Skip to content

1 Kings 1 The Reign of Solomon

1 Adonijah Sets Himself Up as King
When King David was old and well advanced in years, he could not keep warm even when they put covers over him.

2 So his servants said to him, “Let us look for a young virgin to attend the king and take care of him. She can lie beside him so that our lord the king may keep warm.”

3 Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl and found Abishag, a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

4 The girl was very beautiful; she took care of the king and waited on him, but the king had no intimate relations with her.

5 Now Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward and said, “I will be king.” So he got chariots and horses ready, with fifty men to run ahead of him.

6 (His father had never interfered with him by asking, “Why do you behave as you do?” He was also very handsome and was born next after Absalom.)

7 Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they gave him their support.

8 But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei and Rei and David’s special guard did not join Adonijah.

9 Adonijah then sacrificed sheep, cattle and fattened calves at the Stone of Zoheleth near En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah who were royal officials,

10 but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the special guard or his brother Solomon.

11 Then Nathan asked Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, “Have you not heard that Adonijah, the son of Haggith, has become king without our lord David’s knowing it?

12 Now then, let me advise you how you can save your own life and the life of your son Solomon.

13 Go in to King David and say to him, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to me your servant: “Surely Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’

14 While you are still there talking to the king, I will come in and confirm what you have said.”

15 So Bathsheba went to see the aged king in his room, where Abishag the Shunammite was attending him.

16 Bathsheba bowed low and knelt before the king.
“What is it you want?” the king asked.

17 She said to him, “My lord, you yourself swore to me your servant by the Lord your God: ‘Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne.’

18 But now Adonijah has become king, and you, my lord the king, do not know about it.

19 He has sacrificed great numbers of cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the king’s sons, Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander of the army, but he has not invited Solomon your servant.

20 My lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, to learn from you who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

21 Otherwise, as soon as my lord the king is laid to rest with his fathers, I and my son Solomon will be treated as criminals.”

22 While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived.

23 And they told the king, “Nathan the prophet is here.” So he went before the king and bowed with his face to the ground.

24 Nathan said, “Have you, my lord the king, declared that Adonijah shall be king after you, and that he will sit on your throne?

25 Today he has gone down and sacrificed great numbers of cattle, fattened calves, and sheep. He has invited all the king’s sons, the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest. Right now they are eating and drinking with him and saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

26 But me your servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon he did not invite.

27 Is this something my lord the king has done without letting his servants know who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”

28 David Makes Solomon King
Then King David said, “Call in Bathsheba.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before him.

29 The king then took an oath: “As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble,

30 I will surely carry out today what I swore to you by the Lord, the God of Israel: Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place.”

31 Then Bathsheba bowed low with her face to the ground and, kneeling before the king, said, “May my lord King David live forever!”

32 King David said, “Call in Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” When they came before the king,

33 he said to them: “Take your lord’s servants with you and set Solomon my son on my own mule and take him down to Gihon.

34 There have Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel. Blow the trumpet and shout, ‘Long live King Solomon!’

35 Then you are to go up with him, and he is to come and sit on my throne and reign in my place. I have appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah.”

36 Benaiah son of Jehoiada answered the king, “Amen! May the Lord, the God of my lord the king, so declare it.

37 As the Lord was with my lord the king, so may he be with Solomon to make his throne even greater than the throne of my lord King David!”

38 So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites and the Pelethites went down and put Solomon on King David’s mule and escorted him to Gihon.

39 Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the sacred tent and anointed Solomon. Then they sounded the trumpet and all the people shouted, “Long live King Solomon!”

40 And all the people went up after him, playing flutes and rejoicing greatly, so that the ground shook with the sound.

41 Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they were finishing their feast. On hearing the sound of the trumpet, Joab asked, “What’s the meaning of all the noise in the city?”

42 Even as he was speaking, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest arrived. Adonijah said, “Come in. A worthy man like you must be bringing good news.”

43 “Not at all!” Jonathan answered. “Our lord King David has made Solomon king.

44 The king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites and the Pelethites, and they have put him on the king’s mule,

45 and Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon. From there they have gone up cheering, and the city resounds with it. That’s the noise you hear.

46 Moreover, Solomon has taken his seat on the royal throne.

47 Also, the royal officials have come to congratulate our lord King David, saying, ‘May your God make Solomon’s name more famous than yours and his throne greater than yours!’ And the king bowed in worship on his bed

48 and said, ‘Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has allowed my eyes to see a successor on my throne today.’”

49 At this, all Adonijah’s guests rose in alarm and dispersed.

50 But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, went and took hold of the horns of the altar.

51 Then Solomon was told, “Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon and is clinging to the horns of the altar. He says, ‘Let King Solomon swear to me today that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.’”

52 Solomon replied, “If he shows himself to be a worthy man, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground; but if evil is found in him, he will die.”

53 Then King Solomon sent men, and they brought him down from the altar. And Adonijah came and bowed down to King Solomon, and Solomon said, “Go to your home.”

Analysis of 1 Kings Chapter 1

The opening chapter of 1 Kings sets the stage for a critical transition in the history of Israel, focusing on the final days of King David and the ensuing struggle for succession. This chapter is rich in political intrigue, familial loyalties, and divine providence as it unfolds the narrative leading up to Solomon’s eventual rise to kingship.

Verses 1-4: David’s Declining Health

The chapter begins by painting a picture of King David in his old age, struggling with his health. Despite various attempts by his servants to keep him warm, David’s frailty becomes evident. To remedy his condition, they find Abishag, a young Shunammite woman, to attend to the king and provide warmth through her presence.

  • Verse 1: The image of David in old age serves both a literal and symbolic purpose. Literally, it underscores his incapacity to rule due to his physical decline. Symbolically, it represents a kingdom in need of new leadership.
  • Verses 2-4: The introduction of Abishag not only highlights David’s vulnerability but also sets up future events. Although she attends to him, the text makes it clear that David did not have intimate relations with her, implying his weakened state further.

Verses 5-10: Adonijah’s Ambition

The narrative shifts to Adonijah, the son of David, who declares himself king. This act of self-exaltation parallels his older half-brother Absalom’s earlier rebellion. Adonijah’s actions and motivations begin to stir tension within the royal family and the kingdom at large.

  • Verse 5: Adonijah’s self-proclamation is a bold move. His actions mirror Absalom’s attempt at seizing power, indicating a recurring theme of internal family conflict and the perils that come with it.
  • Verses 6-7: The text notes that Adonijah was supported by key figures such as Joab and Abiathar the priest. Their allegiance to Adonijah showcases a division among David’s closest advisors, pointing to underlying fractures within David’s reign.
  • Verse 8: In contrast, some loyalists like Zadok the priest, Benaiah, Nathan the prophet, and others did not support Adonijah, foreshadowing the coming conflict over succession.
  • Verses 9-10: Adonijah’s feast at the Stone of Zoheleth is a calculated political move to gain support. However, by excluding Solomon and other key figures, he inadvertently reveals the contentious nature of his claim.

Verses 11-27: Nathan and Bathsheba’s Intervention

Prophet Nathan and Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, play crucial roles in thwarting Adonijah’s plans. Their actions emphasize the importance of divine will and the prophetic voice in the establishment of God’s chosen king.

  • Verses 11-14: Nathan orchestrates a plan for Bathsheba to remind David of his promise that Solomon would succeed him. This move is not merely political but underscores the prophetic endorsement and divine selection of Solomon.
  • Verses 15-21: Bathsheba’s appeal to David is heartfelt and urgent. She recounts David’s promise regarding Solomon and highlights the looming threat Adonijah’s actions pose to Solomon and herself.
  • Verses 22-27: Nathan follows Bathsheba’s plea by reinforcing the gravity of the situation. His timely intervention validates Bathsheba’s claims and adds urgency to David’s decision-making.

Verses 28-40: Solomon’s Anointing

David, despite his physical frailty, responds decisively to Nathan and Bathsheba’s appeals. He orders Solomon to be anointed as king, ensuring that the divine promise and his commitment to Bathsheba are fulfilled.

  • Verses 28-31: David’s oath to establish Solomon as king demonstrates his unwavering commitment to God’s will and his own word. Bathsheba’s response affirms her trust in David’s decision.
  • Verses 32-35: David’s command ensures a public and unequivocal anointing of Solomon. Calling upon Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah adds a layer of religious and military authority to the event.
  • Verses 36-37: Benaiah’s response acknowledges the divine backing of Solomon’s kingship, invoking a blessing that Solomon’s reign will be even greater than David’s.
  • Verses 38-40: The anointing ceremony, complete with the use of a mule and the trumpet blast, symbolizes continuity and public endorsement. The people’s rejoicing reflects widespread acceptance of Solomon as the legitimate king.

Verses 41-53: Adonijah’s Submission

News of Solomon’s anointing reaches Adonijah and his followers. The abrupt shift in their fortunes leads to Adonijah’s eventual submission to Solomon, spotlighting the divine hand in determining the rightful ruler of Israel.

  • Verses 41-42: Jonathan, the son of Abiathar the priest, arrives with news of Solomon’s anointing. The suddenness of this development catches Adonijah and his supporters off guard.
  • Verses 43-48: Jonathan narrates the series of events, emphasizing David’s direct involvement and the collective acceptance of Solomon by religious and military leaders. This narrative reinforces the legitimacy of Solomon’s reign.
  • Verses 49-50: Adonijah’s followers, recognizing the gravity of Solomon’s anointing, disperse in fear. Adonijah himself seeks refuge, grasping the horns of the altar—a traditional gesture seeking asylum and mercy.
  • Verses 51-53: Solomon’s response to Adonijah’s plea for mercy is measured and indicates his wisdom and justice as a ruler. By sparing Adonijah under the condition of loyalty, Solomon establishes the tone for his kingship—firm yet just.

Thematic Analysis

This chapter illustrates several key themes central to understanding the narrative and theological underpinnings of the book of Kings.

  1. Divine Sovereignty and Human Agency: The transition of power from David to Solomon underscores the interplay between divine sovereignty and human agency. David’s actions, influenced by Nathan and Bathsheba, align with God’s will, emphasizing that while human planning and decision-making are significant, they are ultimately subject to divine providence.
  2. Legitimacy and Authority: The chapter highlights the importance of legitimacy and divine endorsement in establishing rightful authority. Solomon’s anointing by a prophet and priest, combined with public acclamation, serves to legitimate his claim against Adonijah’s self-proclamation.
  3. Loyalty and Betrayal: The loyalty of Nathan, Bathsheba, and others contrasts sharply with the ambition and rebellion of Adonijah. This dichotomy between loyalty and betrayal sets the stage for evaluating the character and actions of key figures in the ensuing narrative.
  4. Prophetic Role: Nathan’s involvement underscores the crucial role prophets play in guiding and affirming God’s will in Israel’s monarchy. His actions demonstrate the prophetic commitment to the divine covenant and justice.

Conclusion

1 Kings Chapter 1 offers a profound narrative of transition, highlighting the complexities of dynastic successions, the importance of divine will in leadership, and the intricate relationships within the house of David. Solomon’s anointing marks the fulfillment of God’s promise and sets the stage for his reign, which will be characterized by wisdom, justice, and the establishment of a temple that bears witness to God’s presence among His people. This chapter serves as a testament to the enduring themes of divine sovereignty, legitimacy, and the vital role of prophetic guidance in the unfolding history of Israel.