Have you heard of Adonijah? He was a son of King David, a very good-looking man. Since King David was very old, Adonijah decided he wanted to be king in place of his father. So he planned a big party, with plenty of roast beef and roast mutton (sheep) for everybody. And he invited lots of people to his party, including most of his brothers and a priest and his father’s servants. But he didn’t invite Nathan the prophet or Solomon his brother and some others who followed King David and his son Solomon. What was all this big celebration for? It was for Adonijah, who had chosen to make himself king.
But we follow a different King! It was Jesus the Son of God who said, “Follow thou Me” (John 21:22). It was Jesus who was sent by God to be my Saviour and to die for me. If Jesus is your Saviour too, you will not be joining the followers of any false god, no matter how many good reasons they give you. Jesus is our Saviour, because we are sinners and we need Him. “Who can forgive sins but God only?” (Mark 2:7).
King David heard of the big party given by Adonijah, but this was not his choice for a new king. King David followed the God of heaven, and he knew that when he himself died, his son Solomon was to take his place as king.
King David’s answer to all this was to make Solomon king. I have appointed him king over Israel and Judah, said King David. And Solomon sat on King David’s own mule and was anointed with kingly oil. The matter was settled, and the people shouted, God save King Solomon! Then there was the sound of a trumpet and people shouting with great joy.
All this joyful shouting reached the ears of Adonijah’s party. What’s all this shouting about? he said. The city is in an uproar!
Too late, Adonijah! You did not think about King David’s choice of a new king. You only thought about yourself and the people who followed you. You gave them a big party, but you did not think about who would be God’s choice for a new king.
You who are reading this story today, come and ask God what His choice is. Does He want you to follow Jesus or some other person who cannot save you? Is there someone else who has taken the punishment for your sins and died for you? Will you follow the world’s choices or will you have Jesus as your Saviour and share His home forever?
Hearing that Solomon was the new king, Adonijah’s guests were afraid, and they went away and left him alone. So he ran to the altar for safety. At King Solomon’s command, he was sent home to prove he would obey him as the new king, but Adonijah’s heart was not changed. He showed that evil was still in his heart, and a soldier in King Solomon’s army was later appointed to end Adonijah’s life.
All the opportunities the world offers will not change your heart. Come to the Lord Jesus, right now. His love is forever, and there is no salvation for you anywhere else.
You may read this story in 1 Kings, chapters 1 and 2.
MEMORY VERSE: “Who can forgive sins but God only?” Mark 2:7
ML-08/05/2012