Power and Mercy 1Kings 1: 11-end

INTRODUCTION:

• We left off with King David near the end of his life. His health has deteriorated, and he does not appear to be involved in the day-to-day leadership duties of leading Israel.
• King David’s eldest living son, Adonijah, has made himself King without his father’s knowledge. He did so by copying many of the tactics his older brother Absalom implemented in his effort to overthrow his father and become king.
• Being on the right side of history is not always clear in the present. I think it is a fair statement that many people believe they are doing what is right, but only after time and circumstances do they come to the realization that they were wrong.

SCENE 1: The Appeal (The to be on the right side of history.)

• Nathan was known as the “Lord’s prophet”.
• Nathan delivered the promise concerning David’s offspring whose kingdom would be established forever. (2Samuel 7: 12-17)
• Nathan rebuked David after his sin of adultery and murder. (2Samuel 12: 7-12)
• Nathan also delivered the news:

Then Nathan replied to David, “And the Lord has taken away your sin; you will not die. — 2 Samuel 12:13 (CSB)

• Bathsheba has not been mentioned since the birth of Solomon. (2Samuel 12:24)
• Bathsheba did not know what Adonijah had done.
• David did not know what Adonijah had done.
• Solomon was the only brother not invited to En-rogel. His and his mother’s lives were both in danger.

QUESTION: What is the to be on the right side of history?

“ ‘The Lord declares to you: The Lord himself will make a house for you. When your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up after you your descendant, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will discipline him with a rod of men and blows from mortals. But my faithful love will never leave him as it did when I removed it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and kingdom will endure before me forever, and your throne will be established forever.’” — 2 Samuel 7:11-16 (CSB)

ANSWER: Believe the of God.

• Present reality not lining up with the promises of God can cause and fear.
• This has been the enemy’s goal since the beginning.

Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You can’t eat from any tree in the garden’?” — Genesis 3:1 (CSB)

• Some promises God has made:
  • He is with us and will strengthen us. (Isaiah 41:10)
  • He has overcome the world. (John 16:33)
  • He will teach us the right way to go. (Psalm 32:8)
  • He will not let us fall. (Psalm 37:23)
  • He gives us rest. (Matthew 11:28)
  • He plans good things and gives us a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
  • He heals us. (1Peter 2:24)
  • He works it all out for our good. (Romans 8:28)
  • He is preparing a place for us. (John 14:2)
  • He is coming for us. (John 14:3)
• Nathan and Bathsheba were choosing to believe in what the Lord had promised even the risk of their own lives.

SCENE 2: A new in Israel

• David albeit weak and frail, still held the authority of the kingship of Israel.
• Often the power of God is wrapped in apparent weakness. (28-30)

Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. — 1 Corinthians 1:27 (CSB)

• David enlists the people Adonijah excluded in verse 9-10.
• David has Solomon ride on a mule in stark contrast to Adonijah and his entourage.

This took place so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: Tell Daughter Zion, “See, your King is coming to you, gentle, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The disciples went and did just as Jesus directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt; then they laid their clothes on them, and he sat on them. — Matthew 21:4-7 (CSB)

• This principle continues of apparent worldly weakness being the strength of God.

So the next day, Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the auditorium with the military commanders and prominent men of the city. When Festus gave the command, Paul was brought in. — Acts 25:23 (CSB)

SCENE 3: Damage

• Adonijah wanted to be king. He thoughtfully to together a plan, carried it out, and got what he wanted. He was the key figure at the celebratory feast following the success of his plan.
• Suddenly the party ended with a question, “Why is the town in such an uproar?”
• Jonathan son of Abiathar was a loyal servant of David. (2Samuel 17: 17-20)
• Adonijah suddenly finds himself alone, his plans first appearing successful now a failure, and in fear for his life.
• Adonijah flees to the tabernacle and grabs the horns of the altar.

You are to construct the altar of acacia wood. The altar must be square, 7 1/2 feet long, and 7 1/2 feet wide; it must be 4 1/2 feet high. Make horns for it on its four corners; the horns are to be of one piece. Overlay it with bronze. — Exodus 27:1-2 (CSB)

• This was most likely a plea for mercy in line with provisions for temporary protection against the death penalty.

“Whoever strikes a person so that he dies must be put to death. 13 But if he did not intend any harm, and yet God allowed it to happen, I will appoint a place for you where he may flee — Exodus 21:12-13 (CSB)

• The recently crowned king makes his first decision as such, what to do with his brother.
• King Solomon’s first decision was to extend mercy, but conditional mercy tied to his behavior.

EMERALD CITY:

1. King David was physically weak and Adonijah interpreted that as an opportunity to take what he wanted. Solomon’s trip to being anointed as king was done on a lowly mule. Jesus appeared to die in weakness but was the pinnacle demonstration of God’s .

But Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit. Suddenly, the curtain of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth quaked, and the rocks were split. The tombs were also opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And they came out of the tombs after his resurrection, entered the holy city, and appeared to many. — Matthew 27:50-53 (CSB)

What perceived weakness do you have that has been holding you back from doing what the LORD wants of you?

2. Adonijah seeks from his brother the king, receives it, but it is conditional on his behavior. About 18 miles from here another person will approach a king for mercy.

As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. There were two blind men sitting by the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David! ” The crowd demanded that they keep quiet, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” Jesus stopped, called them, and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” they said to him, “open our eyes.” Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they could see, and they followed him. — Matthew 20:29-34 (CSB)

The mercy Jesus extends is never based on our .

What mercy to you need?