Stopping the Real Steal!

 Solomon nailed it when he said in Ecclesiastes 1:9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 

Truly there are things that may have a different color or shape or size, but in essence everything is a repeat of some historical  event or incident. Take the idea of two inaugurations in the same country for the same office on the same day.  That happened thousands of years ago. In fact one of the inaugurations had a sit-down multi course dinner while the other inauguration was just getting started. Where do we find such a scenario?  Well it’s right in the Bible The “new” King had military,  religious and family support too.

I Kings 5: 5 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. 6 And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom. 7 And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him. 

Adonijah, one of David’s sons had royal blood running through his veins. He was a very handsome man. His mother Haggith, one of David’s  eight wives was also the daughter of a King. This is  another topic that could be explored, but not for now. Adonijah decided on his own that he was a good fit for the throne. He had some pomp and ceremony on his way to be crowned.  Adonijah got all his brothers, except for Solomon,  and most of the King David’s servants to party with him over his new status as the reigning monarch.

Meanwhile over at the palace, Nathan the prophet was working furiously to make sure this illegal transfer of power was stopped.  In a last minute bid to prevent a disaster, the Prophet Nathan enlisted Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, to question David about the succession.  David reaffirmed that Solomon was to be the next king. In a coordinated  action with Bathsheba,  Nathan the prophet came and reported that Adonijah had been crowned a few hours before in the city.   Nathan told David  that even as he spoke  Adonijah  was holding an inaugural banquet. 

In a hastily arranged ceremony David gave the following instructions:

I Kings 5:32 And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king.33 The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:34 And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon.35 Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead: and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah.

While Adonijah was celebrating and maybe appointing people to positions for his new administration in the venue where had just drunk their last cup of wine someone heard a lot of noise. Another parade was taking place in town.  Adonijah heard the  sounds too.  He asked a  man whose words he trusted what was taking place outside. I Kings 5:43 And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Verily our lord King David hath made Solomon king.

Just think, here is the usurper Adonijah sitting with the military leaders, religious leaders, and his brothers who just hailed him as king a few hours ago. Now his illegitimate actions not only caused him a big problem, but also jeopardized everyone’s life who was with him.  Adonijah was so scared that he went to pray. I Kings 5:50 And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.

Solomon was magnanimous and let Adonijah the  usurper go, this time. However if you know the story Adonijah wasn’t finished with his treachery even after being given a second chance. He essentially signed his own death warrant and was subsequently executed.

 What we are seeing today is not new. It is just dressed up in 21st Century Style. In 2021  We don’t know how all of this will end. However we do know that God is in charge and God’s purposes will prevail, of that I am sure.

 The Whole Story is in the Bible in I Kings 1