“Shlomo sat on the throne of David his father;
and his rule had become firmly established.”
-1 Kings 2:12
Verse 12 makes it clear that Solomon is now the undisputed King of Israel.
The Holy Land is about to enter an unprecedented period of peace and calm.
But wait.
Just when we think everything is all fine and dandy, Adoniyah emerges outta nowhere and pays a secret visit to Solomon’s mother.
What in the hell is this guy doing?
Bathsheba is surprised and asks him, “Have you come as a friend?”
That’s kind of a weird phrasing.
What she’s really asking is if he’s come with peaceful intentions.
Of course, Adoniyah’s answer is yes.
But why would Bathsheba ask Adoniyah such a question?
Because the conflict between Adoniyah’s mother’s family and Bathsheba’s family would’ve been an ongoing thing.
Keep in mind that, despite a king acquiring multiple wives and concubines, the sons born to a king were most loyal to their mother’s families.
This shouldn’t be surprising because, as the saying goes, blood can be denser than a jar of Skippy’s super crunchy peanut butter.
In other words, several sons could’ve had the same father.
But what divided them was who their mother was.
Ya feeling me here?
Anyway, onward.
Now, if you ask me, Bathsheba should’ve declined to speak with Adoniyah right off the bat.
I mean, what good could come from granting Solomon’s former rival an audience?
This was the same homie who held a pre-party, announcing he would be the next king.
But Bathsheba was a woman with a mother’s heart and probably a bit curious as to what in the world Adoniyah would want.
So she gives him a chance to speak.
The first words out of Adoniyah’s mouth were so provocative that he should’ve been booted out of Bathsheba’s presence instantly.
“You know that the kingdom should have been mine, that all Israel was looking to me to be their ruler. No matter; the kingdom has turned around and become my brother’s, because Adonai gave it to him.”
Holy pink cow tarnations with green mustard sprayed on top!!
This guy’s gotta couple of screws loose.
He’s got the gall to say he should’ve been king.
He then brags about how the people of Israel were really looking forward to him being the next king.
Here’s the thing.
What Adoniyah was saying was partly true.
The people of Israel were most likely expecting Adoniyah to become king because, by birth, he was the next in line to inherit the throne.
But Adoniyah was stupid to say it…
Especially in front of Solomon’s mother!
If loose lips sink ships, Solomon had just put an anchor around his neck that would cost him his life.
We’ll continue with this the next time we meet.
But for now, let’s switch over to the takeaway.
As I’ve already explained with great diligence, Adoniyah was not necessarily a bad man.
And there’s no reason to believe he would’ve been a bad king had he assumed the throne.
But the bottom line is, he was NOT God’s man.
And that makes all the difference.
Adoniyah should’ve just accepted his fate and gone on his merry way, enjoying his matzah ball sandwiches in luxury and leisure for the rest of his days.
I mean that ain’t necessarily a bad way to live, right?
And I say the same thing to you.
Whatever you may feel sore about in your life.
Maybe a job you felt you deserved went to another homie.
Maybe the gal or guy you wanted to marry hitched up with someone else.
Maybe you wish you were taller, had more naturally skinny genes, or whatever keeps you up chomping on artery-hardening Cheetos all night.
Just be cool and realize that maybe it wasn’t God’s will for you to get that job, guy, gal, or be over 6 feet tall or whatever.
Be all the Lord has created YOU to be with all of your unique eccentricities and all.
Ya feel me?
Done.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“A person can receive only
what is given them from heaven.”
-John 3:27
“For where you have envy and selfish ambition,
there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
-James 3:16
“I have learned to be content
whatever the circumstances.”
-Philippians 4:11
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