ESOCS Devotional 19 September 2025 – What is Happening?
MEMORY VERSE: “Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.” 1 Kings 1:5 KJV
TEXT: I KINGS 1:1-14
Now King David was old, advanced in years; and they put covers on him, but he could not get warm. 2 Therefore his servants said to him, “Let a young woman, a virgin, be sought for our lord the king, and let her stand before the king, and let her care for him; and let her lie in your bosom, that our lord the king may be warm.” 3 So they sought for a lovely young woman throughout all the territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. 4 The young woman was very lovely; and she cared for the king, and served him; but the king did not know her.
5 Then Adonijah the [c]son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king”; and he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. 6 (And his father had not rebuked him at any time by saying, “Why have you done so?” He was also very good-looking. His mother had borne him after Absalom.) 7 Then he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they followed and helped Adonijah. 8 But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David were not with Adonijah.
9 And Adonijah sacrificed sheep and oxen and fattened cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by En Rogel; he also invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants. 10 But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or Solomon his brother.
11 So Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king, and David our lord does not know it? 12 Come, please, let me now give you advice, that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. 13 Go immediately to King David and say to him, ‘Did you not, my lord, O king, swear to your maidservant, saying, “Assuredly your son Solomon shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’ 14 Then, while you are still talking there with the king, I also will come in after you and confirm your words.”
Read Other ESOCS Devotional Here
The book of Kings tells us more about God than it tells us about Israel’s history. God promised David an eternal dynasty and a kingdom that would not be undone by death or rebellion (2 Samuel 7:13). But David is on his deathbed and his kingdom is in crisis (1 Kings 1:1; 2:10). God’s promise of an eternal throne is at risk. Will God continue to be a God of life, even in death?
David’s second-born son, Adonijah, revolts against David’s third-born son, Solomon (1 Kings 1:5). Adonijah is the heir apparent, but David had promised Solomon the throne (1 Kings 1:17). To legitimize his takeover, Adonijah turns his father’s trusted general and priest to his side, and invites his other royal brothers to a secret coronation (1 Kings 1:7, 9). But Solomon’s mother persuades David to force Solomon’s coronation early (1 Kings 1:11). David gives Solomon his royal donkey and crowns him king in Jerusalem. Solomon is anointed with oil by a priest loyal to the royal family (1 Kings 1:39). Adonijah is in the middle of his feast when he learns his coup has already failed (1 Kings 1:45-46). God’s promises won’t be undone by Adonijah, but will continue through Solomon.
Fearing for his life, Adonijah rushes to the altar where priests offer sacrifices (1 Kings 1:50). In the book of Numbers, the altar was a place of asylum for people guilty of manslaughter (Numbers 35:25). Adonijah hopes Solomon will apply this law to his treason, and he does. Solomon’s first act as king is one of mercy. He forgives Adonijah’s treason and extends life to a traitor who deserves death (1 Kings 1:53).
Where is the Gospel? God brings life from the dead. David’s encroaching death, and Adonijah’s rebellion will not overthrow God’s plans for an eternal Davidic kingdom. Solomon’s ascension and Adonjiah’s failed rebellion are not just history but theology. God will bring life from David’s death through his son. And from Adonijah’s rebellion an eternal kingdom will be born.
In this way, David’s last days as king and Solomon’s first are less about a transition from one regime to another but about the coronation of David’s final son, Jesus. Jesus is the promised heir of Israel (Matthew 1:1). He’s anointed not with oil but with the Holy Spirit (John 1:32). He rides into Jerusalem on a donkey (Mark 11:7). Like Solomon’s kingdom, Jesus’ Kingdom emerges from treacherous political drama, self-interest, and betrayal. Solomon’s father, like God the Father, overturns the plots of sinful men to firmly install His Son on the throne (Acts 2:24). And Jesus begins His administration by forgiving His would-be executioners (Luke 23:34). Like Adonijah, anyone can come to Jesus. Both enemies and traitors can cling to His place of sacrifice and death and receive mercy and eternal life.
CHALLENGES
- Have you ever doubted the fulfillment of God’s promises to you, as a result of surrounding circumstances?
PRAYER POINT
- Dear Holy Spirit, please open my eyes to see God as the One who keeps His promises. And may I see Jesus as the King who brings life after death.
FURTHER READING: 1 Kings 1:15-37; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21
ESOCS Devotional 19 September 2025
