1 Kings 1 Study Notes

1:22-25 Nathan then came and reinforced the points Bathsheba had made to the king.

1:26-28 Nathan tactfully hinted at the danger to himself, Bathsheba, and David’s loyal officials by revealing that David’s inner circle had not been invited to the unofficial coronation. This cast them as outsiders, a dangerous place to be during a regime change.

Bathsheba had to be called in despite the fact that she was already in the king’s bedroom with David when Nathan entered (v. 22). Readers may think the text is inconsistent here because it seems to forget that Bathsheba was already present. But we must remember that Hebrew narrative is often very spare, leaving out details that can be implied from context. In this case readers should conclude that sometime after v. 22 Bathsheba had temporarily left the king’s room, appropriately giving Nathan private audience with his king.

1:29-32 David responded with the orders that legitimized Solomon’s succession. Benaiah seemed to be the leader of the Cherethites and the Pelethites. In the absence of any tribal levies, they were the dominant military force in the city.

1:33 The mule was the traditional mount of honor for that time. In an earlier age, the donkey had played that role, a custom still remembered as late as Zch 9:9. To ride the king’s mule was to claim the throne. The Gihon spring was an ancient, revered, and necessary source of water for Jerusalem. Later it was the source of water for King Hezekiah’s tunnel. Choosing it for the site of Solomon’s coronation indicated that it carried special significance and authority for the people of Jerusalem just as Adonijah’s selection of En-rogel recognized the significance of that site (v. 9).

1:34 The proper religious personnel were to anoint Solomon. This was done by the king’s command and in the presence of the king’s private army. These facts were sufficient for the people of Jerusalem to choose Solomon over Adonijah.

1:35-37 The last word is given by Benaiah who would be head of the army.

1:38 The Cherethites and the Pelethites were, formerly, Philistine mercenaries, personally loyal to David, and by this time, presumably converted to faith in the Lord. They formed David’s personal bodyguard and were effective infantry. The probable reason why David’s infantry could defeat Aramean chariots (2Sm 8:3-4), a rare skill for infantry, was the presence of these skilled Philistines.

1:39-40 The people who followed with rejoicing were probably the classes that benefited from several of the new ways that were emerging in the kingdom (see note at vv. 1-53). Both for good and for ill, Solomon’s rule would enhance these new ways.

1:41 The conflicting coronations were occurring within five hundred yards of each other, the distance between Gihon and En-rogel. Imagine the uneasiness when Adonijah’s group heard the noise of Solomon’s coronation.

1:42-46 All ceremonies for enthroning Solomon had been accomplished. Only major force could have reversed these actions. Adonijah’s followers were not ready to battle for Jerusalem, especially since David had spoken and was still alive.

1:47-48 These two speeches were not merely friendly sentiments. First, they represented David’s will. Then, repeated and recorded, they confirmed the new king in the same way that the public oath of office legitimizes an office holder in our time.

1:49 With the people of Jerusalem accepting Solomon’s coronation, and Adonijah’s followers having no stomach for fighting the Cherethites and the Pelethites, Adonijah’s coup had failed.

1:50 Adonijah’s failure was obvious when he took refuge at the altar, near the tabernacle. In popular attitudes of the day, such sanctuary may have involved magical protection rather than moral principle (see note at 2:30-34). The altar was the most sacred object outside the tabernacle proper, and over time, the horns became the most representative part of the altar.

1:51-53 Adonijah was temporarily given pardon.