THE RIGHTFUL SUCCESSOR

David opened his eyes to find one of his servants staring at him. He rolled on his back and let out a deep sigh.

“How did my lord the king sleep?”

“Your lord didn’t sleep much at all last night. Is it too much to ask for a fire in this room? I was too cold again.”

The servant came over and pulled the blankets up to David’s chin. “Perhaps more blankets would help.”

David pushed the blankets off. “NO! I can hardly breathe with the blankets I have now. There must be a better way for me to keep warm.”

“Would the king prefer to have one of his wives, or a concubine, perhaps, share the bed with him?”

“Maybe…no, that won’t work. They’ll expect sex from me. I can’t…I’m too old for that now. Besides, the last thing I need is another successor to the throne. I guess I’m just waiting to die.”

“A virgin, then, we’ll search all Israel to find a suitable young woman to care for the king and keep him warm at night.”

David looked at his servant, then nodded. “Let’s try that.”

****

A knock on the door got David’s attention. A servant stuck his head in. “Bathsheba requests the king’s time.”

David stuck an arm up. “Help me sit up, Abby.” David steadied himself on the edge of his bed. “Let her in.”

Bathsheba floated across the room as only she could. Her gaze was fixed on Abishag.

David quenched a smile. “What would the most beautiful woman of God’s chosen people like from the king?”

Bathsheba raised her chin and faced David. Her eyes never left the young woman next to him. She bowed low. “Didn’t my lord the king promise his servant that our son, Solomon, would sit on the throne after him? Perhaps you don’t know this, but, Adonijah has assembled most of Israel to himself. Indeed, General Joab, the priest Abiathar and all but Solomon have joined him at En Rogel to pronounce him the next king. The whole nation is waiting to see how you’ll respond to this instance. If you do nothing Solomon and I will likely not survive after you die.”

Another knock disturbed the conversation. “Nathan would like to see you, Sir.”

David held Bathsheba’s hand. “Let me talk to Nathan. Everything will be all right.”

David watched her walk out and studied the face of Nathan as he approached.

Nathan bowed low. “Has my king set up Adonijah as his successor? He’s sacrificing many animals in front of Joab and Abiathar, as well as all of your sons, but Solomon. They’re feasting and yelling, ‘long live King Adonijah!’ Zadok, Benaiah, Solomon and I are about the only ones not invited to this event. Did you decide this without letting us know about it?”

David leaned over and made eye contact with his servant at the door. “Show Bathsheba back in here.”

When she stood next to Nathan David nodded. “Nathan, you and Zadok take Solomon on my mule to Gihon and anoint him King of Israel. Bring him back here and have him seated on my throne. He shall indeed be the next king as the LORD has established.”

Bathsheba bowed on her knees. “May King David live forever.”

****

As David felt his strength waning he called King Solomon into his bedroom. “My son, you have a most difficult task before you now. The leader of God’s chosen nation has a high price to pay. Much is demanded of you. Do your best to follow the LORD with your whole heart and soul. When you do He will be faithful to fulfill His promise to me that there will always be a son to sit on that throne.”

Solomon bowed and kissed David’s hand. “I will do my best, father.”

****

Passing a legacy on is one thing. Ensuring that legacy is continued requires a lot more purpose.

King David left quite the legacy in his wake. The leader who finally rid the promised land of its inhabitants almost blew his opportunity to successfully pass his throne on to the rightful king in his place.

Perhaps David felt his intentions had been know to enough people that Solomon would be seated on the throne after his death. Unfortunately his other sons had aspirations of their own. Adonijah attempted to take advantage of his dad’s weakened state to try a takeover of power on his own, and he came close to succeeding.

While David ranked high on being a king he scored pretty low in the dad category. Passing on his love for God was a place he blew it.

Solomon, even with all his wisdom, didn’t come close to being a man after God’s own heart like David was. Why? Because David didn’t spend the necessary time with his heir to the throne required to catch this legacy in his lifetime.

What legacy are you leaving for your offspring?

It’s not too late to change it to one closer to being a person after God’s own heart. Then spend the time and purposeful effort to pass on this legacy of love for God you want them to have after you’re gone.

Don’t assume taking them to church once a week will be enough for them. An hour or so each week isn’t enough time to pull them away from the influences they face on a daily basis the rest of the week.

If they don’t see you living out a daily, intentional walk with God through Jesus they’ll never know how to do it on their own.

Be thoughtful and intentional in what you show your kids and others around you.

If you’ve blown it up till now make the necessary changes to fix it. The new direction will be noticed and will make an impact.

You can’t control how well your offspring will live their lives, but you can control how strongly you finish your race.

Finish well, my friend.

I’ll see you later.   Wade