Adonijah Tries to Seize the Throne

1:1 King David was very old; even when they covered him with blankets, he could not get warm. 

 

David was about seventy years old at this time. He was unable to retain body heat.

 

1:2 His servants advised him, “A young virgin must be found for our master, the king, to take care of the king’s needs and serve as his nurse. She can also sleep with you and keep our master, the king, warm.” 

 

The elders looked for a young virgin nurse to care of David and keep him warm by laying next to him. This was standard operating medical procedure of that day. Josephus was a Jewish historian who mentioned this procedure. Galen was a Greek physician who also mentioned this medical treatment. This therapeutic practice continued into the Middle Ages. A married woman could not provide this service to David, so a virgin nurse was hired to take care of David.

 

1:3 So they looked through all Israel for a beautiful young woman and found Abishag, a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. 

 

Abishag was a very beautiful teenager from the town of Shunem. Shunem was located in the territory of Issachar, which was about three miles north of Jezreel. Although she was from the same town, she was not the Shulamite in the Song of Solomon.

 

1:4 The young woman was very beautiful; she became the king’s nurse and served him, but the king did not have sexual relations with her.

 

Abishag was hired as the king’s nurse. She was not hired to have sexual relations with David. At this late time in his life, David was too weak to have sexual desires for other women.

 

1:5 Now Adonijah, son of David and Haggith, was promoting himself, boasting, “I will be king!” He managed to acquire chariots and horsemen, as well as fifty men to serve as his royal guard. 

 

Adonijah means “my Adonai is Jehovah.” He was the fourth son of David. He was most likely the oldest living son of David at this time, so he expected to be king. However, he was not God or David’s choice as king. 

 

His mother was Haggith. Her name means “festive,” but noting else is known about his mother.

 

Adonijah promoted or exalted himself to the position of king. This was a mistake, because he had not been anointed king by any prophet of God. Any king who exalted himself to king without a prophet’s anointing usually ended up dying a violent death.

 

Adonijah acquired chariots, horsemen, and fifty men to serve as his royal guard. To the casual observer, it looked like he was given the king’s blessing to become the next king. He was the oldest son, so Israel would expect him to be king. He had grown up most of his life thinking that he would be the next King of Israel.

 

1:6 (Now his father had never corrected him by saying, “Why do you do such things?” He was also very handsome and had been born right after Absalom.) 

 

David was so busy with his royal duties, that he did not spend enough time with his children. This is a sin of many fathers today. Adonijah was never corrected, so he grew up as a spoiled child. He was very handsome, so he used his appearance and charm to get the things that he wanted. 

 

1:7 He collaborated with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they supported him. 

 

Joab was the nephew of David and the commander of the Jewish army. He had been a loyal general under David since the days when Saul persecuted David in the wilderness. Joab was always a dangerous man whom David could not control. However, Joab never betrayed David until this coup. Joab was David’s right-hand man and very influential in government affairs. It is interesting to note that Joab did not choose Solomon to be the next king. He felt like Adonijah would be the best king for Israel.

 

Zeruiah was the sister of David and the mother of Joab.

 

Abiathar was David’s priest, advisor, and good friend. This was the first time that Abiathar was disloyal to David. 

 

David was still the King of Israel. He should have been contacted about the person, timing, and place of any coronation that was to secede him.

 

1:8 But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s elite warriors did not ally themselves with Adonijah. 

 

After Saul was killed in battle, Zadok the priest joined with David. He was a spy for David during the Absalom rebellion. Zadok’s descendants will serve as priests in the Millennial Temple.

 

Benaiah was one of David’s mightiest warriors. He was the commander of the elite royal guard.

 

Nathan was the prophet who condemned David for his sin with Bathsheba. He predicted that David’s sons would die violent deaths. So far, three of David’s sons had died.

 

Shimei may have been the Benjaminite who cursed David during the Absalom Rebellion. He was now completely loyal to David. Another possibility is that this could have been a different Shimei.

 

None of David’s mighty warriors aligned themselves with Adonijah. They were all too loyal to David to betray him. Uriah was a good example of the character, discipline, and loyalty of this elite guard.

 

1:9 Adonijah sacrificed sheep, cattle, and fattened steers at the Stone of Zoheleth near En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, as well as all the men of Judah, the king’s servants. 

 

Adonijah invited everyone to a banquet for a sinister purpose. Believers need to beware of banquets, because there is usually a hidden agenda behind them. This banquet was a feast and not a religious offering. Adonijah's hidden agenda was to persuade others to join his cause. Anyone who attended the banquet was under the protection of the king. They would not be a part of the purge. Adonijah invited all of his brothers except for Solomon. He also invited men of Judah whom he knew would support him.

 

Archaeologists have discovered the Stone of Zoheleth in the Valley of Hinnom. The Stone of Zoheleth means “serpent stone.” It was identified with a previous Jebusite snake worship location. The Jebusites controlled Jerusalem before King David conquered them. En Rogel was one of the two main springs in the Kidron Valley that supplied water for Jerusalem. 

 

1:10 But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the elite warriors, or his brother Solomon.

 

Adonijah planned on purging his political enemies out of his kingdom. This type of purging was standard operating procedure for pagan kings. If Adonijah would have invited David’s main supporter to the feasts, then he would be responsible for protecting them during his reign.

 

Nathan would not anoint Adonijah as king, so he was not invited to the coronation feast. Beniah was loyal to David and would not have attended. The elite warriors would have stopped the coronation by military force. Solomon was the younger half-brother of Adonijah. Since all of the other younger brothers were invited except for Solomon, then Adonijah most have known that Solomon was Nathan and David’s choice as the next king. 

 

1:11 Nathan said to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, “Has it been reported to you that Haggith’s son Adonijah has become king behind our master David’s back? 

 

Bathsheba may not have been the brightest woman. David was old and about to die. There was at least one of David’s sons who was older than Solomon. Just about everyone in the kingdom knew about the coronation feast, except for Bathsheba.

 

1:12 Now let me give you some advice as to how you can save your life and your son Solomon’s life. 

 

Pagan kings would execute all of their political enemies, including their own family members. If Bathsheba did not act upon the prophet’s advice, then Nathan, Bathsheba, and Solomon would have all been executed.

 

1:13 Visit King David and say to him, ‘My master, O king, did you not solemnly promise your servant, “Surely your son Solomon will be king after me; he will sit on my throne”? So why has Adonijah become king?’ 

 

Solomon was most likely not David’s first choice for king. He most likely would have preferred Absalom on the throne. However, David did promise Bathsheba that Solomon would be the next king, although this promise was not recorded in Scripture. Bathsheba was not to nag David about this promise. She was to gently ask him a few polite questions which would lead him to make his own decisions.

 

1:14 While you are still there speaking to the king, I will arrive and verify your report.”

 

David was getting senile at this time. Nathan wanted to enforce the words of Bathsheba so that David would take her report seriously and with urgency.

 

1:15 So Bathsheba visited the king in his private quarters. (The king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.) 

 

Bathsheba most likely had not seen David in a long time. Wives had to set up appointments to see their husband kings.

 

1:16 Bathsheba bowed down on the floor before the king. The king said, “What do you want?” 

 

Bathsheba bowed to the ground. She treated David like a king, even on his deathbed.

 

1:17 She replied to him, “My master, you swore an oath to your servant by the Lord your God, ‘Solomon your son will be king after me and he will sit on my throne.’ 

 

Bathsheba gently reminded David about his oath.

 

1:18 But now, look, Adonijah has become king! But you, my master the king, are not even aware of it! 

 

Bathsheba gently informed David of the situation. 

 

1:19 He has sacrificed many cattle, steers, 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 your servant Solomon. 

 

This was a message to David that Solomon and Bathsheba were about to be executed.

 

1:20 Now, my master, O king, all Israel is watching anxiously to see who is named to succeed my master the king on the throne. 

 

David had not yet made a public announcement as to the identity of the new king.

 

1:21 If a decision is not made, when my master the king is buried with his ancestors, my son Solomon and I will be considered state criminals.”

 

If David does not make a public announcement soon, then Solomon and Bathsheba would be executed as state criminals.

 

1:22 Just then, while she was still speaking to the king, Nathan the prophet arrived. 

 

Nathan arrived to confirm the seriousness and urgency of Bathsheba’s message. When a prophet of God arrived personally to David, then he understood the urgency of the matter. God was moving on behalf of Solomon.

 

1:23 The king was told, “Nathan the prophet is here.” Nathan entered and bowed before the king with his face to the floor. 

 

Even the prophets showed respect to God’s anointed king.

 

1:24 Nathan said, “My master, O king, did you announce, ‘Adonijah will be king after me; he will sit on my throne’? 

 

Nathan did not tell the king what to do. He simply asked a question and allowed the king to make his own decision. This is a good example of how one should approach an authority figure. Children, wives, employees, and subjects can learn from this example.

 

1:25 For today he has gone down and sacrificed many cattle, steers, and sheep and has invited all the king’s sons, the army commanders, and Abiathar the priest. At this moment they are having a feast in his presence, and they have declared, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ 1

 

Nathan informed King David of the coronation feast which was happening right at that very moment.

 

1:26 But he did not invite me – your servant – or Zadok the priest, or Benaiah son of Jehoiada, or your servant Solomon.

 

David knew that Adonijah planned to purge his family members out of his kingdom.

 

 1:27 Has my master the king authorized this without informing your servants who should succeed my master the king on his throne?”

 

Nathan again asked the question, giving the king opportunity to make his own decision. He left the initiative with David rather than putting him on the defensive.

 

David Picks Solomon as His Successor

1:28 King David responded, “Summon Bathsheba!” She came and stood before the king. 

 

It was customary for wives to leave the room when a visitor appeared before the king.

 

1:29 The king swore an oath: “As certainly as the Lord lives (he who has rescued me from every danger), 1:30 I will keep today the oath I swore to you by the Lord God of Israel: ‘Surely Solomon your son will be king after me; he will sit in my place on my throne.’” 

 

Notice that David called Solomon “your son” and not “our son.” Solomon may not have been David’s first choice as king.

 

1:31 Bathsheba bowed down to the king with her face to the floor and said, “May my master, King David, live forever!”

 

Bathsheba showed respect to her sick and aging husband. 

 

1:32 King David said, “Summon Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” They came before the king, 

 

Zadok and Nathan would anoint the new king. Benaiah was the commander of David’s personal body guard who would enforce the decision of King David.

 

1:33 and he told them, “Take your master’s servants with you, put my son Solomon on my mule, and lead him down to Gihon. 

 

Solomon riding on the king’s mule would mean that he was chosen by David to become the next king. The king’s mule was  most likely dressed with a royal blanket and saddle. Peaceful kings rode mules into cities. Warring kings rode horses into cities. Riding a mule meant that the king was riding a servant animal, because the king was to serve the people.

 

1:34 There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet will anoint him king over Israel; then blow the trumpet and declare, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ 

 

All of Israel’s kings were to be anointed by God’s prophets. Those kings who were not anointed all died violent deaths.

 

1:35 Then follow him up as he comes and sits on my throne. He will be king in my place; I have decreed that he will be ruler over Israel and Judah.” 

 

Once Solomon took the throne, then he was the Judge of Israel. He could decide any case. He had an army behind him to execute his judicial decisions.

 

1:36 Benaiah son of Jehoiada responded to the king: “So be it! May the Lord God of my master the king confirm it! 

 

Commanders are always the power behind pagan kings. As long as the commander controls the army, then the commander could possibly control the king and the army. It was dangerous for pagan kings to enlist a popular general over his troops, because the popular general could use his control of the army to overthrow the government. This is how Julius Caesar overthrew the corrupt Roman Senate. The soldiers loved Caesar and hated the Senate. Therefore, they were easily influenced to follow Caesar as emperor rather than the rule of the corrupt Roman Senate. Since Solomon and not Adonijah controlled the army, then Solomon would be the people’s king. God used this pagan method to establish Solomon as king.

 

1:37 As the Lord is with my master the king, so may he be with Solomon, and may he make him an even greater king than my master King David!”

 

Benaiah transferred his allegiance to Solomon. Solomon had the support of the royal guard behind him.

 

1:38 So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites, and the Pelethites went down, put Solomon on King David’s mule, and led him to Gihon. 

 

The Kerethites and Pelethites were David’s special military guards under Benaiah. It was their responsibility to protect the king, his family, and his city. These were Israel’s elite soldiers. They all lived in homes around David’s castle. Uriah lived in one of these homes. This was why David could see Bathsheba from his roof. Uriah lived right up the street from David.

 

1:39 Zadok the priest took a horn filled with olive oil from the tent and poured it on Solomon; the trumpet was blown and all the people declared, “Long live King Solomon!” 

 

Zadok anointed Solomon as king. The royal trumpet was blown. The people accepted Solomon as king.

 

1:40 All the people followed him up, playing flutes and celebrating so loudly they made the ground shake.

 

Music was played at the new king’s coronation.

 

1:41 Now Adonijah and all his guests heard the commotion just as they had finished eating. When Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he asked, “Why is there such a noisy commotion in the city?” 

 

Adonijah and General Joab had just finished their feast at a nearby city. They could hear the coronation music from the neighboring city. 

 

1:42 As he was still speaking, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest arrived. Adonijah said, “Come in, for an important man like you must be bringing good news.” 

 

Jonathan was the son of Abiathar. Abiathar was David’s priest, but he had defected to the side of Adonijah. Jonathan had just left Solomon’s coronation. Jonathan did not know of Adonijah’s rebellion.

 

1:43 Jonathan replied to Adonijah: “No! Our master King David has made Solomon king. 

 

Jonathan thought that he was bringing good news to the city. 

 

1:44 The king sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites, and the Pelethites and they put him on the king’s mule. 

 

Solomon’s coronation was supported by the High Priest, the prophet, and the royal body guard. There were no prophets at Adonijah’s coronation.

 

1:45 Then Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed him king in Gihon. They went up from there rejoicing, and the city is in an uproar. That is the sound you hear. 

 

Solomon was anointed as king by a prophet. Adonijah had no prophet at his feast. This meant that God had chosen Solomon, not Adonijah, as his next king.

 

1:46 Furthermore, Solomon has assumed the royal throne. 

 

Solomon was sitting on the king’s throne this very moment. This meant that he could judge any case, including Adonijah’s rebellion to his throne. This was an act of treason.

 

1:47 The king’s servants have even come to congratulate our master King David, saying, ‘May your God make Solomon more famous than you and make him an even greater king than you!’ Then the king leaned on the bed 

 

All of Israel had accepted Solomon as their king.

 

1:48 and said this: ‘The Lord God of Israel is worthy of praise because today he has placed a successor on my throne and allowed me to see it.’”

 

The people praised God for choosing Solomon as king.

 

1:49 All of Adonijah’s guests panicked; they jumped up and rushed off their separate ways. 

 

If the guests were caught at Adonijah’s feast, then they would be executed as traitors to the throne.

 

1:50 Adonijah feared Solomon, so he got up and went and grabbed hold of the horns of the altar. 

 

Adonijah was guilty of treason and was about to be executed by Solomon. He ran to the tabernacle and grabbed the horns of the altar. This was a plea for mercy. Just as the blood on the altar was a plea for God to have mercy on the rebellions sinner, so was Adonijah asking Solomon to have mercy on his sin of rebellion.

 

1:51 Solomon was told, “Look, Adonijah fears you; see, he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘May King Solomon solemnly promise me today that he will not kill his servant with the sword.’” 

 

Solomon was told that his older half-brother Adonijah was holding the horns of the altar, asking not to be executed.

 

1:52 Solomon said, “If he is a loyal subject, not a hair of his head will be harmed, but if he is found to be a traitor, he will die.” 

  

Solomon gave Adonijah the choice to either serve Solomon as king or he could die. Most pagan kings would not have been this nice.

 

1:53 King Solomon sent men to bring him down from the altar. He came and bowed down to King Solomon, and Solomon told him, “Go home.”

 

Adonijah chose to serve Solomon outwardly, but later, he would rebel again. Adonijah was a very dangerous threat to the throne of Solomon. He should have been executed for treason.