Counterfeit Thrones

By Danny Saavedra

“Nathan said, ‘Have you, my lord the king, declared that Adonijah shall be king after you, and that he will sit on your throne? Today he has gone down and sacrificed great numbers of cattle, fattened calves and sheep. He has invited all the king’s sons, the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest, and right now they are eating and drinking with him and saying, “Long live King Adonijah!” But me your servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon he did not invite. Is this something my lord the king has done without letting his servants know who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?’”—1 Kings 1:24–27 (NIV)

Growing up, one of my favorite movies was The Lion King. What an epic story packaged as a kid's cartoon movie! Do you remember the moment Scar takes over Pride Rock? He declares himself king, but deep down everyone knows: Scar isn’t the rightful ruler—despite what any prequel stories made in recent years would depict about Scar and Mufasa. The truth is that Scar’s throne is counterfeit . . . his authority propped up by manipulation, fear, and false acclaim.

That’s what’s happening here with Adonijah. While David is silent, Adonijah makes his move. He throws a massive feast, offers sacrifices, and invites all the right people . . . the powerful, the influential, the ones whose loyalty he needs to solidify his claim. And sure enough, they start chanting, “Long live King Adonijah!” On the surface, it looks like he’s won. But Nathan exposes the reality: This isn’t God’s king, and this isn’t God’s throne.

Notice Nathan’s strategy. He doesn’t storm in with accusations. He asks David a piercing question: “Have you, my lord the king, declared that Adonijah shall be king after you?” It’s brilliant. He forces David to face the contrast between what God promised and what’s happening. In other words: “Is this your will? Is this your plan? Because if it isn’t, you need to act before this false throne becomes permanent.”

Then Nathan points out the exclusions. Adonijah invited all the commanders, priests, and royal sons, but he didn’t invite Solomon, Zadok, Benaiah, or Nathan himself. Why? Because counterfeit kings always exclude the righteous. False thrones are built on compromise, corruption, and power plays. They only welcome voices that affirm their rebellion and silence the ones that stand with truth.

And guess what? This isn’t just ancient politics involving a proverbial game of thrones; it’s a spiritual pattern. The world is filled with Adonijahs—false kings demanding our allegiance. Sin sets itself up like a ruler in our lives, offering pleasure, but delivering destruction. Death feasts loudly, boasting of its power. Idols like money, power, sex, and success invite the crowds to their table, promising security and satisfaction, but all of them are counterfeit thrones. They look powerful and sound convincing, but none of them are God’s rightful king.

And this is where the gospel enters the scene . . .

God doesn’t leave His throne vacant. He has declared His King and installed His Son on Zion’s hill (Psalm 2:6). Jesus isn’t like Adonijah, grasping for power with manipulation. Like Solomon, He’s the promised Son, appointed by God the Father, vindicated by the resurrection, and given the name above every name.

Where Adonijah feasted in rebellion, Jesus was crowned through sacrifice.

Where Adonijah excluded the true heirs, Jesus invites the weak, the broken, and the outsiders to His table. At the counterfeit king’s banquet, only the powerful eat. At Christ’s table, sinners are welcomed by grace.

And that brings us to Nathan’s bold question, which still echoes today: “Is this something my lord the king has done?” Translation: Who really sits on the throne of your heart? Are you installing the counterfeit kings of this world on the throne, or are you surrendering and serving the rightful King, the faithful Son Jesus? Because one way or another, every heart enthrones something. The feast of Adonijah still goes on today. It’s loud, flashy, and seductive . . . but it doesn’t save, it won’t last, and it ends in ruin.

Here’s the hope: Unlike David, our God isn’t passive. He doesn’t sit idly by while false kings reign. In Christ, He’s already acted. He’s toppled sin and death, disarmed the rulers and authorities, and triumphed over them by the cross (Colossians 2:15). The resurrection declares once and for all: the true King lives, the true throne is secure, and every Adonijah of this world will fall.

So, the questions for us are simple:

Whose feast are we attending?

Whose throne are we bowing to?

Are we chanting “Long live King Adonijah” with the world, or are we bowing our knee and confessing now and forever that Christ Jesus, the name above all names, is our King?

Pause: Where are you tempted to follow counterfeit kings—idols, habits, or cultural voices—that promise life but can’t deliver?

Practice: This week, identify one “Adonijah” in your life and consciously reject its claim to rule you. Replace it with obedience to Christ in that area.

Pray: Heavenly Father, open my eyes to the counterfeit kings that clamor for my allegiance. Keep me from their tables and anchor my heart in the reign of Jesus, the true King who will never be dethroned. It’s in His mighty name, I pray. Amen.