​Key Verse
2 And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. 

MEDITATION
“The captain goes down with the ship” is an unwritten maritime tradition communicating the higher standard for the ship’s leader. More so, leaders in the church are called to a higher standard of life for leadership (1 Timothy 3:1-10).  Jesus is the true Captain who went down so His people struggling with upright leadership can be lifted up to lead with integrity.

Nabad and Abihu offered, “unauthorized fire… which (the Lord) had not commanded of them” (1), contrasting Moses and Aaron “doing what the Lord commanded” (8:4, 9, 13, 17, 21, 29, 36, 9:6, 7, 10, 21).  Leaders near to the Lord must be sanctified, holy, so God can be glorified (3). To disrespect God and disobey His direction demonstrates a rebellious heart and invites judgment. Fire consumed the priests (2). We need more holy leadership.
 
Aaron responded to the Lord’s warnings (8-11) with humility and obedience (12-20). The Lord’s seriousness about the sanctity of His leaders is sobering. His sovereign grace offers hope for people like me who are scared to death when the demand of leadership looks this dangerous.
 
Jesus is the greater High Priest, tempted in every way yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus was consumed by the wrath of God to pay the penalty for our rebellion (1 John 2:2). In Jesus’ sacrifice, He went down with the ship of our sin to save all who believe in Him. After His resurrection, Jesus gave His Spirit to sanctify His people. In Jesus, we are forgiven and free, molded by His mercy to lead and love with integrity.
 
TODAY'S READING
Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them. 2 And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. 3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’” And Aaron held his peace.

4 And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, “Come near; carry your brothers away from the front of the sanctuary and out of the camp.” 5 So they came near and carried them in their coats out of the camp, as Moses had said. 6 And Moses said to Aaron and to Eleazar and Ithamar his sons, “Do not let the hair of your heads hang loose, and do not tear your clothes, lest you die, and wrath come upon all the congregation; but let your brothers, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning that the Lord has kindled. 7 And do not go outside the entrance of the tent of meeting, lest you die, for the anointing oil of the Lord is upon you.” And they did according to the word of Moses.
​
8 And the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying, 9 “Drink no wine or strong drink, you or your sons with you, when you go into the tent of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations. 10 You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean, 11 and you are to teach the people of Israel all the statutes that the Lord has spoken to them by Moses.”

12 Moses spoke to Aaron and to Eleazar and Ithamar, his surviving sons: “Take the grain offering that is left of the Lord's food offerings, and eat it unleavened beside the altar, for it is most holy. 13 You shall eat it in a holy place, because it is your due and your sons' due, from the Lord's food offerings, for so I am commanded. 14 But the breast that is waved and the thigh that is contributed you shall eat in a clean place, you and your sons and your daughters with you, for they are given as your due and your sons' due from the sacrifices of the peace offerings of the people of Israel.15 The thigh that is contributed and the breast that is waved they shall bring with the food offerings of the fat pieces to wave for a wave offering before the Lord, and it shall be yours and your sons' with you as a due forever, as the Lord has commanded.”
​
16 Now Moses diligently inquired about the goat of the sin offering, and behold, it was burned up! And he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the surviving sons of Aaron, saying,17 “Why have you not eaten the sin offering in the place of the sanctuary, since it is a thing most holy and has been given to you that you may bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the Lord?18 Behold, its blood was not brought into the inner part of the sanctuary. You certainly ought to have eaten it in the sanctuary, as I commanded.” 19 And Aaron said to Moses, “Behold, today they have offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before the Lord, and yet such things as these have happened to me! If I had eaten the sin offering today, would the Lord have approved?” 20 And when Moses heard that, he approved.


Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the Lord’s higher demand for the leaders of His people?
 
-God is holy and just and He is merciful and loving. How does this difficult story deepen your gratefulness of God’s mercy, knowing Jesus satisfies God’s wrath and His Spirit sanctifies God’s people?
 
- Where do you need to respond to God’s grace with obedience and holiness? Be specific.
 
Key Verse
2 And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. 

​Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy! 2 Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and I moan, 3 because of the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they drop trouble upon me, and in anger they bear a grudge against me. 4 My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me. 5 Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me. 6 And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; 7 yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah

8 I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.” 9 Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues; for I see violence and strife in the city. 10 Day and night they go around it on its walls, and iniquity and trouble are within it; 11 ruin is in its midst; oppression and fraud do not depart from its marketplace. 12 For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him.

13 But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. 14 We used to take sweet counsel together; within God's house we walked in the throng. 15 Let death steal over them; let them go down to Sheol alive; for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart. 16 But I call to God, and the Lord will save me. 17 Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice. 18 He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me. 19 God will give ear and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old, Selah because they do not change and do not fear God.
 
20 My companion stretched out his hand against his friends; he violated his covenant. 21 His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords. 22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. 23 But you, O God, will cast them down into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in you.
 
Meditation
The brokenness experienced from the betrayal of close friends and confidants is restored when we are honest with our hurt and turn our hope to the Lord- casting our cares upon Him. 
 
David’s psalm of confidence comes from a deep place of brokenness. David pleads for mercy (1-3) from a heart anguishing within him (5). Worse than an enemy taunting him, David had a companion, “a familiar friend,” turn against him (12-15). Historically, the betrayal of David’s son Absalom and the abandonment of trusted counselor Ahithophel fill out David’s context (see 2 Samuel 15-17). Practically, the human soul is shattered by betrayal of family and trusted confidants.
 
Healing includes acknowledgment of the pain in our story, being real with our feelings and grieving the severing of close connections. Then after pain, promise. God’s people move from shattered to strength by putting our hearts in the hands of the Lord- casting our cares upon Him.
 
“But I call to the Lord,” cried David (16). God will redeem (18). God will avenge (19-21). God will take the cares of our hearts, sustain us in our struggles, and secure us in His steadfast love (22-23). Hope in the Lord is characterized by casting our cares upon Him.
 
Jesus Christ makes a way for God’s people to move from hurt to hope. Jesus was betrayed by his disciple Judas and handed over to death, not saved from the betrayal of a close confidant, so we who belong to Him can cast our cares upon Him, knowing He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). 
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially David’s honesty with the pain of his story and the pivot he makes to turn his hope to the Lord?
 
-Where do you turn for healing and hope when someone you know or love or trust turns against you?
 
-How does the substitutionary work of Jesus empower you to turn to Him, casting your cares upon Him, knowing He cares for you? Where, specifically, do you need to trust Him with the hurt of your heart?
 
Key Verse
22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved

​When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling;
    he was exalted in Israel,
    but he incurred guilt through Baal and died.
2 And now they sin more and more,
    and make for themselves metal images,
idols skillfully made of their silver,
    all of them the work of craftsmen.
It is said of them,
    “Those who offer human sacrifice kiss calves!”
3 Therefore they shall be like the morning mist
    or like the dew that goes early away,
like the chaff that swirls from the threshing floor
    or like smoke from a window.
4 But I am the Lord your God
    from the land of Egypt;
you know no God but me,
    and besides me there is no savior.

5 It was I who knew you in the wilderness,
    in the land of drought;
6 but when they had grazed, they became full,
    they were filled, and their heart was lifted up;
    therefore they forgot me.
7 So I am to them like a lion;
    like a leopard I will lurk beside the way.
8 I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs;
    I will tear open their breast,
and there I will devour them like a lion,
    as a wild beast would rip them open.
9 He destroys you, O Israel,
    for you are against me, against your helper.
10 Where now is your king, to save you in all your cities?
    Where are all your rulers--
those of whom you said,
    “Give me a king and princes”?

11 I gave you a king in my anger,
    and I took him away in my wrath.
12 The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up;
    his sin is kept in store.
13 The pangs of childbirth come for him,
    but he is an unwise son,
for at the right time he does not present himself
    at the opening of the womb.
14 I shall ransom them from the power of Sheol;
    I shall redeem them from Death.
O Death, where are your plagues?
    O Sheol, where is your sting?
    Compassion is hidden from my eyes.
 
15 Though he may flourish among his brothers,
    the east wind, the wind of the Lord, shall come,
    rising from the wilderness,
and his fountain shall dry up;
    his spring shall be parched;
it shall strip his treasury
    of every precious thing.
16 Samaria shall bear her guilt,
    because she has rebelled against her God;
they shall fall by the sword;
    their little ones shall be dashed in pieces,
    and their pregnant women ripped open.
 
Meditation
The resurrection of Jesus invites you to live from His victory over the penalty and power of sin. Paul uses today’s key verse in 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 like a sherpa helping believers to reach the summit of the gospel invitation of resurrection: thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! God desires for His people to live from Jesus’ victory.
 
Today’s reading is framed by the word guilt, (1, 16) emphasis highlighting the just reality of God’s judgement. Idolatry was the norm in Israel. (1-3) Every time God gave prosperity and abundance to Israel they turned it into evil (4-6), forgetting it was the Lord who blessed them. The result of rejecting relationship with the Lord was ruin, judgment represented by ravenous animals (7-8) from which none of their leaders could save them (9-11). Israel was an unwise son, too foolish to choose life (12-13). Their end was destruction, (14-16) but in covenant relationship with God- judgment is not the end of the story.
 
The light of God’s covenant promises shines brightly in the dark articulation of judgment. God promised to rescue His people from condemnation, redeeming them from death. The Lord mocks the grave by revealing His sovereign grace.
 
Jesus is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). The penalty for the guilt of our sin is paid. The power of sin waylaid. Through Jesus’ resurrection, death is dead and love has won! Jesus took the judgement for our sin so in Him we can have no condemnation, living from His victory.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the dark judgement articulated by Hosea for the guilt of Israel’s sin?
 
-How does the articulation of condemnation and judgment highlight the compassion and covenant love of the Lord, forbearing with His people and promising to redeem them from the curse?

-Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Jesus is the person who embodies the promises of God. Jesus gives us victory over death, redeeming us with His blood. Take a moment to evaluate your heart: Do you live from victory, knowing Christ has paid the penalty for your sin and that in Him the power of sin is gone? Death has died. Love has won! What does it look like for your to live from this victory in Christ?
 
Key Verse
14 I shall ransom them from the power of Sheol; I shall redeem them from Death. O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from my eyes.

​Key Verse
23 And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and when they came out they blessed the people, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. 

MEDITATION
God desires to dwell with you, revealing His glory in a personal and powerful way. 
 
Sin separates humanity from God (Isaiah 59:2). Sacrifice is the price for an unholy people to return to relationship with a just and holy God. Jesus Christ focuses faith on God’s ridiculous grace by becoming the redemptive sacrifice needed to restore relationship and reveal glory.
 
The central theme of today’s chapter is God appearing to His people in glory (4, 6, 23). The tent of meeting was the place where Israel’s covenant King met with His people in the wilderness. Leviticus was priestly direction with the purpose of God re-engaging Israel in intimate relationship with their Redeemer. Sacrifice was central, for the priest (2-14) and the people, (15-21) so God’s glorious presence could fall on His people (23-24). 
 
The people gathered before the Lord in corporate worship. Appropriate sacrifices were made by the priests. Israel’s King appeared in glory, accepting the sacrifices, and worshipers fell on their faces. God’s glorious presence disrupts our posture and promotes worship.
 
God’s priesthood plan worked for a short time but it would not sustain (we see human inability in the next chapter- We need a greater priest than Aaron and his offspring!) God Himself would come dwell with humanity, Jesus revealing God’s glory (John 1:14; 2:11) and providing a way to return to relationship with God through the priestly sacrifice of His life (John 14:6). God’s sovereign grace reveals His eternal glory through Jesus Christ, the doorway for restored relationship with our King and direction for faithful worship.
 

PASSAGE
On the eighth day Moses called Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel, 2 and he said to Aaron, “Take for yourself a bull calf for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering, both without blemish, and offer them before the Lord. 3 And say to the people of Israel, ‘Take a male goat for a sin offering, and a calf and a lamb, both a year old without blemish, for a burnt offering, 4 and an ox and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before the Lord, and a grain offering mixed with oil, for today the Lord will appear to you.’” 5 And they brought what Moses commanded in front of the tent of meeting, and all the congregation drew near and stood before the Lord. 6 And Moses said, “This is the thing that the Lord commanded you to do, that the glory of the Lord may appear to you.” 7 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Draw near to the altar and offer your sin offering and your burnt offering and make atonement for yourself and for the people, and bring the offering of the people and make atonement for them, as the Lord has commanded.”

8 So Aaron drew near to the altar and killed the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself.9 And the sons of Aaron presented the blood to him, and he dipped his finger in the blood and put it on the horns of the altar and poured out the blood at the base of the altar. 10 But the fat and the kidneys and the long lobe of the liver from the sin offering he burned on the altar, as the Lord commanded Moses. 11 The flesh and the skin he burned up with fire outside the camp.

12 Then he killed the burnt offering, and Aaron's sons handed him the blood, and he threw it against the sides of the altar. 13 And they handed the burnt offering to him, piece by piece, and the head, and he burned them on the altar. 14 And he washed the entrails and the legs and burned them with the burnt offering on the altar.

15 Then he presented the people's offering and took the goat of the sin offering that was for the people and killed it and offered it as a sin offering, like the first one. 16 And he presented the burnt offering and offered it according to the rule. 17 And he presented the grain offering, took a handful of it, and burned it on the altar, besides the burnt offering of the morning.
18 Then he killed the ox and the ram, the sacrifice of peace offerings for the people. And Aaron's sons handed him the blood, and he threw it against the sides of the altar. 19 But the fat pieces of the ox and of the ram, the fat tail and that which covers the entrails and the kidneys and the long lobe of the liver— 20 they put the fat pieces on the breasts, and he burned the fat pieces on the altar, 21 but the breasts and the right thigh Aaron waved for a wave offering before the Lord, as Moses commanded.

22 Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and he came down from offering the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings. 23 And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and when they came out they blessed the people, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. 24 And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the pieces of fat on the altar, and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.


Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the direction for God’s people to follow so they can engage Divine desire to restore glory in relationship with Him?
 
-Where do you see sacrifice a suggestion for restoring God’s glorious presence in personal relationship? This is to ask, where do you believe in your work more than the work of Jesus to restore and renew?
 
-Jesus has done everything to restore relationship. Jesus is the great High Priest who gave His life as a sacrifice for our sins! Jesus has done all the work to dwell in deep relationship with you.  Take time to write down what this has meant for your life and pray for ways to share this great hope with those you encounter.
 
Key Verse
23 And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and when they came out they blessed the people, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. 

​And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

Jesus Calls Matthew
9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.
10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

A Question About Fasting
14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 15 And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. 17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”

A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed
18 While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.23 And when Jesus came to the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him.25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district.

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men
27 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.”31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.

Jesus Heals a Man Unable to Speak
32 As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” 34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”

The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Laborers Few
35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
 
Meditation
The word and work of Jesus restores the world “as far as the curse is found.” Jesus’ ministry of Kingdom proclamation was validated by the restoration of people and places, demonstrating both His kingly authority and shepherding care. 
 
The words describing the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Matthew 4:23 are almost identical to the summary statement of verse 35- Jesus’ ministry centered on preaching and healing. These two bookends emphasize Jesus’ teaching in the sermon on the Mount (5-7) and Jesus’ subsequent healing ministry (8-9). The word and works of Jesus complement one another, validating Jesus as God and the authority of Jesus’ teaching as God’s word. “The kingdom of God does not consist in talk, but in power.” (1 Corinthians 4:20)
 
Jesus made the lame walk as He forgave sin, revealing His grace by calling sinners to follow Him. Jesus healed males, females, rich, poor, weak, powerful. Jesus demonstrated authority over every illness and every person, even putting death in its place. Jesus preached and Jesus healed.
 
The compassion of Jesus was revealed in His care for the crowds, the call of His disciples, and the burden for future disciples to take up the mantle of His ministry. The need for holistic restoration was tremendous, a full harvest ready to be reaped- But the laborers few. The reading compels the question- does the King desire to use you?
 
Jesus is alive, and He continues to preach and heal through laborers who respond to His covenant love by serving Him with all our hearts, displaying His kingdom power through our life, lips, and labor.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the power and compassion of Christ?
 
-Where do you need the holistic restoration of King Jesus, the strengthening of His word and the restorative power of His healing ministry?
 
-How can you respond to God’s grace by participating in His work of redemptive restoration? Will you take a moment to pray for laborers of the harvest?
 
Key Verse
35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.

​Now King David was old and advanced in years. And although they covered him with clothes, he could not get warm. 2 Therefore his servants said to him, “Let a young woman be sought for my lord the king, and let her wait on the king and be in his service. Let her lie in your arms, that my lord the king may be warm.” 3 So they sought for a beautiful young woman throughout all the territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. 4 The young woman was very beautiful, and she was of service to the king and attended to him, but the king knew her not.

Adonijah Sets Himself Up as King
5 Now 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 His father had never at any time displeased him by asking, “Why have you done thus and so?” He was also a very handsome man, and he was born next after Absalom. 7 He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest. And they followed Adonijah and helped him. 8 But Zadok the priest and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and Nathan the prophet and Shimei and Rei and David's mighty men were not with Adonijah.

9 Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened cattle by the Serpent's Stone, which is beside En-rogel, and he invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the royal officials of Judah, 10 but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the mighty men or Solomon his brother.

Nathan and Bathsheba Before David
11 Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king and David our lord does not know it? 12 Now therefore come, let me give you advice, that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. 13 Go in at once to King David, and say to him, ‘Did you not, my lord the king, swear to your servant, saying, “Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne”? Why then is Adonijah king?’ 14 Then while you are still speaking with the king, I also will come in after you and confirm your words.”

15 So Bathsheba went to the king in his chamber (now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was attending to the king). 16 Bathsheba bowed and paid homage to the king, and the king said, “What do you desire?” 17 She said to him, “My lord, you swore to your servant by the Lord your God, saying, ‘Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’ 18 And now, behold, Adonijah is king, although you, my lord the king, do not know it. 19 He has sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of the army, but Solomon your servant he has not invited.20 And now, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, to tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. 21 Otherwise it will come to pass, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be counted offenders.”

22 While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in. 23 And they told the king, “Here is Nathan the prophet.” And when he came in before the king, he bowed before the king, with his face to the ground. 24 And Nathan said, “My lord the king, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne’? 25 For he has gone down this day and has sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king's sons, the commanders[c] of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him, and saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ 26 But me, your servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon he has not invited. 27 Has this thing been brought about by my lord the king and you have not told your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”

Solomon Anointed King
28 Then King David answered, “Call Bathsheba to me.” So she came into the king's presence and stood before the king. 29 And the king swore, saying, “As the Lordlives, who has redeemed my soul out of every adversity, 30 as I swore to you by the Lord, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,’ even so will I do this day.” 31 Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground and paid homage to the king and said, “May my lord King David live forever!”

32 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 And the king said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon. 34 And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet there anoint him king over Israel. Then blow the trumpet and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ 35 You shall then come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne, for he shall be king in my place. And I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah.” 36 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, “Amen! May the Lord, the God of my lord the king, say so. 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, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David's mule and brought him to Gihon. 39 There Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!” 40 And all the people went up after him, playing on pipes, and rejoicing with great joy, so that the earth was split by their noise.

41 Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they finished feasting. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, “What does this uproar in the city mean?” 42 While he was still speaking, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came. And Adonijah said, “Come in, for you are a worthy man and bring good news.” 43 Jonathan answered Adonijah, “No, for our lord King David has made Solomon king,44 and the king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites. And they had him ride on the king's mule. 45 And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon, and they have gone up from there rejoicing, so that the city is in an uproar. This is the noise that you have heard. 46 Solomon sits on the royal throne.47 Moreover, the king's servants came to congratulate our lord King David, saying, ‘May your God make the name of Solomon more famous than yours, and make his throne greater than your throne.’ And the king bowed himself on the bed. 48 And the king also said, ‘Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who has granted someone[d] to sit on my throne this day, my own eyes seeing it.’”

49 Then all the guests of Adonijah trembled and rose, and each went his own way. 50 And Adonijah feared Solomon. So he arose and went and took hold of the horns of the altar. 51 Then it was told Solomon, “Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon, for behold, he has laid hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon swear to me first that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.’” 52 And Solomon said, “If he will show himself a worthy man, not one of his hairs shall fall to the earth, but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die.” 53 So King Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and paid homage to King Solomon, and Solomon said to him, “Go to your house.”

Meditation
God is “working all things according to the council of His will,” (Ephesians 1:11) even rebellion against His anointed king. God’s sovereign grace keeps His covenant promises to accomplish His eternal purposes.
 
With king David debilitated to the point of incompetency to govern (1-4), Abonijah “exalted himself” and made himself king. (5) Abonijah’s power play included party planning, sending invitations for his coronation to everyone but a few key people (5-10). Abonijah said, “I will be king,” but it turns out he was not in control of anything.
 
The key (implied) question of, “Who is really in charge!?” (see 13, 17, 20, 24, 27, 30, 35, 46, and 48) is answered as the unfolding scenes reveal The Lord working everything to keep His covenant promises. Nathan and Bathsheeba exposed Abonijah’s plan (11-27).  David moved to make Solomon king and the city rejoiced (28-40). Abonijah’s party was crashed by the news, confidence quickly turning to cowardice (41-53). 
 
God’s plan for an offspring of adultery in the genealogy of His covenant promise is an astounding picture of grace (2 Samuel 7:14-16; Matthew 1:6-7).  God laughs at power plays attempting to change His plans (Psalm 2:1-4). Jesus, David’s greater offspring, is King over everything, everyone, and every part of the world (Colossians 1:15-17). The One who was rejected by the rebellion of religious leaders in His day is now restoring the world (Revelation 21:6). There will be a great roar of rejoicing when Jesus’ kingdom is consummated. Until that day, Christians are free to live our eternal joy now- Jesus is King!
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially God’s sovereignty working even rebellion to accomplish His will?
 
-Where do you see your own heart in rebellion against the One true King? Where do you need your party crashed so you can return to his covenant faithfulness? Be specific.
 
-How does the restorative rule of Jesus invite you to celebrate today with great joy, knowing one day His kingdom will be fully consummated?
 
Key Verse
20 And now, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, to tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.