Old Testament: 1Ki 1.41–42

To read the Bible in a year, read First Kings 1–2 on May 1, In the year of our Lord Christ 2023

By Don Ruhl 

Have you seen videos of athletes that have celebrated too early, such as a bicyclist who suddenly straightens up, taking his hands off the handle bars, raising his hands in victory, yet, he has not crossed the finish line, and then he either crashes or the guy in second place speeds up and beats the leader to the finish line? 

That happens in other ways too. 

For example, David’s son Adonijah tried to make himself king of Israel before his father had died, and without waiting for his father to designate him as the succeeding king. Having the support of many in Israel, he celebrated, but then his father appointed Solomon as the next king and the people rejoiced. 

The writer of First Kings then wrote that Adonijah, Joab, and the others eating with him, heard the rejoicing for Solomon as the new king. 

Adonijah questioned what he heard going on and and the Bible says, “While he was still speaking, there came Jonathan, the son of Abiathar the priest. And Adonijah said to him, ‘Come in, for you are a prominent man, and bring good news’” (1 Kings 1.41–42). 

However, it was not the news that Adonijah expected to hear. Solomon had been made king and now Adonijah feared for his life. He had celebrated too early. 

Therefore, be sure that the time is right for celebrating, otherwise, you may suffer humiliation or something worse. 

Questions: 

• What was the connection between David and Joab? 
• Why did Joab forsake David so easily? 

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Don preaches with the Savage Street Church of Christ in Grants Pass, Oregon. 

Listen to his sermons here: GrantsPassChurchOfChrist.com