5 Smooth Stones

between how lion prides are ruled and the way ancient kings ruled. For one thing when a lion supplants an older lion and takes over his dominion, he will also take all of the previous reigning lion’s lionesses. Likewise, ancient kings often would inherit the harems of their predecessor as a token of their new rulership and dominion. Absalom did this: 2 Samuel 16:20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give advice as to what we should do." 21 And Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Go in to your father's concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong." 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. Knowing this, imagine Solomon’s surprise when Adonijah a tt empted to strengthen his hand against Solomon by requesting king David’s youngest wife, Abishag, through his mother Bathsheba. Solomon was not deceived by this and recognized it for what it was, a breach of his elder brother’s commitment to remain loyal to Solomon’s rulership. Solomon replied to his mother’s inquiry on behalf of Adonijah by saying, “You might as well request the kingdom for him - after all, he is my older brother” (1 Kings 2:22). Solomon rightly saw Adonijah’s desire to marry Abishag as part of his brother’s ongoing scheme to usurp the kingdom of Israel and therefore Solomon had him executed for treason (1 Kings 2:23) . Solomon discerned the betrayal with Adonijah and circumvented the take-over. Jesus discerned the betrayal with Judas, and allowed satan’s plan to be carried out so that a higher plan could be instituted. As David nearly lost his kingdom through the betrayal of Absalom, Jesus secured His kingdom in spite of the betrayal of Judas. There are pitfalls in any ministry. The Absalom test that comes through someone who has been placed into authority but uses that authority to draw others after themselves can be particularly damaging to a ministry. Any ministry can face this, and as I have said pastors are vulnerable, and but apostles are especially vulnerable to this test. Often when a person is called to go to a higher level in the apostolic, this test will be released. One should not over react, but the wisdom of Solomon is available to discern and even avert this before it can take root, and it is possible for those in delegated authority to also recognize the test and not allow themselves to fall into the trap of Absalom.

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