Daily Devotional for Friday, February 23

The Compassion of Solomon

“So king Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and bowed himself to king Solomon: and Solomon said unto him, Go to thine house,” 1 Kings 1:53.

When you get to the end of a book or a movie, do you prefer a cliff- hanger or a resolute happy ending? There have been many twists and turns in the life of David, and we thought there may have been another battle for the throne. I can almost hear suspenseful music as this scene played out. David was growing more ill, and Adonijah had decided he was the future king. In the middle of his joyous celebration, they heard the royal trumpets and sounds of jubilee from afar. The room probably got quiet as everyone looked around. Suddenly, Jonathan burst through the door and said, “David hath made Solomon king!” (verse 43), then quickly told the details of what happened. The once joyous group of people were now silently locking eyes with one another, trying to decide what the next step should be. As fear rose, each one got up from where they were and fled to his own home. Adonijah realized that now was a crucial moment in his life. Left without followers, he would surely be punished for treason by Solomon. He ran to the Tabernacle crying words of repentance and asking Solomon to forgive him. Word got to Solomon quickly, and he called for Adonijah. He penitently approached the throne of Solomon. As he saw his older brother bowing there, Solomon was moved with compassion and told Adonijah to rise and return to his house without accusing him of treason or removing him from the royal family.

As we get to the last days of David’s life, what looks full of intrigue and turmoil unexpectedly ends in compassion, forgiveness and peace. What an ending!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Lord, help us to have compassion on those who have wronged us. Give us the strength we need to forgive others their trespasses as You have forgiven us.

Ashley Ridings