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Service Sheet Outline & Questions

Adonijah - The self-appointed king (1 Kings 1:5-10, 28-53)

The King(s) and I

Adonijah acts like the kingdom is his to seize, but 1 Kings 1 shows the danger of pride, self-promotion, and refusing God's order. Set alongside Jesus, the true Son of David who humbles himself and reigns forever, the passage calls us to stop building our own little kingdoms and gladly live under Christ's rule.

Introduction
1 Kings 1 opens in a tense moment around King David's household, but the talk quickly widens the lens. "Son of David" reaches beyond these rival sons to Jesus, the true and eternal King.

1. Adonijah - the self-appointed king
Adonijah puts himself forward, gathers attention, and acts as though the throne is his by right. His pride, self-promotion, and refusal to submit expose the danger of wanting our own way more than God's way.

2. Jesus - the true Son of David
Philippians 2 shows the opposite pattern. Jesus does not grasp at status but humbles himself, obeys his Father, serves others, goes to the cross, and is exalted as the King before whom every knee will bow.

Conclusion
The question is not only what kind of king Adonijah was, but whose kingdom rules us. "Thy kingdom come" means "my kingdom must go", so followers of Jesus are called to humility, submission, service, and joyful obedience under the true King.

Questions to think about...

1. Where do you see Adonijah's pride and self-assertion most clearly, and why is it so dangerous?

2. How does the contrast between Adonijah and Jesus expose the way we naturally want to rule our own lives?

3. What would it look like in practice for "my kingdom must go" to shape one area of your life this week?

4. If Jesus is the true and eternal King, how should his authority change the way you serve, obey, and speak about him?

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Adonijah - The self-appointed king (1 Kings 1:5-10, 28-53)

Adonijah acts like the kingdom is his to seize, but 1 Kings 1 shows the danger of pride, self-promotion, and refusing God's order. Set alongside Jesus, the true Son of David who humbles himself and reigns forever, the passage calls us to stop building our own little kingdoms and gladly live under Christ's rule.

Introduction

"Son of David..."

David had at least 19 sons through his various wives.

The first five were born in Hebron, his later sons in Jerusalem.

Amnon was his first born, but was killed by Absalom after he raped his half-sister Tamar.

David was angry but took no action.

Nothing is known of David's second son Chileab / Daniel, born to Abigail.

Absalom, son number 3, rebelled against King David and was killed in battle.

Adonijah, son number 4, attempted to take the throne.

Ultimately, Solomon, whose mother was Bathsheba, succeeded David as son number 10.

By the days of Jesus, "Son of David" had become a term for Messiah, the heavenly King.

Jesus was of the line of David, but as God's Son was designated to be the eternal King.

For example, at the triumphal entry into Jerusalem:

"Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven" (Matthew 21:9)

"Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel" (John 12:13)

Series title: "The King(s) and I"

Aim: to consider the contrast between Jesus and these earthly kings, and the challenge to followers of Christ as their King, to live under his rule.

This morning's message will be a cross between "spot the difference" and "Sudoku", putting things in the right place and order.

In these first verses of 1 Kings 1 we have mention of:

• King David
• Adonijah, the usurper
• King Solomon, the chosen king

The life and "reign" of King Adonijah has many echoes of the world we live in today.

He says, "I will be king."

Our world celebrates putting yourself forward, building your own following, and doing life "my way".

What is your way? Is it God's way?

1. Adonijah - Son of David

i. His attitude of pride

"Now Adonijah... put himself forward... I will be king" (v5)

Adonijah had the right-sounding name, but not the right nature.

There is no sign here of dependence on the Lord, only a focus on himself.

ii. His drawing of attention to himself

"Chariots and horses ... with fifty men to run ahead of him" (v5b)

He got things ready. He was his own publicist.

He wanted people to make way for their new king.

iii. The authority he had never known

"His father had never rebuked him..." (v6)

Though David had a heart after God, he failed to address what grieved God in his family.

There was unrest at home, and Adonijah grew up without correction.

He was spoiled, and that shaped his actions.

iv. The appearance he displayed

"He was also very handsome" (v6b)

We live in days of style over substance, and clearly that is not new.

v. His aspiration through birthright

"Born next after Absalom..." (v6c)

He thought it was his time, but he was not God's choice, only his own.

vi. The assistance he sought from his companions

He gathered supporters and ignored the people who stood against him.

He built a coronation around himself.

But he was never appointed by David or by God. Solomon was.

"My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen..." (1 Chronicles 29:1)

Adonijah's whole bid for power collapses. He is spared for a time, but his pride rises again and his story ends in judgement.

2. Jesus - Son of David

Philippians 2:5-11 shows the true King by contrast.

Blind men cried out, "Have mercy upon us, Son of David!" and Jesus responded to need and faith.

i. His attitude of humility

"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant..." (Philippians 2:6-7)

Jesus did not put himself forward. He came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

He is the servant-King.

ii. He was not attention-seeking

He dealt gently with the needs of those around him.

"A bruised reed he did not break, and a smouldering wick he did not snuff out."

iii. His authority and submission to his Father

Jesus was without sin, never needing correction, yet he learned obedience and walked in perfect fellowship with his Father.

iv. His appearance and true beauty

"He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him..." (Isaiah 53:2)

v. His aspiration to do the Father's will

"Not my will, but thy will be done."

vi. No assistance in his enthronement

"... then everyone deserted him and fled" (Mark 14:50)

Jesus walked the road to the cross in loneliness and rejection.

"He was despised and rejected by mankind..." (Isaiah 53:3)

"Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews" (John 19:19)

"... he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:8)

Unlike Adonijah's rushed and failed plan, Jesus reigns by God's eternal purpose.

"Chosen before the creation of the world, but revealed in these last times for your sake" (1 Peter 1:20)

"I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain" (Psalm 2:6)

"God exalted him to the highest place ... that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow ... and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:9-11)

Application and conclusion: The King and I

How do you respond?

Are things in the right place and order?

a. "Thy kingdom come ... my kingdom must go"

Do not be an Adonijah.

b. Humility and submission to your King

Pursue Christlikeness in word and deed.

Seek to serve.

c. Under his authority

Is he enthroned in your heart?

Seek his way.

d. Extending his kingdom

Are you doing what pleases your King?

Amen.

Hymn: Crown him with many crowns.