Thoughts on the Death of David
Part 1: Treason
by Douglas W. Phillips, Esq., July 18, 2004
After more than a year of studies in my local church on the life of David, we came this last weekend to the death of David. I preached for 90 minutes on I Kings 1,2 and 1 Chronicles 22, 23, 27 and 28, in a message titled: Farewell Beloved Patriarch: King David Goes Out in A Sullied, But Nonetheless in a Victorious Blaze of Glory. The following are some thoughts developed based on the study and the message:
In the twilight of his life, with just weeks before his death, a bedridden and decrepit King David faced one of the greatest trials of his life: Treason.
At stake was David’s life mission and his dream. After forty years of reigning as king, everything came down to two issues: First, would he fulfill his duty to prepare a covenant keeping heir to the promises of God. This heir was destined to be both king of Israel and a progenitor in the line of the Messiah. Second, would David make provision for, prepare, and install the man as king who was chosen by God to complete the Holy Temple of Jerusalem. David, the man after God’s own heart, had been denied this blessing because he was a man of blood and war.
Everything was in place. The heir had been declared. Vision had been cast. Preparations had been made. But the very signal that David was ready to pass the torch — his rapid physiological decline unto death — was a sign to those unscrupulous within his inner circle to take advantage of the king’s decline to make a move for power.
David’s son, Adonijah, saw his father’s weakness as an opportunity to seize the crown. He called for and rallied other malcontents within David’s kingdom, hired a public relations team, blasted his own trumpet, and found some official looking people to declare himself king.
Strategic Differences or Wicked Rebellion
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. — 2 Timothy 3:1
Traitors view their own treason as a mere strategic difference. “We are all reasonable men,” declares the traitor, “we just have strategic differences in how to advance the kingdom.” Thus, “strategic differences,” or even “philosophical differences” become the justification for dishonor, rebellion, and subterfuge. Christians should be able to demonstrate charity one towards another even with respect to genuine strategic and philosophical differences which are within the camp of orthodoxy, but no quarter should be give to dishonor, rebellion and subterfuge. These are sins of the heart that threaten to bring down Christian culture and community. They are not only perverse, they are strangely infectious, which is why they are so thoroughly excoriated in Scripture.
Patricide is the worst form of rebellion. Patricide is the opposite of patriarchy. Patriarchy is the biblical doctrine of multi-generational faithfulness. Patricide is the act of killing our fathers. Patricide takes many forms. It need not manifest itself in the actual physical execution of a father. If a son seeks to wipe out or usurp the legacy of his father, his actions are patricidal. Similarly, where men turn violently against their earthly fathers, spiritual fathers, or even those Founding Fathers who purchased the present generation’s freedom with the blood of the past, they are not only ungrateful, they are patricidal.
Adonijah was not only traitorous, he was patricidal. His actions would have the net effect of wiping out his father’s authority, legacy and dream. Oh, he would be ever so slick in his approach of course. Adonijah was a master at invoking his father’s name when it was convenient (“...look at me, the true heir to David’s throne.”), but distancing himself from his father’s authority when it was not.
Adonijah could offer numerous plausible justifications for treason against his own father: After all, he was the elder brother, not Solomon. By right the throne should go to the elder. David’s favoritism for Solomon should not be taken that seriously. David was old and not in a position to make the best judgment for the kingdom. Also typical of traitors, Adonijah had a form of godliness. He was handsome and winsome, and he knew it. People naturally gravitated to him. Perhaps he was a better communicator than Solomon. All of this combined meant he would have the heart of the people and could thus usher in a season of victorious peace. In sum, Adonijah had effectively persuaded himself and others that he was the rightful, natural, and appropriate successor to the crown.
Treason Hurts
Treason is always painful, especially when it comes from someone you loved, cherished, and nurtured. But rather than becoming bitter at traitors, the servant of God must recognize that God will not leave them unpunished. More importantly, the Christian must realize that he has no right to be spared what God did not spare to his only begotten Son — the presence of traitors.I am grateful that God spared David the horror of seeing a fourth son (after Amnon, Chileab and Absalom) go down to the grave. I am equally grateful for both the wisdom and restraint of Solomon (who was less than 20 years old) at this time. Solomon was merciful to Adonijah during the life of his father. After being anointed king, Solomon called for his half-brother Adonijah and granted him a conditional amnesty: If Adonijah would return to his house, and if no more rebellion be found in his heart, he would not die. This was more than generous. It was also wise. It demonstrated concern for the tender heart of his father David, and it gave Adonijah a second chance to prove himself honorable or traitorous.
Like all unrepentant traitors, Adonijah could not deny his true nature. After the death of King David, Adonijah again used subtlety to disgrace his father and possibly to launch yet another plot to seize power. Using Bathsheba as bait, Adonijah requested that King David’s latest concubine/wife be given to him to wed, an action specifically forbidden as incest under the laws of Leviticus, and sanctioned with the death penalty. Like his older brother Absalom, who disgraced himself with his father’s wives, Adonijah wanted to place himself on par with the former king. Solomon’s response was decisive and appropriate — Adonijah was executed.
Treason in 21st Century Christians
At the beginning of the 21st century several key national ministries experienced Adonijah-like treason. In each case, a man or woman who had been given opportunity and mentored by the organizations’ founder, turned on their spiritual fathers in an attempt to seize power. In each case, the results were spiritual bloodshed, broken hearts, and confusion.
I have thought of King David often as I have watched a spirit of dishonor and treason spread throughout our culture: Children seek to destroy their parents; Servants turning on masters for personal gain. Men no longer comprehend the concept of treason, because they have never been taught honor, loyalty, fidelity.
On incident in particular comes to mind: I was attending the funeral of a beloved Christian leader. Like King David, this leader would spent the last weeks of his life grieving in bed because a man he had mentored and treated as a son was taking advantage of his weakness by staging a coup d’etat, to wrest the leadership of the ministry from the appointed heir. The justification — you guessed it: “strategic differences.” As with Adonijah’s revolt, this coup d’etat failed and the rightful heir was installed. Like Adonijah, mercy was shown to the usurper, but also like Adonijah, the usurper would continue to reveal himself after the death of the leader. (In this case, he first did so by declaring the death of the Temple building work his spiritual mentor had created. Next, he was self-appointed heir to the new-improved temple building process.) As one might expect, the bankrupt morality which led to treason also lead to a bankrupt theology. A man’s morality often dictates his theology.
Do Traitors Prosper?
From man’s perspective treason unopposed is remarkably discouraging. There are times that we do see haughty and high-minded traitors prosper, redefine the issues and re-write the history books to cover their sins and switch the terms of debate. Sir John Harrington (1561-1612) explained the phenomenon this way: “Treason doth never prosper, what’s the reason? For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
The lesson of Scripture is this: While there is pleasure in sin for a season, be sure your sins will find you out. Those who live by the sword will die by the sword, and those who ascend to power through treason, will meet their own end the same way. Few sins are as odious as a servant seizing his master’s kingdom, or a son violating his father, or a people who turn against the spiritual fathers whose blood bought them freedom. God will not be mocked.
How Not to Be a Traitor
In light of the above, I would like to take the liberty to offer some very practical thoughts on “how not to be a traitor.”
First, genuinely honor those who have invested in your life or who are in a position of authority over you. To honor them means that you reverence them deeply in your heart, and that your actions are a reflection of this reverence.
Second, let your heart be full of gratitude for those imperfect, but God appointed authorities whom the Lord God has given to you. It is impossible to be truly grateful and treasonable at the same time.
Third, always seek the best interests of those in positions of authority over you, especially fathers and mothers. Through your words, deeds, and actions, seek to make them successful.
Fourth, it is better to waive your rights and walk away from opportunity than to act against the lawful and jurisdictional interests of an authority. God knows your needs and desires. He will provide.
Fifth, work through chain of command. This shows respect and honor. Never, ever adopt an “ends justifies the means” mentality. Equate pragmatic thinking with infidelity, because the two are one and the same.
Sixth, when you are troubled by an authority, be upfront, honest and make appeals. Approach fathers and other leaders with a spirit of humility and charity.
Seventh, study the lives and consequences of famous traitors in the Bible and history. This will serve as an ever present warning against the temptation in your own heart.
Eight, don’t hang around or associate with other traitors. They will corrupt your thinking, your resolve, and in the end, you will be half the man you are now.
Nine, in matters of succession, opportunity, and finances, keep in mind that the issue is never how much you know, what a better job you would do for the business/family/local church/kingdom than the individual appointed by those in authority — the issue is submitting to the will of God and His choice.
Tenth, never justify a rebellious and self-serving attitude as a “strategic difference.”
Finally, if you have committed treason, repent.