Written probably during the days of Israel’s Babylonian exile, the Book of Kings would have served as a reminiscent account of their homeland for the people in captivity. While the author of the book is unknown, some believe that it might be the contemporary prophets of each king who recorded the events described in this book. There seems to be a disconnect from the previous book of Samuel, as there are huge chunks of unaccounted periods from David’s forty-year reign. While in the Book of Samuel, David was in his prime and adding valiant men to his collection of mighty warriors, the Book of Kings, starts with David on his deathbed. He was so weak, that he could not even keep himself warm. So his attendants brought a young virgin to take care of him and sleep with him to keep David warm.
Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful young woman and found Abishag, a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. The woman was very beautiful; she took care of the king and waited on him, but the king had no sexual relations with her.
1 Kings 1:3-4 (NIV)
The Pretender to the Throne
Seeing his father’s condition as an opportunity to stake his claim to the throne, David’s fourth son, Adonijah proclaimed his desire to be the next king of Israel. Taking a page out of his brother Absalom’s playbook, Adonijah, acquired chariots and horses along with fifty men to run ahead of him. Also, Adonijah was born next to Absalom and was just as handsome as his elder brother. He even garnered the support of David’s most loyal followers.
Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they gave him their support. But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei and Rei and David’s special guard did not join Adonijah.
1 Kings 1:7-8 (NIV)
Adonijah was ambitious and did not waste time in claiming what he thought was rightfully his. He took advantage of the fact that David did not publically choose his successor, even though he had given his word to Bathsheba to make her son the next ruler of Israel. Perhaps David was hesitant to pass the baton to either of his sons and did not anticipate his deteriorating health conditions. From Adonijah’s standpoint, he feels he is the natural heir to his father’s throne, given the death of his elder brothers, Amnon and Absalom. Adonijah mistook his father’s unwillingness to rebuke him as an acceptance of his actions. He should have gone to his father and asked what was in his heart rather than changing a coup d’etat.
Adonijah even managed to get the support of David’s commander Joab and his chief priest, Abiathar. These were the same men who journeyed with David when he was on the run from Saul. Joab was used to defying David when he went rogue and murdered Abner and Amasa. These were the same men who were filling David’s ears against Saul and coaxing him to kill his predecessor when an opportunity presented itself. So their betrayal is nothing new as they were always poisoning David to betray the will of God. When they saw the king at his weakest, they were finally fulfilling their heart’s desire and looking out for their own interest.
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 royal officials of Judah, but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the special guard or his brother Solomon.
1 Kings 1:9-10 (NIV)
Nathan Approaches David
The prophet Nathan who was not part of the coalition that supported Adonijah’s coup, approached Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba. She and David had a son named Solomon to whom the kingdom of Israel was promised in secret. So Nathan persuaded Bathsheba to approach David while he was on his deathbed to urge him to publicly announce what was earlier promised in secret. When Bathsheba pleaded before David to make good on his promise, Nathan arrived to meet the king at the same time narrating the chain of events from his perspective. He urged the king to make his decision known to him and the people of Israel.
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?”
1 Kings 1:27 (NIV)
Nathan is perhaps protecting himself, as he was one of the few people who were not invited to Adonijah’s improvisational coronation. Remember, it was Nathan the prophet who corrected David when no one in Israel dared rebuke him for murdering one of his own. It is an established fact that Nathan knows how to make David see the fault in his ways. Just like he used the Parable of the Ewe Lamb to knock some sense into David, he used Bathsehba to put on an elaborate show for David to make the king realise the consequences of delaying the announcement of his successor.
King David said, “Call in Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” When they came before the king, he said to them: “Take your lord’s servants with you and have Solomon my son mount my own mule and take him down to Gihon. There have Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel. Blow the trumpet and shout, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ 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.”
1 Kings 1:32-35 (NIV)
David and Saul were anointed by Samuel in secret but David wanted the anointing of Solomon to be a public spectacle, probably to ensure that Adonijah or other pretenders to his throne get the memo. He charges both a prophet and a priest to anoint Solomon but does not consult God. David wanted to show that he was a just king by passing the baton publically rather than doing the will of God in secret. Even today, people invite half a dozen pastors to precede over their children’s wedding, thinking that would translate into more blessings. However, they forget to invite God to be a part of their crucial decisions, as they continuously seek to please the world rather than do the will of God.
Back In Adonijah’s Camp
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?”
1 Kings 1:41 (NIV)
At that moment, Abiathar’s son, Jonathan, arrived and broke the news of David officially announcing Solomon as his heir apparent. When the guests at Adonijah’s feast realised that they had backed the wrong horse, they immediately dispersed, probably to congratulate Solomon and get back in his good books. However, Adonijah, realising that his days were numbered, went to the altar of the LORD and took hold of the horns as a last-ditch effort to save his life. The horns of the altar were grasped when a person accused of a crime was seeking protection from the LORD, assuming that no one could shed their blood near the altar of the LORD. When Solomon heard about this, he assured Adonijah that no harm would fall on him provided he pledged his loyalty to the king.
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.”
1 Kings 1:53 (NIV)
Solomon probably did not want his first act as king of Israel to be the public execution of his elder brother. He perhaps wanted to gain the confidence of his subjects and find his brother guilty of breaking his promise before he executed him. Solomon does kill Adonijah along with his ardent supporters the first chance he gets but for now, he puts on a show of granting his brother’s plea to spare his life.
Our actions are often guided by how they will be perceived by the world around us rather than listening to God’s voice. When we want something that is not a part of God’s plan, we make our own paths to achieving our heart’s desire. What we must understand is that we should not be coveting the things that God has not meant for us and that is where David and the other kings in this book failed. Jonothan who was the rightful heir of Saul’s throne immediately gave it up in favour of David when he realised that it was not God’s will for him to rule over Israel.
Throughout this period of transfer of power, there was no mention of God or that the people were seeking out His will. They simply make their decisions and inform God after the fact. We must look to God before making any hasty decisions and accept His will in our lives, even if it goes against the desires of our hearts.
Discussion Questions
- Why did Adonijah put his name forward to be the next king of Israel, did David not choose his successor?
- Why would David’s commander and his chief priest support Adonijah?
- Why did Nathan put on this elaborate show for David using Bathsheba?
- How can Solomon spare his brother Adonijah who would not hesitate in killing him?
The Jordan Valley 
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