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speak up

1 Kings 1:11-27 (JDV)

1 Kings 1:11 Then Nathan said to Bathsheba (Solomon’s mother) “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king and our lord David is not aware of it?
1 Kings 1:12 Now please come and let me advise you. Rescue your throat and the throat of your son Solomon.
1 Kings 1:13 Go, approach King David and say to him, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to your servant: Your son Solomon is to become king after me, and he is the one who is to sit on my throne? So why has Adonijah become king? ‘
1 Kings 1:14 At that moment, while you are still there speaking with the king, I’ll come in after you and confirm your words.”
1 Kings 1:15 So Bathsheba went to the king in his bedroom. Since the king was very old, Abishag the Shunammite was attending to him.
1 Kings 1:16 Bathsheba knelt low and paid homage to the king, and he asked, “What do you want?”
1 Kings 1:17 She replied, “My lord, you swore to your servant by Yahveh your God, ‘Your son Solomon is to become king after me, and he is the one who is to sit on my throne.’
1 Kings 1:18 Now look, Adonijah has become king. And, my lord the king, you were not aware of it.
1 Kings 1:19 He has lavishly sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep. He invited all the king’s sons, the priest Abiathar, and Joab the commander of the army, but he did not invite your servant Solomon.
1 Kings 1:20 Now, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you to tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.
1 Kings 1:21 Otherwise, when my lord the king rests with his fathers, I and my son Solomon will be regarded as criminals.”
1 Kings 1:22 At that moment, while she was still speaking with the king, the prophet Nathan arrived,
1 Kings 1:23 and it was announced to the king, “The prophet Nathan is here.” He came into the king’s presence and paid homage to him with his face to the ground.
1 Kings 1:24 “My lord the king,” Nathan said, “did you say, ‘Adonijah is to become king after me, and he is the one who is to sit on my throne’?
1 Kings 1:25 For today he went down and lavishly sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep. He invited all the sons of the king, the commanders of the army, and the priest Abiathar. And look! They’re eating and drinking in his presence, and they’re saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’
1 Kings 1:26 But he did not invite me — me, your servant — or the priest Zadok or Benaiah son of Jehoiada or your servant Solomon.
1 Kings 1:27 I’m certain my lord the king would not have let this happen without letting your servant know who will sit on my lord the king’s throne after him.”

speak up

Nathan and Bathsheba are appealing to David for their lives and the lives of others here, but they are also providing two witnesses to establish the truth of David’s promise. When faced with this obvious conspiracy, neither of these people can keep silent.

Times in our life will come which demand that we speak up to protect ourselves or those around us who are in danger. We are not guaranteed that our intercession will work. It may lead to our destruction. But we must speak out.