The Lyin’ King
One Year Bible (June 6, 2022)
I Kings 1:1-53
The Lyin’ King
“It’s the circle of life. And it moves us all. Through despair and hope. Through faith and love. ‘Til we find our place. On the path unwinding. In the circle. The circle of life."
(Circle of Life, The Lion King)
Today, we begin our study in a new book with a new king. Who will be the next king is the big question?
Trust me when I say that “this circle” is a very big loop from the family of Saul which is connected to the family of David, and the circle is still moving from despair to hope.
David is on his deathbed now, but that is certainly not going to slow down the drama. The scene is like a fullscale Broadway production as David’s son, Adonijah (Son of Haggith, and little brother of Absolam) enters "front-stage"…
Let me describe for you "the set" for this Broadway production…We are talking about another handsome leading man. Does this one have long hair also? Just wondering.
“About that time David’s son Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, began boasting, “I will make myself king. So he provided himself with chariots and charioteers and recruited FIFTY MEN to run in front of him. Now his father, King David, had never disciplined him at any time, even by asking, ‘Why are you doing that?’ Adonijah had been born next after Absalom, and he was very handsome.” (I Kings 1: 5-6)
Have we seen this play before? Does anyone remember this?
“In the course of time, Absalom provided himself with a chariot and horses and with FIFTY MEN to run ahead of him.” (2 Samuel 15:1)
Okay, Bros. What’s the deal with the FIFTY NIFTY MEN? (Same Writer? Different Riders?)
Oscar Wilde once wrote, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.”
In any case, both brothers were following the same script and as Oscar Wilde has pointed out, theirs is certainly “Mediocrity” compared to David’s true greatness.
You see, this production is complete with a chariot, fifty men, and a selected entourage, This ploy for the kingdom is STAGED! This “Circle of Life” is continuing the same old circle of big brother, Absolam… And we know how that turned out!
Folks, This is “The Lyin’ King!” (and it feels like a cheap sequel at that.)
Fortunately, “It’s the circle of life And it moves us all”... “Actor Adonijah” is on his way OUT and Solomon is on his way IN. It is going to be a quick turn of events.
Nathan the prophet speaks to David’s wife. Are you ready for this one?
Yes, BATH-SHE BAAA! He warns her of what is going on and asks her to go and speak to David on his deathbed. Nathan arrives later to speak to King David also.
Before you can sing one stanza of “Ingonyama nengw’ enamablal” (Or it's Hebrew equivalent) David has Solomon riding on his donkey and the priest and prophet are to anoint him king over Israel. The ram’s horn is blowing and the people are shouting, “Long live King Solomon”!
The celebration was sooooo joyous that “The earth SHOOK with the sound.”
Here’s the short version, “One donkey trumps a chariot and fifty running charioteers” when God is in the mix!!!!
The circle of life is still moving and here’s what happens next, “Adonijah was afraid of Solomon, so he rushed to the sacred tent and grabbed on to the horns of the altar.” (Vs. 50) Adonijah wants King Solomon to swear that he will not kill him for his role in “The Lyin’ King” production.
Solomon does not kill him or harm him. Here are his few words, “Go on home.” (Vs. 53) This new guy knows how to “cut to the chase”. Brief and to the point!
Listen to what King David has to say about his son, Solomon, being anointed as king.
“Then the king bowed his head in worship as he lay in his bed, and he said, ‘Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who today has chosen a successor to sit on my throne while I am still alive to see it.” (Vs. 48)
On this amazing day where the earth shook and all of the Kingdom crowned a new king, we may overlook one OVERWHELMING fact that is UNDERWHELMINGLY focused on here…
Out of all of David’s sons, God chose and had anointed the son of BATH-SHE-BAAA!
That, my friends, is amazing grace and a great demonstration of forgiveness to his beloved King David. God took what was completely broken and brought it FULL CIRCLE around!
For us, it is a reminder that our God can bring forth his most powerful MESSAGE out of the biggest MESS in King David’s life.
Out of “The City of David” and the throne of Solomon will come the Messiah, “The Lion of Judah”!
“The Lyin’ King” will not prevail. Not then! Not Now!
“It’s the circle of life And it moves us all. Through despair and hope. Through faith and love”… (Circle of Life)
