Self Exaltation

June 16th, 2025
by Jon Holaday

1 Kings 1:5 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king”; and he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. 6 (And his father had not rebuked him at any time by saying, “Why have you done so?”

David is old and will soon pass away. He had several sons, his firstborn being Adonijah. His name means, my LORD is Yahweh. However, this wasn't God's plan or selection. Davids son exalted himself, felt entitled. He prepares to lead over Davids kingdom and prepare to party! Notice, David is not passed yet and had not given his blessing upon Adonijah. I seen this in our movement of Calvary Chapel as Chuck Smith, not even passed yet, his son in law Brian assuming the reigns of ministry. It sounds right after all, he was associate pastor of Costa Mesa. However, this was not the case. Chuck always desired there to be a council of men who would bring Calvary Chapel into the future. I don't believe there is another man who can replace Pastor Chuck. Adonijah, and Brian, should have thought about this before exalting themselves. To this Day, CCA is carrying the torch of Calvary Chapel that Chuck taught us. We are holding to the word of God and loving the people of God. We never fault a brother for their desire to lead or walk faithfully by the Spirit. We don't exalt ourselves. We let the Spirit determine who and how He wants to lead. That is biblical leadership. Today, there is two different directions, two factions called Calvary Chapel, but only one is moving forward in the proven paths laid down by our founder, Chuck Smith. One is going a different direction, which is fine, but just not of our distinctions. God bless the Brians of the church. Yet may the Brians also allow God to bless them by not exalting themselves. Adonijah, like Brian, will learn a very hard lesson about self Exaltation. Men wont follow this kind of leadership. Gods people must have a servant leader who is clearly exalted by the Spirit of God. We as Calvary Chapel have a plethora of great Spirit filled and lead men who serve as Jesus serves and leads because God is doing a work. They don't coast off another mans hard work and service. This is a rare thing in our churches but it does happen. Don't be an Adonijah but be a Solomon.