I Kings 1:1-31
“Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat. Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat.
So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.” (I Kings 1:1-4)
David’s metabolism slowed with age just like other people’s, and he was no longer producing enough heat to stay warm, even when they piled blankets on him. Since they had no electric blankets, his servants decided to get a young woman to sleep with him to keep him warm. Abishag was chosen and served as his care giver, although there was no sexual relationship between them.
“Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom. And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him.” (I Kings 1:5-7)
Adonijah was David’s fourth son, just younger than Absalom. With Amnon and Absalom gone and David very weak, he decided to make himself king. He used some of the same ways of self promotion Absalom had used to gather a following, although there had never been any conflict between him and David. He managed to get Joab and Abiathar’s support in his effort to take over. Abiathar was one of the descendants of Eli.
“But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.” (I Kings 1:8)
Adonijah was not able to get the support of David’s mighty men, or of part of the priests, including Zadok. Nathan, as the prophet of God was aware of what David wanted and refused to go along.
“And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by Enrogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants: But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.” (I Kings 1:9-10)
Like Absalom, Adonijah gathered the leaders of Judah to a great feast where he would have himself declared king, inviting his surviving brothers. He deliberately did not invite David’s closest friends and advisors, knowing that David would have told them that Solomon was his choice. Apparently, he hoped to present his coronation as a finished action so that any who opposed it would be going against an already established situation.
“Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not? Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon.
Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, 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? Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words.” (I Kings 1:11-14)
Realizing that due to his age and health issues, David was no longer aware of the political maneuvering around him, Nathan went to Bathsheba to warn her what was happening. Since it was generally known among the administration that Solomon was David’s preference as the next king, it was probable that Adonijah would have him and his mother killed to prevent a coup. He advised her to go tell the king what was happening, and promised to provide necessary evidence to convince David what was happening.
“And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king. And Bathsheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king.
And the king said, What wouldest thou?
And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne. And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not: And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.
And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.” (I Kings 1:15-21)
Bathsheba went to David’s bedroom where he was under Abishag’s care. She told David that he needed to make it clear who his choice for king was to the public because Adonijah was in the process of making himself king. She reminded David that he had promised Solomon was to be the king, but that Adonijah had the support of Joab and Abiathar, and unless he took action, their claims would be viewed as treason when David died.
“And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in. And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet.
And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.
And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah. But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.
Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not showed it unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?” (I Kings 1:22-27)
When Nathan came before David, he asked if it was David’s plan for Adonijah to be king and if he had just forgotten to inform him. He did not take a confrontational approach, just asking. He pointed out that Adonijah was acting as if he had David’s full approval, except that he had not invited David’s closest advisors, or Solomon.
David had been so wrapped up in his health problems and his own agenda that he had lost track of what was going on around him. Unfortunately, the same thing happens to anyone who gets caught up in their own agenda or problems. As a result problems are not recognized and dealt with until they become very serious. Many times such problems have to be brought forcibly to the attention of the parent, pastor, employer, or political leader to prevent disaster. It needs to be done in au inoffensive fashion if the desired results are to be obtained.
“Then king David answered and said, Call me Bathsheba. And she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king.
And the king sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress, Even as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day.
Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.” (I Kings 1:28-31)
Because the problem had been called to his attention in a strong but uncondemning fashion, David promised to take the necessary action to see that Solomon became king.
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