1 Kings 1:11–12: “So Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, ‘Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king, and David our lord does not know it? Come, please, let me now give you advice, that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon.’”

July 4th, 2023 by Pastor Ed in devotional

Nathan was the prophet God had sent to confront King David when he committed  adultery with Bathsheba. And here, years later, at a very critical time for the nation of Israel, Nathan was again called into service by the Lord. David was approaching the end of his life, and his son, Adonijah, jumped at the opportunity to claim the throne for himself.

But it was David’s second son with Bathesheba, Solomon, who was to reign after David. So the prophet Nathan acted quickly, directing Bathsheba to go to David and tell him that Adonijah had proclaimed himself king. Nathan then followed her and confirmed her words to David. Nathan was careful to warn Bathsheba of her own peril. In the ancient mid-east, potential claimants to the throne and their families were put to death.

This was a strange twist in the road of life for this prophet. Nathan was sent to the same woman he had confronted David about, but this time to save her and her son Solomon. This man of God, who had brought a message of judgment, now brought mercy and grace. Nathan had correctly foretold that because of David’s sin, “the sword [would] never depart from” his family, but here God sent Nathan to soften the blow of that very prophecy. Under the blessing of God, David and Bathsheba’s son, Solomon, would reign as Israel’s king. The God of justice is the very same God of blessing. How we need to stay close to the Lord as we travel through this journey called life.

“LORD, please give us mercy, forgiveness, and grace this day.”