Articles
Uninvited
In the final days of King David, his son, Adonijah, tried to usurp the throne. To do so, he put together an extensive guest list to attend his own self-coronation party in the hopes of convincing the kingdom of Israel he was primed to become the next king.
Many must have been flattered by the invitation from one of the king’s sons and naively accepted it. When many of the “Who’s Who” of Israel showed up Adonijah must have arrogantly felt his self-serving plot was working. However, for his plan to work, the inspired text notes there were certain people who were purposefully left off of the guest list. 1 Kings 1:10 says, “But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or Solomon his brother” (NKJV).
This account is “written for our learning” (1 Corinthians 10:11). Through the Scriptures we can learn a wealth of practical wisdom for “life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). What might be one of the key lessons we take home from this text? Sometimes who is not invited can be as telling as who is invited. Clearly, people can make honest mistakes and just accidentally overlook certain guests. Yet, in this case, it was quickly noted and seen as an intentional and purposeful snub. Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, noticed it and said, “Adonijah...has invited all the sons of the king...but Solomon your servant he has not invited” (1 Kings 1:19). Nathan also noticed those who did not make the guest list and said, “But he has not invited me—me your servant—nor Zadok the priest, nor Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, nor your servant Solomon” (1 Kings 1:26).
Just a quick glance at those who were left off the guest list can help us see why they would have been avoided by Adonijah. Just a bit of common sense helps us see why Adonijah did not want certain people in the room while he worked his plot. Think about it. Nathan was a bold prophet who had a history of speaking up when he saw something out of line with God’s will (cp. 2 Samuel 12). Benaiah was a loyal, mighty warrior who was well-connected to the king who had no tolerance for rebellion (2 Samuel 23:20-23). The “mighty men” were loyal to David and could pose a physical threat to Adonijah if they sniffed out his conspiracy (2 Samuel 23:8-39). Solomon was the rightful heir and had the obvious political connections to put a stop to Adonijah’s divisive strategies, as David clearly knew and pronounced (1 Kings 1:29-37). So, of course, none of those who had the spiritual, physical, or political power to oppose Adonijah were invited!
By God’s providence, the family of David found out about Adonijah’s ambitious, self-serving plans and they snuffed it out quickly. But, what’s the lesson for us? Do we ever intentionally put ourselves around “yes-men” who will always agree and never contest? Do we ever intentionally snub those who may speak up and boldly nip our suspicious, foolish actions? Do we ever close the door behind us in secret rooms so others will not hear of our undermining plots instead of being open and transparent with the truth? Adonijah’s cliquish behavior was not innocent, but with purpose and motive! Just as Judas did not invite the twelve apostles when he made a deal for thirty pieces of silver, Adonijah made sure those most loyal to David were uninvited too!
However, the God who knows all knew about him and he knows about us. “Be not deceived, God is not mocked…” (Galatians 6:7). Rather than trying to “get away” with self-willed plans, or gossip, or echo-chamber friends, put yourselves around people who will hold you accountable. Be open with all. Paul once said of Christianity’s key argument: “this thing was not done in a corner” (Acts 26:26). One of the trademarks of Christianity is not a cultish hiddenness, but our openness and transparency with the truth. Truth has no reason to hide. Paul once wrote, “…we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 4:2, NKJV). When leaders push their agendas secretly, quietly, as they cherry-pick their willing audiences, they walk in the deceitful ways of Adonijah and avoid the very voices they need to have in the room. Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (NKJV). So, be open with those who will hold you accountable—your preachers, your elders, the spiritually wise and experienced. Be careful not to uninvite the very people with the wisdom and discernment to counsel you onto solid ground. Otherwise, we may be snubbing the very people who can keep us in line with God’s will. Who sits at your table? Do you welcome truth-speakers into your circle or are they uninvited?
