We continue the story of Israel’s kings as we move from 2 Samuel into 1 Kings. God promised David a permanent dynasty, but not all the sons got the word on who the next king would be.

1 Kings 1 starts with his unusual story:

King David grew old. The years had caught up with him. Even though they piled blankets on him, he couldn’t keep warm. So his servants said to him, “We’re going to get a young virgin for our master the king to be at his side and look after him; she’ll get in bed with you and arouse our master the king.” So they searched the country of Israel for the most ravishing girl they could find; they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king. The girl was stunningly beautiful; she stayed at his side and looked after the king, but the king did not have sex with her. (1 Kings 1.1 – 4, MSG)

Remember Abishag, David’s last concubine.

For now, the scene shifts to Absalom’s brother Adonijah who wants to be king:

At this time Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, puffed himself up saying, “I’m the next king!” He made quite a splash, with chariots and riders and fifty men to run ahead of him. His father had spoiled him rotten as a child, never once reprimanding him. Besides that, he was very good-looking and the next in line after Absalom. (1 Kings 1.5, 6, MSG)

“Puffed himself up.” Another consequence of poor fathering by David. Adonijah, supported by David’s general Joab and Abiathar the priest, throws himself a coronation party. (See 1 Kings 1.5 – 10) But Nathan, the prophet who confronted David after the Bathsheba affair goes into action:

Nathan went to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, “Did you know that Adonijah, Haggith’s son, has taken over as king, and our master David doesn’t know a thing about it? Quickly now, let me tell you how you can save both your own life and Solomon’s. Go immediately to King David. Speak up: ‘Didn’t you, my master the king, promise me, “Your son Solomon will be king after me and sit on my throne”? So why is Adonijah now king?’ While you’re there talking with the king, I’ll come in and corroborate your story.” (1 Kings 1.11 – 14, MSG)

They do, and David is decisive:

As GOD lives, the God who delivered me from every kind of trouble, I’ll do exactly what I promised in GOD’s name, the God of Israel: Your son Solomon will be king after me and take my place on the throne. And I’ll make sure it happens this very day….Gather my servants, then mount my son Solomon on my royal mule and lead him in procession down to Gihon. When you get there, Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet will anoint him king over Israel. Then blow the ram’s horn trumpet and shout, “Long live King Solomon!”  You will then accompany him as he enters and takes his place on my throne, succeeding me as king. I have named him ruler over Israel and Judah.” (1 Kings 1.29 – 30, 33 – 35, MSG)

We don’t have a record of this conversation with Bathsheba, but it’s clear that Solomon was to be the next king. Here it is in 1 Chronicles:

And then from all my sons—and GOD gave me many!—he chose my son Solomon to sit on the throne of GOD’s rule over Israel. (1 Chronicles 28.5, MSG)

Now Adonijah’s guests find themselves at the wrong coronation party!

Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest, showed up. Adonijah said, “Welcome! A brave and good man like you must have good news.” But Jonathan answered, “Hardly! Our master King David has just made Solomon king! And the king has surrounded him with Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada…and they’ve mounted Solomon on the royal mule. Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon and the parade is headed up this way singing—a great fanfare! The city is rocking! That’s what you’re hearing. Here’s the crowning touch—Solomon is seated on the throne of the kingdom! … Panicked, Adonijah’s guests got out of there, scattering every which way. (1 Kings 1.42 – 49, MSG)

The chapter ends with King Solomon sparing his brother:

Solomon then said, “If he proves to be a man of honor, not a hair of his head will be hurt; but if there is evil in him, he’ll die.” Solomon summoned him and they brought him from the Altar. Adonijah came and bowed down, honoring the king. Solomon dismissed him, “Go home.” (1 Kings 1.52, 53, MSG)

Adonijah’s reprieve doesn’t last long. Stay tuned.

No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves. It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another. (Psalm 75.6, 7, NIV)