harem of the previous king.
Jimmy, thank you for that explanation of why asking for Abishag was such a terrible thing.
Kimmy
I had to look that up! I wrote WHAT? In my notes. What do you think Adonijah was thinking? Seems like a fool’s errand…
Question: in v 43, Jonathon comes on the scene. Why was he not with David? Were they not friends anymore?
I’m 1 King’s 2:22 why was Adonijah requesting Abishag as a wife worthy of death? What was the big deal?