1 Kings 1:1-53
Welcome to the first book of Kings! In 1 Samuel 8, the prophet Samuel spoke to the tribes of Israel about the downfalls of electing a king. God had established a relationship with the tribes in which He was their only leader. But the tribes of Israel asked for a man king. God warned of the hazards of having a human king but they insisted. In God's system, they would rely only on Him to provide and protect. It would have greatly benefited the tribes to choose God as God's reign is omnipotent, omniscient, selfless and consistent. Under the reign of a human king, however, the tribes of Israel would be subject to the whims, desires, moods and mistakes of the man in power. The tribes ignored God's cautioning because they wanted to be like the nations around them.
In the previous books, we saw the reign of Saul and the reign of David juxtaposed. Everything God warned of happened. Saul had many faults, David had few. Neither compared to the heavenly Kingship. But David loved God and ultimately that remained the foundation of his reign. As we begin this new book, we see that David is now an elderly man. The tribes of Israel need a new king and this is where 1 Kings begins.
1:1-4 David is an old man and his servants notice his advanced age pulling some of the life out of him. David is always cold and needs constant care. The servants decide to hire a young woman to be his caretaker (specifically a virgin, but she and David will not have a relationship). The young woman's name is Abishag and she's described as lovely.
1:5-6 David's son with Haggith, Adonijah, declares that he will succeed his father as king. Adonijah is Absalom's younger brother and he's as handsome as Absalom was. Adonijah begins to gather men to make his declaration official, specifically Joab and Abiathar the priest.
7:7-8 Adonijah has the support of some of the most powerful men. But not the support of all of them, and certainly not God's. Zadok the priest, Benaiah, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei and more of David's "mighty men" were loyal to David and not yet another king. For these men understood that David's position as king was granted by God; any man following David would need that same anointing from Him.
7:7-8 Adonijah has the support of some of the most powerful men. But not the support of all of them, and certainly not God's. Zadok the priest, Benaiah, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei and more of David's "mighty men" were loyal to David and not yet another king. For these men understood that David's position as king was granted by God; any man following David would need that same anointing from Him.
1:9-10 Adonijah begins to celebrate; he gathers all of his supporters and his brothers to sacrifice to God. But there are two issues: one, his brother Solomon was notably uninvited (as well as all of David's loyal men). Two, Adonijah's sacrifices to God are meaningless; he never sought God's permission or direction to become king. He just plans to assume the position.
David has always been a humble man and king. He began his life as a shepherd from a modest family and he retained that humility throughout his life. But David's sons were born into royalty and raised within it. Most of David's sons are prideful and overconfident, to the point of arrogance. David raised a kingdom obedient to God's will, and in its current state of obedience to God, it would only receive a king who was worthy of maintain the same. Those most loyal to God and to David understood this but Adonijah did not.
David has always been a humble man and king. He began his life as a shepherd from a modest family and he retained that humility throughout his life. But David's sons were born into royalty and raised within it. Most of David's sons are prideful and overconfident, to the point of arrogance. David raised a kingdom obedient to God's will, and in its current state of obedience to God, it would only receive a king who was worthy of maintain the same. Those most loyal to God and to David understood this but Adonijah did not.
1:11-14 The prophet Nathan, who has previously served as David's anchor in storms of drama and wavering faith, sends Bathsheba to reveal Adonijah's plans. Nathan tells Bathsheba to remind David that their son Solomon was promised to succeed him as king. We learn that Solomon is chosen by God in 1 Chronicles 28.
Solomon was born in 2 Samuel 12:24-25 and it is in that chapter that we first learn of God's affection for Solomon. At birth, before birth, God knows the nature of our souls, Ephesians 1:4. Like his father, God knew that Solomon would make a righteous (even if imperfect) king. Solomon will not be perfect; David is not perfect but it serves as a reminder to us that God loves us fiercely even through our imperfection. He claims a righteous heart (and all of the baggage and mess that comes with it). And that is precisely the difference between Solomon and Adonijah. Both are imperfect but only one has a righteous heart.
Solomon was born in 2 Samuel 12:24-25 and it is in that chapter that we first learn of God's affection for Solomon. At birth, before birth, God knows the nature of our souls, Ephesians 1:4. Like his father, God knew that Solomon would make a righteous (even if imperfect) king. Solomon will not be perfect; David is not perfect but it serves as a reminder to us that God loves us fiercely even through our imperfection. He claims a righteous heart (and all of the baggage and mess that comes with it). And that is precisely the difference between Solomon and Adonijah. Both are imperfect but only one has a righteous heart.
1:15-16 Bathsheba visits David with her message and he is attentive.
1:17-21 She explains Adonijahs plans and her fear that after David dies, nothing will stop him from taking the throne from Solomon. And indeed it does rightfully belong to Solomon. Although he is not the eldest or described as the most handsome, he is chosen by God. True and pure faith would trust that God can and will arrange the circumstances of Solomon's reign but in the midst of the drama and chaos, Bathsheba panics that Adonijah will succeed in thwarted God's will. It is a reminder to us that when we are in the midst of drama and chaos, we can trust God to intricately orchestrate His will into our lives, heal our wounds, restore our paths, establish and secure our rightful places.
1:22-27 The prophet Nathan enters and affirms everything Bathsheba has told David: Adonijah has made his declaration official and only few question or doubt it. In fact, his claim as king seems so imminent that Nathan wonders if David truly had appointed Adonijah.
1:28-30 David is earnest in reassuring Bathsheba that Solomon will be king after him. The honesty and confidence of this declaration exists because of David's faith and submission to God. God has chosen Solomon and David will not act against God will. More than David, David knows that it would be useless to try (even if we wanted to).
1:31 Bathsheba is so relieved that she bows to the ground with gratitude for David's statement. David and Bathsheba have a difficult history together and it comforts her that their (second) and living son will not suffer because of their mistakes. In fact, he will thrive by the love of God despite his parents' mistakes.
1:32-35 Zadok and Nathan are instructed by David to officially declare Solomon king. From atop David's mule and David's throne, all of the tribes of Israel and Judah will see that Solomon has been chosen.
1:36-37 David's men are relieved. Their assignment will assure Solomon as king and they are genuinely pleased about it. Likely these men have known the sons of David and find Solomon to be the most fit to be king. Like his father, Solomon does not assert himself over the kingship. Other people panic - his mother, David's men - but Solomon does not; he does not lust for the throne.
1:38-40 So David's men bring Solomon to Gihon and follow his instructions. The people of Israel and Judah understood the declaration of Solomon as their new king and begin to celebrate.
1:41-42 Meanwhile, Adonijah and his supporters are eating when they begin to hear cheering.
1:43-48 Adonijah learns that his younger brother Solomon has been declared king by David and has received the emphatic support of the people. He also learns of David's joy to be alive long enough to see his son's coronation.
1:49 Adonijah's party quickly breaks up; his supporters return home as their support of him would now be open rebellion.
1:50-51 Adonijah becomes afraid of Solomon; he begs his brother not to kill him.
1:52-53 Solomon has no intention of killing his brother. As he would promise any man, Solomon explains that if his brother is a good man he will live and not be harmed but if he is a wicked man he will die. Solomon sends his brother home in peace. This is Solomon's first, at least recorded, decision as king. Solomon is known for his wisdom and discernment and from his first words we can understand why. He is a humble and just man.
1:31 Bathsheba is so relieved that she bows to the ground with gratitude for David's statement. David and Bathsheba have a difficult history together and it comforts her that their (second) and living son will not suffer because of their mistakes. In fact, he will thrive by the love of God despite his parents' mistakes.
1:32-35 Zadok and Nathan are instructed by David to officially declare Solomon king. From atop David's mule and David's throne, all of the tribes of Israel and Judah will see that Solomon has been chosen.
1:36-37 David's men are relieved. Their assignment will assure Solomon as king and they are genuinely pleased about it. Likely these men have known the sons of David and find Solomon to be the most fit to be king. Like his father, Solomon does not assert himself over the kingship. Other people panic - his mother, David's men - but Solomon does not; he does not lust for the throne.
1:38-40 So David's men bring Solomon to Gihon and follow his instructions. The people of Israel and Judah understood the declaration of Solomon as their new king and begin to celebrate.
1:41-42 Meanwhile, Adonijah and his supporters are eating when they begin to hear cheering.
1:43-48 Adonijah learns that his younger brother Solomon has been declared king by David and has received the emphatic support of the people. He also learns of David's joy to be alive long enough to see his son's coronation.
1:49 Adonijah's party quickly breaks up; his supporters return home as their support of him would now be open rebellion.
1:50-51 Adonijah becomes afraid of Solomon; he begs his brother not to kill him.
1:52-53 Solomon has no intention of killing his brother. As he would promise any man, Solomon explains that if his brother is a good man he will live and not be harmed but if he is a wicked man he will die. Solomon sends his brother home in peace. This is Solomon's first, at least recorded, decision as king. Solomon is known for his wisdom and discernment and from his first words we can understand why. He is a humble and just man.
