The One Who Exalted Himself and the One Who Was Appointed

This passage deals with an unsettled time when King David had grown old and frail and it was not clear who would succeed him. At that point Adonijah, David's fourth son, relying on his claim as the eldest, his fine looks, and the support of Joab and Abiathar the priest, declares that he will be king. The Bible describes his act with the words ‘exalted himself,’ pointing out that it was proud, self-willed behavior beyond his place. This scene shows that what God looked for in choosing a king for Israel was not human appearance or political standing, but his own choice alone and his eye that looks on the heart.

In contrast, while Adonijah was struggling to seize the throne and gathering people to his side, Solomon did nothing in particular and made no schemes to become king. He was simply one already loved and chosen by God, and around him the prophet Nathan and loyal men worked actively to secure his rightful claim. Unlike Adonijah, whose eyes were blinded to God's will by human greed and jealousy, Solomon quietly carried out his calling where he was and waited for God's timing. In the end, Adonijah's attempted rebellion became the very occasion for Solomon to take the throne, and the one who had tried to exalt himself was reduced to taking hold of the horns of the altar and begging for mercy.

As we live in the world, we must not confuse putting human effort into visible results with quietly doing our best for the calling God has set for us. If we refuse to stand with those who, like Adonijah, strive to make themselves king, and consider what it really means to be faithful in a very little right where we are and to wait for God's timing, with what attitude should we prepare for tomorrow's calling?