What does Adonijah's action teach about repentance and seeking God's mercy? Setting the Scene – 1 Kings 1:50 “ But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, got up and went to take hold of the horns of the altar.” Why Adonijah Grabbed the Altar • He had just tried to steal the throne; judgment was deserved. • The altar stood in the tabernacle precincts as Israel’s visible symbol of atonement. • “Horns” were the strongest, highest points—grasping them meant appealing for mercy (cf. Exodus 27:2; 30:10). • By custom, a fugitive could claim temporary sanctuary there while his case was heard (Exodus 21:14). What the Altar Signifies • Place of substitutionary sacrifice—sin covered by innocent blood (Leviticus 17:11). • Picture of God’s own “horn of salvation” (Psalm 18:2; Luke 1:69). • Foreshadowing of the cross of Christ, where justice and mercy meet (Hebrews 10:19–22). Clues About Repentance in Adonijah’s Gesture 1. Recognition of guilt – he ran because conscience awakened. 2. Fear of righteous judgment – “in fear of Solomon.” Healthy fear is often step one (Proverbs 9:10). 3. Public humility – leaving royal trappings, he clung as a desperate sinner. 4. Appeal to covenant mercy – the only safe ground is God-ordained atonement. 5. Conditional pardon – Solomon said, “If he is worthy, not a hair of his head will fall” (1 Kings 1:52). Mercy is offered, yet future obedience must confirm sincerity. Lessons for Our Own Hearts • God provides a refuge; we must run to it, not from it (Hebrews 4:16). • External acts alone do not save. True repentance bears fruit (Matthew 3:8). • Mercy flows from the rightful King. Submitting to Solomon pointed to submitting to Christ (Acts 2:36–38). • Delay is dangerous. Adonijah escaped that day, yet lingering rebellion later cost his life (1 Kings 2:23–25). • Confession plus forsaking brings lasting pardon (Proverbs 28:13). True vs. False Repentance—A Quick Contrast • Brokenness vs. mere panic (Psalm 51:17). • Turning from sin vs. plotting next opportunity (Adonijah’s request for Abishag). • Trusting God’s character vs. manipulating religious symbols. • Ongoing obedience vs. momentary promise. Connecting Scriptures • Luke 18:13 – the tax collector “beat his breast” and went home justified. • Hebrews 6:18 – we “flee for refuge to take hold of the hope set before us.” • 1 John 1:9 – confession brings cleansing because the sacrifice has been made. Calling It Home Like Adonijah, we stand condemned by our own self-exaltation. Our only hope is to grasp—by faith—the greater altar of Calvary, submit to the greater Son of David, and live out genuine, ongoing repentance that proves mercy has indeed reached our hearts. |
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