Adonijah Attempts to Take the Throne

1 Kings chapter 2 is where we are at as we begin and continue to look at Solomon, king of Israel, looking at his success, his setbacks, sin, and sadness. What began with great success ended in tremendous sadness. And in the in-between there are many setbacks as well as sin, but we will begin by looking at the success of Solomon because that's where his journey begins.

He arrived on the scene in 2 Samuel chapter 12, that was his birth. And then in 1 Kings chapter 1, he was anointed king over Israel. 1 Kings chapter 2 verses 1 to 10, he was addressed and admonished by his father who is the king of Israel.

And now, later in chapter 2 verses 10 and following, he ascends the throne as king of Israel. The text begins in a very simple manner in verse number 10, then David slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. He was buried in the city of David.

Paul recounts it this way in the book of Acts, the 13th chapter, verse number 36, for David after he had served the purposes of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay. Paul tells us that David had served God's purposes in his own generation and then he died. You know, one thing about that, you can't serve the purposes of God in another generation other than the one you're in.

And the Bible tells us that David was a servant in God's kingdom and served the purposes of God. And as he served those purposes, he was used by God in a great and mighty way. Part of that is described for us in Psalm 71 with these words, Psalm 71, it says in verse number 17, Oh God, David says, you have taught me from my youth and I still declare your wondrous deeds.

And even when I am old and gray, oh God, do not forsake me until I declare your strength to this generation, your power to all who are to come. David doesn't say anything about his crown. He doesn't say anything about his credentials.

He doesn't say anything about his commendations. He just says something very specific. And that is what he wanted to do was before he died, as he grows old, he wants to make sure that the one thing he accomplishes is to make sure that this generation knows about the strength and the power of almighty God. That should be the prayer of every single one of us. And that's why Paul would say that after David had served God's purposes in his generation and the purposes was to declare the power of God to that generation, he fell asleep among his fathers and he died.

David now dies. The great king of Israel has died. Having reigned over 40 years, he now leaves his legacy to his son. And the Bible says back in first Kings chapter two, picking it up in verse number 11, the days that David reigned over Israel were 40 years, seven years.

He reigned in Hebron in 33 years, he reigned in Jerusalem and Solomon sat on the throne of David, his father and his kingdom was firmly established. The kingdom was firmly established. David had left a strong kingdom to his son, Solomon.

All Solomon had to do was to continue the succession successfully. All Solomon had to do was to live in line with what God had already told him to do, to understand the uniqueness of leadership and to understand the importance of it. That's why David admonished him earlier on in first Kings chapter two, to make sure that he would walk in the ways of God. They would keep the ordinances and testimonies and the statutes of God.

And that's why it's said over in Deuteronomy chapter 17, that the king is to write the law of God. He's to read the law of God. He's to obey the law of God. That's the main responsibility of the king because he had to live the life of God before the people. And so the key to that leadership was to live, as David said in second Samuel chapter 23, we read this last week.

He says, the God of Israel said, the rock of Israel spoke to me. He rules over men righteously who rules in the fear of God is as the light of the morning when the sun rises a morning without clouds, when the tender grass springs out of the earth through sunshine after rain. When you rule, you need to rule righteously and reverently in the fear of God.

For when you do everything about your service for the king will be refreshing, will be radiant and people's lives will be blessed. That's basically all you have to do as David would declare the words of the Lord. All Solomon had to do was follow that.

Unfortunately, he did not. He did not. And yet at the end of his life, at the end of his ministry in the book of Ecclesiastes the 12th chapter, 13th verse, he just simply says that as a young man, all you need to remember is to fear God and keep his commandments. That's the sum of all things. It's almost as if he says, I wish I had done what my dad said I needed to do. Just live in the fear of God.

Just keep the commands of God. But I didn't do that. And so when he concludes the book of Ecclesiastes at the end of his life, he realizes that that's all he had to do. So he sums up for us. So we would be able to understand our responsibility.

First 12 says his kingdom was firmly established. Solomon will later say in verse number 24, therefore, as the Lord lives, who has established me and set me on the throne of David, my father, and who has made me a house as he promised. Very important verse. God had established a covenant with David.

It's recorded for us in Psalm 89. Turn there with me real quick, if you would, please. Psalm 89.

David reiterates it when he says in verse number 35 of Psalm 89. Once I am sworn by my holiness, I will not lie to David. His descendants shall endure forever and his throne as the sun before me.

It shall be established forever like the moon and the witness in the sky is faithful. So the text tells us in 1 Kings that the kingdom had been firmly established. God had made a covenant with David that his kingdom would last forever.

And what is said here is so powerful that you need to understand it. Because the Lord says these words. He says David's descendants shall endure forever. Wow. And his throne as the sun before me. Now think about that.

The throne of David will endure forever as the sun before me. Now we know that's speaking specifically of the Messiah. And the kingdom that the Messiah will bring and he will reign forever for he is the eternal God.

But it's a play on words. Because the Lord God says as the sun is before me. But the sun won't always be there.

Because when you come to Revelation 22, there is no longer any sun. Because there will be no need for the sun. Because the Lamb will be the light that will radiate eternity.

That's why this verse is so important. Because our Lord the Messiah is called the Son of Righteousness. S-U-N.

The Son of Righteousness. The Lord God says to David his throne as the sun before me. Psalm 8411 says the Lord God is a sun.

S-U-N. So as the sun is before me. So the Lord God is a sun.

And we know that the Messiah is the sun. S-U-N of Righteousness. And in Luke's Gospel.

In Luke 1.78. It was Zacharias who says that the sun rise from on high has visited us. And the Bible also says in Psalm 50. Psalm 50 these words.

The mighty one God the Lord has spoken and summoned the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting out of Zion. The perfection of beauty God has shown forth. Zion means sunny.

God shines forth from Mount Zion. When God says that his name or he dwells in Mount Zion. Because that's exactly what he does.

The book of Isaiah says. In Isaiah chapter 18. Verse number 7. In Isaiah chapter 8. Verse number 18.

That Mount Zion is the place where God himself dwells. The sun of righteousness. S-U-N dwells in the place that's called the sun or sunny.

Or the place that's called to shine forth. God is saying. As he describes Mount Zion.

The place where he himself dwells. He dwells in the place that he himself has named as the sunny place. Because he is the God of light.

So bright that in the end times. When the Lord reigns for all eternity. There is no need for S-U-N to shine.

Because the S-U-N of righteousness is going to shine the Lamb of God. That's why it says in verse number 1 of chapter 48. Great is the Lord and great to be praised.

In the city of our God his holy mountain. Beautiful in elevation. The joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion.

In the far north the city of the great king. God in their palaces has made himself known as a stronghold. Over and over again throughout the Old Testament.

Zion refers to the place of sunshine. The sunny place. Because it's the Lord God of Israel.

The God of glory. The God who shines. Who reigns and dwells in that place.

So when God makes a covenant with David. And says that his throne will last forever. As the sun is before me.

He is speaking of the eternal God. The Messiah of Israel. Who will always reign as king forever.

That's just a little tidbit. A little extra. I thought I'd give you tonight.

As I think about what's happening. And the importance of understanding the scriptures. All that plays into the Davidic covenant.

And the promise that God gave to David. And the establishment of his kingdom. God gave a covenant with David.

That will last forever. Nothing will break that covenant. And David as the king of Israel.

Would leave that kingdom firmly established. For his son Solomon. And all Solomon had to do.

Was to continue to do what his father had told him to do. Fear God. Live righteously.

Keep my commandments. Observe them. Read them every day.

Write them down. Live by them. That's all you have to do.

That is the success. That Solomon has been given. That's why it says in 1 Kings chapter 2. We read this last week.

He says. Keep the charge of the Lord your God. To walk in his ways.

To keep his statutes. His commandments. His ordinances.

His testimonies. According to what is written in the law of Moses. That you may succeed.

In all that you do. And wherever you turn. You want to be successful Solomon.

Obey the word of the Lord. You want to see success Solomon. Walk in the statutes of God.

Solomon you want your kingship. To be successful. This is all you have to do.

That's why in the book of Deuteronomy. When Moses wrote it down. Before there was ever a king in Israel.

He says. When you ask for a king. Because one day you are going to ask.

Because you want a king like all the other nations. Make sure he writes down the law of God. Make sure he reads the law of God.

Make sure he lives in conjunction with the law of God. That's all your king has to do. In order to be successful.

That's all Solomon had to do. Yet. While he did it.

He was successful. But when he didn't. He was unsuccessful.

The same is true for you and me. We obey the word of God. We follow the word of God.

We live by the word of God. We will find the success of God. We don't.

Then we suffer the consequences. So David. Gives his kingdom to his son.

David now is gone. Solomon ascends the throne. He is now king.

Over Israel. It says. These words.

Verse number 13. Let me read the narrative to you down to verse number 25. And then we will make some comments.

Now Adonijah. The son of Agith. Came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon.

And she said. Do you come peacefully? And he said. Peacefully.

Then he said. I have something to say to you. And she said speak.

So he said. You know that the kingdom was mine. And that all Israel expected me to be king.

However. The kingdom has turned about. And become my brothers.

For it was. His. From the Lord.

Now I am making one request of you. Do not refuse me. And she said to him speak.

Then he said. Please speak to Solomon the king. For he will.

Not refuse you. That he may give me. Abishag.

The Shunammite as a wife. Bathsheba said. Very well.

I will speak to the king for you. So Bathsheba went to king Solomon. To speak to him for Adonijah.

And the king arose to meet her. Bowed before her. And sat on his throne.

Then he had a throne. Set for the king's mother. And she sat on his right.

Then she said. I am making one small request of you. Do not refuse me.

And the king said to her. Ask my mother. For I will not refuse you.

So she said. Let Abishag. The Shunammite.

Be given to Adonijah. Your brother. As a wife.

King Solomon answered and said to his mother. And why are you asking. Abishag.

The Shunammite. For Adonijah. Ask for him also the kingdom.

For he is my older brother. Even for him. For.

Abiathar. The priest. And for Joab.

The son of Zeruiah. Then King Solomon swore by the Lord. Saying.

May God do so to me. And more also. If Adonijah has not spoken this word.

Against his own life. Now therefore as the Lord lives. Who has established me and set me on the throne.

Of David my father. And who has made me a house. As he promised.

Surely Adonijah shall be put to death today. So King Solomon sent. Benaiah.

The son of Jehoiada. And fell upon him. So that he died.

This is how. The reign of Solomon begins. It begins with.

This half brother Adonijah. Conniving his way. To somehow.

Obtain. The throne. Of David.

Somehow. What had took place. Had taken place in chapter 1. Did not.

Set well. With Adonijah. So let me review for you the story.

In case you haven't been with us. So you understand what's going on. As you recall in chapter 1. David was sick.

And Abishag was. The Shunammite was a woman. Called in to him.

To be someone who would lay with him. And keep him warm. Because that's what they did in ancient customs.

And Adonijah. Saw it as an opportunity to take the throne. He knew.

That the Lord had given the throne to Solomon. By virtue of his own testimony. In this text.

And the question. Which begs the question. Why would Adonijah who knew.

Solomon was given the throne. In chapter 1. Seek to obtain the throne. And if he knows it in chapter 2. Why would he then go to Bathsheba.

Solomon's mother. And ask for. Abishag to be his.

Now wife. So that he now can begin to take over the throne. If he really knew.

That God had given the throne to Solomon. That just shows you. How deceitful the heart is.

And how evil man can be. Solomon would write. In Proverbs chapter 30.

Verse number 11. A man's ways. Are pure.

In his own eyes. But all his ways. Are evil.

And that was. Adonijah. In his own eyes he was pure.

In his own eyes he wanted to do his own thing. But his heart was still evil. So remember in this story.

Adonijah wanted to. To take control of the kingdom. So he began to set up a place.

In the location called En-Rogel. Which is less than a mile. From the Gihon Spring.

Because David would find out. About Adonijah's attempt. To take the throne.

And he would send Nathan. The prophet down. To anoint him king over Israel.

And there was about less than a mile. From En-Rogel where Adonijah was. And where.

Solomon. Would be anointed king over Israel. And remember.

They went to a place called the serpent stone. That's where Adonijah was. The serpent stone.

The stone of the creeping one. Because Adonijah was a creep. Let's just say it like it is.

And so that's where they went. And lo and behold he didn't get his way. But the unique thing.

I didn't put this out to you in chapter one. Is that En-Rogel and Gihon. Are like two churches.

In America today. They both look like places. Of worship.

Because. In En-Rogel. Adonijah would offer sacrifices unto the Lord.

He would do that. To show credence to the people. That he should be the next king.

Over Israel. And. Yet En-Rogel.

And the Gihon. Although just. Less than a mile geographically.

Are miles apart spiritually. You can look at two churches. On the street corner today.

They are in close proximity. Geographically. But they are miles apart.

Spiritually. And theologically. For in En-Rogel.

There is the will of man. At the Gihon. Is the will of God.

At En-Rogel. You have the unrepentant. The rebellious and the disobedient.

And at the Gihon. You have the repentant. And the obedient.

At En-Rogel. You have the word of man. At Gihon.

You have the word of God. At En-Rogel. You have apostasy.

But at the Gihon. You have faithfulness. Big difference.

Between the two. And when. David sent.

Solomon down on the back side of his mule. And he was anointed king. Over Israel by Nathan the prophet.

And the crowds went into an uproar. That's how you know. That's how you know.

That Adonijah could hear them. At the end of the Kidron Valley. He would hear.

The praises. For Solomon. He would flee.

He would flee to Gibeon. And there was the brazen altar. And there as you recall the story.

In 1st Kings chapter 1. He would grab ahold of the horns of the altar. He was pleading for mercy. And he would ask.

Solomon to swear. Not to hurt him. It says in verse number 51.

Let king Solomon swear to me today. That he will not put. His servant to death with the sword.

He wanted. King Solomon to make a vow. Remember in.

Ecclesiastes chapter 5. What Solomon says about vows. Better. Not to vow.

Than to vow. And not pay. And he wasn't about to.

Make a vow. And excuse. Adonijah's rebellion.

And Solomon. Would show him mercy. It says.

In verse 52 of 1st Kings chapter 1. If he. That is Adonijah. Is a worthy man.

Not one of his hairs will fall to the ground. But if wickedness is found in him. He will die.

So king Solomon sent. And they brought him down from the altar. That is a brazen altar.

And he came and prostrated himself. Before king Solomon. And Solomon said to him go to your house.

So Solomon showed him. Great mercy. Adonijah should have died.

He rebelled against. His father's leadership. He rebelled against.

The plan of God. But Solomon showed him mercy. And did not kill him.

And yet. This is how you know. Adonijah truly didn't.

Show mercy or didn't have. Wasn't merciful. Because.

He was not repentant. How do you know that? Because as soon as David dies. He has been thinking about.

How he can overtake the throne. The only way to do that. Is to marry.

Abishek. The Shunammite. Because she would become a part of.

Solomon's concubines. And the way to get. An inroad to the throne.

Was to take control of the king's. Wives and thrones. Remember what Absalom did? Absalom.

Rebelled against David. Remember Ahithophel? He had told Absalom what to do. Ahithophel was.

David's. Long time friend. Who end up turning against David.

And sided with David's son. Absalom. And Ahithophel says.

In verse 21 of 2 Samuel 16. Go into your father's concubines. Whom he has left to keep the house.

Then all Israel will hear. That you have made yourself odious to your father. The hands of all who are with you.

Will be strengthened. So they pitched a tent for Absalom. On the roof.

And Absalom went into his father's concubines. In the sight of all. Israel.

The advice of Ahithophel. Which he gave in those days. Was as if one.

Inquired of the word of God. So was all the advice of Ahithophel. Regarded by both David and Absalom.

What Absalom did. Was he went in. And he slept.

With David's wives. Not in private. But openly.

Which by the way. Was the fulfillment. Of Nathan's prophecy.

When Nathan said to David. What you did in private. Will be now done.

For the world to see. So Absalom. Is the fulfillment of prophecy.

And he went in. And he slept with David's wives. Because to sleep with the king's wives.

Was to have ownership. In the king's possessions. If you're in ownership with the king's.

Most prized and intimate possessions. You now. Are the king.

And that's how Absalom was going to usurp. His father's kingship. Which would end up.

Having David flee from Jerusalem. So Adonijah. Is going to do it a different way.

He goes to Bathsheba. He goes to the mother of Solomon. And asks.

If he can have. A bishag. The shunammite.

For his wife. And she thinks that this is a romantic gesture. On Adonijah's part.

And what Bathsheba was thinking. We have no idea. That's why she asked the question.

Have you come peacefully? Because she knows about his revolt earlier. And so. His whole transgression.

Is seen by the fact that he lies to Bathsheba. And says yes. I've come peacefully.

I've come to ask. For. A bishag.

The shunammite. As a wife. Would you ask Solomon.

If I can have her. She says yes. I will do that.

So she goes. But remember what David told Solomon. Last week.

In first Kings chapter 2. Verses 1 to 10. Twice he says. You are a man of wisdom.

Solomon had already exercised. His wisdom. In his life.

And Solomon would be able to see. Right through. Adonijah's request.

That's why. When his mother comes in. And he bows before his mother.

Very respectful. Sits on a throne. Has his mother sit right next to him on a throne.

Very honorable. Says mom. What do you want? What are you here for? She goes.

Don't refuse me son. I want to ask you something. I want you to give.

Abishag. To the. To your brother Adonijah.

As soon as he says that. He knows. Because he knows Absalom.

He knows the history. Of the family. He knows exactly.

Adonijah's plans. And so he says. Very simply to his mother.

Why are you asking Abishag. The Shunammite for Adonijah. Ask for him also the kingdom.

Are you asking to give him. The kingdom as well mom. Do you actually want my half brother.

To have the kingdom. That's what you're asking me. That's not going to happen.

He knew. That Abiathar the priest. As well as Joab.

Were part of this. Because they were with Adonijah. When he rebelled.

Earlier in chapter 1. And they were going with him to anoint him. As king over Israel. See Solomon is very wise.

He knows exactly what's taking place. And so he knows. Adonijah now.

Must die. So in verse 24. He says now therefore as the Lord who lives.

Who has established me and set me. On the throne of David my father. And who has made me a house. As he promised.

Surely Adonijah shall be put. To death today. He's going to die.

He's going to die. He'd been extended mercy. By Solomon.

But that mercy was only as good. As Adonijah was willing to follow through. On his.

Proposed. Repented heart. But he wasn't repentant.

Solomon knows that. So he says. Sends Benaiah.

To go down. Who is his now commander. Who took Joab's spot.

Into running through with the sword. And Adonijah. Dies.

That's the narrative. Very simple. This is how Solomon.

Begins. His rulership. Remember he begins with three.

Executions. This is execution number one. So here's the question.

As Solomon begins his reign. He is now the leader. Over Israel.

In the question. Let's see how closely. You paid attention.

Okay. Because I'm going to ask you a question. And I want you to answer me.

Alright. I want you to tell me. In one word.

The qualities. Of leadership. That Solomon.

Has already. Begun. To display.

Okay. In this short narrative. What are the qualities.

Of leadership. That Solomon. Has begun.

To display. Now remember Adonijah dies. Okay.

This also. Is the fulfillment of prophecy. Confirmed by Nathan.

By the words of David. Okay. Remember back in.

Second Samuel. Chapter 12. Second Samuel.

Chapter 12. Nathan comes to David. Tells him a story.

A parable. Remember that? And David's anger burned. This is after David had sinned with Bathsheba.

And David thought he had concealed his sin. With the murder of Uriah. In his adulterous affair with Bathsheba.

He had not concealed it before the Lord. Nathan the prophet comes to him. Gives him a parable.

And it says in verse number 5. Then David's anger burned greatly against the man. And said to Nathan. As the Lord lives.

Surely the man who has done this deserves to die. He must make restitution. This is David's words.

For the lamb fourfold. Because he did this thing. And had no compassion.

This man. Must pay restitution. Fourfold.

The death of Adonijah. Was the payment. Of restitution.

Because Nathan said. In the very next verse. David you're the man.

You're the man. Meaning that David. You're the man that must pay restitution.

Fourfold. One. The baby died.

Two. Two Amnon died. He was killed by Absalom.

Three Absalom died. He was killed by Joab. Four Adonijah dies.

With the death of Adonijah. Was the fulfillment. Of David's own words of prophecy.

When he said to Nathan. This man must pay fourfold. Restitution.

For what he did. And it was just a parable that Nathan told him. Nathan said.

You're the guy. And now finally. After David is dead.

He's home with the Lord. The fulfillment of his own words. Have now come to fruition.

Adonijah. Is now dead. Fourfold restitution.

David continue. To pay. For the consequences of his sin.

Even after. He was dead. If that doesn't.

Put the fear of God in you. When it comes to your sinning. It should.

That's how far reaching. The consequences of sin are. See that.

And so Solomon. Solomon. In this story.

Understands what's happening. Adonijah dies. And yet in the story.

You see. The qualities. Of kingship.

In Solomon rising. You tell me what they are. Who wants to go first.

You see him. Wisdom. We're gonna call that sagacity.

Sagacity. Great wisdom. Now we already know he has wisdom right.

Because David already told him. In first Kings earlier. That he was a man of wisdom.

But he exercises. Supreme wisdom. With.

His mother. His mom says. I want you to do what I ask.

Don't refuse me. He says okay. Can't do that mom.

Because Adonijah. Wants the throne. And God has given me the throne.

God has given me that throne. He must die. If he does not die.

This will not end. That's why his reign. Begins with three executions.

You have to purge. The nation. From its evil.

Or the nation cannot be. Firmly established. And to run with that establishment.

In a way that God wants it. It must be purged from its evil. He does that.

He does it by demonstrating. Great wisdom. The wisdom of almighty God.

As he seeks to rule and reign. As king over Israel. Where does wisdom come from.

Proverbs 2 verse number 6. The mouth of the Lord right. It comes from the mouth of the Lord. In Solomon.

Then comes chapter 3. Hasn't even asked the Lord for wisdom yet. But because as king. We presume.

That he's already doing. What the law of the king was. To write the word of the Lord.

To read the word of the Lord. To obey the statutes of the Lord. He knows that wisdom comes.

From the mouth of the Lord. That's what Solomon says. In Proverbs chapter 2 verse number 6. He says for the Lord gives wisdom.

From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. How does Solomon know that. Because he was raised by a father.

Who taught him the truth of God's word. Who explained it to him. Remember Proverbs was written early on.

In his kingly reign. So he talks about. The wisdom that God gives.

It also says. In Proverbs. Chapter.

28. Verse number 2. These words. Solomon records these words.

Proverbs 28 verse number 2. He says. By the transgression of a land. Many are its princesses.

But a man of wisdom and understanding. And knowledge. It will endure.

He knows that the endurance of a land. Comes because it's ruled by men. Of wisdom.

And then it says. Down in verse number. 18.

Proverbs chapter 28. Excuse me. Verse number 16.

These words. A leader who is a great oppressor. Lacks understanding.

But he who hates unjust gain. Will prolong his days. He needs to walk.

Blamelessly and uprightly. Solomon was a man of supreme wisdom. And you see that in the story.

As he begins. To demonstrate that. By seeing through.

Extremely discerning. Extremely wise. Let me share this with you.

We live in a. In a nation. That's filled with parents. That.

Secular society calls. Snowplow. Or lawnmower.

Parents. Lawnmower parents. Snowplow parents.

Are parents. That prepare. The road.

For their children. Instead of preparing their children. For the road.

They're going to travel. Are you a snowplowing parent. A lawnmowing parent.

Do you prepare. The road for your child. Or do you prepare the child.

For the road. David did what he could. To prepare his son.

To be king over Israel. To prepare him for the road. And so.

This past week. In the New York Times. This article came out.

About how parents. Will not stop removing. Obstacles for their children.

How they will not stop. Removing the obstacles. Primarily of frustration.

And defeat. They don't want their children. To be frustrated.

And they don't want them. To go down to defeat. So they.

As a snowplow. Pave the way. So their children.

Don't have to experience. Any of those things. So the article goes on.

And talks about. How a national. Representative of students.

Ages 18 to 28. Students out of high school. That are already in college.

And they talk about. What parents are still doing. For their children.

76. 76% of parents. Remind.

Their adult children. Ages 18 to 28. Of the deadlines.

They need to meet. Including their own schoolwork. 74%.

Made appointments. At the doctor. For their children.

Between the ages of 18. And 28. 15% of parents.

With children in college. Texted. Or called them.

To wake them. So they did not. Oversleep.

And they would take. Their tests on time. Can you believe that? But.

The most. Egregious finding. Was that 11% of parents.

With adult children. Would call. Their child's employer.

If he or she. Had an issue at work. You believe that? I hope.

You're not one of those parents. That does that. It says this.

12% of parents. Give more than. $500 per month.

To their children. For rent. And daily expenses.

$500. I just wish. I had $500 a month.

Let alone give my kids. And so. One of the individuals.

In this. Was a former dean. At Stanford University.

Who says this. Parents. Never let their children grow up.

Growing up means. Making your own decisions. And sometimes mistakes.

It is difficult. For snowplow parents. To break the habit of being.

A child fixer. Always plowing away. All the difficulties.

If you're doing it in high school. You can't stop. Stop in college.

And if you can't stop. When it comes to college. You won't be able to stop.

When it comes to the workplace. You have manufactured. A role for yourself.

Of always being there. To handle things for your child. So it gets worse.

Because your young adult. Is ill equipped. To manage the basic tasks.

Of life. This is not written. By a Christian person.

This is written. By a secular professor. All that to say.

Is that David had an objective. Was to prepare his son. To make wise choices.

To be discerning. Sagacity is the word. A word of wisdom.

A word of knowledge. A word of instruction. And I wonder.

I wonder if you as a parent. Are doing the wisest thing. For your children.

By plowing the road ahead. So they don't. Experience the difficulties of life.

Those difficulties. Shape and mold their character. Develop them.

Grow them. And we need to make sure. That our children can make wise choices.

So we prepare them. With the word of the Lord. Which gives them a word of wisdom.

To make those choices. So sagacity. That's one element.

One quality of leadership. That Solomon begins to exemplify. And will continue to do so.

Early on in the early stages of his ministry.

What else do you see? Obedience. Loyalty. Loyalty to God. And his word. Loyalty to God and his word.

God has promised me. The kingdom. He's very loyal to the word of God. Now. Unfortunately. He doesn't carry this through to the end of his life.

But right now. During the success stage of his ministry. He's very loyal to the word of God. God promised this to me. God gave this to me. God did this.

Right? And so he is very loyal to the word of God. But did you catch how loyal he was? To the book of Exodus. The 20th chapter.

The 12th verse. You're like. What does that say? That says.

Honor your father and mother. You see how he honors his mother? She comes in. He bows before her.

He's very respectful to her. Very honoring of her. Very important.

Just because he's a king. Doesn't mean he can dishonor his mother. You never get to a point in life.

Where you can now dishonor your mother. Or your father. You never can. Because it doesn't say honor your mom and dad. While you're in the house. It doesn't say honor your mom and dad until you turn 18.

It says honor your mother and father. For this is the first commandment with the promise. Ephesians 6 verse number 1. And that promise now comes.

With quality. And quantity of life. Solomon's quality of life.

Comes because of his honoring. Of his mother. Adonijah did not honor his father.

Nor his mother. Absalom did not honor his father. Nor his mother.

See. In rebelling against their authority. And so therefore it's important to understand.

That Solomon exudes. Loyalty. So much so that he's going to obey.

The commandment of God. Read the book of Proverbs. How much does he say in there.

About honoring your mother and father. Listening to the instruction of your mother. Listening to the instruction of your father.

Over and over again. In the book of Proverbs. I love what it says.

It's just so rich. It says in verse 28. Loyalty and truth preserve the king.

And he upholds his throne by righteousness. So whatever the king does. His kingship must be marked.

By loyalty and truth. He is true to what is true. Okay.

And so Solomon was loyal. To the truth. Of God's holy word.

And all throughout the scriptures. In the book of Proverbs. You see what Solomon says.

When it comes to understanding. His responsibility. As a son.

To his mother. Proverbs chapter 30. I'm sorry.

Proverbs chapter 23. Says this. Chapter 23.

Verse number. 25. Or 22.

Listen to your father who begot you. And do not despise your mother. When she is old.

Verse 25. Let your father and mother be glad. And let her rejoice.

Who gave birth. To you. I wonder if Bathsheba.

Was rejoicing on this day. Because of the birth. Of Solomon.

And now he's king over Israel. Making wise choices. Sagacity.

Loyalty. What are the qualities. You see.

In this narrative. About David. I'm sorry.

About Solomon and his leadership. Grace. Absolutely.

Great grace. Great mercy. Extended to Adonijah.

Didn't have to. But he did, didn't he? He was very, very gracious. Very loving.

Very compassionate. He should have killed Adonijah. First time around.

But he didn't. Because he extended grace and mercy. To Adonijah.

You know. And Adonijah hung himself. He did.

Because of the evil of his heart. What else do you see? Integrity. Integrity to the truth of God's word.

Integrity to the way he lives his life. Absolutely. How about this.

Certainty. Certainty about God's plans. And God's sovereignty.

He would write about this. In the book of Proverbs. Proverbs chapter 21.

Verse number 1. The king's heart is like channels of water. In the hand of the Lord he turns it wherever he wishes. Solomon knows that.

So he writes about it. But remember he says. These words in verse 24.

Now therefore as the Lord who lives. Who has established me. He set me on the throne of David my father.

Who has made me a house. As he promised. There was no uncertainty.

About his life. There was complete certainty. About his kingship.

He wasn't wondering. I wonder if God called me to do this. You can't lead and be uncertain.

There must be a certainty. About your leadership. That exudes the way you conduct yourself.

And here was Solomon. God gave this kingdom to me. God established this kingdom for me.

He gave it to me from my father David. This is his promise. I know what his word says.

I'm loyal to his word. I also know that he is sovereign. And in his sovereignty he gave it to me.

That's why he established me as king over Israel. Even Adonijah knew. That the Lord had given the kingdom to Solomon. But see Adonijah wasn't certain about it. But Solomon was. And certainty marked his kingship.

Marked the quality that leadership needs to have in order to function. And that certainty is based on what God has already said. That's why you need to know the word of God.

So you have integrity. You have mercy. You have sagacity.

You have loyalty. You have certainty. All things that mark the quality of a great leader.

That Solomon would end up writing about in the book of Proverbs. Also in the book of Ecclesiastes. There's another one.

It's called tenacity. Another great word. I love tenacity.

Such a firm grip on what needs to be done. To search out a matter and and to sift out evil. He wasn't going to stop.

He was going to search out the matter and sift out the evil. The Bible says in Proverbs 25 1-3 and Proverbs 28 verses 8 and 6 that leadership is defined by how it searches out a matter. Finds the answer.

And then determines what is good and what is evil. And gets rid of the evil. On top of that purity.

Another mark of a great leader. Purity. He was concerned about the purity of the kingdom. The purity of the kingdom. Knowing that Adonijah would bring impurity to the kingdom if he was to lead what kind of problem would there be for the kingdom? God didn't give him the kingdom. So if he usurps the authority that God gave to him, Solomon, then there would be evil in that kingdom.

And so he was committed to purity. And that's why in Proverbs chapter 22 verse number 11 Solomon says these words. Proverbs 22 verse number 11.

He who loves purity of heart and whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend. Not just him as king but the king of all kings. You want to be a friend of the king of Israel, the true king of Israel, the Lord God of Israel? It requires a purity of heart. And all through Proverbs read Proverbs 6, Proverbs 7, all talks about how the word of God is that which keeps you pure and how you need to have a pure heart. That's why he says over and over again, my son give me your heart for I will flow all the issues of life. You must maintain a pure whole heart.

You see when you read a narrative about the king, in that narrative, in that story, in that interaction, in his leadership, you find the qualities of what defines great leadership or bad leadership. And all throughout the story of Solomon as king over Israel, you need to be able to read into all that's taken place in this man's life. Because he heard from his father, he now rules the land, he writes the book of Proverbs, he writes the book of Ecclesiastes, and so he's writing, yes under the inspiration of scripture, but writing the things that he learned and that he experienced and he knows about so that he can pass them down to you and me to show you that listen, as I learn to lead, as I learn to be successful in ministry, success is defined by loyalty to God and his word.

Integrity of heart, purity of heart, sagacity of mind, to be able to have a tenacious spirit to sift out evil, to search out a matter, to do that which is right, to live a life of certainty based on the sovereignty of almighty God. That's what makes and marks a leader that makes an impact for the sake of God's kingdom. And Solomon did.

And that's why his ministry begins with such great success. If only he would continue down that road. Unfortunately, he doesn't. But fortunately for us, we can. And we trust by God's grace that we do.

Let's pray together. Father, thank you for tonight, a chance to be in your word. Truly, Lord, you are great. You are worthy of praise.

We thank you for the life of Solomon. We thank you for his father, David. We thank you for the promise that you gave to him.

We ask that, Lord, you go before us, that as a church, Lord, we would honor and glorify the great name of Christ our King. And as children of the King, oh, we would live, speak, enact like children of the King. We pray in Jesus' name.

Amen.