Fri.’s Devo Your Kingdom Come

Read: 1 Kings 1:1-53; Acts 4:1-37; Psalm 124:1-8; Proverbs 16:24 David was getting old and had not named his successor. David’s first son had been Amnon, who Absalom killed because he raped his sister, Tamar. David’s second son was Chilean, the son of Abigail. His third son was Absalom, who was now dead, and his fourth son was Adonijah. All of these sons were given to David when he lived in Hebron. When he moved to Jerusalem he had another set of sons. Solomon was the fourth son born to David in Jerusalem and David had promised his mother Bathsheba that Solomon would be the next king. *** Adonijah began telling people that he was going to make himself the next king. He rode in chariots and had fifty men run before him. David saw this and never did anything about it. Joab and Abiathar the priest agreed to help Adonijah become king. Zadok, the priest and Nathan the prophet, Benaiah and all David’s bodyguards refused to support Adonijah. *** Nathan reported to Bathsheba what was going on and encouraged her that if she wanted her son to become king, she needed to go talk to the king. She did. She told David of the celebration Adonijah was planning where he was going to make his kingship official. If that happened she and Solomon would be treated like criminals. Nathan came in and confirmed everything she had said. David swore to Bathsheba that her son would be king. He ordered Zadok, Nathan and Benaiah to put Solomon on his mule and ride him to Gihon Springs. There they were to anoint him with oil, blow the ram’s horn and shout, “Long live King Solomon!” When Solomon returned, he would sit on David’s throne as king. *** People joined in the procession to Gihon Springs. When they shouted “Long live King Solomon” it was so loud the ground shook and the ones at Adonijah’s celebration heard it. When they were told what had happened, they all scattered. Adonijah ran to the tabernacle and took hold of the horns on the altar begging for mercy. Solomon said that if Adonijah was loyal to him, he would live. If he made trouble, then he would die. Adonijah came and bowed before Solomon. *** In Acts, Peter was giving his sermon on the day of Pentecost. The people saw the great miracle of the flames of fire and the people speaking languages they had not learned. Peter took them through the scriptures teaching them about the Messiah. The priests, the Temple guards and some of the Sadducees were very disturbed that they were teaching that Jesus rose from the dead. They arrested them and put them in jail for the night. Of those that listened to Peter’s message, 5,000 believed. *** The religious council met the next day and Caiaphas, the one who had sentenced Jesus to die, was there. They brought in Peter and John and asked them who gave them the power to do what they were doing - healing a crippled man. Peter answered them and said that he was healed by the power of the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. *** Then he explained to them that the one they had rejected had now become the most powerful person on the earth… ‘the stone they rejected had become the cornerstone’. This was a scripture they would have been very familiar with (Psalm 118:22). He went on to say that by Jesus name only, there is salvation. *** The members of the council were amazed at Peter and John’s boldness and their evidence was standing right before them healed. After a brief meeting, they called Peter and John back in and told them they could go but they could never speak about Jesus. Peter and John asked them if they thought God wanted them to obey them or Him. They said they would not stop telling about all they witnessed. The council threatened them then let them go. *** Peter and John went back to the other believers and told them what had happened. They realized they were witnessing the scriptures about those who would oppose the Messiah (Psalm 2:1-2). *** The disciples were beginning to understand their assignment. The very ones who hated Jesus would hate them, but they must continue to work God’s miracles like Jesus did. They prayed and the place shook as all were filled with the Holy Spirit. They went out and preached with great boldness. The believers were of one mind and purpose and gave what was needed so that no one was in lack. One person, Judas, sold a field and brought the money and gave it to the apostles. *** Just like with David, God’s Kingdom does not come without great opposition. *** Lord, as we enter into the age where the Holy Spirit is being poured out as it was in Acts, may we be bold and fearless in the face of opposition. May we be generous.