Lastest and Leastest

Reflections on 1 Kings 1:41-53

While Solomon was being anointed and led back to the throne in the city accompanied by a growing, noisy, and festive crowd, Adonijah dallied at the party he had thrown at En Rogel Spring.

ANXIOUS. Adonijah and his guests were just finishing their feast when they heard the trumpets in the city and the noise of the crowds. Joab, always on guard, immediately asked, "What's the meaning of all the noise in the city?"

ABANDONED. Just at that moment, Jonathan arrived with news from the city. Adonijah was hoping for good news, but Jonathan announced that Solomon had already ascended the throne and that the whole city was rejoicing with him. Adonijah's supporters at the feast, insignificant compared to the population of the city, fled the feast in fear for their lives.

ALARMED. In fear of his life, Adonijah fled to the altar (perhaps the altar in Gibeon, but more likely one that had been built in Jerusalem (see 2 Samuel 6:17 and 24:25) where he sought refuge and pardon. Solomon sent for Adonijah when he learned where he was, but Adonijah refused to come until he had been promised safety. Only then did Adonijah leave the altar and go to the throne. He was the last to reach it, and he came, not as king, but as supplicant without even one person supporting him.

Solomon arrived at the throne firstest with the mostest; Adonijah arrived lastest with the leastest.