DAILY GUIDE DEVOTIONAL: HE WHO EXALTS HIMSELF
The concluding prayer in the devotional manual summarized the lesson of today:
Teach me lord, when and how to seek after what I consider my just entitlement
This is the story of how Adonijah, another son of David, tried to usurp the kingship. In 2 Samuel 3:2-5 we see the first six sons of David in order of birth; Amnon, Chileab Absalom, Adonijah, Shepatiah and Ithream, all born at Hebron. In Jerusalem (2Samuel 5:14-16) more sons were born to him Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet.
These were all the princes in the royal line of David. Each of them in his own right has an eligible claim to the throne. We know quite well what became of Amnon and Absalom. Chileab whose mother is Abigail was the second in line but Absalom the third jumped over him to demand for kingship. ( Does this reflect the role of mothers in godly upbringing?) As if Absalom's crime was not enough, Adonijah started another wrong move.
The throne of God is actually not contestable, he gives it not to the most qualified, but to anyone who meets his own standard. In 2 Samuel 12:24 we see that "Bathsheba had a second son, David called his name Solomon...and now the Lord loves him and he sent word by the hand of Nathan the prophet and called his name Jedidiah..."
Obviously, from the discussion between prophet Nathan and Bathsheba, David had made a promise to establish Solomon as the king after him. This unwritten code must have been an open secret in the king's royal household, hence, other sons of the king were invited to Adonijah's feast except Solomon.
Our world desperately needs more prophet Nathans, courageous men who will be willing to stand up for what is right and take necessary action to ensure that things are done the way God wants it. If not for his timely intervention, there could have been another war.
The greatest lesson here is to seek God first in every thing we want to do. Even when it concerns our right. Clamouring for what we feel is rightfully ours outside God's will and permission, may leave us with a lot of frustration. Jesus in Luke 12:14-15 answered the young man and said "man who made me a judge over you...take heed and beware of covetousness for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possess". It may be rightfully ours but is it really God's will for us to have it at that point in time? Let's ponder on this and ask for wisdom in handling such matters. May God grant us grace in Jesus name. 🙏
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