The Well

Connecting Hope to the Hurting

Monday
June 16, 2008

A PROMISE IS A PROMISE

"Call Bathsheba," David said. So she came back in and stood before the king. And the king vowed, "As surely as the LORD lives, who has rescued me from every danger, today I decree that your son Solomon will be the next king and will sit on my throne, just as I swore to you before the LORD, the God of Israel."
1 Kings 1:28-30

Nathan and Bathsheba came to King David pleading on behalf of Solomon's succession, warning him of the crushing of Adonijah's usurpation of the throne. Matthew Henry's marvelous commentary on the subject records:

  1. David himself knew not what Adonijah was doing. Disobedient children think that they are well enough off if they can but keep their good old parents ignorant of their bad courses; but a bird of the air will carry the voice.
  2. Bathsheba lived retired, and knew nothing of it either, till Nathan informed her. Many get very comfortable through this world, but they know little how the world goes.
  3. Solomon, it is likely, knew of it, but was as a deaf man that heard not. Though he was years younger, and wisdom above his years, yet we do not find that he stirred to oppose Adonijah, but quietly composed himself and left it to God and his friends to order the matter. Hence David, in his Psalm for Solomon, observes that while men, in pursuit of the world, in vain "rise early and sit up late, God giveth his beloved sleep," in giving them to be easy, and to gain their point without agitation, "Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is useless. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good." (Psalm 127:1-2) How then is the design brought about?

"It was by Nathan that God had named Solomon Jedidiah "The LORD loved the child ;and sent word through Nathan the prophet that his name should be Jedidiah—'beloved of the LORD'—because the LORD loved him." 2 Samuel 12:25, and therefore he could not sit still and see the throne usurped, which he knew was Solomon's right by the will of him from whom promotion cometh... Nathan applied to Bathsheba, as one that had the greatest concern for Solomon, and could have the freest access to David. He informed her of Adonijah's attempt and that it was not with David's consent or knowledge. He suggested to her that not only Solomon was in danger of losing the crown, but that he and she too were in danger of losing their lives if Adonijah prevailed…

"He directs her to go to the king, to remind him of his word and oath, that Solomon should be his successor; and to ask him in the most humble manner, Why doth Adonijah reign? He thought David was not so cold but this would warm him...

"Bathsheba, according to Nathan's advice and direction, loses no time, but immediately makes her application to the king… she bowed and did obeisance to the king (v. 16), in token of her respect to him both as her prince and as her husband; …those that would find favor with superiors must show them reverence, and be dutiful to those whom they expect to be kind to them…

"Nathan the prophet, according to his promise, seasonably stepped in, and seconded her, …Nathan pays the king the same respect now that he finds him sick in bed as he would have done if he had found him in his throne: He bowed himself with his face to the ground, (v. 23). He adds that Adonijah's party had already got to such a height of assurance as to shout, God save king Adonijah, as if king David were already dead…

"David, hereupon, made a solemn declaration of his firm adherence to his former resolution, that Solomon should be his successor. Though he is old, and his memory begins to fail him, yet he remembers this. An oath is so sacred a thing that the obligations of it cannot be broken, and so solemn a thing that the impressions of it, one would think, cannot be forgotten."

If there is anything I have learned from the past week it is this statement from Henry's commentary:
"We should earnestly desire the prolonging of useful lives, however it may be the postponing of any advantages of our own." What do you think?
Hope you were encouraged.
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All Scripture is taken from "The New Living Translation unless otherwise notated."
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