CLARITY EDITION · OLD TESTAMENT
1 Kings 1
Chapter 1 of 22
Chapter Overview
What happens in 1 Kings 1
King David is now very old and weak. His son Adonijah tries to make himself king without David's permission. But the prophet Nathan and Bathsheba act quickly to make sure Solomon, God's chosen heir, is crowned king instead.
Scripture
1 Kings 1
David Grows Old and Weak
Study note
King David was now about seventy years old. He had ruled Israel for forty years and fought many battles. His body was so frail that he could not stay warm even under heavy blankets. His servants found a young woman named Abishag from the town of Shunem to care for him. In ancient royal courts, attendants commonly served the king in this way. Abishag became David's nurse but was not his wife.
1 King David had become very old. No matter how many blankets his servants piled on him, he simply could not get warm. Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat.
2 His servants suggested, "Let us find a young woman to look after you, my lord. She can lie beside you and help keep you warm." 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.
3 They searched throughout all Israel and found a beautiful young woman named Abishag from the town of Shunem. They brought her to serve the king. So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.
4 She was extremely beautiful. She cared for the king and waited on him, but the king did not have marital relations with her. And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.
Adonijah Tries to Make Himself King
Study note
Adonijah was David's oldest surviving son, and he assumed the throne was rightfully his. Like his brother Absalom before him, Adonijah was handsome and ambitious. David had apparently never disciplined him. Adonijah gained the support of Joab, David's army commander, and Abiathar the priest. He held a grand feast near Jerusalem as a kind of coronation. But he pointedly did not invite Solomon, the prophet Nathan, or the loyal military leader Benaiah, showing that he knew they opposed his plan.
5 Meanwhile, Adonijah, the son of David's wife Haggith, was boasting, "I will be the next king!" He got himself a chariot, horses, and fifty runners to go ahead of him. 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.
6 David had never challenged him or asked, "What do you think you are doing?" Adonijah was also very good-looking, and he had been born right after Absalom. 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.
7 Adonijah met privately with Joab son of Zeruiah and Abiathar the priest, and both agreed to back his claim to the throne. And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him.
8 However, the priest Zadok, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the prophet Nathan, Shimei, Rei, and David's elite soldiers refused to support Adonijah. 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.
9 Adonijah held a sacrifice of sheep, cattle, and fattened calves at the Stone of Zoheleth near the spring of En-rogel. He invited all his brothers, the other princes, and all the officials of Judah. And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by En-rogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants:
10 But he left out Nathan the prophet on purpose. He also left out Benaiah, the top warriors, and his brother Solomon. But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.
Nathan and Bathsheba Warn David
Study note
Nathan the prophet knew that God had chosen Solomon to be the next king. He also knew that if Adonijah succeeded, he would likely kill Solomon and Bathsheba to remove any rivals. Nathan devised a plan: Bathsheba would go to David first, and Nathan would follow to confirm her words. Bathsheba reminded David of his oath that Solomon would be king. Nathan arrived and told David that Adonijah was already celebrating as king.
11 Nathan the prophet went to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, and asked, "Have you heard? Haggith's son Adonijah has declared himself king, and David has no idea!" Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bath-sheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not?
12 "Let me tell you what to do so you can save yourself and your son Solomon." 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.
13 "Go to King David and say, 'My lord the king, did you not swear to me that my son Solomon would rule after you and sit on your throne? So why is Adonijah reigning as king?'" 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?
14 "While you are still talking with the king, I will come in right behind you and confirm everything you say." Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words.
15 Bathsheba went to see the king in his bedroom. David was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was attending to him. And Bath-sheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king.
16 Bathsheba bowed low before the king. He asked, "What would you like?" And Bath-sheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou?
17 She answered, "My lord, you made me a vow by the Lord your God. You said, 'Solomon your son will be king after me. He will sit on my throne.'" 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.
18 "But right now Adonijah has set himself up as king, and you, my lord, do not even know about it!" And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not:
19 "He has thrown a great celebration, sacrificing cattle, fattened calves, and sheep. He invited all the king's sons, the priest Abiathar, and Joab the army commander. But he left out your servant Solomon." 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.
20 "My lord the king, all of Israel is watching you. They are waiting for you to say who will sit on the throne after you." 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.
21 "If you do nothing, the moment you die, Solomon and I will be treated as traitors." 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.
22 She was still talking when Nathan the prophet walked in. And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in.
23 The servants announced, "Nathan the prophet is here." Nathan entered and bowed face-down before the king. 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.
24 Nathan asked, "My lord the king, did you announce that Adonijah would be the next king and sit on your throne?" And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?
25 "Because today he went and sacrificed a great number of cattle, fattened calves, and sheep. He invited all the princes, the military leaders, and the priest Abiathar. Right now they are feasting and celebrating, chanting, 'Long live King Adonijah!'" 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.
26 "But he did not invite me. He left out Zadok the priest. He left out Benaiah son of Jehoiada. He left out your servant Solomon." But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.
27 "Did my lord the king authorize this without telling any of us who should sit on the throne after you?" Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed it unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?
David Commands Solomon's Coronation
Study note
David acted decisively. He ordered Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the military commander to take Solomon to the spring of Gihon, just outside Jerusalem. There they were to anoint Solomon with holy oil and blow the trumpet to announce him as king. Riding on the king's own mule was a powerful symbol of royal authority. The people of Jerusalem erupted in celebration so loud that the ground shook.
28 King David spoke up: "Bring Bathsheba back in." She came and stood before the king. Then king David answered and said, Call me Bath-sheba. And she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king.
29 The king made a solemn vow: "I swear by the living Lord who has rescued me from every danger," And the king sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress,
30 "I will carry out today what I promised you by the Lord, the God of Israel. Solomon your son will be king after me and will sit on my throne in my place. I am making it happen today." 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.
31 Bathsheba bowed low to the ground and said, "May my lord King David live forever!" Then Bath-sheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.
32 King David gave orders: "Bring me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada." They all came before the king. And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king.
33 The king told them, "Take my personal servants with you. Put my son Solomon on my own royal mule and escort him down to the spring of Gihon." The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:
34 "There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet will anoint him king over Israel. Blow the trumpet and shout, 'Long live King Solomon!'" And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon.
35 "Then escort him back here, and he will sit on my throne and reign in my place. I am appointing him ruler over both Israel and Judah." Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead: and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah.
36 Benaiah son of Jehoiada responded, "So let it be! May the Lord, the God of my lord the king, confirm it!" And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, Amen: the LORD God of my lord the king say so too.
37 "Just as the Lord has been with my lord the king, may he be with Solomon. May he make Solomon's reign even greater than the reign of my lord King David!" As the LORD hath been with my lord the king, even so be he with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord king David.
38 Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethite and Pelethite guards went and mounted Solomon on King David's own mule. They led him to the spring of Gihon. So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David's mule, and brought him to Gihon.
39 There Zadok the priest took a horn of olive oil from the sacred tent and poured it on Solomon's head. They blew the trumpet, and all the people cheered, "Long live King Solomon!" And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.
40 Everyone followed Solomon back, playing flutes and cheering so loudly that the ground seemed to shake. And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.
Adonijah's Party Ends in Fear
Study note
Adonijah and his guests heard the noise from Jerusalem. Jonathan brought the news that Solomon had been crowned king by David's own command. All of Adonijah's supporters fled. Adonijah himself ran to the altar and grabbed its horns, begging for mercy. Solomon promised to spare his life as long as he behaved.
41 Adonijah and all his dinner guests heard the commotion just as they were finishing their meal. When Joab heard the trumpet, he asked, "What is all that noise in the city?" And Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, Wherefore is this noise of the city being in an uproar?
42 He was still speaking when Jonathan son of the priest Abiathar arrived. Adonijah said, "Come in! A man of your standing must be bringing good news." And while he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came: and Adonijah said unto him, Come in; for thou art a valiant man, and bringest good tidings.
43 "Not at all!" Jonathan replied. "Our lord King David has made Solomon the king!" And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king.
44 "The king sent Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and Pelethites with him. They put Solomon on the king's own mule." And the king hath sent with him Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and they have caused him to ride upon the king's mule:
45 "Zadok and Nathan anointed him king at the spring of Gihon. They came back celebrating, and the city is in an uproar. That is the noise you are hearing." And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon: and they are come up from thence rejoicing, so that the city rang again. This is the noise that ye have heard.
46 "Solomon is already sitting on the royal throne." And also Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdom.
47 "The king's officials even came to congratulate King David, saying, 'May your God make Solomon's name even more famous than yours and his kingdom even greater!' David bowed in worship from his bed." And moreover the king's servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. And the king bowed himself upon the bed.
48 "The king also said, 'Praise the Lord, Israel's God! Today he put one of my own children on my throne. And I am still alive to see it!'" And also thus said the king, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which hath given one to sit on my throne this day, mine eyes even seeing it.
49 Panic swept through Adonijah's guests. Every one of them jumped up and scattered. And all the guests that were with Adonijah were afraid, and rose up, and went every man his way.
50 Adonijah himself was terrified of Solomon. He ran to the altar and grabbed hold of its corners for protection. And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.
51 Someone reported to Solomon, "Adonijah is afraid of you. He is clinging to the altar's corners and saying, 'Let King Solomon swear today that he will not execute me.'" And it was told Solomon, saying, Behold, Adonijah feareth king Solomon: for, lo, he hath caught hold on the horns of the altar, saying, Let king Solomon swear unto me to day that he will not slay his servant with the sword.
52 Solomon responded, "If he proves himself trustworthy, he will not be harmed. But if he causes trouble, he will die." And Solomon said, If he will shew himself a worthy man, there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth: but if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die.
53 King Solomon had Adonijah brought from the altar. Adonijah came and bowed before King Solomon. Solomon told him, "Go home." So king Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and bowed himself to king Solomon: and Solomon said unto him, Go to thine house.
Key Themes
Themes in 1 Kings 1
The danger of presumption and self-promotionGod's sovereign choice of leadersThe importance of acting decisively at critical momentsFaithful servants who protect God's purposes
Prophetic Connections
How this chapter points to Christ
1 Kings 28-40 Matthew 21:5
Solomon riding on David's royal mule to his coronation foreshadows Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey as the true Son of David coming to claim His kingdom.
Apply This Today
Living 1 Kings 1
Adonijah assumed the throne was His by right, but God had chosen Solomon. We should never assume we deserve a position simply because of our status or birth order. God's plans often surprise us, and true leadership comes through His calling, not our ambition.
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