CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES.—
1 Kings 1:47. King bowed himself upon his bed—His infirmities allowed him to do no more (compare Genesis 47:31).
HOMILETICS OF 1 Kings 1:41-49
THE DEFEAT OF REBELLION
I. That rebels are more intent on selfish indulgence than the public good. “As they had made an end of eating” (1 Kings 1:41). Adonijah and his supporters had given themselves up to festivity; and the entertainment must have been greatly prolonged, as all the arrangements for crowning and proclaiming Solomon had been initiated and completed while his opponents were gluttonising. Rebellion originates in a feeling of intense selfishness, and when it grasps power it uses its advantage in a free, unchecked indulgence of those appetites which the force of constitutional order had restrained. How often has the conqueror of a tyrant become in turn a greater tyrant himself! He consults not the weal of the community, but the greed of his own passions. They who oppose the Lord Jesus Christ are such as serve their own bellies (Romans 16:18; Philippians 3:19). Excessive indulgence lulls the soul into a fatal security. The antediluvians, intent only on selfish indulgence, were deaf to all warnings, till the roaring waters roused them into concern; and then their frantic efforts were powerless to rescue from the suffocating waves. The dwellers in Sodom gave rein to the lowest tendencies of their nature, until the reeking stench of their abominations became intolerable, and was purged away with the fire from heaven. So shall it be at the end of the world (Luke 17:26-30).
II. That rebels are often surprised in the midst of fancied security. “Wherefore is this noise?” (1 Kings 1:41). The blare of the same trumpet that proclaimed the coronation of Solomon startled the revellers, and revealed to the leaders of the revolt the critical position of their enterprise. What was an inspiriting note of triumph to one party was the dread signal of confusion and defeat to the other. “When sin spreads the table of riotous feasting, the end of that mirth will be heaviness. Ever after the meal is ended comes the reckoning. No doubt, at this feast, there was many a health drunk to Adonijah, many a confident boast of their prospering design, many a scorn of the despised faction of Solomon; and now for their last dish is served up astonishment and fearful expectation of a just revenge.”—Hall. The wicked are often overtaken when they are least on their guard. It requires a sleepless vigilance to detect the swift and silent approach of justice, and superhuman forethought to ward off its inevitable vengeance; and these are qualities the wicked do not possess. The rebel is like a man who struggles to secure possession of an ocean rock because of the fabulous treasure it is reputed to contain; and while he is gloating over his newly-found wealth, heedless of danger, he becomes suddenly aware that he is surrounded by the steadily rising sea, which, despite his shrieks of horror, enfolds him in its pitiless embrace, and sings a low, wild, mournful dirge as it entombs him in its liquid depths.
III. That rebels are compelled to listen to unwelcome tidings (1 Kings 1:42-48). Jonathan, the son of Abiathar the priest, had probably been left behind to act as a spy upon the movements of the leading men in the city. He had seen much and heard more from reliable sources. His industry and acuteness in gathering information were amazing; and when, with breathless haste, he broke in upon the thoughtless banquetters, very different was his interpretation of the tumult which interrupted their revelry, from what Adonijah anticipated. Joab, an old campaigner, understood its significance, and trembled; but Adonijah, blinded by vanity and presumption, flattered himself that all events would be in his favour. That man is often least timorous who is in the most dangerous condition. The order in which Jonathan related his tidings was calculated to make a deep impression on his listeners, and to increase the consternation which they caused. David had formally nominated Solomon as his successor: therefore, the hopes of Adonijah were wrecked, and his attempt branded with rebellion and ingratitude. Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah had been authorised to set Solomon on the royal mule: therefore, these men enjoyed the confidence of the aged king, and would occupy a foremost place in the court of the youthful monarch; and the leading men who supported the revolt of Adonijah had every reason to fear for the consequences of their perfidy. Solomon had been solemnly anointed: therefore, the king was in earnest, and everything had been done to secure the Divine approval. The youthful king had been brought to Jerusalem, and placed on the throne of his father: therefore, his triumph was complete. The utmost publicity had been given to the whole transaction: it was accomplished with becoming pomp and dignity: it was welcomed by the principal officers of state: it was applauded by the people with an extravagance of joy: it was approved and confirmed by the highest authority, the dying king bowing reverently upon his bed, and pouring out his soul in gratitude to God. This intelligence filled the rebels with dismay, and convinced them of the true character and utter hopelessness of their enterprise. Awful are the tidings that will soon break upon the ear of the sinner: in the midst of his boasting and merriment the message will come that will fill his soul with a nameless terror: “Thou fool, this night shall thy soul be required of thee.”
IV. That rebels are doomed ere long to an inglorious defeat (1 Kings 1:49). The followers of Adonijah were stricken with fear, their faces paled, their hearts grew chill, their courage failed them, their sport was spoiled, and, their eyes being opened, they saw the wicked daring of their conduct. They were now liable to be punished as rebels. They took to flight, and thus sought to escape the consequence of their rash attempt. “They were afraid, and rose up and went every man his way.” Such is the fate of all unrighteous rebellion against God or man. Rebellion has in it no element of permanency. It clutches at a temporary advantage, while it outrages and tramples on eternal principles. It must sooner or later suffer defeat—defeat the most humiliating and disastrous. It is a bubble, inflated with pride and glittering with the many-coloured tints of vanity, but melting away before the gossamer thread stretched across its pathway. It is a cloud-wreath—light, gay, pretentious, aspiring; but vanishing into space before it reaches the summit of the mountain from the spongy flank of which it sprang.
LESSONS:—
1. Rebels are intensely selfish.
2. Rebels are ever in the greatest peril.
3. It is a mercy when rebels are convinced of their folly before recovery is hopeless.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES
1 Kings 1:41-49. The frustration of the schemes of Adonijah.
1. The intelligence he obtains.
2. The effect produced by this intelligence. To an evil conscience (Joab) the trumpets which announce victory and joy are judgment trumpets which sound forth—Thou art weighed, and found wanting. The same message in which David expresses himself, Blessed be, &c. (1 Kings 1:48), works terror and alarm in Adonijah and his party. So still ever sounds the “good message,” that the true Prince of Peace (Christ) has won the victory, and is seated at the right hand of God, which to some is for thanksgiving and praise, so that they support themselves upon it; but to others it is a stone of stumbling, so that they fall and are confounded (Isaiah 8:14; Luke 2:34).—Lange.
1 Kings 1:42. A truthful messenger—
1. Is at great pains to ascertain the truth.
2. Has a good reputation to maintain. “Thou art a valiant man.”
3. Is unmoved by flattery. “Come in; thou bringest good tidings.”
4. Swerves not from the truth because it is unpleasant.
5. Is earnest and faithful in giving prominence to the main features of his message.
6. Is often the means of arresting mischief before it has gone too far.
1 Kings 1:48. The joy of aged and dying saints in leaving their descendants prosperous, peaceful, and pious. David blessed God that He had given him a worthy successor. He had great satisfaction in Solomon’s character as one eminently wise and good, in whom the Israelites would heartily acquiesce and rejoice, and under whose government the kingdom would be peaceful, prosperous, and happy. Amidst all the languor of nature, David’s heart rejoiced in this happy settlement, and he ascribes the praise to that God from whom promotion cometh. Observe—
I. That the prospect of leaving their families in prosperous and peaceful circumstances and in the service of God is a matter of great joy to aged and dying saints.
1. It is a pleasure to an aged and dying saint to leave his family in prosperous circumstances. It is the character of a good man that he is not a lover of this world, nor anxiously solicitous about future events. Nevertheless, he considers himself as obliged by the laws of nature, reason, and the gospel, to provide for those of his own house; not only to furnish them with the necessaries of life while he liveth, but lay up for them such a share of its good things as he can, consistent with their present support and comfort, and the other demands which his great Lord hath upon him. He is particularly pleased and thankful that what he leaves is the fruit of his honest industry; that he has no ill-gotten money among his substance, to bring a curse upon it; and that his family will be likely to have the blessing of God with what he leaves them.
2. It is a greater pleasure to leave his descendants in unity and love. David had seen and felt much of the fatal mischiefs of discord in his own family; but he hoped that the settlement of so wise and benevolent a prince as Solomon on the throne would establish and secure its peace. Contentions and quarrels, between whomsoever they happen, are grievous to all the sons of peace, dishonourable to religion, and injurious to its power; but between those of the same stock and family they are most shameful and pernicious. The celebrated Phillip de Mornay (Lord Plessis) said, with an air of cheerfulness, just before his death: “I am arrived at the height of comfort, since I die with the assurance of leaving peace among my children.”
3. It is his greatest joy to leave his descendants in the way of holiness, and zealous for the support of religion. Next to the good hope of his own salvation, there is nothing can give the heart of a pious parent higher delight than such a prospect as this. He can adopt the dying words of Joseph to his brethren and posterity: “I die; but God will surely visit you, and bring you to the land which He hath promised” (Genesis 50:24).
II. The reasons why such a prospect gives so much joy to aged and dying saints.
1. This joy arises in part from their natural love to their descendants. God hath implanted in all creatures a strong affection to their offspring, in order that they may preserve and sustain them till they are capable of providing for themselves. This natural instinct or affection is, in good men, sanctified by religion. Thus their children become dear to them by a stronger and more engaging tie than that of nature, even their common relation to God as their Father and Friend, and to Jesus as their Redeemer and Saviour.
2. The concern aged saints feel for the honour of God and for the continuance and spread of religion increases this joy. It is the joy of the good man to think that though he is dying, religion is not dying with him: that that will survive, and continue in the town and neighbourhood to which he is related, and, especially, in his own family. The more the dying saint loves God and His ways, the more he rejoices there are those rising up in his stead who will have the same love and care, and be the support of religion when he is laid in the dust.
3. But the principal ground of joy of the aged and dying saint is the prospect of meeting his pious descendants again in the heavenly world. The separation from loved ones is but short; and it is with unspeakable joy the dying saint looks around on his pious, dutiful children when he thinks that he shall soon meet them again in the presence of Christ, with their graces infinitely improved and all their imperfections done away.
Inferences.
1. It should be the earnest desire and diligent careofall parents that they may have this joy. The pious Dr. Annesty, when one of his friends hinted to him that his charity was too great considering the number of his children, answered: “You quite mistake the matter: I am laying up portions for my children.”
2. Aged saints who have this joy ought to be very thankful. A strong obligation is laid upon them to employ their remaining time and strength in endeavouring to promote higher degrees of piety, zeal, and usefulness in those who shall come after them.
3. It is the duty of young persons to fulfil their parents’ joy. It is mentioned, as an amiable part of the character of the judicious Hooker, that he used to say: “If I had no other reason and motive for being religious, I would strive earnestly to be so for the sake of my aged mother, that I may requite her care of me, and cause the widow’s heart to sing for joy.”—Orton.
1 Kings 1:49. The inconstancy of wicked accomplices.
1. That the wicked vow undying friendship to each other when the lower instincts of their nature are gratified. When Adonijah prepared a feast he had troops of friends.
2. That the first tidings of calamity fill the wicked with fear. The sinner is essentially a coward. Having no righteous principle to sustain him, he is powerless in the day of adversity. 3 That the wicked, on the slightest alarm, seek safety in ignoble flight. When the message of misfortune was brought to Adonijah, all his professed adherents, even the astute Joab, forsook him (Ecclesiastes 6:10-12).
—“And went every man his way.” Individual responsibility—
1. Cannot be merged in the actions of the crowd.
2. Is vividly impressed upon the conscience in the hour of misfortune.
3. Recognises the desert of punishment for wrong-doing.
4. Anxiously strives to escape impending vengeance.