God’s overruling sovereignty in the face of our failures

Prior to my doctoral studies, I was given much well-meaning advice about where to get funding. None of it seemed appropriate to me and I felt a little lost about what to do. Supporting higher academic study is not a priority for churches and I have been away from my church in Hungary for four years doing prior studies anyway. Since it was a largely ex-pat community, most who knew me there have moved on by then. I did apply for one scholarship but failed to get it, yet the Lord graciously and unexpectedly provided the necessary funding. Sometimes God intervenes without much input from us, at other times, we need to be actively involved in His unfolding plan. I often wonder in various situations whether I need to do more or wait for the Lord’s intervention. Holding together God’s sovereignty (He can achieve His plans no matter what) and human responsibility can be difficult.

Human failure, a usurper and God’s choice

In David’s story, we see this same tension. God promised to establish David’s dynasty, but the king is old and infirm (1 Kings 1:1-4) and has not appointed his successor. Into this vacuum steps Adonijah and Scripture is clear that he is the wrong person to be king. He ‘exalts himself’ and parades his power in ominous parallel to Absalom with chariots, horsemen and runners (1 Kings 1:5; 2 Sam 15:1). Adonijah is also now the eldest son (v.5),[1] spoilt and handsome (1 Kings 1:6; 2 Sam 13:39; 14:25). He does not wait to receive power but tries to seize it. Despite being the obvious choice as the eldest son and attractive looking, God’s plans often subvert human expectations (cf. 1 Sam 16:6-7). The urgent conversation between Nathan and Bathsheba reveal an alternative in Solomon, based on David’s oath (1 Kings 1:13). But is this God’s choice? Solomon is a much younger son, from a marriage that had adultery and murder as its antecedents. Yet, he is affirmed as loved by the Lord (2 Sam 12:14-15), which aligns with Scripture’s testimony that God’s choice is often unexpected and usually involves a preference for the younger over the older.[2] 

God working through human actions and reactions

Nathan and Bathsheba’s shrewd tactic (1 Kings 1:14) allows for repetition to underline the necessity of settling the succession (1 Kings 18:18-19, 25-26). Since the frail king is cut off from events, he must be made to recognise the urgency. The reminder about David’s earlier oath highlights that there had been a plan, but David failed to implement it. Bathsheba emphasises the threat to that plan and to her and Solomon’s life – a realistic possibility (1 Kings 1:17, 21). Nathan’s questions whether David has authorised Adonijah’s move are designed to goad the king into taking a stand (1 Kings 1:24, 27). David responds with surprising alacrity, affirms his oath to Bathsheba (1 Kings 1:30), organises Solomon’s anointing and a public proclamation as successor (1 Kings 1:32-35). Solomon’s passivity in these events suggests that he is not grasping for power.[3] His support by the people is overwhelming (1 Kings 1:40), while Adonijah’s evaporates (1 Kings 1:49). and together with the general thanksgiving by all (1 Kings 1:37, 40, 47-48), it underlines Scripture’s approval.[4]

Our hope when looking at the past

Remembering these events must have given the exiles hope that despite their loss of land and king, this was not the end. It reminded them how the line of David was in jeopardy at the beginning, too, yet God acted sovereignly. Despite human failure to establish a successor in good time, despite circumstances (David’s infirmity) and the threat of a usurper (Adonijah), God brought about His plan. He was faithful to His promise that David’s dynasty would be established (2 Sam 7:12). He used human action from Bathsheba and Nathan but also worked in the hearts of the people, enabling David to act decisively and for the people to acknowledge Solomon. When we look at the things that worked out in our lives and others that did not, we may wonder if it was our fault or failure the way things turned out. If only we had done more or something different! Yet David’s story shows that God can work through mistakes and failures and when we seek him, He can bring about His good plan, nevertheless. May we trust Him and let the unchangeable past rest in His hands.

---

[1] David’s sons are listed in 2 Sam 3:2-5. Amnon, the firstborn, was killed by Absalom (2 Sam 13:28-29), Chileab is never mentioned after the initial list and probably died at a younger age. Absalom was also killed during the battle between his side and David’s (2 Sam 18:14-15).

[2] See God’s choice of Jacob, not Esau (Gen 26:23-26), Joseph as the one who saved the family from famine (Gen 45:5), Judah (the fourth in the line of the brothers) to become a royal line (Gen 49:10) and David himself as the youngest son (1 Sam 16:11-12).

[3] Lissa M. Wray Beal, 1-2 Kings, AOTC (Downers Grove: IVP, 2014), 73-74.

[4] Sceptical interpreters tend to read these events differently. Since David’s original oath for making Solomon king is not recorded anywhere, they doubt if it existed and suggest that Bathsheba and Nathan manipulated the king into making Solomon his successor. This seems to me unduly suspicious. David does not query his earlier oath but affirms it to Bathsheba (1 Kings 1:30). Adonijah also must be aware of it or, at the very least, must recognise Solomon as a serious contender for the throne; otherwise, why exclude him and his supporters from his gathering (1 Kings 1:9-10)? Bathsheba and Nathan’s conscious strategy aims for effective communication, which is necessary given the king’s dithering about doing what he has vowed to do. It is no more manipulative or devious than Nathan’s parable years earlier to confront David with his adultery (2 Sam 12:1-7). David’s response suggests clear thinking and decisive action, not a man whose brain is addled, or one manipulated into doing what he would not normally want to do. Frail he might be physically, but he could still rise to the occasion mentally.

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with others.