Summary: When David became old, he couldn’t keep warm, so they put a young, virgin women in bed with him (v.2). David didn’t sleep with her though (v.4).
Adonijah tried to take over the kingdom (v.5), and this was because David didn’t discipline him (v.6). Nathan (the prophet) was worried that Adonijah was going to kill Solomon and Bathsheba, so he had Bathsheba go and tell David (v.12). She reminds him of the Davidic covenant (v.17). She rats out Adonijah. David takes action for Solomon (v.30). He had Zadok (the priest) and Nathan (the prophet) to anoint him as king (v.34), and they announced it publicly (v.39). When Adonijah’s group heard about this, they dispersed because they could be called traitors to the throne (v.49). Adonijah asked for amnesty for his maneuver for the throne, and Solomon granted it if he turned out to be a good man (v.52).
(1:1) David is 70 years old at this point (2 Sam. 5:4-5). Patterson and Austel speculate that David may have deteriorated so quickly because of the deep disorder of the kingdom after his fall with Bathsheba.[]
(1:2-4) This is not something that should be imitated today. Obviously, we wouldn’t agree with David’s rampant polygamy and concubines, so we shouldn’t agree with this practice either. This is descriptive, but not prescriptive.
This section shows just how feeble David’s condition was.
(1:5) Adonijah felt that he should be king, because he was the oldest heir. He also looked the part of a stately king—being handsome (v.6).
(1:6) David was a mighty leader and king, but he was a poor father.
(1:7) Joab (David’s former military general) and Abiathar (the high priest) were formerly very loyal to David. But now, they had become disloyal in David’s old age.
(1:8) Zadok was a priest (1 Chron. 15:11) and warrior (1 Chron. 12:26-28) from the tribe of Levi. Zadok had watched the Ark when David was away (2 Sam. 15:24-25).
Benaiah was one of David’s thirty mighty men (2 Sam. 23:20-23; 1 Chron. 11:22-25). He was the head of David’s personal bodyguard (2 Sam. 8:18; 20:23; 23:23).
Nathan was the prophet who shared the Davidic Covenant with David (2 Sam. 7) and called out David for his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah (2 Sam. 12). Nathan was also there at the birth of Solomon (2 Sam. 12:24-25).
Shimei and Rei are unknown. Although, Shimei could be the same man whom Solomon appointed as a governor (1 Kings 4:7, 18).
The mighty men also all sided with David. They had stayed loyal to David under Absalom’s rebellion (2 Sam. 15:15-18), and they remained loyal to the end.
(1:9-10) Adonijah probably thought he could usurp the throne with a fait accompli, while David was sick and all of the loyal men were absent.
(1:11) Nathan must have known that the Queen would get an immediate audience with David.
(1:12) He also know that Adonijah’s plan would result in the killing off of his competitors.
(1:13)
(1:14) Nathan promises to back up Bathsheba’s account of Adonijah’s plans.
(1:15-21) Bathsheba informs David of Adonijah’s plot and his actions to usurp the throne. She also reminds him of God’s promise to Solomon.
(1:22-27) Nathan concurs with Bathsheba. He also notes that none of David’s loyal supporters were invited to the inauguration.
(1:28-31) David tells Bathsheba that Solomon will be king.
(1:32) David gathers his loyal supporters: priests, prophets, and military men.
(1:33) By riding on David’s mule, this would communicate David’s decision to the people.
(1:34) David instructed the priests to publicly anoint Solomon—not Adonijah.
(1:35) Finally, David tells them to put Solomon on the throne.
(1:36-37) Benaiah concurs with this decision
(1:38-40) If these men hadn’t acted decisively, the people may have followed Adonijah’s leadership.
(1:41-48) Adonijah’s men hear the sound of the people rejoicing (v.41). He assumes that this is good news, but it is not (vv.42-47). Adonijah immediately submits to this situation (v.47).
(1:49-50) Adonijah and the people were likely terrified because they thought that they would be killed as traitors to the newly installed king.
(1:51-53) Solomon graciously spares his life. But this is conditional on how Adonijah acts in the future. If Adonijah submits to Solomon’s leadership, then there would be peace. If not, then Solomon would have him killed.
We see that God’s covenant was still active in the next generation (v.17).
As believers, we need to take urgent action when we sense that someone (even on the inside) is trying to go against God’s will.
James is an elder at Dwell Community Church, where he teaches classes in theology, apologetics, and weekly Bible studies.
