CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES.—
1 Kings 1:25. God save King Adonijah: i.e., Let the king live; literally, Live the king! the usual Israelitish acclamation (1 Kings 1:34-39; 1 Samuel 10:24, &c.).
1 Kings 1:31. Let my lord, King David, live for ever—A form of blessing, used by the Hebrews only on specially solemn occasions, but was a common form amongst the Persians (Daniel 3:9; Daniel 5:10; Daniel 6:22; Nehemiah 2:3).
HOMILETICS OF 1 Kings 1:22-31
THE EXPOSTULATION OF A FAITHFUL MINISTER
Bathsheba retires, and Nathan is announced. No time should be lost in dealing with evil. Delay is all in favour of the enemy. Wickedness hardens in its effrontery the longer it is unchecked. Observe:—
I. That the faithful minister is painfully conscious of wrong done to others. His character supposes familiarity with the highest and purest moral truths. His communion with God gives tone and balance to his personal experience of those truths. His training renders him highly susceptible to every variation from the right. His office, as a divinely-appointed watchman, implies his constant alertness in detecting the presence and operation of evil. As the magnet trembles under the influence of some atmospheric disturbance, so the heart of the faithful minister is sensitively alive to the violence of the wicked. The havoc wrought by sin is the source of bitterest sorrow to the good. He feels the injury done to others more than the injury done to himself.
II. That the faithful minister is sincerely solicitous to rectify the wrong. Without delay, Nathan set all the forces within his reach in motion to counteract the wicked designs of the rebels. When we are conscious of a flagrant wrong, fidelity requires that we protest against it, and use all lawful and wise endeavours to put it away. Man never feels so weak as when he comes into active opposition with the colossal powers of evil. But for Divine encouragement, he would give up the contest in despair. When his best efforts are powerless to conquer the obstinacy of the wicked, like the tender-hearted prophet, he exclaims, “My soul shall weep in secret places for you” (Jeremiah 13:17). What an unfathomable depth of disappointment and regret is sounded in the heartrending wail of the ever-pitying Jehovah—“O! that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments!” Even the Deity, after exhausting, in vain, all legitimate attempts to win man back to the right, has nothing left but tears! Christ weeping over Jerusalem.
III. That the faithful minister knows how to influence the highest authority in favour of the right. While the impression made by the passionate pleading of Bathsheba was fresh in the mind of the king, Nathan appeared, and, with the utmost respect, but in a form that implied a slight reproof, expostulated with him. The wood that a single wedge will not rive is readily split asunder by a double one. The prophet rehearsed, for the most part, the arguments used by the mother; but, as befitting his character, he used them in such a way as was calculated to powerfully move the heart of the king.
1. He expostulated with David as a man of consistency. “Hast thou said Adonijah shall reign?” (1 Kings 1:24). This was contrary to what the king had said before. He had solemnly declared that Solomon should be king; and this was publicly known. This appeal to his consistency would rouse the personal interest of the king. The slightest suspicion of inconsistency alarms the conscientious soul. It is sometimes needful to stir up and encourage to duty those who mean well, but are enfeebled by infirmity.
2. He expostulated with David as a considerate and popular prince. Rebellion had broken out, and had reached its highest point of aggravation. The revellers were shouting, “God save king Adonijah!” Beloved as David was by the nation, the rebels had despised his authority, challenged his power, abused his kindness, insulted his friends, and ignored his son (1 Kings 1:25-26). All this would tend to fire the indignation of the king.
3. He expostulated with David as a man of candour (1 Kings 1:27). Could it be that the king had changed his mind as to the succession, and kept his truest friend and wisest adviser in ignorance? The man who represented the Divine aspect of the arrangement was surely the first who had a right to know. Had the king been practising secresy and deception? This was unlike David. Few men can bear their candour called in question. The fuse ignited the train. The king was thoroughly roused. Feeble and dying as he was, something of the vigour of his best days re-animated his soul. As the saint, the husband, the father, the prince, he was prepared to enforce his promised word. The mightiest appeal at the Mercy Seat is that which is based upon the Divine Word.
IV. That the expostulation of a faithful minister was in this instance crowned with success.
1. The king resolved to take immediate action to maintain the right. “Even so will I certainly do this day” (1 Kings 1:30). Good men will do their duty, if it is faithfully and judiciously pressed upon them. David’s love towards his usurping son gave place to indignation. He now understands the serious state of affairs, and the necessity for prompt measures being taken. The clearness and vigour with which the dying king gave instructions indicate that, notwithstanding the feeble state of his body, his intellectual powers were unimpaired. Age ripens knowledge into wisdom. Plato wrote at eighty years of age, Isocrates at ninety-five, and some of the ablest men who have reached a good old age have grieved that they must die when they began to be wise. Without immediately revealing his purpose to the prophet, David summons Bathsheba into his presence (1 Kings 1:28). He still retained the power of the king, and of acting independently. The woman who would be so grievously wronged must be assured that justice should be done.
2. The king renews his oath with increased solemnity (1 Kings 1:29-30). He not only repeats his former oath, but, with deepest emotion, ratifies it with another. An oath is so sacred that its obligation cannot be broken; and so solemn that the impression ought never to be forgotten. David acknowledges the goodness of God in bringing him safely through the difficulties and hardships of life. As God had been true to him, so would he remain true to the end. Dying saints should bear witness of the faithfulness of God towards them. What a lesson was this to his son and successor to trust in God in every time of distress that might come upon him! Bathsheba gratefully acknowledges the decision of the king—“Let my lord, king David, live for ever” (1 Kings 1:31). Would that it had pleased God that this change had never been necessary, and that thou mightest have lived and reigned perpetually! We should ever desire the prolonging of useful lives, however much it may appear against our own advantage. David acted in this instance, not merely in compliance with the supplication of a wife, or from a dislike to Adonijah, but from a religious motive. He was firmly persuaded that Solomon was appointed by Jehovah to be his successor; and that through him, as well his own house as the house of Jehovah should be built up. This had been promised, and David witnessed its fulfilment (2 Samuel 7:11-13; comp. Hebrews 11:32-33).
LESSONS:—
1. That the faithful minister should not tolerate the wrong.
2. That the faithful minister will adopt the wisest and most influential method in persuading men to the right.
3. That when the expostulations of the faithful minister are regarded, blessed results follow.
4. That the minister must be faithful in expostulation, irrespective of result.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES
1 Kings 1:22-23. To have a Nathan by one’s side, who refers at the right time and in the right way to the will of God, is the choicest blessing for a prince. “He who fears God lays hold of such a friend” (Eccles. 6:16). The ministers of God and the preachers of His word should not, indeed, mingle in worldly business and political affairs; but their calling always requires them to testify against uproar and sedition, for he who resisteth the powers resisteth the ordinance of God (Romans 13:2). With questions which lead to a knowledge of self, he who has the care of souls often accomplishes more, than by direct reproaches and disciplinary speeches.
1 Kings 1:28-30. David’s decision.
1. His oath is an evidence of his firm faith in the divine promise.
2. His command is a living proof of the truth of the Word (Isaiah 40:31, and Psalms 92:15). Happy for the king who, under all circumstances, observes what he has promised. Fidelity in high places meets with fidelity from those below.—Lange.
1 Kings 1:29. Jehovah the Deliverer of His people.
1. That the people of God are not exempt from the calamities of life. They may be prostrated by disease, perplexed with commercial reverses, disappointed by false friends, distressed with domestic affliction, overwhelmed with bereavement, puzzled with the inexplicable mysteries of the Divine procedure.
2. That out of every calamity Jehovah graciously delivers His people. This He does either—
1. By removing the cause of the calamity; or, 2, by abating its force; or, 3, by imparting strength to endure, and finally to conquer.
3. That the constancy of Jehovah in delivering His people should ever be gratefully acknowledged.
1. Faith is confirmed.
2. Character moulded by the discipline of trouble.
3. Sympathy and fidelity towards others encouraged.
4. Praise should be continually offered.
1 Kings 1:30. “Even so will I certainly do this day.” Promptitude in Christian Service—
1. Is impelled by a profound conviction of the superlative righteousness of the work to be done.
2. Necessary to counteract the stratagems of the wicked.
3. Demanded by the pressing needs of humanity.
4. Accomplishes the most satisfactory results.