The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 27

or modified by love, if it is rega,rdless of the rights of others a,nd oftbe will of God then it is a, sin ; the sin which wa,s the hera,ld of disobedience a,nd dea,th, the sourc~ of the tyranny a,nd bloodshed which ha,ve desola,ted the world. It was this sin of which Adonijah was guilty when be "exalted himself, saying, I will be king ! " Let us see wherein the sinfulness of bis sin lay. I. THIS AMBITION PROMPTED ADONIJAH TO AN INFRINGEMENT OF THE DIVD!E ORDINANCE, It has been said that his act was natural, though foolishly precipitate; for, according to the usual law of primogeniture, he had a right to expect the throne, But the law of primogeniture was never the law of the kingdom of Israel, which in spirit was a theocracy throughout. The invisible King distinctly reserved to him- self the right of appointment (Deut. xvii. 14, 15). True, seniority was a tacit indi- cation of the Divine will, but this was always overruled by any special revelation of God's choice. He who had chosen David from amongst his brotherR, chose Solomon, and there was £.mess in the choice ; not only because as a man of peace be was qualified to build the Temple (1 Chron. xxii. 8, 9), but also because his succession was a pledge to his parents, and to all the people, that after the death of their first child the sin of David and Bathsheba was buried in oblivion (comp. Psa. li. 2, 7, 9, with Isa. xliii. 25, &c.). This Divine choice was publicly known, Nathan sided with Solomon not as "the leader of a court cabal," but as the pro- phet of the Lord ; and Adonijah himself was well aware of the election of his brother (eh. ii. 15). When Adonijah said "I will be king," he deliberately set up his will against God's. A deep significance underlies God's choice of men. He elects according to fitness and fits according to election, so that there is ultimate harmony between circumstances and character. The two sons of Zebedee were taught this. They ha.d as much seeming right to the place of honour which they sought as had Adonijah to the throne. They belonged to " the twelve,'' were personally beloved of their Lord, and their mother was re\ated to the Virgin Mary, and was of those who ministered to Jesus. But Jesus said," to sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give, but it shall be given to those for whom it is prepared of my Father." In other words, honours would be given by law and not by favour; not from arbitrary impulse, but from a knowledge of what was right and fitting. Draw lessons of contentment from the assurance that our lot is appointed by God. Show the necessity for our own sakes of submissiveness in prayer, lest God should give us our request and send leanness into our soul. • II. THIS AMBITION WAS A CRAVING FOR OUTWARD HONOUR, AND NOT FOR INWARD WORTH. " He prepared him chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run before him." His ambition was to have these for their own sakes, not to increase his influence for good. Nor we.she the last man who cared for glitter and show. The candidate for a competitive examination, who seeks only for honours, aud cares nothing for the learning e.nd studious habits which may be acquired, will never be e. true student. So with the professional man who works for money only, &c. Honours thus won a.re unS11,tisfying and transient. Their worth is fitly represented in the ceremonies observed at the coronation of a Pope. The M. C. holds in one hand a lighted taper, and in the other a reed surmounted by a piece of flax. The flax is ignited and flashes up into light, but in a few moments the flame dies out and the thin ashes fall at the Pontifi's feet, while a sonorous voice dmnts the words, " Pater sanctus, sic transit glorin mundi." The pagans understood to some extent the lesson we seek to enforce. Their temple of honour had only one entrn:c.ce, o.nd that was through the temple of virtue. Over the gates of the kinguom of Christ these words are written, '' He that humbleth himself shall be exalted, and he that exalteth himself shall be abased." In the day when spiritu11l realities shall be revealed there shall be not the glorification, but the "manifestation of tho sous of God," and in the outcome of character inwrought by God's Spirit true aud lasting glory shall be found. Ill. THIS AMDITION ASSERTED ITSELF WITH A COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS.-David still reigned; Solomon WI\S his appointed successor; but Adonijah trampled their rights beneath his feet as he mounted the throne. 8olfisbneee is the ohjef of those elements in 11,mbition which constitute its sinfulness.  20 THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS; [OH, I, 1-58,