1 Kings 1:1-53 | The Succession Crisis | Sermon 43
As we transition from 2 Samuel to 1 Kings, we explore King David's final days and Solomon's contentious ascension. Recalling 2 Samuel 24, David's prideful census led to a devastating plague, halted only by his repentance and sacrifice.
1 Kings 1 opens with an aged, frail David facing his last royal duty: choosing a successor.
David's Declining Health in Old Age (1 Kings 1:1-4)
David, now described as "old and stricken in years" (v. 1), is about 70 years old. This age can be calculated by comparing 2 Samuel 5:4-5, which states he began his reign at about 30 and ruled for 40 years—7 in Hebron and 33 over all Israel.
The text doesn't specify David's ailment, but he may have had a fever, as those around him were unable to keep him warm with clothing and blankets.
David was warmed by the body of a young virgin named Abishag, from Shunem, a town in the tribe of Issachar’s territory. This sounds incredibly odd to us today, but it appeared to be well-accepted by his advisors as a way to heat the body. The text clearly states that there was no sexual activity.
Adonijah's Self-Proclaimed Kingship (1 Kings 1:5-10)
Adonijah, David's fourth son, claimed the throne as the eldest surviving heir after his brothers' deaths. His bid for power mirrored Absalom's earlier attempt:
Chariots and horsemen: Both prepared chariots, horsemen, and 50 runners (1 Kings 1:5, 2 Samuel 15:1).
Self-proclamation: Adonijah declared, "I will be king" (1 Kings 1:5); Absalom "stole the hearts of the men of Israel" (2 Samuel 15:6).
Gathering allies: Adonijah gained support from Joab and Abiathar (1 Kings 1:7); Absalom from Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:12).
Proverbs 13:24 "He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes."
Proverbs 29:15 "The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame."
Adonijah's selective feast, excluding key figures like Nathan and Solomon, aimed to secure his coronation before intervention. This power struggle echoes later events in Jewish history, such as Herod the Great's execution of his sons, highlighting the brutal nature of royal succession in ancient times.
Nathan and Bathsheba's Intervention (1 Kings 1:11-27)
Nathan the prophet, aware of Adonijah's actions, devised a plan. This passage reveals that David was unaware of Adonijah's activities, and Nathan felt compelled to inform him, as only David could resolve the situation.
Nathan instructed Bathsheba to approach David with a rhetorical question, intended not to seek information but to convey it: "Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign?" (v. 13). The strategy was for Nathan to then enter and corroborate Bathsheba's words, aiming to both inform the king and prompt him to take immediate action.
Verses 15-27 record the plan unfolding exactly as described. David is made aware of the urgent need to issue an official decree from his deathbed. This action is necessary to prevent chaos, civil war, or—at the very least—the death of Solomon and the rest of David's loyal officers.
David's Decree to Anoint Solomon (1 Kings 1:28-40)
David acted swiftly to crown Solomon king, thwarting Adonijah's plans. He ordered Solomon to ride his royal mule to Gihon spring for the anointing ceremony.
A procession formed through Jerusalem, with Solomon at its head on David's mule. Zadok the priest carried sacred oil, Nathan the prophet accompanied him, and Benaiah led the royal guard.
At Gihon, Zadok anointed Solomon. A trumpet blast followed, and the crowd cheered, "God save King Solomon!" Music and celebration filled the air.
The joyful procession returned to the city, with Solomon riding in the center. People danced and sang, their enthusiasm spreading across Jerusalem, marking the beginning of Solomon's reign.
Adonijah's Fear and Submission (1 Kings 1:41-53)
News of Solomon's coronation reached Adonijah's feast at En-rogel. Jonathan, son of Abiathar, delivered the unexpected news: David had made Solomon king. Adonijah's guests fled in fear. Seeking safety, Adonijah grasped the altar's horns in the tabernacle.
King Solomon spared Adonijah initially. However, Adonijah's later request for Abishag as his wife was seen as a challenge to Solomon's authority. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a king's wives symbolized his reign. Solomon, recognizing this as a threat, swiftly executed Adonijah, securing his rule and preventing future claims to the throne.
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