“ 5 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king”; and he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. 6 (And his father had not rebuked him at any time by saying, “Why have you done so?” He was also very good-looking. His mother had borne him after Absalom.) 7 Then he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they followed and helped Adonijah. 8 But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David were not with Adonijah………32. And King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” So they came before the king. 33 The king also said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord, and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule, and take him down to Gihon. 34 There let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel; and blow the horn, and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ 35 Then you shall come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne, and he shall be king in my place. For I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah.” 36 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king and said, “Amen! May the Lord God of my lord the king say so too. 37 As the Lord has been with my lord the king, even so may He be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David.” 38 So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David’s mule, and took him to Gihon. 39 Then Zadok the priest took a horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. And they blew the horn, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!” 40 And all the people went up after him; and the people played the flutes and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth seemed to split with their sound.”
1 Kings 1:5-8, 32-40 (NKJV)
Discussion Questions:
- In what areas of our lives are we tempted to “make things happen” by our own strength instead of trusting in God’s timing and promotion? When we allow unresolved rejection or insecurity to remain in our hearts, how might it affect the way we respond to authority or those in leadership over us? To truly believe that “promotion comes from the Lord” means learning to rest in His sovereignty rather than striving for recognition—how can this truth shape our attitude toward success, competition, and relationships in the workplace or ministry? (1 Kings 1:5–8, 32–40; Psalm 75:6–7; Ephesians 1:6)
- As we grow in contentment and learn to trust in God’s plan, how can we cultivate a heart that genuinely desires the success of others, including those who may one day take our place? In light of this, why is godly character more important than talent or gifting when it comes to leadership and influence? In our lives today, what does it truly mean to “not touch God’s anointed,” and how should this shape our attitude toward those whom God has chosen to lead? (1 Samuel 13:14; 1 Samuel 16:13; 1 Kings 9:4-5; 1 Chronicles 16:22)
Sermon Summary
This week’s sermon explores leadership, godly character, and trusting God’s timing through King David and his sons, Absalom and Adonijah. David, a man after God’s own heart, shows us humility, obedience, and reliance on God, demonstrating integrity even before becoming king. In contrast, Absalom and Adonijah sought power for personal recognition, leading to tragic outcomes. Their stories remind us that true success comes from godly character and trusting God’s plan. As believers, we are called to honor God’s anointed, celebrate others’ success, and faithfully walk in our calling, confident that promotion comes from the Lord.