1 Kings - Lesson 1B

• Last week, we began our study with introductory matters and established some necessary background for the book of 1 Kings.

  • And in the background content, we came to understand the importance of the Torah (Law of Moses) and its impact on Israel.

    • Understanding Torah helps to establish the expectations and behaviors of the people (Israel).

    • That where the children of Israel obeyed came blessing, and where they disobeyed followed discipline and judgement.

    • And being that the King was to be selected by God Himself, it was of utmost importance that the King kept the law of the Lord on his heart.

  • From there, we covered verses 1-10 where David, now 70 years old, is declining in health.

    • And in this moment of great vulnerability, his son Adonijah has concocted a coup that has garnered a following of men to help him take the throne.

    • Yet all the while, having no approval from David as being his successor.

  • Finally, it was in verses 9-10 that the scene shifted to a city called En-rogel, where Adonijah and his comrades prepared a feast.

    • And this feast served as a fellowship of agreement for Adonijah as the future king of Israel.

    • However, as we discovered, all things that transpire in the dark are eventually revealed in the end.

    • And so is the case for Adonijah and his rebellion to overtake the throne.

  • Tonight, we will see that the individuals that Adonijah did not invite, will become the very ones who will overturn this messy situation.

  • If I were to outline our time tonight, we will see the following:

    • 1. Nathan’s Plan (vv.11-27)

    • 2. David’s Response (vv.28-40)

    • 3. Jonathan’s News and Adonijah’s Response (vv.41-50)

    • 4. Solomon’s Response (vv.51-53)

  • With that being said, I invite you to meet me in 1 Kings 1:11-14 for the reading of the word of the Lord.

1 Kings 1:11 Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king, and David our lord does not know it?
1 Kings 1:12 “So now come, please let me give you counsel and save your life and the life of your son Solomon.
1 Kings 1:13 “Go at once to King David and say to him, ‘Have you not, my lord, O king, sworn to your maidservant, saying, “Surely Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’
1 Kings 1:14 “Behold, while you are still there speaking with the king, I will come in after you and confirm your words.”

• Apparently, Nathan has caught wind of Adonijah’s coup for the throne over Israel and is moved to act against this plan.

  • So, in response to Adonijah’s actions, Nathan goes to Bathsheba in an effort to grab the attention of the King to make him aware of the situation at hand.

    • And the way in which Nathan approaches the situation is by setting up the reality of what this coup means for Bathsheba and Solomon.

  • The reality was if Adonijah became successful in this coup where Absalom failed, it would put Bathsheba and Solomon in line to be exiled or worse, killed.

    • So, by framing the matter in a way of a ‘shock factor’, Nathan is able to gain Bathsheba’s attention and in turn, the King’s urgent response.

  • So, Nathan prepares Bathsheba as to how to approach the King and to peak his interest in the matter.

    • And most assuredly, alerting the king to such news would be a painful and sobering reminder of what Absalom attempted years prior.

  • But what becomes such a profound moment in this narrative is that Nathan tells Bathsheba of who the rightful king is – none other than her son, Solomon.

    • However, the way in which Nathan phrases it suggests that this information has been made known prior.

    • The information being that David told someone that Solomon would be king after him.

  • And being that Nathan is God’s prophet and is repeating this information to Bathsheba confirms that David had made such a promise.

    • However, this conversation between David and others is not recorded within the narrative of 2 Samuel.

    • Therefore, this begs the question: “Where in scripture was Solomon becoming king after David made known, first?”

  • We find David’s affirmation of Solomon as Israel’s future King documented in 1 Chronicles 22:8-10 and later before the officials of Israel in 1 Chronicles 28:2-8.

    • As a general note: 1 Chronicles covers similar content to that of 2 Samuel but from a different vantage point.

    • Check out David’s conversation with his son Solomon regarding the future Temple and rule of Israel.

1 Chronicles 22:8 “But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have waged great wars; you shall not build a house to My name, because you have shed so much blood on the earth before Me.
1 Chronicles 22:9 ‘Behold, a son will be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days.
1 Chronicles 22:10 ‘He shall build a house for My name, and he shall be My son and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’

• What makes Nathan’s information to Bathsheba so unique is that according to 1 Chronicles 22:8-10, this conversation is only between David and Solomon. (1 Chronicles 22:6)

  • Yet, Nathan is providing this information to Bathsheba as if he were in the conversation himself.

  • Furthermore, according to 1 Chronicles 28:1-8, David announced Solomon as his successor to his officials, mighty men, and commanders!

    • This simply shows God’s sovereignty in how despite the plans and schemes of man, God is in control.

    • And God uses those in whom He calls to accomplish His work and purposes.

  • So once Nathan gives Bathsheba the plan, he informs her on how he will come to confirm, as a witness, what David is hearing.

    • And this method of communication regarding a capital offence, such as the potential murder of someone, needed the corroboration of a witness. (Numbers 35:30)

Numbers 35:30 ‘If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death at the evidence of witnesses, but no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness.

• This is why Nathan stresses the safety of the life of Bathsheba and Solomon.

  • And in obedience to the word of the prophet Nathan, Bathsheba goes to the king and follows Nathan’s instructions.

1 Kings 1:15 So Bathsheba went in to the king in the bedroom. Now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was ministering to the king.
1 Kings 1:16 Then Bathsheba bowed and prostrated herself before the king. And the king said, “What do you wish?”
1 Kings 1:17 She said to him, “My lord, you swore to your maidservant by the Lord your God, saying, ‘Surely your son Solomon shall be king after me and he shall sit on my throne.’
1 Kings 1:18 “Now, behold, Adonijah is king; and now, my lord the king, you do not know it.
1 Kings 1:19 “He has sacrificed oxen and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the sons of the king and Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander of the army, but he has not invited Solomon your servant.
1 Kings 1:20 “As for you now, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, to tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.
1 Kings 1:21“Otherwise it will come about, as soon as my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be considered offenders.”

• So Bathsheba goes to David while he’s being tended to by Abishag the nurse.

  • And within custom during that time, it was fitting for those who enter into the king's presence to bow themselves before him as a sign of respect and honor.

    • From there David acknowledges Bathsheba and asks her to share what is on her mind regarding her visit.

  • Bathsheba proceeds to inform the king about the present condition regarding Adonijah’s coup and self-declaration as king, just as Nathan stated.

    • And as coached, she phrases this manner in a way as to display to the king that this situation is happening on your watch.

    • And furthermore, the people of Israel are looking to you as their leader to know who will succeed you.

  • This is a masterful means of communicating truth while holding leadership accountable.

    • The reality was, if David did not respond accordingly, it would leave the kingdom in disarray and those in whom he loved in danger.

    • Therefore, a proper response is necessary and will be further confirmed by another witness as planned – Nathan the prophet.

    • Check out verses 22-27.

1 Kings 1:22 Behold, while she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in.
1 Kings 1:23 They told the king, saying, “Here is Nathan the prophet.” And when he came in before the king, he prostrated himself before the king with his face to the ground.
1 Kings 1:24 Then Nathan said, “My lord the king, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne’?
1 Kings 1:25 “For he has gone down today and has sacrificed oxen and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king’s sons and the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest, and behold, they are eating and drinking before him; and they say, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’
1 Kings 1:26 “But me, even me your servant, and Zadok the priest and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and your servant Solomon, he has not invited.
1 Kings 1:27 “Has this thing been done by my lord the king, and you have not shown to your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”

• Without fail, Nathan arrives at the right time following up with Bathsheba’s report regarding Adonijah’s counterfeit rise to the throne.

  • Nathan, in a similar manner, bows before the king in honor and respect as is custom and proceeds to ask the king if Adonijah’s succession was his doing.

    • And in so doing, he continues to probe the king for a retaliatory response to this egregious coup.

  • Nathan seems to be quite respectable in the matter as he seeks not to anger the king, but for the king to provide swift action.

    • And to his benefit, the king responds swiftly and with haste.

    • Perhaps, this is from years of David having experienced betrayal by those closest to him yet his failure to act in a timely manner.

  • So, David, having walked with the Lord and having been advised by the prophet of the Lord, responds wisely.

    • And as we’ve mentioned before in our recent teaching through Philippians, wisdom is simply applied knowledge.

    • And in this case, David wants to not only get ahead of the situation but wants to make crystal clear who the next King is.

    • Check out David’s response.

1 Kings 1:28 Then King David said, “Call Bathsheba to me.” And she came into the king’s presence and stood before the king.
1 Kings 1:29 The king vowed and said, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress,
1 Kings 1:30 surely as I vowed to you by the Lord the God of Israel, saying, ‘Your son Solomon shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place’; I will indeed do so this day.”

• In response to Nathan and Bathsheba’s news, without hesitation, David responds with immediacy.

  • Clearly, some time had passed between Nathan’s news and David’s response, because Bathsheba is summoned back to David’s room.

    • And upon her arrival, David doesn’t just respond but he calls upon the God of Israel as the one who will fight this battle.

  • This becomes a powerful moment in the text and sets the precedence for why David’s rule as King was so prominent and powerful.

    • The phrase, “As the Lord lives” occurs about 14 times alone in 1 and 2 Kings.

    • And it shows who fought David’s battles time and again during his reign.

    • And it would be this same God who was now going to fight on behalf of David in interest of His purpose and plan regarding Israel.

    • Only this time Nathan and Bathseba could see the God of Israel work sovereignly in this matter.

  • When we consider the circumstances we face in this life, and are honest about them, the Lord tends to be our last resort of refuge.

    • We will look to our own means of preservation or strength to take care of the situation before us.

    • Yet here we find this biblical principle of dependence upon the Lord even amidst grave uncertainty.

  • David could call upon the Lord with great certainty because he had seen the Lord show up time and again when David had come to the end of himself.

    • We saw the example of David’s dependence on the Lord in 2 Samuel 22 where David declared, “The Lord is my rock and salvation!”

  • Furthermore, David understood that when it comes to the Lord’s word spoken to Him that the Lord always backs His word!

    • So, knowing that the Lord’s covenantal promise to David is tied to Solomon as the next in line meant that not only should David respond by faith to it, but in turn, the Lord would back His word in it!

  • So, in response to the ‘hesed of the Lord’ (loving-kindness), David provides next steps to “nip this situation in the bud”.

    • Watch how David’s response is accomplished in verses 31-40.

1 Kings 1:31 Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground, and prostrated herself before the king and said, “May my lord King David live forever.”
1 Kings 1:32 Then King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” And they came into the king’s presence.
1 Kings 1:33 The king said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord, and have my son Solomon ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon.
1 Kings 1:34 “Let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there as king over Israel, and blow the trumpet and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’
1 Kings 1:35 “Then you shall come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne and be king in my place; for I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah.”
1 Kings 1:36 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king and said, “Amen! Thus may the Lord, the God of my lord the king, say.
1 Kings 1:37 “As the Lord has been with my lord the king, so may He be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David!”
1 Kings 1:38 So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David’s mule, and brought him to Gihon.
1 Kings 1:39 Zadok the priest then took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!”
1 Kings 1:40 All the people went up after him, and the people were playing on flutes and rejoicing with great joy, so that the earth shook at their noise.

• In a customary response, Bathsheba responds to the king's instruction by stating, “May my lord King David live forever”

  • This wasn’t a plea for David to live forever, but a way to express gratitude and connotes a righteous act of the king.

    • It’s like someone saying, “God bless you” when they are gifted with something unexpectedly.

  • From that point, David calls Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada to the room.

    • And this combination of men will be the means by which God’s work to accomplish Solomon’s ascension to the throne takes place.

  • David says for them to take the servants of the Lord and have Solomon ride on David’s personal mule and bring him down to Gihon.

    • First thing to notice is the difference of preparation.

    • Adonijah rides in on a horse signifying war whereas Solomon is coming and riding on a donkey – thus signifying royalty and peace.

  • Most especially, a king’s entrance to a city on a donkey also expressed the king’s role as the people’s servant.

    • But notice too, this is not just any donkey, but David’s donkey – this is huge!

  • The fact that this was David’s donkey meant that there would be certain trappings (clothing) on the donkey.

    • The people would potentially recognize it and know this is the King’s doing!

    • And the fact that Solomon was riding on the King’s donkey would suggest that an official succession is taking place.

  • Secondly, David has them escort Solomon to a place called Gihon which was about a mile north of En-rogel, where Adonijah had set up his feast.

    • So this proximity will explain Adonijah and his guest’s response momentarily.

  • Verses 34 and 35 become quite a staple in the text because it demonstrates the proper means by which a King was selected and appointed by law.

    • The prophet of the Lord affirms the King in whom the Lord has chosen, the same way in which Samuel called upon both Saul and David.

  • Next, there would be an anointing of the king (servant of the Lord) in which Zadok the priest anoints Solomon according to the instruction of the Lord.

    • This anointing ceremony indicated that the Lord has affirmed and will provide His Spirit for the service of Solomon, on His behalf, to Israel.

    • It was a means of consecration which simply means that the Lord has set Solomon aside as his own.

  • And what good news for us today that those who are in Christ have been given the Holy Spirit as a promissory and permanent indwelling.

    • That where the Holy Spirit would temporarily rest upon a servant of the Lord in the Old Testament, within the Church-age, the Holy Spirit resides permanently within us. What a privilege it is!

  • After the anointing of the King followed the blowing of the trumpet (Shofar) which symbolized the official nature of the ceremony.

    • And from that moment, it signified who the rightful King of Israel was to be.

    • And this is expressed from the loud shout from the people, “Long live King Solomon!”

  • So from this great acclamation and celebration came great excitement of the Lord’s choosing for Israel its new servant-King!

    • Finally, the men and Solomon were to return up to Mt. Zion where Solomon would sit as King in David’s place on the throne. (Potential co-regency)

  • Now remember, Gihon was only 1 mile from En-rogel where Adonijah and his crew were.

    • Therefore, a celebration this huge would have been heard from afar which means someone would try and inquire what’s going on.

    • Check out Jonathan’s inquiry on the matter. Check out verses 41-50.

1 Kings 1:41 Now Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they finished eating. When Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, “Why is the city making such an uproar?”
1 Kings 1:42 While he was still speaking, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came. Then Adonijah said, “Come in, for you are a valiant man and bring good news.”
1 Kings 1:43 But Jonathan replied to Adonijah, “No! Our lord King David has made Solomon king.
1 Kings 1:44 “The king has also sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites; and they have made him ride on the king’s mule.
1 Kings 1:45 “Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon, and they have come up from there rejoicing, so that the city is in an uproar. This is the noise which you have heard.
1 Kings 1:46 “Besides, Solomon has even taken his seat on the throne of the kingdom.
1 Kings 1:47 “Moreover, the king’s servants came to bless our lord King David, saying, ‘May your God make the name of Solomon better than your name and his throne greater than your throne!’ And the king bowed himself on the bed.
1 Kings 1:48 “The king has also said thus, ‘Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who has granted one to sit on my throne today while my own eyes see it.’ ”
1 Kings 1:49 Then all the guests of Adonijah were terrified; and they arose and each went on his way.
1 Kings 1:50 And Adonijah was afraid of Solomon, and he arose, went and took hold of the horns of the altar.

• This scene sets a terrifying end for Adonijah and his crew of treasonous men.

  • The jig is up, and the curtain has been pulled back to announce who the true King over a United Kingdom was – the rightful, King Solomon.

    • The reception of this news evidently takes the wind out of the sails of these men who have gathered against David.

  • It begins with a roaring sound just north of En-rogel where the feast is taking place. All seems well at the start for Adonijah – or so he thought.

    • But little did he know that an entire inauguration and celebration was happening as the newly crowned King was announced.

    • And this celebration and praise can be heard to the point that the sound resonated as if it could be felt.

  • The text mentions that Joab initially inquires as to what could be causing such an uproar.

    • Well, in the midst of Joab asking the question, in comes Jonathan, the son of Abiathar, who had to have been in Gihon during the festivities.

    • And his arrival to the party comes with unfortunate news for the guest.

  • One could imagine Jonathan having all types of knots in his stomach as he brings this news to the false king, Adonijah.

    • Upon Jonathan’s return, Adonijah sees him and welcomes him with open arms and pleasantries.

    • And included in these pleasantries was the assumption that Jonathan’s arrival contained good news.

    • Perhaps he thinks his secret rebellion is working to his advantage.

  • In any case, Jonathan must have heard the words, “…you bring good news”, to which the text documents Jonathan’s reply as an emphatic, NO!

    • This is the moment when all the air gets sucked out of the room and everyone perks up to hear every word.

  • Jonathan proceeds to tell Adonijah a series of statements dealing with both the Royal arrangements and the peoples’ reception.

    • Verses 44, 45, and 46 speak to the Royal arrangement:

      • 1. Solomon rides on David’s Mule

      • 2. Zadok and Nathan anoint David as King in Gihon.

      • 3. Solomon sits on David’s throne.

    • And finally, in verses 47 and 48, we find the positive reception of the people and the approval of the King, David Himself.

      • 1. The servants bless David, bless Yahweh for the guidance and leadership of Solomon, and finally David, in his bed, bowed himself.

      • 2. And David blessed the Lord himself for God’s Covenant faithfulness to His word and the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7).

  • What makes verse 48 stand out is that the Lord graciously allows David to witness the succession of his son onto his throne with his own eyes.

    • According to the text, David doesn’t die until 1 Kings 2, which means that there might have been some type of co-regency until Solomon becomes sole King in 971 BC.

    • In any case, this news has now hit the ears of both Adonijah and his guests.

  • Verse 49 and 50 tells us that the people were terrified.

    • The Hebrew word for “terrified”, hrd (ha-rad), means to tremble in the sense of physical disturbance.

    • And Adonijah became afraid of his brother Solomon because he knew that once word gets to Solomon, his life would be cut short!

  • So, in a desperate plea to save his own life, Adonijah runs to the tabernacle for refuge by taking hold of the horns of the Altar.

    • The idea of grasping the horns of the altar in the Near East was such that those who offend a fellow man would plea for mercy at the altar.

    • And this pattern is based upon the Altar being a place in which the atonement for sins was made on behalf of the people.

  • The reality is every one of us is in need of mercy and the opportunity to receive mercy is found only in Christ!

    • Adonijah may have some sense after all – or so we think.

  • Now that the rebellion has died out and folks have parted ways, justice must be served and these wrongs must be made right.

    • So as Solomon settles in to being king, he is informed of the matters regarding his brother and his whereabouts.

    • Check out verses 51-53.

1 Kings 1:51 Now it was told Solomon, saying, “Behold, Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon, for behold, he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon swear to me today that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.’ ”
1 Kings 1:52 Solomon said, “If he is a worthy man, not one of his hairs will fall to the ground; but if wickedness is found in him, he will die.”
1 Kings 1:53 So King Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and prostrated himself before King Solomon, and Solomon said to him, “Go to your house.”

• At this point, one would have expected such a treasonous individual would have received the highest extent of punishment possible.

  • Most certainly, with the moves that Adonijah made against the Lord and the King, death was sure to come!

    • Adonijah anticipates his end – death – and therefore pleads with Solomon that he might be spared.

  • What becomes quite interesting in the text here is that knowing this impending judgement is coming, there seems to be no repentance from Adonijah – just fear.

    • And could that perhaps be the reality of cultural Christianity: We are used to the customs of “doing church” but lack repentance?

    • Adonijah seeks refuge because he wants to escape death, but a heart that is not positioned to be made right simply seeks formality and not formation.

  • I say this because in Chapter 2 Adonijah is still seeking a way to become king by going to Bathsheba to inquire about David’s nurse, Abishag.

    • And (spoiler alert) this attempt by Adonijah leads to his death in Chapter 2.

    • But watch the mercy that is extended towards Adonijah.

  • In verse 52, Solomon tells Adonijah, “If you are a worthy man you won’t be harmed, but if wickedness is found in you, you will die.”

    • The opportunity for mercy was simple: Serve the King and demonstrate loyalty to his cause and you will be spared.

    • Herein lies before Adonijah a choice to be made, and that choice boils down to life or death.

  • And according to what we will see in Chapter 2 is that death becomes his end.

    • Well that begs the question: Why would Adonijah fail to humble himself and receive this olive branch of mercy?

    • The answer is: his heart.

  • Adonijah had set his heart on himself and his desires and not the things of God.

    • Adonijah’s pride, all though masked for a while (false intentions), would eventually rear itself up again, revealing the true state of his heart.

  • From Adonijah’s perspective, and from typical succession customs in the east, the eldest son would become next in line as king.

    • However, Solomon was not the oldest nor was his birth that of deemed nobility, yet God saw fit because He alone chose Solomon.

  • As a matter of fact, throughout God’s framework of Divine Election, God has always done things His way.

    • From Isaac being chosen over Ishmael or Jacob being chosen over Esau, or David over his brothers…etc.

    • God, in His sovereign choosing does not acquiesce to man. Rather, God has established His Law and expects man to follow accordingly.

  • And in the same way, God has orchestrated how man is to be saved.

    • It is not based upon merit, striving, or IQ, rather it is by simply responding to God’s way and means.

    • And in the case of salvation, believing in the Lord Jesus Christ for the Salvation of your soul.

  • Adonijah, was not interested in this opportunity of mercy.

    • He was more interested in the “buying of time” to readjust his failed attempt and find another way to the throne.

• What we recognize here is Solomon’s great display of grace and mercy towards Adonijah.

  • Solomon had all the right to slam the book down on Adonijah and everyone who set themselves up against him.

    • Yet, Solomon doesn’t hurry to this end. Instead, he extends what Adonijah doesn’t deserve.

  • And what a beautiful indication of Jesus’ First Coming. He came in peace to reconcile broken humanity back to God.

    • And in doing so provided even greater risk to Himself – death on a cross.

    • Yet, in knowing the cost required, He gives of Himself that we might come to know Him and draw near.

  • The reality is, there will be some that respond to this free gift of salvation and there are others who will not.

    • What shouldn’t be missed in this picture is the general theme of the mercy of God.

  • Mercy is God graciously holding back what we rightfully deserve.

    • And in this case, Solomon’s response to his brother, Adonijah, amidst all this controversy, tells him to, “Go to your house.”

  • The mere fact, that Solomon allows Adonijah to go home without any issue, demonstrates the grace of the King.

    • Therefore, Grace is the favor of God we have freely received in which we do not deserve.

  • Jesus Christ is the ‘greater Solomon’ in that He is the very personification of both grace and truth.

    • Even more so, the Kingdom of God and all its glory is made known through the wisdom of Christ.

    • This means that one who rejects Christ, fails to experience this reality.

  • This becomes Jesus’ point in Luke 11:31 where he addresses the leadership of Israel rejecting the signs in which He has demonstrated as Messiah.

• We could have truth standing right in front of us yet reject it all the while because of our pride and selfish hearts.

  • Friends, the only way in which salvation can be had is if our faith is in the one who came to die for our sins.

    • This mercy and grace is fully realized in Christ, and like Solomon, when someone rejects this free grace, it does not fare well in the end.

    • And as we will see in 1 Kings 2, it will not fare well for Adonijah either.