The End of the Foolish

As death drew near, David left his final charge to Solomon. He first passed on a blessing, urging him to keep the word of God, and then commanded him to deal wisely with those who had done him wrong.

Adonijah had committed the grave sin of trying to seize the throne, yet he was pardoned; but he could not be thankful for that grace. Where gratitude had faded, resentment took its place, and in the end his foolish desire to have Abishag, his father’s woman, as his wife cost him his life. Abiathar was the priest who had stood by David at the risk of his own life in his hardest days, but when David grew old, anxious for his own future, he went over to Adonijah’s side.

Adonijah, who so readily forgot the grace he had been shown and set out to satisfy his own desires, and Abiathar, who let the faith he had kept all his life give way at the very last — both came to a sorry end. To live soberly and watchfully before God, thankful for the grace received and content with what one has: this is the life of God’s people who are wise and true.