It's an election year.  Are you going to vote?  Let's all write in me - oh, I'm still too young yet!

When King David was old, one of his sons, Adonijah, set himself up as successor.  He invited the army commander Joab and the priest Abaithar.  Adonijah was "a very handsome man, and he was born next after Absalom."  He seemed like he should be the next king.  Joab seemed eager to support him; he had been the one to kill Absalom for his rebellion and Joab also seemed to resent David's apparent loyalty to his son rather than to his loving and loyal men.  But Adonijah did not consult the Lord.

Nathan the prophet advised Bathsheba about the plot of Adonijah and advised her to remind David that Solomon was God's choice to be the next king.  They formally anointed Solomon king, invoking God's name and will.  Upon hearing of those facts, all of Adonijah's celebrating guests and entourage "trembled and rose, and each went his own way.  And Adonijah feared Solomon."

I hope that we would not focus so much on the appearances and ceremony of it all so much as seek God's will.  He is the One to be consulted, asked, sought, and feared.  A lot of people will offer other choices that seem superior to what God has commanded.  Which will we choose?  God has something good in mind.

from 1 Kings 1