1 Kings 1
McGeeCHAPTER 1THEME: Adonijah’s abortive coup; Solomon anointed kingThe Books of Kings continue the narrative that was begun in the Books of Samuel. In this first chapter David is a senile old man. One of his sons, Adonijah, attempts to seize the throne. David, aroused by Nathan and Bathsheba, orders another son, Solomon, anointed as king of Israel. This is a tremendous chapter that opens 1 Kings.
1 Kings 1:1
DAVID’S DECLINING STRENGTH AND ADONIJAH’S PLOTWe begin on a sad note. David is now an old man. It is difficult to conceive of him as an old man. We always think of David as a shepherd boy. It is hard to picture him as an old, senile man who needs nursing care. His son Adonijah takes advantage of him in this condition. He attempts to put himself on the throne and make himself king. Of course, that is not going to fit in with God’s plan. A great deal of intrigue goes onintrigue is one of the things that characterize the reign of David. Let us find out who Adonijah is. First Kings is the first time that he is mentioned in any prominent connection.
1 Kings 1:5
Adonijah was David’s fourth son, born to him in Hebron (2Sa_3:4). His mother was Haggith, one of David’s wives, of whom we know nothing except that her name means “festive.” “Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself.” That word exalted is interesting because there is a verse of Scripture that you can put right down over it: “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luk_14:11). “He that exalteth himself shall be abased” is going to be true of Adonijah. He certainly exalted himself. The Scriptures tell us many things about Adonijah. He was a very proud young man with a high regard for himself. He was conceited, and you can detect in him some of the traits of his half brother Absalom who had led a rebellion against David. Adonijah, had something not been done, would also have led a rebellion against his father. David never had a reputation of disciplining his family. He had a disorganized family life; organized chaos reigned in David’s palace, and Adonijah took full advantage of the situation. David never rebuked him. When he did wrong, I think David just smiled over his boy as an old indulgent man would do.
1 Kings 1:7
Joab, who had been loyal to David for many years, now gives his allegiance to Adonijah. You can see his position; he is feathering his nest and preparing for the future. David is old, and in a short time he will be gone. Joab wants to be on the winning side. The only one on the scene who is making any move toward the throne is Adonijah. Joab has had tremendous influence in the palace and court of David.
He has been David’s right-hand man from the very beginning, and I am confident that he was loyal to David. I do not believe he would have permitted Adonijah to touch a hair of David’s head, but he does want someone to come to the throne at this time. No other son of David seems to be a likely candidate. That is interesting because it implies that Joab would not have chosen Solomon to be king. In my judgment, David’s choice was Absalom, not Solomon, and now he will probably smile when Adonijah makes his move for the throne, because he was very much like Absalom. Now we find that Adonijah made a banquet. That is always a good way to get some support for any project. If you want to do something, have a church banquet, and you will receive a lot of support.
1 Kings 1:9
Adonijah’s intention was to announce at the banquet that he was king. By right of primogeniture he probably had a claim upon the throne. We are told that he was older than Solomon; according to the rules and regulations of the day, the oldest son was always the crown prince and was the successor. Absalom, of course, was dead, which put Adonijah next in line. It was a bold move to send invitations to the king’s sons, especially in light of the fact that Solomon did not receive an invitation; he was left out.
1 Kings 1:10
Adonijah knew that Nathan would be on Bathsheba’s side. Nathan was the one who guided David during that awful period of David’s great sin. Bathsheba, of course, was Solomon’s mother. Now Nathan goes to her.
1 Kings 1:11
THE PLAN OF NATHAN AND BATHSHEBAAdonijah was beginning to move behind David’s backhe was not consulting the king at all. Now Nathan begins to move.
1 Kings 1:13
David had made a promise to Bathsheba. When their second son was born (their first son had died), David promised her that he would be the next king. That son is Solomon. Now David was making no move to put him on the throne. I do not think David was enthusiastic about making him the king.
1 Kings 1:14
Nathan is saying, “We had better alert David to what is taking place. You tell David what is happening, and I will enforce your words.” Nathan wanted to wake up this senile king to what was going on right under his nose.
1 Kings 1:15
It seems as though David had not seen Bathsheba for a long time.
1 Kings 1:17
David had made no move to pick a successor from his several sons. Probably Adonijah was a very attractive, handsome, capable boy, and there were many people who wanted him for their next king.
1 Kings 1:21
Nathan and Bathsheba wanted to know if David had chosen Adonijah to reign after him. David, of course, knew nothing about it.
1 Kings 1:28
When David spoke to Bathsheba about Solomon, notice that he said, “your son,” and not “our son.” David was not too enthusiastic about this boy. I don’t think they had too much in common, as we shall soon see.
1 Kings 1:31
The mule was the animal kings rode upon, while the horse was the animal of warfare. You will find in the Book of Revelation that the riding of the four horses speaks of turmoil and warfare. Also the Lord Jesus Christ will come again to this earth riding on a white horse, which speaks of warfare. He will come to put down rebellion on the earth; and before Him every knee shall bow. When the Lord came to earth the first time, He did not come to make war; He came to offer Himself as Israel’s Messiah, and as such He rode a little donkey into Jerusalem. That is the animal upon which kings ride. Now David’s own royal mount, a mule, is to be brought out, and Solomon is to be put upon it.
1 Kings 1:38
SOLOMON IS ANOINTED AS KINGNow there is no question as to whom David has chosen to be his successor. Solomon is to be the next king.
1 Kings 1:40
The messenger who brought the details to Adonijah concluded with this:
1 Kings 1:47
David put his seal of approval upon Solomon as king. David was an old man, and soon he would sleep with his fathers.
1 Kings 1:49
Adonijah’s supporters were afraid and got out of there in a hurry. They knew they would be regarded as traitors. Adonijah, fearing for his life, ran to the tabernacle and caught hold of the horns of the altar for sanctuary.
1 Kings 1:51
Solomon is being very fair with Adonijah. If Adonijah shows himself to be a loyal subject, then nothing will happen to him.
1 Kings 1:53
Adonijah, brought into the king’s presence, submitted himself to the new king. Then Solomon dismissed him in peace.