1 Kings 1 Real King
Will the real king, please stand up? David promised the throne to Solomon but Adonijah, his older brother, tries to take it for himself.
We are coming to the end of David’s life. There is something very important thing that he has to do before passing on. He has to appoint his successor. David had already made it clear, at least to those who cared to listen, that Solomon was to be his successor. But others had their own ideas. Adonijah was most likely David’s oldest surviving son, which would usually put him on the throne of his father. Adonijah convinced some of David’s leading men of the ‘correctness’ of his bid for the throne. HE appointed himself, and HE put together his own coronation.
GOD led David in who to put on the throne after him. David had asked to build a house for the Lord, but was told that one of his children would do that instead. The wording of the promise appears to point toward a child in David’s future. When Solomon was born, Nathan gave him a different name than his parents did. Nathan called him Jedediah, which means beloved of the Lord. This pointed to Solomon having a special place in life. David promises Bathsheba that Solomon would sit on his throne.
David waited until the mess was already made to put Solomon on the throne. But DAVID put Solomon there, as the Lord had commanded. Let’s rejoin our story and watch as the ‘tug of war’ emerges and is settled.
♥ ♦ ♥
David’s health is waning. He is nearing his 70th year of birth. Of all his health complaints, being cold all the time is the most troubling to him. It doesn’t matter how many layers of clothing he puts on; he can’t get warm. Water bottles and bed warmers do nothing for him either, as they cool down and he feels colder than before, as they seem to draw what little heat he has from him with their escaping heat.
One of his servants has an idea and presents it to David in the hearing of several others. “Let a young woman be sought for my lord the king, and let her wait on the king and be in his service. Let her lie in your arms, that my lord the king may be warm” (1 Kings 1:2b).
This idea has great merit to all who hear it. The search begins immediately. It takes a few weeks to complete, but results in success as Abishag the Shunammite is brought to David. She will tend David for the remainder of his life. There is nothing sexual in their relationship, but her being in the king’s bed marks her as special for the rest of her life.
Because of David’s failing health, the minds of men turn to who will be the next to sit on David’s throne. David knew in his heart all along that his son Solomon is to be his successor. God never specifically said Solomon would be king, but He made it clear in David’s heart. And David has communicated that desire to several people. Chief among those who know are Solomon, Bathsheba (Solomon’s mother), Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s mighty men. To any who cared to listen, it is no secret whom David chose as his successor, but some don’t hold David’s wishes as strongly as others.
One of those having trouble accepting David’s decision is his oldest surviving son, Adonijah. In all the other nations around Israel, the eldest son is the successor to the throne. And Adonijah wants that to be true in Israel too.
David has never denied Adonijah anything in his life. He feels entitled to anything he wants. And he WANTS to be king.
The more David’s health declines, the more proactive Adonijah becomes. His first mission on the path to becoming king is to provide himself with a ‘royal’ entourage. Chariots, horses, trained horsemen, and fifty runners to go before him will form his entourage. Next, he has to get supporters. And he knows just who to approach. Joab, the commander of David’s army, and Abiathar the priest. With the backing of the military and the Levites, he feels certain the people will follow him.
It’s time to act. Joab and Abiathar are on board with Adonijah’s plan. They help him at every turn. Now for the banquet and coronation.
Abiathar calls all his brothers, Joab, Abiathar, and all the royal officials of Judah together to celebrate his ascension to the throne. Those purposefully NOT invited are Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, David’s mighty men, and Solomon his brother.
Adonijah hosts his banquet near the Serpent’s stone. This is where he has Abiathar make a sacrifice of MANY sheep, cattle, and fatted cattle for his ascension and his guests to partake of. Food and wine flow like the Jordan river and the spirits of the guests are swept up in it. Soon the cries of “Long live King Adonijah” fill the hall and the night air surrounding the banquet.
Nathan the priest hears of Adonijah’s banquet and has to act fast if he is to preserve David’s wishes. He has no power of his own to stop Adonijah’s bid for the throne, but he knows who does; David. But he has to convince David to act without appearing like a ‘tattle-tale’. Nathan seeks out Bathsheba to help him convince David of the seriousness of the situation.
Nathan finds Bathsheba and sets out his concerns. “Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king and David our lord does not know it?…”
Bathsheba is shocked by this news. She knew nothing of this until now.
Nathan lays out his plan for her. “… Now therefore come, let me give you advice, that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. Go in at once to King David, and say to him, ‘Did you not, my lord the king, swear to your servant, saying, “Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne”? Why then is Adonijah king?’ Then while you are still speaking with the king, I also will come in after you and confirm your words” (1 Kings 1:11-14).
Bathsheba is up in an instant and making her way to David’s chambers. There is no time to waste, but she cannot come barging into his chambers at full speed. She stops at the door and composes herself, raps softly on the door, and enters. Abishag is ministering to David when she comes in. Fixing her eyes on David, Bathsheba walks to his bed and bows with her face to the ground.
David sees Bathsheba. She is still his favorite of all his wives. He recognizes her actions as those of a seeker of his assistance, so he asks her; “What do you desire?” (1 Kings 1:16b).
Bathsheba launches into her portion of Nathan’s plan. With all the fear she is truly feeling inside, she tells David of the situation. “My lord, you swore to your servant by the Lord your God, saying, ‘Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’ And now, behold, Adonijah is king, although you, my lord the king, do not know it. He has sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of the army, but Solomon your servant he has not invited. And now, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, to tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. Otherwise it will come to pass, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be counted offenders” (1 Kings 1:17-21).
David’s eyes go wide at her news. Before he even has a chance to respond, and while her words are still hanging in the air, Nathan the prophet comes in. He doesn’t approach the king yet. He waits to be announced. One of David’s servants does so.
“Here is Nathan the prophet” (1 Kings 1:23a).
David looks up and motions him toward his bed. At this point, Bathsheba is ushered out of the room. It is not acceptable for women to be involved in the affairs of men.
Nathan goes to David’s bedside and also bows his face to the ground. Nathan knows that his words cannot come off as a challenge but a question to David. For all he knows, David could have ordered this; but it is highly unlikely.
“My lord the king, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne’? For he has gone down this day and has sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king’s sons, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him, and saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ But me, your servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon he has not invited. Has this thing been brought about by my lord the king and you have not told your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?” (1 Kings 1:24-27).
David is livid. He knows that he has to act fast if he is to prevent this disaster. Solomon is indeed the one he has chosen to follow him on his throne. He KNOWS that this is God’s will and he has been preparing Solomon for this moment since his birth. Before he does anything else, need to reassure Bathsheba that he has not broken his promise to her.
“Call Bathsheba to me” (1 Kings 1:28b).
Bathsheba arrives and stands before David. With eyes full of compassion and promise, David answers her fears.
“As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my soul out of every adversity, 30 as I swore to you by the Lord, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,’ even so will I do this day” (1 Kings 1:29-30).
Bathsheba bows before David as her fear melts. She speaks to him the phrase expected and also desired by her; “May my lord King David live forever!” (1 Kings 1:31b).
David then turns to his servant who stands waiting. “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada” (1 Kings 1:32).
Nathan was already present but he waited until the other two men whom David had summoned stood beside him before approaching David. As soon as all three appeared at his bedside, David spoke his orders.
“Take with you the servants of your lord and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon. And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet there anoint him king over Israel. Then blow the trumpet and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ You shall then come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne, for he shall be king in my place. And I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah” (1 Kings 1:33-35).
All three men bowed before David. Benaiah spoke for all of them when he called out; “Amen! May the Lord, the God of my lord the king, say so. As the Lord has been with my lord the king, even so may he be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David” (1 Kings 1:36-37)
Nathan, Zadok, Benaiah, David’s mighty men, and all those who had followed David went together and crowned Solomon king of Israel. Solomon rode on David’s own donkey to Gihon. Zadok the priest anointed him with oil from the Tabernacle, and Nathan blew the trumpet. Then all the people shouted; “Long live King Solomon!” (1 Kings 1:39b).
The whole group started shouting, singing, and making music as they made their way back into Jerusalem. The people in the city joined in as Solomon rode through the gates.
The sound was so great that Adonijah’s party heard it from where they were. They were just finishing up their own celebration when the sounds of Jerusalem wafted into their banquet. From where they were, it wasn’t clear what was going on, but something was definitely up.
Joab was the first to notice it. “What does this uproar in the city mean?” (1 Kings 1:41b)
At that same moment, Jonathan, Abiathar’s son, came bursting into the room. Adonijah expected he was bringing good news.
“Come in, for you are a worthy man and bring good news” (1 Kings 1:42b), welcomed Adonijah.
Jonathan’s face should have given those in attendance a clue. His was a mask of fear, not favor. “No, for our lord King David has made Solomon king, and the king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites. And they had him ride on the king’s mule. And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon, and they have gone up from there rejoicing, so that the city is in an uproar. This is the noise that you have heard. Solomon sits on the royal throne. Moreover, the king’s servants came to congratulate our lord King David, saying, ‘May your God make the name of Solomon more famous than yours, and make his throne greater than your throne.’ And the king bowed himself on the bed. And the king also said, ‘Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who has granted someone to sit on my throne this day, my own eyes seeing it’” (1 Kings 1:43-48).
The fear that was on Jonathan’s face now colors the faces of all those present at Adonijah’s banquet. There was a mad scrambled as everyone rushed to leave. No one wanted to be identified as having supported Adonijah against David’s wishes. They all returned to their homes, while Adonijah ran for the Tabernacle of the Lord.
Adonijah grabbed hold of the horns of the alter where the sacrifices were made, believing himself safe here. He called to the priests ministering in the Tabernacle to send word to Solomon, pleading for his life.
The priest Adonijah sent stands before Solomon, bearing the message.
“Speak”, Solomon commands from the throne that once belonged to David.
“Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon, for behold, he has laid hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon swear to me first that he will not put his servant to death with the sword’” (1 Kings 1:51).
Solomon’s answered the priest. “If he will show himself a worthy man, not one of his hairs shall fall to the earth, but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die” (1 Kings 1:52).
The priest bows and takes Solomon’s answer back to Adonijah. Although Solomon’s answer was a conditional one, Adonijah agreed to accompany the priest back to Solomon. Upon entering the throne room, Adonijah bowed before Solomon and paid homage to him.
Solomon was satisfied with Adonijah’s respect and simply commanded him; “Go to your home” (1 Kings 1:53b).
Solomon was under no illusion that this would be the last of the matter, but for today, it was settled. David also considered this matter settled, but he had other matters to discuss with Solomon, now that he was actually king. But those too would wait for another day.
(to be continued)
I thought that God specifically stated to David that Solomon would be king when he wanted to build God a House, but He didn’t. This surprised me. Adonijah was a ‘spoiled brat’. David never once told him “no” about anything. But David taught Solomon wisdom from the Lord from the time he was little. Solomon is actually the only one of David’s children that we see who received this kind of teaching/training. I wonder why that is. David MUST have disciplined Solomon, for the proverbs written by him state “Spare the rod, spoil the child.” “Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is diligent to discipline them” (Proverbs 13:24). Maybe Solomon was the only one David TRULY loved. Or at least loved in this way.
God always finds a way to make HIS plans come through, no matter what man tries to do. His plans for our lives are just as sure. Sometimes they are a little vague, like David’s instructions regarding Solomon, but He speaks to our hearts when we listen. And He can even bring us back to His plans when we wander off on our own.
Father God, thank You for Your plans for my life. I don’t all know that Your plans entail, but I’m willing to do whatever You need of me. Keep me on Your path Father. And when I start to wander off, bring me back any way You see fit.
