Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2004 Nativity Fast
Hieromartyr Eleutherios, Bishop of Illyria
Kellia: 1 Kings 1:15-25, 32-40 Epistle: Hebrews 5:11-6:8 Gospel: St. Luke 21:5-7, 10-11, 20-24
3 Kings 1:15-25, 32-40 LXX (1 Kings MT), especially vss. 34, 35: "...let Zadok the priest and Nathan the
prophet anoint him to be king over Israel, and do ye sound the trumpet, and ye shall say, Let king Solomon live. And he
shall sit upon my throne, and reign in my stead: and I have given charge that he should be for a prince over Israel and
Judah." The transfer of government in a nation can become a season of uncertainty or even of outright civil war unless
succession is provided for lawfully and firmly. King David of Israel reigned well for many years. However, even during
his monarchy he had to face the issue of succession. Once he was challenged as ruler by his son, the popular Prince
Absalom (2 Kngs 13-18 LXX).
The present passage reveals that once again in his old age the issue of succession was forced upon King David by the self-assertion of yet another of his sons, "Adonijah the son of Haggith" (3 Kngs. 1:5 LXX). In the face of this challenge, David
showed once more that he was a wise ruler and a man of God. He immediately appointed his son, Solomon to the throne of
Israel after him, the son whom God Himself would confirm as a worthy King (3 Kngs. 3:5-14).
The truth of the matter is that during all of David's lifetime, succession to the throne of Israel was a continuing issue.
From the day that Samuel obeyed God's command to anoint David (1 Kngs.16:1-13 LXX), the young shepherd had the
reality of the crown set squarely before him. Yet, when he had opportunity to murder the reigning king and to advance his
own career toward the monarchy, he refused, recognizing the primacy of God in controlling the royal succession (1 Kngs.
24 LXX). Further, when opportunities came to assume the throne, he submitted to God's leading in each instance (see 2
Kngs. 2:1; 5:3 LXX). And even when his own son rose up against him, he rested the matter of the throne before God (2
Kngs. 15:24-29 LXX).
Hence, this present reading sets clearly before prayerful Christians the issue of succession in our own lives. What is it truly
that we wish to pass on to our children and their generations after us? Each of us rules at this moment over some
household, a tiny "kingdom," perhaps a company or group of businesses, or some amount of tangible wealth. For the
majority of us, probably, the most that we have is a home, vehicles, and a few other possessions, but wealthy or poor, the
most important inheritance we pass on to those who shall succeed us is the standing of our household with God (2 Kngs
23:5).
May we be as blessed as we come to life's end as was David, King of Israel. In his last words he declared that "the Mighty
One: for he has made an everlasting covenant with me, ready, guarded at every time; for all my salvation and all my desire
is, that the wicked should not flourish." (2 Kngs 23:5 LXX). Here is the point: when the standing of his household before
God was challenged, when Adonijah "exalted himself, saying, 'I will be king'" (3 Kngs. 1:5 LXX), David acted "that the
wicked should not flourish." He guided the succession and assured that the wise and godly Solomon would reign in his
stead (3 Kngs. 1:32-35 LXX).
Beloved of the Lord, let David's example guide us in our households. First, we must place primary emphasis on
submission to the Lord and to His will, always teaching our children to do the same. Second, at all times let us demonstrate
in our speaking and acting that we are submitted to God. Third, let us exert all our powers to thwart the personal ambition
of any in our family who desire to exalt themselves and control others, and fourth, let us heed the cautions of those of our
household who are governed by these same principles.
Put far from our home, O Lord, every root of bitterness, the desire of vainglory, and the pride of life: fill us with love, faith,
virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, and godliness.
