God Distributes Power

The book of First Kings records a season of personal, familial and national transition. After four decades as king, David was aged and dying. Long buried family stresses and conflicts surfaced. Wives and concubines pled for special roles for sons. Priests pledged loyalty to those vying for the throne and military leader’s jockeyed for position. Half-brothers killed one another. Can you imagine what the Washington Post’s Woodward and Bernstein of Watergate fame would have done with the rumors and intrigue of Israel’s special challenges? A Pulitzer Prize is waiting for investigative reporters working the palace gates and Jerusalem coffee shops.

Adonijah was an all-American youth, a self-made man! The son of David’s concubine, Haggith, Adonijah was long on confidence and ambition. Adonijah, like current political candidates who salute themselves in false humility and retell anecdotes describing their accomplishments, woke up one morning and said, "I will be king!" (1:5)

As an aside, parenting skills during this era were unevenly distributed. David made promises and gushed satisfaction about Solomon ascending to his throne (1:48), but ignored Adonijah. "(His father had never interfered with him by asking, ‘Why do you behave as you do?’ He was also very handsome . . ." (1:6) The unbalanced parental influence over Adonijah teetered toward the maternal. Haggith had, like Rebekah, involved herself in plotting his security (2:13ff).

There are enough fratricides, homicides and executions in the transition between David and Solomon to make a really gory B movie. The thirst for power and the urge to dominate is evidence that all really have sinned and fallen short. Nothing has changed. The key players of ancient Israel could have been Republicans and Democrats. Ambition is always brutal and is often fatal.

But, then, in the arena of conflict and chaos, Solomon had a dream (3:1-15). In the Bible, dreams are often an activity of the Spirit. Solomon’s forefather’s had dreams. Jacob dreamed and his life trajectory was altered. It happened similarly with Joseph. And, now, Solomon’s course is set by an encounter with God’s Holy Spirit. Solomon dreamed and because of his encounter with the One who makes kings, the chaos and confusion settled like lint on a laundry room floor. Sanity emerged from the portals of the Almighty’s dwelling place and Solomon remains as the personification of wisdom to this day. Peace and prosperity followed unabated.

Many Americans know exactly who ought to be the next President of the United States. I am not as certain as others. But of this I am sure. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords knows and will distribute power according to His wisdom and will. The One in whom we ought to trust, once confounded Israel by distributing power to the Babylonians.

Charles Wesley’s anthem announces the triumph of Jesus, the King of Kings. When we know Him the kind of peace and prosperity that really matter are ours and we can sing!

Servants of God, your Master proclaim,
And publish abroad His wonderful Name.The Name all victorious of Jesus extol,
His kingdom is glorious and rules over all. 

When devils engage, the billows arise,
And horribly rage, and threaten the skies:
Their fury shall never our steadfastness shock,
The weakest believer is built on a rock.

God ruleth on high, almighty to save,
And still He is nigh, His presence we have;
The great congregation His triumph shall sing,
Ascribing salvation to Jesus, our King.

"Salvation to God, who sits on the throne!"
Let all cry aloud and honor the Son;
The praises of Jesus the angels proclaim,
Fall down on their faces and worship the Lamb.

Then let us adore and give Him His right,
All glory and power, all wisdom and might;
All honor and blessing with angels above,
And thanks never ceasing and infinite love.
(Ye Servants of God, Charles Wesley, 1774)