1 Kings 1

CHAPTER 1

Adonijah Sets Himself Up as King (1:1–27)

1–4 In these verses, the writer describes David’s physical condition as he was reaching the end of his life. He was hardly able to keep warm² much less take an active role in ruling Israel. It’s no wonder that Adonijah began to think about seizing David’s throne (verse 5).

5–8 Adonijah was David’s eldest living son (2 Samuel 3:4) and no doubt felt entitled to succeed David as king. But at the sametime, hemust have known that David—and the Lord—had chosen Solomon to be the next king (see 2 Samuel 12:24–25; 1 Chronicles 22:9–10). Nonetheless at an opportune time,takingadvantage of David’s age and Solomon’s youth, Adonijah decided to make himself king. First he began acting like a king (verse 5), as his older brother Absalom had done (2 Samuel 15:1). Davidnever interfered (verse6), onceagain neglecting the discipline of his children.

Adonijah won the support of Joab, David’s chief commander; though Joab was loyal to David, his loyalty did not extend to Solomon. Abiathar the priest also sided with Adonijah (1 Samuel 22:20; 23:6; 2 Samuel 8:17). But the other leading priest, Zadok (2 Samuel 8:17), did not join with Adonijah, nor did the commander of David’s bodyguard, Benaiah (2 Samuel 8:18; 23:20–23). Nathan the prophet, who had played such an important role in David’s life (2 Samuel 7:1–17; 12:1–14), also refused to join Adonijah; Nathan knew that God had chosen Solomon because God had told Nathan to give him a special name, Jedidiah, which means "loved by the Lord” (see 2 Samuel 12:24–25 and comment). Finally, David’s special guard refused to join Adonijah; the guard consisted of David’s mighty men (2 Samuel 23:8–39), in addition to David’s personal bodyguard, the Kerethites and Pelethites (2 Samue l8:18), who later accompanied Solomon when he was anointed king (verse 38).

9–14 Meanwhile, Adonijah publicly sacrificed a large number of animals, a signal that he was proclaiming himself king (verse 9). When Nathan heard about it he knew that Solomon’s life would be in danger (verse 12); in ancient times when a new king took power, he customarily eliminated all possible rivals. Nathan knew that David had sworn to Bathsheba that her son Solomon would be the next king, so he told Bathsheba to go to David and ask him to fulfill his sworn promise. There was no time to lose; only David’s decisive action could prevent Adonijah from becoming king.

15–21 Bathsheba went to David and asked him to act on his promise to make Solomon king.³ She said that Adonijah had already proclaimed himself king without David’s knowledge; if David did not officially choose his successor, she and Solomon would be treated as criminals (verse 21); they would be either banished or executed by Adonijah.

22–27 As planned, Nathan came to David while Bathsheba was still speaking. He reaffirmed what Bathsheba had been saying. Nathan was more indirect in his speech: he wondered whether David had chosen Adonijah without telling his most trusted advisors (verse 27). Nathan’s intent, of course, was to spur David to action.

David Makes Solomon King (1:28–53)

28–31 Nathan’s plan worked. David immediately swore another oath (verse 29) that he would fulfill his first oath to make Solomon king (verse 30). Bathsheba responded with a standard expression of gratitude reserved for royalty: "May the king live forever” (verse 31).

32–37 David then instructed his trusted advisors to anoint Solomon king. Solomon was to ride on David’s own mule; in this way the people would see that David had chosen Solomon to become king over Israel and Judah⁴ (verse 35).

38–40 David’s instructions were carried out at once. Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the sacred tent⁵ and anointed⁶ Solomon king (verse 39). When the ordinary people of Jerusalem saw Solomon on David’s mule and learned that he had been anointed king, they shouted with joy (verse 40).

41–48 The shouting of the people of Jerusalem was so loud that Adonijah and his supporters heard it; they were just outside the city wall. Adonijah probably thought the people were cheering for him. But Abiathar’s son Jonathan (2 Samuel 15:36) brought Adonijah the bad news: Solomon had been made king. And on his bed David was praising the Lord for fulfilling His promise to establish David’s offspring on the throne—the offspring of God’s own choice (2 Samuel 7:12).

49–53 When they heard the news, all of Adonijah’s supporters rose in alarm and dispersed (verse 49). They didn’t want to be seen siding with Adonijah, now that his cause had been lost. For his part, Adonijah was sure Solomon would put him to death for trying to usurp David’s throne—just as Adonijah would have put Solomon to death if the situation had been reversed! So Adonijah went and took hold of the horns of the altar (verse 50), hoping this would protect him from being executed.⁷

When Solomon heard that Adonijah had sought protection at the altar, he said that if Adonijah proved to be worthy (verse 52)that is, loyal to Solomon—he would not be put to death. With that assurance, Adonijah agreed to leave the altar and submit to Solomon’s rule (verse 53).