“He invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah who were royal officials, but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the special guard or his brother Solomon.” [1 Kings 9-10]

This scripture places us in the moment where David is growing old and his reign as king is coming to a close. Adonijah, son of David, has put himself forward and began preparation to set himself as the next king. 

I want to pause here and talk about exclusion. Let me paint this picture in the modern day, keeping the above scripture in mind. Consider a group of people who regard themselves as popular, the “in” crowd, the cool kids or the elite of the workplace. This would be Adonijah and his entourage [1 Kings 1:7]. 

Adonijah and his crew decided they were the group to “follow” and that this group would produce the next king of Israel. With this lofty thinking, they began to celebrate prematurely and proclaim and chant  “Long live the King Adonijah.” [1 Kings 1:25]

Have you ever felt like an outcast? Where people have intentionally emphasized that you can’t share the same space as them? It can be disappointing and hurtful, but take heart!

When you are excluded, you are included in God’s plan and will. 

See, the very people Adonijah purposefully didn’t invite to his kingship celebration, are the exact same people who were directly involved in anointing the next God selected king of Israel. 

“So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon mount King David’s mule, and they escorted him to Gihon. Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the sacred tent and anointed Solomon. Then they sounded the trumpet and all the people shouted, “Long live King Solomon!”  And all the people went up after him, playing pipes and rejoicing greatly, so that the ground shook with the sound.” [1 Kings 1:38-40]

Not only did God exalt Solomon and those with him, but He did it while Adonijah was still celebrating. Adonijah’s group disbanded and Adonijah had to accept God’s decision and appointment.  

Learn this from Adonijah:

• Remain humble. “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” [Matthew 23:12]
• Let God exalt you. “And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you.” [1 Peter 5:6-7]
• Discipline is needed. The bible makes it a point to tell the reader that Adonijah was not disciplined by David [1 Kings 1:6]. “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” [Hebrews 12:11]
• Don’t assume. Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. [Proverbs 18:2]

Quite a turn of events, right? I just want you to know that you are always included, welcomed and loved by God. Validate yourself in the Lord.

Remember this: Rejection can be God’s selection.

See you next week!