God’s Story... For My Life
Adonijah Claims the Throne
Read 1 Kings 1:5-6
About that time David’s son Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, began boasting, “I will make myself king.” So he provided himself with chariots and charioteers and recruited fifty men to run in front of him. Now his father, King David, had never disciplined him at any time, even by asking, “Why are you doing that?” Adonijah had been born next after Absalom, and he was very handsome.
(1 Kings 1:5-6)
Reflect
David was used by God to lead a nation. Nevertheless, he had problems in managing his own family. Because David had never even questioned his son, Adonijah did not know how to work within limits. He always wanted his own way, regardless of God’s wishes.
God-fearing leaders cannot take for granted the spiritual well-being of their children. Character takes years to build, requiring attentive and patient discipline. An undisciplined child may look cute to his or her parents, but an undisciplined adult destroys himself and others. By setting limits for your children, you make it possible for them to develop the self-restraint they will need in order to control themselves later.
Respond
Don’t let your service to God, even in leadership positions, take up so much of your time and energy that you neglect your other God-given responsibilities for your family. Discipline your children carefully while they are young, so that they will grow into self-disciplined adults (Proverbs 22:6).