2 Samuel 20:1-2
And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.  So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem.

That was the thing about being a king and a ruler.  There was always the threat that someone would come along and try to take that place for themselves.  There were those who wanted to hold that power and that honor.  So being king was a dangerous position to hold at times.  Not only were there battles to fight between kingdoms, but there was often betrayal among their own ranks.  So even if someone didn’t kill the king, they may at least try to steal the hearts of the people and draw them away to themselves.

That’s what happened to David more than once.  Some were willing to switch loyalties.  Some would betray or abandon or seek the throne in their own right.  But some were also faithful to the king.  Some held fast to David and stuck with him and would not imagine forsaking.  Maybe some stay out of duty, some for their own benefit and position, but maybe some also stay out of love and regard for the king and maybe even the God who put him on the throne.

Jesus is a King, and people do the same to Him, willing to switch sides or abandon His cause when something they think seems more promising comes along.  Satan tries to take Jesus’ rightful place.  He even tried to have Him killed, but Jesus’ reign is eternal.  And some will defect and seek after someone else, or even themselves, to be the ruler of their lives.  Some will refuse to have Christ, God’s chosen, to reign over them.  But others will be loyal.  Others will recognize His greatness and bow before Him and refuse to give that place of honor to any other.  Some will love Him so much that no one could draw them away for any reason.

So what kind of subject are we in the kingdom that God is building?  Are we willing to forsake the King and follow after another?  Is our loyalty fragile?  Do we waver in our commitment to Jesus?  Or are we part of those faithful ones that wouldn’t dream of leaving the King for any reason?  Have we devoted ourselves totally to be His servants and given our all to His cause?  It’s not an easy thing.  The enemies of our King will count us as enemies, too.  But may we be willing to cleave to Jesus even so.