In this sermon Two Men At An Altar, we read of the story in First Kings. David is now old and feeble, almost at the time of his death; Adonijah (his son) and Joab (his nephew) plot to set themselves up as the next rulers of the kingdom.

There is a LEGAL difference between these two men, but there is also a SPIRITUAL difference!

God sees the heart, and with foreknowledge of the situation, directs circumstances for our example. There is a similar difference in attitude between Adonijah and Joab. Joab is found merely BY the altar, and he DIES there!  Adonijah is found ON the altar, and he is SAVED there. It is possible to die within sight of the altar. To be on the altar would mean enduring the blood, the remains of the sacrifices, and most of all the continual heat from the coals ... but it was worth it to be saved!