Friday, May 11, 2012 - Goodness triumphs over evil

Friday, May 11, 2012 - Goodness triumphs over evil

In today's reading, we witness the final days of David's reign and
life and the rise of his son Solomon to the throne. In David's last
days, his physical health has deteriorated to the point that his
servants provide him with a young woman to care for him and keep him
warm (not for intimate purposes). While David is in this fragile weak
state, Israel becomes concerned about who their king will be when
David passes away. David's son Adonijah takes full advantage of this
situation and attempts a coup, declaring himself king behind David's
back. Adonijah's plans are thwarted when his actions are divulged to
David through the prophet Nathan and Solomon's mother Bathsheba.
Nathan and Bathsheba also remind David that Solomon is to be king. In
response, David has Zadok the priest, anoint Solomon king. Solomon's
anointed kingship and Adonijah's attempted coup is a classic example
of good versus evil. In the end, good prevails.

Below, I've listed a few points in this story that illustrate good's
greatness over evil:

1) Evil is selfish. Good is selfless.
-Adonijah's attempted kingship is based on self-interests, the desire
for power. Even Adonijah's followers are focused on their own
potential power. This fact becomes apparent when Adonijah's followers
disperse at the news of Solomon's anointed kingship. Knowing full well
they were in the wrong, Adonijah and his followers did not want to be
caught in their sins so they scattered.
-Solomon's kingship is obedient to David's anointing and more
importantly, submissive to God. In David's last words to Solomon, he
said, "So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the LORD your
God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and
commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do
this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go and
that the LORD may keep his promise to me: 'If your descendants watch
how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their
heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne
of Israel.'" (1 Kings 2:3-4)

2) Evil fears good.
-Not only did Adonijah and his followers scatter at the news of
Solomon's kingship, but Adonijah made a point to show his submission
to Solomon by going before him and bowing down. Solomon showed God's
mercy and allowed Adonijah to live.

3) Good is exalted. Evil is crushed.
-God exalted Solomon in the eyes of Israel like no king had ever been
elevated before. In David's last prophecy (2 Samuel 23:1-7), he said:
"The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse,
the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High,
the man anointed by the God of Jacob,
the hero of Israel's songs:
"The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me;
his word was on my tongue.
The God of Israel spoke,
the Rock of Israel said to me:
'When one rules over people in righteousness,
when he rules in the fear of God,
he is like the light of morning at sunrise
on a cloudless morning,
like the brightness after rain
that brings grass from the earth.'
"If my house were not right with God,
surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant,
arranged and secured in every part;
surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation
and grant me my every desire.
But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns,
which are not gathered with the hand.
Whoever touches thorns
uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear;
they are burned up where they lie."

Even greater than King Solomon's triumph and exaltation in the sight
of Israel was King Jesus' eternal triumph over evil at the cross and
His exaltation to the right hand of God. No evil can overthrow the
throne of King Jesus. Let's live today knowing God's victory over
evil. Let's live in the peace and joy of God's goodness and love, for
in Christ Jesus, we have already won.

God Bless,
Anthony