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1 Kings 1:2-14  The Message

1 ^1-4 King David grew old. The years had caught up with him. Even though they piled blankets on him, he couldn’t keep warm. So his servants said to him, “We’re going to get a young virgin for our master the king to be at his side and look after him; she’ll get in bed with you and arouse our master the king.” So they searched the country of Israel for the most ravishing girl they could find; they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king. The girl was stunningly beautiful; she stayed at his side and looked after the king, but the king did not have sex with her.

^5-6 At this time Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, puffed himself up saying, “I’m the next king!” He made quite a splash, with chariots and riders and fifty men to run ahead of him. His father had spoiled him rotten as a child, never once reprimanding him. Besides that, he was very good-looking and the next in line after Absalom.
^7-8 Adonijah talked with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they threw their weight on his side. But neither the priest Zadok, nor Benaiah son of Jehoiada, nor Nathan the prophet, nor Shimei and Rei, nor David’s personal bodyguards supported Adonijah.
^9-10 Next Adonijah held a coronation feast, sacrificing sheep, cattle, and grain-fed heifers at the Stone of Zoheleth near the Rogel Spring. He invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and everyone in Judah who had position and influence—but he did not invite the prophet Nathan, Benaiah, the bodyguards, or his brother Solomon.
^11-14 Nathan went to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, “Did you know that Adonijah, Haggith’s son, has taken over as king, and our master David doesn’t know a thing about it? Quickly now, let me tell you how you can save both your own life and Solomon’s. Go immediately to King David. Speak up: ‘Didn’t you, my master the king, promise me, “Your son Solomon will be king after me and sit on my throne”? So why is Adonijah now king?’ While you’re there talking with the king, I’ll come in and corroborate your story.”

For Reflection

Solomon waited patiently for the promise of his reign while around him stirred the affairs of the common persons. Adonijah, arrogant, self-serving and discounting his father, David, as an old, wasted man, went about the business of inserting himself as king.  Nathan got wind of it and persuaded Solomon's mother to intercede on behalf of her son.

And so goes the mischievous affairs of men.  Or is it just the affairs of men?  Nathan was a prophet.  Was he guarding God's affairs, acting as God's agent?

How God acts through us is a mystery.  Even so, we must, like Solomon, wait patiently for our appointed entrance into the theater of life.  As Nathan, we must carry truths when God calls.

Pray

For the patience to wait on the Lord.  Pray for courage to speak truths when God calls.  Thank and praise God for this glory and power in the affairs of human kind.