As ridiculously awkward as Adonijah’s attempt to take over the throne was, Solomon knew that Adonijah had not acted alone.
Who were his partners in crime?
Solomon wanted to know.
He rightly figured that it must have been Evyatar the High Priest and Joab the military commander.
These men had been guests of honor at the banquet Adoniyah had held in anticipation of him becoming the next king.
So first, Solomon had to deal with Evyatar.
Don’t forget that up until now, two High Priests were serving in Israel: Evyatar and Tzadok.
Per the Torah, this was a big no-no.
There can’t be two High Priests just as there can’t be two sons of God or Messiahs.
Ya feel me here?
So why did David allow it?
Because it was politically convenient.
That’s the only reason.
Evyatar represented the northern tribes, and Tzadok represented the southern tribes.
If David had replaced Evyatar with Tzadok, he would’ve alienated the entire northern coalition.
Recall that Evyatar descended from Eli, who was Samuel’s mentor.
Eli was a High Priest and a highly respected man in Israel.
He was also a faithful servant of God.
But none of that mattered.
Because he was illegitimate per Torah.
He descended from the line of Ithamar (one of Aaron’s sons).
When the Wilderness Tabernacle was established, Ithamar was assigned to manage the Levite workers who would perform various tasks connected to the operations at the Tabernacle, including transporting it when Israel traveled from one place to another.
The correct line was Eleazar, who had replaced his father, Aaron, as High Priest.
So what did Solomon do to set things straight?
He banished Evyatar from the kingdom and the priesthood for siding with Adonijah.
Now here’s where things get interesting.
And this also leads to today’s takeaway.
Solomon banishing Evyatar wasn’t exactly the most honest or kindest way to cleanse the priesthood of an illegitimate High Priest.
But…
Not only did his actions accomplish just that…
He also unwittingly fulfilled a Biblical prophecy.
Tzadok, who was of the proper line, became the High Priest, and Evyatar was sent off to his own property at a location called Anathoth.
Here’s where the banishment of Evyatar was prophesied years earlier in 1 Samuel 2.
“The days are coming that I will cut off your house…
so there will not be an old man in your family.”
“All the descendants of your house
shall die in the prime of life.”
“Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest
who will do according to what is in My heart.”
–1 Samuel 2:31–35
Amazing!
We might forget the prophecies of old.
But the Lord doesn’t.
No matter how obscure or ancient God’s promises are.
This is just another inspiring piece of evidence that the Scriptures are true!
Done.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“All Scripture is God-breathed
and is useful for teaching, rebuking,
correcting and training in righteousness,”
-2 Timothy 3:16
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