Investors dislike uncertainty. Who wants to entrust their hard-earned money to an opportunity that is shrouded in mystery? We want clarity if we can get it. As the curtain rises on 1 Kings, we see a great deal of uncertainty about who will sit on the throne of David. Now an old man, King David was too fragile to keep himself warm. More importantly we discover that he had not set his house in order: no one knew who would be king after him. Nature abhors a vacuum and so does politics!
David’s inaction created an opportunity for his son Adonijah to make a play for the throne. Nathan and Bathsheba caught wind of the plot and reminded the king of the promise he had made. Awakened to the crisis, David appointed Solomon as his successor. His kingdom, and we readers as well, gave a sigh of relief, for Solomon was loved of the Lord (2 Sam. 12:24–25).
David had been a beloved ruler who set the human standard for kingship in Israel. Yet we must acknowledge that he was a flawed man. These flaws created problems for others. His inability to discipline his children, his murder of Uriah, his abuse of power with Bathsheba, and more, meant that his people could not count on even their best leader to provide perfect leadership. As good as David was, God’s people needed better.
God had promised David that his kingdom would last forever (2 Samuel 7). More than just a long line of kings, this promise pointed to Jesus, the forever King who would “ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and righteousness” (Ps. 45:4). At the start of the New Testament, we note that the succession plan took a great step forward to Jesus Christ.
>> While we are often disappointed and disillusioned by human-appointed leaders, one day our Forever King will sit on the throne. There will be no uncertainly then! We will be led by the best leader possible.
Pray with Us
On every occasion when a human being disappoints us, may we be reminded that our hope is in You alone, Lord. Keep our eyes on You so we will never lose faith.
BY Dr. Steven H. Sanchez
Dr. Steven H. Sanchez is professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute. His specific areas of study include the Israelite monarchy, the Pentateuch, the Second Temple period, and biblical archeology. Steven earned his BA from Columbia University (New York), and his ThM and PhD from Dallas Theological Seminary. He was one of 30 faculty contributors to The Moody Bible Commentary.