“But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.” — 1 Kings 1:10
“Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.” — Exodus 32:26
In both passages, a line was drawn. In Exodus 32, Israel was divided between those who followed the golden calf and those who stood with the Lord. Moses called for a decision, and the Levites separated themselves unto God. In 1 Kings 1, Adonijah gathered a crowd to support his self-exalting rebellion, but he deliberately excluded Nathan, Benaiah, and Solomon because they stood for God’s will.
The lesson is clear: when God’s truth is at stake, neutrality is impossible. There will always be a crowd following self-will and a remnant standing with the Lord. God’s people must decide where they stand.
Joshua — Joshua 24:15
“Choose you this day whom ye will serve…” Joshua drew a line and declared: “but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” While many were tempted to follow the gods of the nations, Joshua publicly identified himself with the Lord.
The Twelve and the Departing Multitude — John 6:66-69
After Jesus’ hard sayings, many disciples walked away: “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” Jesus asked the twelve if they would leave also. Peter answered: “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” The crowd departed, but a faithful remnant remained.
The question Moses asked still echoes today: “Who is on the LORD’S side?”
The majority is not always right. The crowd is not always with God. Whether in Moses’ day, Adonijah’s rebellion, Joshua’s generation, or Christ’s ministry, God honors those who are willing to stand with Him even when they stand apart from the crowd.