ODM Daily Inspirational Devotional Messages Bible Verse and Prayers ODM
DCLM Daily Manna
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Peril of Inordinate Ambition
KEY VERSE
“Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him” (1 Kings 1:5).
Bible Reading:
1 Kings 1:1-13 (KJV)
1 Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat.
2 Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat.
3 So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.
4 And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.
5 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.
6 And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom.
7 And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him.
8 But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.
9 And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by Enrogel, and called all his brethren the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah the king’s servants:
10 But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.
11 Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not?
12 Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon.
13 Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign?
MESSAGE
Dwight Lyman Moody, an American evangelist, in one of his sermons, stated, “Satan rules all men that are in his kingdom. Some he rules through lust. Some he rules through covetousness. Some he rules through appetite. Some he rules by their temper, but he rules them. And none will ever seek to be delivered until they get their eyes open and see that they have been taken captive.”
From our text, Adonijah, the fourth son of David, after Amnon, Chileab and Absalom, was caught in the web of ungodly ambition. Amnon, the first son, who had an unholy affair with his sister, Tamar, had already been killed, while Absalom, the third son, who staged a coup against his father, was also killed.
Nothing was known of Chileab, David’s second son, born to him by Abigail, widow of Nabal the Carmelite. Adonijah, who wanted to become king instead of Solomon, was the oldest son still alive. Therefore, Adonijah thought he would be the next king, after his father, David, who was very old. He made plans towards achieving his course. He knew his father would soon die, and he got the support of Joab, David’s military commander, and Abiathar the priest to make him king. But Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah and David’s bodyguards refused to support him. Adonijah still went ahead with his selfish ambition, planning a ceremony where he would declare himself the new king. Nobody can run faster than God. Adonijah’s inordinate ambition led to his premature death. Solomon did not even fight for the fulfilment of God’s promise that he would succeed his father.
Whatever God has ordained for you must come to pass, the machinations of enemies notwithstanding. He knows how to thwart the conspiracy of darkness against your job, business, promotion and family. Pray and trust God. Be it further noted that a child of God must never resort to self-management and carnal display in governing his or her affairs. Once in Christ, we are to trust Him with our entire life span, confident that He who saved us knows what is best for us in time and eternity. Your lot, therefore, is to simply trust Him to the uttermost.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Ungodly ambition is a gilded misery
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Leviticus 25-27
COMMENTARY
1. The Nature of Inordinate Ambition – Adonijah’s ambition was not godly; it was self-serving. He exalted himself and sought to take the throne without God’s approval. Inordinate ambition is driven by pride, selfishness, and a desire for power at any cost. It leads to manipulation, conspiracy, and ultimately destruction.
2. The Danger of Unchecked Desires – David never restrained Adonijah, and this lack of discipline contributed to his downfall. Unchecked desires grow into dangerous ambitions. Parents and leaders must not overlook warning signs. Discipline and correction are acts of love that can prevent ruin.
3. God’s Sovereignty Over Human Plans – Adonijah prepared chariots, horsemen, and supporters, but his plans could not override God’s decree. Solomon was chosen by God to be king. No amount of human scheming can thwart God’s purposes. Believers can rest in the confidence that God’s will prevails.
4. The Futility of Self-Promotion – Adonijah’s self-exaltation led to his premature death. Those who seek to promote themselves will be humbled (Proverbs 16:18). True promotion comes from God. Believers must trust Him rather than resorting to carnal methods.
5. The DCLM Ministry’s Call to Humility and Trust – The Deeper Christian Life Ministry emphasizes humility and trust in God’s sovereignty. Pastor Kumuyi teaches that believers must not scheme or manipulate but trust God for promotion and provision. The Daily Manna devotional calls readers to surrender their ambitions to God.
About DCLM and Daily Manna
The Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) was founded in 1973 by Pastor Dr. W.F. Kumuyi. From a small Bible study of 15 students in Lagos, it has grown into a global ministry with churches across Nigeria, Africa, and beyond. The ministry emphasizes holiness, prayer, Bible study, and trusting God’s timing and purposes.
DCLM Daily Manna is a daily devotional written by Pastor Kumuyi. Each edition provides Scripture reading, exposition, and practical application to guide believers in their daily walk with God. The devotional consistently calls readers to avoid ungodly ambition and trust in God’s sovereignty.
Prayer Reflection
Lord, search my heart and reveal any inordinate ambition. Forgive me for any self-promotion or scheming. Help me to trust Your timing and Your plans for my life. I surrender my ambitions to You. Let me be content with what You have ordained for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
