How does 1 Kings 2:16 demonstrate the importance of seeking wise counsel? Setting the Scene—1 Kings 2:16 “ ‘So now I would ask one request of you; do not deny me.’ ‘State your request,’ she told him.” (1 Kings 2:16) Key Observations • Adonijah recognizes he cannot approach King Solomon directly and turns to Bathsheba for help. • The verse captures the moment he seeks a mediator—an act that looks like counsel-seeking but lacks genuine wisdom. • Bathsheba’s reply, “State your request,” shows she is open to listening, modeling a readiness to consider counsel carefully. What Adonijah Gets Right • He admits a need: “I would ask one request.” Acknowledging limitation is the first step toward counsel (cf. Proverbs 12:15). • He approaches someone with influence. Scripture commends seeking guidance from those positioned to help (Exodus 18:13-24). What Adonijah Gets Dangerously Wrong • Motive over wisdom. His aim is self-advancement—asking for Abishag, David’s concubine (1 Kings 2:17). Culturally, that request implied a claim to the throne; any wise adviser would have warned against it (2 Samuel 3:7-10). • Wrong source. Instead of consulting Nathan the prophet or the priestly counsel, he chooses a sympathetic ear he thinks he can manipulate. Psalm 1:1 warns against “the counsel of the wicked.” • No submission to God’s will. Proverbs 3:5-6 calls us to trust the Lord, not our schemes. Adonijah relies on strategy, not divine direction. Why the Verse Highlights the Need for Wise Counsel 1. Recognition alone is not enough—discernment must follow. 2. Seeking counsel for selfish ends can be more dangerous than seeking none. 3. True wisdom safeguards us from unseen consequences—Solomon interprets the request as treason and orders Adonijah’s death (1 Kings 2:22-25). 4. Bathsheba’s pause—“State your request”—illustrates the value of hearing a matter fully before acting (Proverbs 18:13). Biblical Principles on Counsel • “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22) • “For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.” (Proverbs 11:14) • “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault.” (James 1:5) Take-Home Applications • Examine motives before seeking advice. Are we pursuing God’s glory or personal gain? • Choose counselors who fear the Lord and understand His Word. • Be willing to hear counsel that contradicts personal desires; obedience may spare us from disastrous outcomes. • Pray for discernment, then weigh advice against Scripture—our ultimate, infallible guide. Putting It into Practice • Identify one mature believer you can approach this week for perspective on a current decision. • Compare all counsel received with clear biblical teaching. • Commit to obeying God even when wise counsel challenges your preferred path. |
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