The Return on Presumption

Synopsis     1Kings 1:40-51     2/21/2019 

The people of Jerusalem rejoiced with shouts and singing. The entire city received the news of Solomon’s anointing with excitement and enthusiasm.  

From Adonijah’s feast, the guests heard the noise. Among these was Joab. And so, Joab wondered out loud what was causing the uproar in the city.  

About this time, Abiathar’s son Jonathan arrived at the feast. And he immediately reported the news that Solomon had been made king at David’s command.  

The members of Adonijah’s feast were terrified. No one wanted to be associated with a rebellion. So, each went immediately away from the feast and returned to their homes. But Adonijah went to the tabernacle and clung to the horns of the altar. He was afraid that Solomon would kill him because he had presumed to appoint himself king.  

Adonijah’s Return on Presumption 

Adonijah’s actions had a certain defensibility. Everyone involved in the crowning of Adonijah could plausibly claim they were only doing what they thought was best.  

For example, they could argue that Adonijah was the first-born surviving son – so who else would anyone expect to be king. And they could argue that King David was too old or infirm to make a good decision. Or they could explain that they were only following the lead of Joab. Or the lead of Abiathar. 

And all of these explanations might seem plausibly appropriate. What’s more, they could even be true. And for that matter, these explanations almost certainly helped Adonijah’s various supporters avoid full responsibility for their actions.  

But the unavoidable truth is that none of these bothered to ask David. None of these people respected David’s authority.

And so, even if they enjoyed plausible innocence, they didn’t gain a return on their investment. Their individual presumption reduced their personal effectiveness and endangered their careers and even their lives. 

The Return on Presumption 

There’s an expression: “It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask permission.” And it’s true. It is easier; in exactly the same way that it’s easier to make a poor investment than a wise one.

So, when I presume on those who have some form of authority over me, I make myself into either a naïve messenger, or a sophisticated liar. And neither will be trusted or tolerated forever. 

“But if a prophet presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded, or speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.” Deut 18:20