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From Eternity Past
The people had cherished the same sins that prompted David’s
action. As the Lord through Absalom’s sin visited judgment upon
David, so through David’s error He punished the sins of Israel.
The destroying angel had stood upon Mount Moriah, “in the thresh-
ing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.” Directed by the prophet, David went
to the mountain, “and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and
called upon the Lord; and He answered him from heaven by fire upon
the altar of burnt offering.” “So the Lord was entreated for the land,
and the plague was stayed from Israel.”
The spot upon which the altar was erected, henceforth ever to be
regarded as holy ground, was the place where Abraham had built the
altar to offer up his son, and was afterward chosen as the site of the
temple.
David had reached the age of threescore and ten. The hardships
and exposures of his early wanderings, his many wars, the afflictions
of later years had sapped the fountain of life. Feebleness and age,
with desire for seclusion, prevented a quick apprehension of what was
passing in the kingdom, and again rebellion sprang up in the very
shadow of the throne.
The one who now aspired to the throne was Adonijah, “a very
goodly man” in person and bearing, but unprincipled and reckless. In
his youth “his father had not displeased him at any time in saying,
Why hast thou done so?” In youth subjected to little restraint, he now
rebelled against the authority of God, who had appointed Solomon to
the throne.
[545]
Solomon was better qualified than his elder brother; yet although
the choice of God had been clearly indicated, Adonijah did not fail to
find sympathizers. Joab, heretofore loyal to the throne, now joined the
conspiracy against Solomon, as did Abiathar the priest.
The rebellion was ripe. The conspirators had assembled at a great
feast to proclaim Adonijah king, when their plans were thwarted by the
prompt action of Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Bathsheba
the mother of Solomon. They represented the state of affairs to the
king, reminding him of the divine direction that Solomon should
succeed to the throne. David at once abdicated in favor of Solomon,
who was immediately anointed and proclaimed king. The conspiracy
was crushed.