Change is coming! Get ready for it!

This is one of those odd accounts in scripture that you might wonder what the point is. Adonijah decides that he wants to be king in the place of his father King David. The problem with that idea is God has already selected Solomon to be the next king and David has already announced that to the whole world.

There is a sense in the text that Adonijah was spoiled as a child; David never disciplined him in any way. That might explain his actions; he might have just decided one day that he should be king rather than Solomon and so he acted upon his desires. There is a message in that alone about men fulfilling their role as fathers to their children; especially to their sons.

The thing that struck me about this text is that Adonijah managed to get Joab and Abiathar to agree to his plan. Joab was David’s army commander and Abiathar was one of the chief priests. Joab had been with David from very early in his time as king. It is difficult to understand fully why these two men would do something like this. King David was close to death and a new king was going to be selected; it is possible that they thought Adonijah would be a better king than Solomon.

In life, ministry, and church there will come times when there is a need for a change in leadership. Life happens, and things change! This is one of the most vulnerable times for ministries and churches and any other organization because it is then that the people looking to advance themselves are most likely to act. As is the case with Adonijah, they can act very foolishly. He had no chance of success and yet he acted anyway

This can create great strife and division. From our text, we know that Nathan handled it very well and there was very little fallout from it. As we approach the inevitable changes that must take place within our life, ministries, and churches, we should do so upon our knees. We should be praying that God’s chosen people will be raised up to the places that he wants them and those that would try to take advantage would be held back from acting. This is not likely to prevent it from happening, but it will prepare your heart for it when it does.

Ministry and life is about people and people have a tendency to do the wrong things. As leaders, we should be ready for that through an active prayer life and because of a sincere desire to shepherd the flock of God that has been entrusted to us. Sheep have a tendency to wander wherever they want to and sometimes it is the sheep that are closest to you that wander the farthest. We don’t need to fear it; we need to expect it and prepare for it. Jesus, help us to stay close to the Good Shepherd as we shepherd Your flock.

Read: 1 Kings 1:1-53; Acts 4:1-37; Psalm 124:1-8; Proverbs 16:24