“Shlomo said, ‘If he will demonstrate that he is a worthy man, not a hair of his will fall to the earth. But if he is found making trouble, he will die.’ So King Shlomo sent, and they brought him down from the altar. He came and prostrated himself before King Shlomo; and Shlomo said to him, ‘Go on home.’”-1 Kings 1:52-53
Alrighty, so when we last left off, Adoniyah was hanging onto the horns of the Altar for dear life.
Remember, per Torah, he had done nothing wrong.
God’s law says that a person can be forcefully taken from the altar if he is guilty of deliberate murder.
But Adoniyah hadn’t committed anything remotely similar or any other Torah-outlined transgression, for that matter.
Again, his only so-called “crime” was that he presented himself as a rival to the throne by throwing that crazy party of his.
And let’s be honest, folks.
Per the customs of the day, he did have a legitimate claim to the throne.
Well, soon enough, Solomon heard the news that Adoniyah was clinging to the altar and refusing to leave unless he was granted mercy.
So Solomon’s first royal chore of the day was to deal with his rival, Adoniyah.
Adoniyah sincerely showed his intent to submit to the new king’s authority.
He acknowledged and fully accepted that Solomon was now sitting on his father’s throne.
He also asked for forgiveness.
Now, watch what happens next, because Solomon’s response shows what righteous behavior really looks like.
Solomon said he would spare Adoniyah’s life under the condition that he prove himself a “worthy man.”
In other words, if Adoniyah stayed loyal, not a hair on his head would be touched.
When Adoniyah caught wind of this, he was so relieved.
I imagine he had been sweating drops of blood up to that point.
To express his gratitude, Adoniyah went to the palace and bowed down low to Solomon, fully expecting to be turned into one of the palace servants from that day onward.
But what happened next must have shocked the daylights out of Adoniyah.
Solomon ordered him to go home.
And that was it.
There would be no inflicting of humiliation upon Adoniyah.
All I can say is WOW!
I hope you’re catching the incredible significance of this.
Under normal circumstances, Adoniyah would have been a dead man.
Yet, Solomon’s first act as the new King of Israel was one of mercy and not revenge.
His ruling was an act of deliverance, not condemnation.
What’s the takeaway here?
The takeaway is that this scene is super prophetic.
Centuries later, another king will also emerge from David’s line.
And as Solomon did to Adoniyah…
This king would also demonstrate incredible mercy to his rivals.
But not on a mere individual basis…
He would demonstrate mercy on an eternal scale.
I think you know who I’m talking about.
Ya feel me?
See ya all next time.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“She said, No man, Lord.
And Yeshua said unto her,
Neither do I condemn thee:
Go, and sin no more.“
-John 8:11
“For God did not send the Son
into the world to judge the world,
but rather so that through him,
the world might be saved.”
-John 3:17
“Yeshua said,
‘Father, forgive them,
for they do not know what they are doing.’
And they divided up his clothes
by casting lots.”
-Luke 23:34
“You have heard that it was said,
‘Love your neighbor
and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you, love your enemies and
pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children
of your Father in heaven.
He causes his sun to rise
on the evil and the good,
and sends rain on the righteous
and the unrighteous.”
-Matthew 5:43-45
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