David has been a great King of Israel, but he has not been perfect, either as a man, as a king or as a father. In this last part of his life, the consequences of some of his mistakes are coming home to roost.

We read in 1 Kings 1:6 that David had been a lax and permissive father. He had not corrected Adonijah, or raised him with any discipline. Now he has an adult son who does not value obedience to the Lord or obedience to his own father. Adonijah is entitled, believing his own desires for the throne to be more important than his father’s decision or the will of God. Before David has even announced his successor

, Adonijah has taken matters into his own hands.

And this brings us to a second weakness of David. Even though the Lord had shown David that Solomon would be king after him, it seems that he has still not announced this publicly. Perhaps David has not realised that his enemies are gathering while he delays the decision. Perhaps he is not ready to think about giving up the throne. Perhaps he is not being honest with himself about his own weakness and fading ability to rule. Whatever the reason, he does not act until Bathsheba and Nathan shock him with the news that Adonijah is declaring himself king.

As soon as David acted, the threat from Adonijah was over. When God reveals his will, we need to act on it. This is especActionially true of people in leadership. Without decisive leadership, there is nothing for the people to follow and, eventually, some will start going their own way. What has God been saying to you? It is time to act on it!

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NEWBOLD COMMUNITY CHURCH