1 Kings 1:11 Then Nathan said to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king and our lord David does not know it? 12 Now therefore come, let me give you advice, so that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. 13 Go in at once to King David, and say to him, ‘Did you not, my lord the king, swear to your servant, saying: Your son Solomon shall succeed me as king, and he shall sit on my throne? Why then is Adonijah king?’ 14 Then while you are still there speaking with the king, I will come in after you and confirm your words.”

In v.13 Bathsheba told David he had promised to make Solomon (her son) king – which was not true. But David was an old man and probably forgot many things (like I do!). So in v.14 when Nathan the prophet backed up what Bathsheba had told him, David assumed it was true. It was not.

It’s astounding how often trickery and deception are involved in the Old Testament, particularly as it relates to inheritance, birthright, or succession to a throne. On the one hand I think, “What the heck?”. On the other hand, this kind of scheming makes biblical characters more human to me. They were not pure as the driven snow any more than I am.

Lord forgive us our human foibles. By your grace restores us to right relationship with you, through Jesus Christ. Amen.