A Loyal Priest
Zadok (1) and Abiathar serve David as priests. The two work together in support of him. During Absalom’s coup attempt, they both side with David.
The pair covertly work to send information about Absalom’s short-lived reign back to David’s camp through their sons.
This is not the case, however, when Adonijah tries to insert himself as his father’s successor.
Though Abiathar defects to align himself with Adonijah’s fleeting rebellion, Zadok does not. Zadok remains loyal to King David, along with Nathan the prophet and Benaiah, son of Jehoiada.
David quells Adonijah’s uprising by pronouncing Solomon as his official replacement and installing him as king. Solomon could have ordered Abiathar’s execution for supporting his half-brother’s rebellion, but he does not.
Though Solomon notes that the priest deserves to die, the wise king allows him to live because of his earlier service to David.
Solomon does, however, remove Abiathar as priest and sends him home to live. The king replaces him with the loyal Zadok.
Zadok proves himself as a worthy priest, in part for supporting David and Solomon as God’s appointed kings.
How supportive are we of our leaders?
Will others celebrate our loyalty?
[Read about Zadok in 1 Kings 1:5–45 and 1 Kings 2:35. Discover more in 2 Samuel 15:24–36.]
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More Old Testament Sinners and Saints is part of the Bible Character Sketches series.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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