Lessons from the life of David
King of Israel
Part 8 - Passing the Crown
1 Kings 1-2
1 Kings 1-2
The Fruit of Old Age
Soon after I graduated from seminary and began my ministry in Illinois, I learned something important from the Senior Citizens I visited. I noticed that the character of old folks reflecting how they lived when they were young.
People who had lived selfishly, focusing on their own needs and wants, grew to be bitter, ungrateful, critical, and constantly complaining, no matter how good they had it. Members of their own family were on the top of their list of targeted "bad guys."
On the other hand, people who had lived focusing on the needs of others, living a life of service to Christ and neighbor, in old age glowed with joy in the love of Jesus, no matter how much they were suffering. They were appreciative of any kindness shown to them. Even though I was their pastor, they always gave me more than I could possibly give them.
I found that I actually enjoyed visiting nursing homes, because of the blessing I received from the saints of God that lived there, and because of what I could learn about human nature, and the nature of God. I saw clearly an application of what Jesus said, "You reap what you sow." The seeds we plant in our lives in our youth grow to maturity in our old age. And the evidence of our lives is shown by the fruit we bear, whether bitter, or sweet.
This final lesson in our series on King David, we see him as an old man, near the end of his earthly life. Which of these to characteristics do we see in him - bitter or sweet? Loving or selfish?
The answer is, consistent with David's character, we see BOTH.
The Plan
You may remember the miserable mess that David made with his adultery with Bathsheba and his murder of her husband Uriah, and that God took that wicked mess and made something good out of it. The second child born to David and Bathsheba was Solomon, whom God named "Jedidiah -- 'beloved of the Lord' because the Lord loved him." (2 Samuel 12:25) God revealed to David that Solomon would be the next king after David, and not Solomon's older half-brothers. God had also revealed to David that Solomon, not David, would build the temple for the Lord.
Soon after I graduated from seminary and began my ministry in Illinois, I learned something important from the Senior Citizens I visited. I noticed that the character of old folks reflecting how they lived when they were young.
People who had lived selfishly, focusing on their own needs and wants, grew to be bitter, ungrateful, critical, and constantly complaining, no matter how good they had it. Members of their own family were on the top of their list of targeted "bad guys."
On the other hand, people who had lived focusing on the needs of others, living a life of service to Christ and neighbor, in old age glowed with joy in the love of Jesus, no matter how much they were suffering. They were appreciative of any kindness shown to them. Even though I was their pastor, they always gave me more than I could possibly give them.
I found that I actually enjoyed visiting nursing homes, because of the blessing I received from the saints of God that lived there, and because of what I could learn about human nature, and the nature of God. I saw clearly an application of what Jesus said, "You reap what you sow." The seeds we plant in our lives in our youth grow to maturity in our old age. And the evidence of our lives is shown by the fruit we bear, whether bitter, or sweet.
This final lesson in our series on King David, we see him as an old man, near the end of his earthly life. Which of these to characteristics do we see in him - bitter or sweet? Loving or selfish?
The answer is, consistent with David's character, we see BOTH.
The Plan
You may remember the miserable mess that David made with his adultery with Bathsheba and his murder of her husband Uriah, and that God took that wicked mess and made something good out of it. The second child born to David and Bathsheba was Solomon, whom God named "Jedidiah -- 'beloved of the Lord' because the Lord loved him." (2 Samuel 12:25) God revealed to David that Solomon would be the next king after David, and not Solomon's older half-brothers. God had also revealed to David that Solomon, not David, would build the temple for the Lord.
1 Chronicles 28 (New Living Translation)
David summoned all his officials to Jerusalem… David rose and stood before them and addressed them as follows: "My brothers and my people! It was my desire to build a temple where the Ark of the Lord’s covenant, God’s footstool, could rest permanently. I made the necessary preparations for building it, but God said to me, ‘You must not build a temple to honor my name, for you are a warrior and have shed much blood.’
"Yet the Lord, the God of Israel, has chosen me from among all my father’s family to be king over Israel forever. For he has chosen the tribe of Judah to rule, and from among the families of Judah, he chose my father’s family. And from among my father’s sons, the Lord was pleased to make me king over all Israel. And from among my sons—for the Lord has given me many children—he chose Solomon to succeed me on the throne of his kingdom of Israel. He said to me, ‘Your son Solomon will build my Temple and its courtyards, for I have chosen him as my son, and I will be his father. And if he continues to obey my commands and regulations as he does now, I will make his kingdom last forever.’ So now, with God as our witness, I give you this charge for all Israel, the Lord’s assembly: Be careful to obey all the commands of the Lord your God, so that you may possess this good land and leave it to your children as a permanent inheritance.
"And Solomon, my son, get to know the God of your ancestors. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and with a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and understands and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. So take this seriously. The Lord has chosen you to build a Temple as his sanctuary. Be strong, and do the work."
Then David gave Solomon the plans for the Temple … "Every part of this plan," David told Solomon, "was given to me in writing from the hand of the Lord."
Then David continued, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged by the size of the task, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you…"
Wow, that is good stuff! David praises God for all the good in his life, and he reminds Solomon to trust God and be faithful to Him.
Now David can grow old, die in peace, and Solomon then can become the next king. But it doesn't happen that way.
The Plot
1 Kings 1:5-2:12
About that time David’s son Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, decided to make himself king in place of his aged father.
Who is Adonijah? We already met Absalom, Adonijah's older brother. Absalom was the handsome young man who led an unsuccessful rebellion against their father, David. Absolom got his head caught in the tree while fleeing for his life, and was killed by Joab, David's chief army officer. Now Adonijah wanted to try to succeed where his older bother Absalom failed.
So he provided himself with chariots and horses and recruited fifty men to run in front of him. Now his father, King David, had never disciplined him at any time, even by asking, "What are you doing?" Adonijah was a very handsome man and had been born next after Absalom.
David may have been a great shepherd, a good soldier, a fantastic king, and an inspired poet. But it appears that he was a neglectful father.
Adonijah took Joab son of Zeruiah and Abiathar the priest into his confidence, and they agreed to help him become king.
This was a clever move by Adonijah. Joab, Abiathar, and Abiathar's sons defended David during Absalom's rebellion, and they played important roles in Absalom's defeat. So Adonijah knew he would have to win their support in order to avoid the same failure that his older brother experienced.
Joab was David's chief army general. Joab was also David's nephew. Until now, Joab was loyal to David as king. He often gave David wise counsel. Joab always let David get the credit for Joab's own military victories. But Joab and David did not agree on some important decisions, and more than once David tired to replace Joab. But Joab held on to his position by assassinating the rival candidates, assassinations which were motivated by revenge. (2 Samuel 3:17-30; 19:13; 20:4-10)
Joab was David's chief army general. Joab was also David's nephew. Until now, Joab was loyal to David as king. He often gave David wise counsel. Joab always let David get the credit for Joab's own military victories. But Joab and David did not agree on some important decisions, and more than once David tired to replace Joab. But Joab held on to his position by assassinating the rival candidates, assassinations which were motivated by revenge. (2 Samuel 3:17-30; 19:13; 20:4-10)
But among those who remained loyal to David and refused to support Adonijah were Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s personal bodyguard.
Adonijah went to the stone of Zoheleth near the spring of En-rogel, where he sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened calves.
Adonijah was planning his coronation party at a spot that held special significance just south of the city walls of Jerusalem. The sacrifices were acts of false worship, trying to give the impression that God was blessing Adonijah's rebellion. The meat of the sacrifices were also used for the meal for his party guests.
He invited all his brothers—the other sons of King David—and all the royal officials of Judah. But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, or Benaiah, or the king’s bodyguard, or his brother Solomon.
Adonijah at this time was the oldest surviving son of David, so would naturally be the next king, if God had not already revealed that Solomon would be king. Regardless of what David had said many years earlier about Solomon, almost everyone seemed to agree that Adonijah was a better candidate to be king.
Damage Control
Damage Control
Then Nathan the prophet went to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, and asked her, "Did you realize that Haggith’s son, Adonijah, has made himself king and that our lord David doesn’t even know about it? If you want to save your own life and the life of your son Solomon, follow my counsel. Go at once to King David and say to him, ‘My lord, didn’t you promise me that my son Solomon would be the next king and would sit upon your throne? Then why has Adonijah become king?’ And while you are still talking with him, I will come and confirm everything you have said."
Nathan was certain that if Adonijah did become king, he would execute his half brother, Solomon, Solomon's mother, and all of Solomon's supporters.
So Bathsheba went into the king’s bedroom. He was very old now, and Abishag was taking care of him. Bathsheba bowed low before him.
"What can I do for you?" he asked her.
She replied, "My lord, you vowed to me by the Lord your God that my son Solomon would be the next king and would sit on your throne. But instead, Adonijah has become the new king, and you do not even know about it. He has sacrificed many oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and he has invited all your sons and Abiathar the priest and Joab, the commander of the army. But he did not invite your servant Solomon. And now, my lord the king, all Israel is waiting for your decision as to who will become king after you. If you do not act, my son Solomon and I will be treated as criminals as soon as you are dead."
While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived. The king’s advisers told him, "Nathan the prophet is here to see you."
Now notice how Nathan presents the situation to David, and asks if David had possibly changed his mind about Solomon.
Nathan went in and bowed low before the king. He asked, "My lord, have you decided that Adonijah will be the next king and that he will sit on your throne? Today he has sacrificed many oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and he has invited your sons to attend the celebration. He also invited Joab, the commander of the army, and Abiathar the priest. They are feasting and drinking with him and shouting, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ But I myself, your servant, was not invited; neither were Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, nor Solomon. Has my lord really done this without letting any of his servants know who should be the next king?"
David wisely solved the problem of Adonijah's attempted rebellion by doing something every unusual. To my knowledge, David did what no king had ever done before or since. David resigned as king in order insure that his son Solomon would be the next king.
"Call Bathsheba," David said. So she came back in and stood before the king. And the king vowed, "As surely as the Lord lives, who has rescued me from every danger, today I decree that your son Solomon will be the next king and will sit on my throne, just as I swore to you before the Lord, the God of Israel."
Then Bathsheba bowed low before him again and exclaimed, "May my lord King David live forever!"
Then King David ordered, "Call Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada." When they came into the king’s presence, the king said to them, "Take Solomon and my officers down to Gihon Spring. Solomon is to ride on my personal mule. There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet are to anoint him king over Israel. Then blow the trumpets and shout, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ When you bring him back here, he will sit on my throne. He will succeed me as king, for I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah."
"Amen!" Benaiah son of Jehoiada replied. "May the Lord, the God of my lord the king, decree it to be so. And may the Lord be with Solomon as he has been with you, and may he make Solomon’s reign even greater than yours!"
So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the king’s bodyguard took Solomon down to Gihon Spring, and Solomon rode on King David’s personal mule. There Zadok the priest took a flask of olive oil from the sacred tent and poured it on Solomon’s head. Then the trumpets were blown, and all the people shouted, "Long live King Solomon!" And all the people returned with Solomon to Jerusalem, playing flutes and shouting for joy. The celebration was so joyous and noisy that the earth shook with the sound.
Now the scene shifts back to Adonijah's coronation party...
Adonijah and his guests heard the celebrating and shouting just as they were finishing their banquet. When Joab heard the sound of trumpets, he asked, "What’s going on? Why is the city in such an uproar?"
And while he was still speaking, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest arrived. "Come in," Adonijah said to him, "for you are a good man. You must have good news."
"Not at all!" Jonathan replied. "Our lord King David has just declared Solomon king! The king sent him down to Gihon Spring with Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, protected by the king’s bodyguard. They had him ride on the king’s own mule, and Zadok and Nathan have anointed him as the new king. They have just returned, and the whole city is celebrating and rejoicing. That’s what all the noise is about. Moreover, Solomon is now sitting on the royal throne as king. All the royal officials went to King David and congratulated him, saying, ‘May your God make Solomon’s fame even greater than your own, and may Solomon’s kingdom be even greater than yours!’ Then the king bowed his head in worship as he lay in his bed, and he spoke these words: ‘Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who today has chosen someone to sit on my throne while I am still alive to see it.’ "
Then all of Adonijah’s guests jumped up in panic from the banquet table and quickly went their separate ways.
Oops! The party is over! All of Adonijah's supporters abandon him. Now they don't want to be caught and executed with him.
Adonijah himself was afraid of Solomon, so he rushed to the sacred tent [the tabernacle] and caught hold of the horns of the altar.
The altar of burnt offering had a horn-shaped protrusion on each of the four corners. During the sacrifice ceremonies, the priest would wipe a little blood of the sacrificed animal on the horns of the altar, as a representation of God's mercy and forgiveness (which later would be accomplished by the blood of Christ on the cross).
Adonijah ran to the tabernacle for safety and mercy, hoping that King Solomon would also have mercy and not kill Adonijah.
Adonijah ran to the tabernacle for safety and mercy, hoping that King Solomon would also have mercy and not kill Adonijah.
Word soon reached Solomon that Adonijah had seized the horns of the altar and that he was pleading, "Let Solomon swear today that he will not kill me!"
Solomon replied, "If he proves himself to be loyal, he will not be harmed. But if he does not, he will die." So King Solomon summoned Adonijah, and they brought him down from the altar. He came and bowed low before the king, and Solomon dismissed him, saying, "Go on home."
Even though Solomon spared Adonijah's life this time, Solomon later caught Adonijah plotting to revolt again. So Solomon eventually carried out his threat. (2 Kings 2:13-25)
We will also later see that even though the "horns of the altar" trick worked for Adonijah, it did not work for one of Adonijah's supporters.
David's Final Instructions
Now we come to David's final days, and his last instructions to Solomon...
We will also later see that even though the "horns of the altar" trick worked for Adonijah, it did not work for one of Adonijah's supporters.
David's Final Instructions
Now we come to David's final days, and his last instructions to Solomon...
As the time of King David’s death approached, he gave this charge to his son Solomon: "I am going where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man. Observe the requirements of the Lord your God and follow all his ways. Keep each of the laws, commands, regulations, and stipulations written in the law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go. If you do this, then the Lord will keep the promise he made to me: ‘If your descendants live as they should and follow me faithfully with all their heart and soul, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel.’
That is good counsel. But David goes on, to reveal some of the anger and bitterness he carried. He tells Solomon to take care of some of his own unfinished business.
"And there is something else. You know that Joab son of Zeruiah murdered my two army commanders, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He pretended that it was an act of war, but it was done in a time of peace, staining his belt and sandals with the blood of war. Do with him what you think best, but don’t let him die in peace."
Click here to learn who Abner and Amasa were, and why Joab murdered them.
"Be kind to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead. Make them permanent guests of the king, for they took care of me when I fled from your brother Absalom.
You can read about that story in 2 Samuel 17-19.
"And remember Shimei son of Gera, the man from Bahurim in Benjamin. He cursed me with a terrible curse as I was fleeing to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan River, I swore by the Lord that I would not kill him. But that oath does not make him innocent. You are a wise man, and you will know how to arrange a bloody death for him."
You can read about that story also in 2 Samuel 16:5-13 and 19:16-23.
Then David died and was buried in the City of David. He had reigned over Israel for forty years, seven of them in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. Solomon succeeded him as king, replacing his father, David, and he was firmly established on the throne.
Principles for Us
David's live and relationships were a complex mix of
sin and grace
vengeance and mercy
faith and moral neglect
The Bible calls David "a man after God's own heart." In spite of the frequent lapses of his sinful heart, David understood God's justice and mercy. He understood (even though he needed to be reminded) of his complete dependence on God.
He passed both these strengths and weaknesses on to his son Solomon. Solomon's life seemed to magnify all that was positive and negative in his father, David.
David's legacy to his children gives me reason to ponder and pray about the legacy of character that I, as a father, want to leave to my children.
Yet, over all that we see in David's life, we see the power and grace of God. We see it in
David the worshiping shepherd
David the national hero, who defeated the arrogant giant, Goliath
David the loyal fugitive, fleeing for his life from jealous King Saul
David the ancestor of Jesus, our King and Savior
David the adulterer and murderer
David king and song writer
All the great heroes of faith in the Bible were failing, faltering sinners -- just like us. The Bible tells their stories with embarrassing honesty. The purpose is not so we can laugh at them, or scold them, but so we can identify with them. God loved David just as he was. God often had to correct him, and bring him back from a terrible mistake. But God never stopped loving him, and using him.
…just as God has never stopped loving you, forgiving you, and using you to bless others. The Savior-King who God promised to David, is a promise to you, too. A promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
For those who know Christ, the lessons of David's life teach us the importance for us to "get out of the way," and let Jesus live through us. Or as Ravi Zacharias once said,
sin and grace
vengeance and mercy
faith and moral neglect
The Bible calls David "a man after God's own heart." In spite of the frequent lapses of his sinful heart, David understood God's justice and mercy. He understood (even though he needed to be reminded) of his complete dependence on God.
He passed both these strengths and weaknesses on to his son Solomon. Solomon's life seemed to magnify all that was positive and negative in his father, David.
David's legacy to his children gives me reason to ponder and pray about the legacy of character that I, as a father, want to leave to my children.
Yet, over all that we see in David's life, we see the power and grace of God. We see it in
David the worshiping shepherd
David the national hero, who defeated the arrogant giant, Goliath
David the loyal fugitive, fleeing for his life from jealous King Saul
David the ancestor of Jesus, our King and Savior
David the adulterer and murderer
David king and song writer
All the great heroes of faith in the Bible were failing, faltering sinners -- just like us. The Bible tells their stories with embarrassing honesty. The purpose is not so we can laugh at them, or scold them, but so we can identify with them. God loved David just as he was. God often had to correct him, and bring him back from a terrible mistake. But God never stopped loving him, and using him.
…just as God has never stopped loving you, forgiving you, and using you to bless others. The Savior-King who God promised to David, is a promise to you, too. A promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
For those who know Christ, the lessons of David's life teach us the importance for us to "get out of the way," and let Jesus live through us. Or as Ravi Zacharias once said,
"It is better to live in Christ,
than to wish you had."
than to wish you had."
2 Samuel 23
These are the last words of David:
"David, the son of Jesse, speaks--
David, the man to whom God gave such wonderful success,
David, the man anointed by the God of Jacob,
David, the sweet psalmist of Israel.
"The Spirit of the Lord speaks through me;
his words are upon my tongue.
The God of Israel spoke.
The Rock of Israel said to me:
‘The person who rules righteously,
who rules in the fear of God,
He is like the light of the morning,
like the sunrise bursting forth in a cloudless sky,
like the refreshing rains that bring tender grass from the earth.’
"It is my family God has chosen!
Yes, he has made an everlasting covenant with me.
His agreement is eternal, final, sealed.
He will constantly look after my safety and success...