What leadership qualities did Adonijah lack according to 1 Kings 1:5? Setting the Scene • David is aging, and the throne of Israel is soon to pass to Solomon (1 Chronicles 22:9-10). • Into this moment steps Adonijah, David’s fourth son, determined to seize the crown before God’s chosen successor is installed. The Verse at a Glance 1 Kings 1:5: “At that time Adonijah, the son of Haggith, exalted himself, saying, ‘I will be king!’ And he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, with fifty men to run before him.” Leadership Qualities Missing 1. Humility • “Adonijah… exalted himself.” • Scripture repeatedly teaches that genuine leaders wait for God to exalt them (Psalm 75:6-7; Matthew 23:12). 2. Submission to God’s Plan • God had already declared Solomon the heir (1 Chronicles 28:5-7). • Adonijah ignored divine revelation, choosing self-promotion over obedience (Proverbs 19:21). 3. Servant-Heartedness • He begins with a public display of power—chariots, horsemen, and an entourage—rather than service (cf. Mark 10:42-45). • True biblical leadership serves before it rules (1 Peter 5:2-3). 4. Patience and Trust • David was still alive, yet Adonijah pushed ahead. • A godly leader waits on the Lord’s timing (Psalm 27:14). 5. Wise Counsel • The verse hints at isolation—he prepares “for himself.” • Later verses show he surrounded himself with flatterers (1 Kings 1:7-8). • Proverbs 15:22: “Plans fail for lack of counsel.” 6. Integrity of Motive • His first recorded words: “I will be king!”—a self-focused ambition. • Compare with Solomon’s request for wisdom to serve God’s people (1 Kings 3:7-9). Takeaways for Today • Godly leadership starts with humility and submission to God’s revealed will. • Ambition without alignment to Scripture leads to downfall (Proverbs 16:18). • Waiting on God’s timing, seeking counsel, and serving others are non-negotiable traits for any leader who desires God’s blessing. |
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