EXPLOSIVE SOUND OF REJOICING
Then Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, along with the Cherethites and Pelethites, went down and set Solomon on King David’s mule, and they escorted him to Gihon. Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the ram’s horn, and all the people proclaimed, “Long live King Solomon!” All the people followed him, playing flutes and rejoicingH8056 with such a great joyH8057 that the earth was split by the sound. . . Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon,and they have gone up from there with rejoicingH8056 that rings out in the city. That is the noise you hear.
1 Kings 1:38-40, 45
David’s son Adonijah had presumptuously proclaimed himself king of Israel while David lay on his deathbed. He falsely assumed David was now powerless. Nathan the prophet discovered this and had Bathsheba remind David of his vow to make Solomon his successor. David instructed Nathan, Zadok the priest, and Benaiah to put Solomon atop the king’s mule, take him to Gihon, and anoint him as king. Zadok anointed Solomon as king then blew the ram’s horn to announce the news. The people shouted, “Long live King Solomon”. Their rejoicing and praise for God’s provision of the new king was so loud it could be heard for miles. Meanwhile, Adonijah had been celebrating the fact that he usurped the throne when the party was interrupted by a clamorous noise. He was informed that the sound he heard was the rejoicing of the people over Solomon’s coronation. Struck with fear of being executed by Solomon, Adonijah ran to the altar for sanctuary. Solomon graciously spared his life.
We find over and over that God’s chosen people, the Israelites, celebrated with boisterous joy. Here they celebrated the Lord’s provision of a new king to reign when David dies. Their joy is so unrestrained that the noise seems to “split the earth!” Clearly, the people recognized Solomon not only as David’s choice of successor but God’s choice as well. Have you ever experienced God working in your life to the point that your joy could not be contained? Do you long to see God move in such a way that people spontaneously burst out in celebration of Him? To be honest, I (Susie), often fear what people might think if I were extremely demonstrative in worship. I find myself holding back. Yet, as we study joy, I am finding that it is not only okay, but wonderful to fully express joy in the Lord! I (Susan) believe the Lord desires us to have the personal engagement of His presence through rejoicing in His goodness. Because we are created in God’s image, we should be the embodiment of the Fruit of the Spirit, including effervescent joy.
Father, may we become more comfortable with expressing our joy in You. You are our Creator, Savior, Sustainer, AND the source of our joy. May our joy be complete in You and may our rejoicing overflow as a testimony to Your goodness!