The Sons Of Zadok

by D. Smith, Lerwick | Category: General | Oct 1968

Zadok and Abiathar were the priests who featured most prominently in Israel during the days of David. Abiathar had come to David in the cave, having escaped from the city of Nob when Doeg the Edomite, acting on king Saul's instruction, slew eighty-five priests of the LORD (1 Samuel 22.18). But it was not till after Saul's death that Zadok, "a young man mighty of valour" (1 Chronicles 12.28), came to David in Hebron with twenty-two captains of his father's house. When the son of Jesse finally ascended the throne it was these two men whom he appointed to bear the responsibility for the service of God in connexion with the sanctuary, and when the ark was brought up from the house of Obed-edom to Jerusalem, it was Zadok and Abiathar whom David called to head the joyous procession.

Both men were faithful to the king even when Absalom stole the hearts of Israel and rebelled against his father, forcing David to leave Jerusalem, and pass over the brook Kidron. Zadok and all the Levites followed him, "bearing the ark of the covenant of God"; and Abiathar also went up with them. No doubt David's response to their devotion was prompted by his recollection of the sad disaster that followed the removal of the ark from Shiloh by the foolish sons of Eli. He said unto Zadok, "Carry back the ark of God into the city ... Art thou not a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you ..." (2 Samuel 15.25-27). It is good to see the sons of faithful men following at the heels of their fathers.

Despite all that took place during those bitter days of revolt, these two priests remained loyal to David, and Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok, was among those who carried the king tidings of how the Lord had avenged him of his enemies, so that David, when he saw him coming, could say, "He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings". When Absalom was dead and the rebellion had been quelled, it was to Zadok and Abiathar that David sent, saying, "Speak to the elders of Judah, saying, Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house?" (2 Samuel 19.11).

Faithfully they carried out the king's request, and the men of Judah readily replied, "Return thou and all thy servants". So once again the throne of Israel was restored to its rightful occupant and the man after God's own heart was once more at the head of government. Among those whom the king honoured with his confidence were Zadok and Abiathar to act as priests of the Lord.

As David neared the end of his days, another significant crisis arose in the kingdom, a crisis which was to divide those two stalwarts and their respective generations for ever, for the king's son, Adonijah, had fallen into the snare of the devil in that he exalted himself, saying, "I will be king". Among those who, without insight into the divine purpose, gave their support to the young usurper, was Abiathar, but it stands to the credit of Zadok that he was "not with Adonijah" (1 Kings 1.8). It is sad when disloyalty to the Lord divides brethren after many years of fellowship together, when the faithful are carried away with the error of the wicked.

Solomon, not Adonijah, was the rightful heir to the throne the kingdom "was his from the Lord" (1 Kings 2.15). So it was' he whom Zadok was commissioned by David to anoint at Gihon as king over Israel. The honour was given to Zadok to pour oil upon the head of God's chosen king. Solomon was not unmindful of the constant loyalty displayed by Zadok, who might well have defected for personal advantage. When the king ascended the throne and formed his cabinet of ministers, then "Zadok the priest did the king put in the room of Abiathar" (1 Kings 235) Surely if Solomon the son of David so honoured the faithfulness of a' faithful man, will not He who is greater than. Solomon (Matthew 12A2) give honour to all who have stood by Him during His rejection by the world! In the day when He takes His rightful place on the throne of David, and reigns from "sea to sea, and from the River unto the ends of the earth" (Psalm 72.8), then will the promise be fulfilled, "If we endure with Him, we shall also reign with Him" (2 Timothy 2.12). "He that overcometh, and he that keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give authority over the nations" (Revelation 2.26).

Spiritual features, like natural features, are often reflected in people from generation to generation, and so it was with the children of Zadok. As Zadok had been a faithful man, so were his sons, even when Israel had passed the zenith of spiritual greatness, and through sin and rebellion had forfeited the glory she so fully enjoyed under David and Solomon. The priests and Levites had gone astray from the LORD, yet the sons of Zadok "went not astray" (Ezekiel 48.11), but faithfully kept the charge of God's sanctuary. Because they were faithful when unfaithfulness was popular in Israel, God has reserved a very special and honourable place of service for them in the millennial temple, for "they shall come near to Me to minister unto Me; and they shall stand before Me. ... They shall enter into My sanctuary, and they shall come near to My table, to minister unto Me, and they shall keep My charge" (Ezekiel 44.15,16).

To keep the charge of God's sanctuary in dark days of declension is a difficult and arduous experience; to be associated with a small thing, and at the Lord's command to move contrary to the fashion of the world, requires great faith and much resolve of heart. But God has said, "Them that honour Me I will honour" (1 Samuel 2.30), and He will not fail to reward the faithful of every age, who, in face of bitter opposition and grievous discouragement, have stood firmly for Him.

God has in mind a place of high service for those who, in this present "evil and adulterous generation", endeavour to hold fast the pattern of sound words, and diligently strive to keep the charge of His sanctuary. For the service associated with God's house today, although perhaps much despised by men, is exceeding precious to God, who requires that we should be faithful, "stedfast, unmoveable".

Though the world despise us, and though fellow-believers should be carried away from us, forsaking the Lord and turning away their ears from the truth, yet are we charged to guard that which is committed unto us. "For yet a very little while, He that cometh shall come, and shall not tarry" (Hebrews 10.37), as Himself has said, "Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me" (Revelation 22.12).

D. Smith, Lerwick | Oct 1968
General