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‘Our lord king David hath made Solomon king’
1Ki_1:43
I. Many a man asks a question about matters concerning which he is in no doubt whatsoever.—Sometimes he asks a question in order to convey information in that indirect manner. Sometimes he uses the interrogative form as the more respectful method of seeking directions which he knows are ready to be given. Sometimes he speaks in that way for the purpose of making more evident the propriety of the negative. A question is not always to be considered as an evidence of a doubting mind. This should be borne in mind by us in our giving and in our hearing questions; also in our reading of the Bible questions and in our very modes of private prayer. The Bible is full of questionings: ‘What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?’ ‘If God be for us, who can be against us?’ ‘Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?’ Questions in our approaches to God in prayer may be the best guard against doubting. Lord, I have often turned to Thee in trouble, and never have turned in vain. Shall I come to Thee doubtingly at this time? Lord, I have Thy promise for this very hour of need. Can I not claim that promise from Thee? Questioning may at one time be a proof that there is no doubting, as well be a proof of doubt at another time. And there was no doubt in the mind of the old king. ‘The king sware, and said, … Even as I sware unto thee; … even so will I certainly do this day.’ The fire of his prompter years seemed, for a moment, to return to David. Instinctively he apprehended that it would avail nothing for him, in his decrepitude, to attempt, in his own name, to put down so formidable a rising; so with admirable decision, he sent for Zadok, who remained loyal, and Benaiah and Nathan, to bring forth Solomon, putting him on the king’s own mule, and surrounding him with the insignia of rank, in order that he might be made monarch, and at once invested with supreme authority.
II. Was it not kingly of the old man to say that his promise should be made good?—The word of God’s royal representative ought to be a sure word. There ought to be no need of doubt concerning it. However it may be with any earthly representative of God, on a throne or off a throne, the word of God Himself does stand sure. One of His promises can be rested on when all the universe seems going to ruin. David said he would not lie to God; says that He cannot lie. David’s word did hold good in this instance. God’s word holds good in every instance. Yet there are plain promises of God which not all his children count sure.
III. Gladly was the new sovereign welcomed.—The enthusiastic people came up the road after him, piping with pipes, and rejoicing with great joy, ‘so that the earth rent with the sound of them.’ This was heard by Adonijah and his guests; fear and consternation put an end to their eating, and filled them with unutterable alarm. Each of the insurrectionists fled his own way. Adonijah fled, and laid hold upon the horns of the altar. There Solomon found him, pitied and pardoned him, magnanimously dismissing him uninjured to his own house, promising him good if he behaved himself.
The coronation of Solomon, amid joy that made the earth ring, again carries the heart on to the moment when the Lord Jesus shall be proclaimed as King, not only of His Church, but of the world. Then shall trembling take hold on His foes, and the earth itself shall break into song.
Illustrations
(1) ‘When a man must go forth to leave the duties of his earthly station, it is becoming that he should carefully consider in whose hands he shall leave them.
When a man has an important question to decide, he seldom loses anything by inviting his wife to assist at the conference.
When a man is called to the test, he ought not to be long in making good his promises, if it is in his power to do so.
When a man is nearing the point of death, it is folly to defer doing as he has promised until the future. “So will I certainly do, this day.”
When a man has humbled himself to do, it will seldom harm his wife to humble herself to thank him.
When a man is nearing the point of death, such a cry as “Let my lord king David live for ever,” has its very serious aspects.’
(2) ‘The solemnity of David’s appeal to the Most High is increased by the memory of his own personal obligations to Him Who had rescued his life from all the perils and troubles to which he had been exposed from the persecution of Saul. While it was temporal deliverances which David here had in mind, his language may suggest to us our own obligations, not only for providential favours, but for spiritual and everlasting mercies. David here, as elsewhere (cf. Psalms 18), recognises the hand of God in his preservation from past dangers and his elevation to the throne, attributing it, not to his own skill or valour, but to God’s goodness. In the time of his prosperity he did not forget, as men so often do, Him whose aid he had invoked in the time of his distress.’