Practical exhortations from 1 Kings 1
1 Kings 1 gives many practical lessons about ambition, loyalty, ageing, responsibility, God’s purpose, and the danger of remaining silent when action is needed. It is a chapter full of very human behaviour, but behind it all we can see God’s purpose moving steadily toward the establishment of Solomon as king.
1. Age does not remove our responsibility before God
David was now:
“old and stricken in years” — 1 Kings 1:1
David’s physical strength had declined greatly. The mighty warrior who had defeated Goliath and led Israel’s armies was now frail and dependent upon others.
This reminds us that human strength is temporary.
“The days of our years are threescore years and ten…” — Psalm 90:10
We should therefore use our strength while we have it in the service of God.
But equally, old age does not mean uselessness. David still had an important responsibility. He had to ensure that the right king succeeded him.
Our form of service may change as we grow older, but our responsibility to remain faithful does not disappear.
2. Uncontrolled ambition is spiritually dangerous
Adonijah said:
“I will be king.” — 1 Kings 1:5
That short sentence reveals much about him.
He did not ask what God wanted.
He did not ask what David had commanded.
He simply declared:
“I will…”
This resembles the spirit of human self-will found throughout Scripture.
The disciple of Christ should instead learn to say:
“If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” — James 4:15
There is nothing wrong with making plans or accepting responsibility. The problem arises when our will becomes more important than God's will.
A useful question before a major decision is:
Am I asking what God would have me do, or merely trying to make God approve what I have already decided?
3. Pride likes to be seen
Adonijah:
“prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.” — 1 Kings 1:5
He wanted the appearance of kingship before he possessed the authority of kingship.
There is a warning here concerning appearance and status.
We can sometimes become more concerned about:
- being noticed,
- receiving a title,
- being regarded as important,
- being publicly respected,
than about quietly serving God.
Jesus taught exactly the opposite:
“whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.” — Matthew 20:27
The Kingdom principle is not “How important can I appear?”
It is:
“How useful can I be to God and to others?”
4. Failure to correct children can have serious consequences
Verse 6 gives a very revealing detail about Adonijah:
“And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so?”
David had apparently failed to challenge Adonijah sufficiently.
Love does not mean allowing someone to do whatever they please.
Hebrews says:
“whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.” — Hebrews 12:6
There is an important lesson for parents, elders and anyone with responsibility for others.
Sometimes it is easier to remain silent because correction is uncomfortable. But avoiding a difficult conversation today can contribute to a far greater problem tomorrow.
Faithful love sometimes has to ask:
“Why hast thou done so?”
5. Be careful whom you associate with
Adonijah gathered supporters:
“Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest.” — 1 Kings 1:7
Joab and Abiathar were experienced men. They had known David for many years. Yet they allowed themselves to become associated with the wrong cause.
Experience alone does not guarantee faithfulness.
We must continually ask whether those we follow are leading us toward God's will.
Psalm 1 warns:
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly.” — Psalm 1:1
Our closest associations influence our thinking.
This applies to friendships, entertainment, social media, workplace influences, and even religious influences.
We should choose companions who strengthen rather than weaken our commitment to God.
6. Faithfulness may mean standing apart from the majority
Verse 8 names those who did not follow Adonijah:
“Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet… were not with Adonijah.”
Sometimes faithfulness is revealed not by what we join but by what we refuse to join.
Adonijah had an impressive gathering.
But numbers did not make him right.
This is a vital Biblical principle.
Truth is not established by popularity.
Jesus said:
“wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction… Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life.” — Matthew 7:13-14
We must therefore be willing to stand apart when necessary.
7. Religious activity can accompany rebellion
Adonijah:
“slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle” — 1 Kings 1:9
There was apparently something outwardly religious and ceremonial about what he was doing.
Yet the entire enterprise was contrary to the purpose of God.
This is an important warning.
A thing does not become acceptable to God simply because religion is attached to it.
Israel later repeatedly offered sacrifices while living disobediently.
Samuel had already said:
“to obey is better than sacrifice.” — 1 Samuel 15:22
We must never imagine that attendance at meetings, Bible reading, preaching or other religious activity can compensate for deliberate disobedience.
God wants obedient hearts, not merely religious appearances.
8. Sometimes silence becomes dangerous
Nathan heard what Adonijah was doing.
He did not say:
It is none of my business.
He acted.
He went to Bathsheba and said:
“Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign?” — 1 Kings 1:11
There are times when faithfulness requires us to speak.
This should never become an excuse for interfering unnecessarily in other people's affairs. But when God's principles, the welfare of others, or serious wrongdoing are involved, silence may itself become irresponsible.
Ezekiel uses the picture of a watchman who has a duty to warn.
In ecclesial life, family life and friendships, loving someone sometimes means respectfully saying something difficult.
9. Nathan acted wisely rather than recklessly
Nathan did not storm into Adonijah's feast shouting accusations.
He carefully considered the situation.
He spoke first with Bathsheba and then approached David.
This is an excellent example of the principle:
“The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable…” — James 3:17
Doing the right thing does not excuse doing it foolishly.
When problems arise, we should avoid:
- angry reactions,
- gossip,
- public humiliation,
- assumptions,
- impulsive accusations.
Truth should be handled with wisdom.
10. Godly courage often requires confronting uncomfortable situations
Bathsheba had to go before David.
Nathan had to challenge what was happening.
David had to act.
Each could have remained passive.
But there are occasions when discipleship requires courage.
Paul says:
“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” — 1 Corinthians 16:13
Christian courage is not loud aggression. It is the willingness to do what is right even when doing so is uncomfortable.
11. Remember your promises
Bathsheba reminded David:
“My lord, thou swarest by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me.” — 1 Kings 1:17
David had made a commitment.
Now he had to honour it.
Scripture consistently treats promises seriously.
“When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it.” — Ecclesiastes 5:4
We should therefore be careful about what we promise.
Our word should mean something.
Jesus taught:
“Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay.” — Matthew 5:37
Reliability is part of godly character.
12. Delay can allow problems to grow
One striking feature of the chapter is that David had apparently allowed the succession issue to remain unresolved until Adonijah took advantage of the uncertainty.
There is a practical lesson here.
Some problems become harder because we postpone dealing with them.
This may concern:
- damaged relationships,
- financial difficulties,
- ecclesial responsibilities,
- unresolved sin,
- health matters,
- promises,
- family problems.
Procrastination can turn a manageable matter into a crisis.
If something needs to be dealt with, it is often wiser to address it early.
13. God's purpose cannot be overthrown by human ambition
Adonijah had supporters, prestige and momentum.
Yet God's purpose concerned Solomon.
Human manoeuvring could not ultimately prevent it.
Psalm 33 says:
“The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever.” — Psalm 33:11
This is a great source of encouragement.
The world often appears to be governed entirely by human ambition, politics, military power and economic influence.
But Scripture teaches that God's purpose is moving toward the Kingdom.
Daniel says:
“the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men.” — Daniel 4:17
We therefore need not panic when human affairs appear chaotic.
God has not lost control.
14. Solomon did not seize the throne for himself
There is an important contrast between Adonijah and Solomon.
Adonijah said:
“I will be king.”
Solomon does not appear in the chapter plotting his own advancement.
The kingship comes to him according to God's purpose.
This anticipates a principle perfectly manifested in Jesus.
Christ did not seize authority for himself.
“Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest.” — Hebrews 5:5
True spiritual authority is not something to grasp selfishly.
A disciple should concentrate on faithfulness and allow God to determine position and responsibility.
15. God's chosen king had to be publicly recognised
David commanded:
“cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule” — 1 Kings 1:33
He was then anointed:
“Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon.” — verse 39
Then:
“they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.”
There is a beautiful Kingdom pattern here.
Solomon was God's chosen king, publicly revealed and acclaimed.
Solomon becomes one of the great Old Testament foreshadowings of Christ, the greater Son of David.
God promised concerning Jesus:
“the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.” — Luke 1:32
Christadelphians therefore look forward to the literal return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of God's Kingdom upon the earth.
16. The true king brings joy
When Solomon was proclaimed king:
“all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy.” — 1 Kings 1:40
The acceptance of God's appointed king produced joy.
The same will ultimately be true when Christ reigns.
“Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad… before the LORD: for he cometh.” — Psalm 96:11-13
For believers, the return of Christ should not merely be a doctrinal fact.
It should be our hope.
The question is:
Do we genuinely look forward to the coming of our King?
17. Human glory can disappear extremely quickly
Adonijah's feast must have seemed impressive.
He had supporters around him and apparently believed his victory was secure.
Then suddenly they heard:
“the noise of the city” — 1 Kings 1:41
Within a short time everything had changed.
Verse 49 says:
“And all the guests that were with Adonijah were afraid, and rose up, and went every man his way.”
Human popularity can disappear very quickly.
Those who celebrated with Adonijah abandoned him when circumstances changed.
This teaches us not to build our identity upon:
- popularity,
- status,
- wealth,
- influence,
- applause.
These things are temporary.
“The world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” — 1 John 2:17
18. False confidence is exposed when the true king appears
Before Solomon was proclaimed, Adonijah appeared confident.
Once the true king had been revealed, he became afraid.
There is a powerful exhortation here concerning the return of Christ.
Many people live as though Christ will never return and judgement will never come.
Peter describes those who say:
“Where is the promise of his coming?” — 2 Peter 3:4
But when God's appointed King appears, human confidence will suddenly mean very little.
The wise disciple prepares before the King comes.
19. Mercy should produce changed behaviour
Adonijah fled and:
“caught hold on the horns of the altar.” — 1 Kings 1:50
Solomon did not immediately execute him.
Instead he said:
“If he will shew himself a worthy man, there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth.” — verse 52
Mercy was offered, but it carried an expectation.
Adonijah was expected to demonstrate changed behaviour.
This reflects an important Biblical principle.
God's forgiveness is gracious, but repentance must be genuine.
John the Baptist therefore said:
“Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” — Matthew 3:8
We should never treat forgiveness as permission to continue unchanged.
20. Our response to God's King matters
The chapter ultimately divides people according to their relationship with the king.
Some supported Adonijah.
Others remained loyal to David and Solomon.
That raises a much greater question for us:
Whose rule do we accept?
Jesus is God's appointed King.
We can acknowledge him doctrinally while still allowing ourselves to rule our own lives.
Christ said:
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” — John 14:15
Accepting Christ as King therefore means allowing his teaching to govern our choices now.
The central exhortation of 1 Kings 1
The chapter presents two very different attitudes.
Adonijah says:
“I will be king.”
But the faithful recognise the king whom God has appointed.
That is the fundamental choice facing every disciple.
We can spend our lives saying:
“I will.”
My ambitions.
My desires.
My reputation.
My plans.
My way.
Or we can learn the spirit of Christ:
“not my will, but thine, be done.” — Luke 22:42
1 Kings 1 therefore exhorts us to reject selfish ambition, keep our promises, correct problems before they grow, remain loyal when others turn aside, trust God's purpose, and live now as servants of the King whom God has appointed.
For Christadelphians, that points directly toward the coming Kingdom, when the greater Son of David, the Lord Jesus Christ, will return to sit upon David's throne and rule the earth in righteousness.
Practical Readings — 1 KINGS 1