1Ki 1:5-40 | KingComments | STEP | The sword would not depart from David’s house because of his sin with Bathsheba ( ). He must, according to the judgment that he has pronounced upon himself, pay fourfold for his sin ( ). This is what has happened. God deprives him of four of his sons. The child of Bathsheba is taken away by God, Amnon is killed by the hand of Absalom, Absalom is killed by Joab and Adonijah will be the fourth one to die. Adonijah (meaning ‘my Lord is Yahweh’) is now the eldest son. He was born after Absalom, but from another mother ( ). He wants the kingdom, to which he lays a claim as the oldest living son. It is clear to everyone that God has determined it differently. Adonijah knows that too. He betrays this by not inviting Solomon. He resists the word God has spoken concerning Solomon. He is a picture of the antichrist. This is evident from what he says: “I will be king” ( ; cf. ; ). This is self-will, the principle of sin ( ). This statement shows his pride and his rebellion against God. He follows the same way as Absalom ( ; ). Adonijah is a beautiful boy, but with a depraved character. The reason for this is that David never crossed or punished him throughout his life. Here David is not a picture of the Lord Jesus or the Father, but of the exercises of the Spirit of Christ Who wants to bring him to act in accordance with God. However, David is not up to that. He did not assume his responsibility in his family. Instead, he has been guided by the beautiful appearance of his children. We have also seen this in his attitude toward Absalom (2 Samuel 15-19). Often the testimony that should go out from the families of believers is damaged by preferential treatment in the upbringing of the children. God acts differently. He proves His love precisely through discipline ( ). David never blamed Adonijah. It seems that he never refused him anything he wanted to have or do. He will also never have asked him to account for what he had done, or where he had been and never have punished him for the wrong. Now David must suffer justly for his permissiveness to him. Those who honor their sons more than God by not giving them the necessary punishment, lose the honor they can expect from their sons. Joab and Abiathar join Adonijah. Joab can always be found in the place where he thinks he can get the most benefit. He thinks only of himself. He thinks David can’t do anything anymore because of old age and weakness and chooses the side of what he thinks is the strongest party. Abiathar is, as Eli’s descendant, the representative of the religion on which the judgment has come. He does not accept that judgment, which is apparent from his choice for Adonijah. Others, like Zadok, Nathan, Benaiah and the heroes of David, are not invited by Adonijah. The true priest (Zadok), the true prophet (Nathan) and the true servants (the heroes) have nothing to do with someone who claims authority. Adonijah doesn’t ask them, because he knows they won’t accept his offer to join. They have always been and will always be faithful to David. It’s a good thing when people don’t ask us to join in an evil cause because they know we will say no. Adonijah hypocritically gives the conspiracy the appearance of paying homage to God by slaughtering animals, as if it were a peace offering. No doubt Adonijah will have abused his father’s weakness and old age to carry out his coup. However, his plans will fail because he overlooks God.

‏ 1 Kings 1:5-40

Adonijah Wants to Become King

The sword would not depart from David’s house because of his sin with Bathsheba (2Sam 12:10). He must, according to the judgment that he has pronounced upon himself, pay fourfold for his sin (2Sam 12:6). This is what has happened. God deprives him of four of his sons. The child of Bathsheba is taken away by God, Amnon is killed by the hand of Absalom, Absalom is killed by Joab and Adonijah will be the fourth one to die.

Adonijah (meaning ‘my Lord is Yahweh’) is now the eldest son. He was born after Absalom, but from another mother (2Sam 3:3-4). He wants the kingdom, to which he lays a claim as the oldest living son. It is clear to everyone that God has determined it differently. Adonijah knows that too. He betrays this by not inviting Solomon. He resists the word God has spoken concerning Solomon. He is a picture of the antichrist. This is evident from what he says: “I will be king” (1Kgs 1:5a; cf. Isa 14:13-14; Dan 11:36). This is self-will, the principle of sin (1Jn 3:4). This statement shows his pride and his rebellion against God. He follows the same way as Absalom (1Kgs 1:5b; 2Sam 15:1).

Adonijah is a beautiful boy, but with a depraved character. The reason for this is that David never crossed or punished him throughout his life. Here David is not a picture of the Lord Jesus or the Father, but of the exercises of the Spirit of Christ Who wants to bring him to act in accordance with God. However, David is not up to that. He did not assume his responsibility in his family.

Instead, he has been guided by the beautiful appearance of his children. We have also seen this in his attitude toward Absalom (2 Samuel 15-19). Often the testimony that should go out from the families of believers is damaged by preferential treatment in the upbringing of the children. God acts differently. He proves His love precisely through discipline (Pro 13:24).

David never blamed Adonijah. It seems that he never refused him anything he wanted to have or do. He will also never have asked him to account for what he had done, or where he had been and never have punished him for the wrong. Now David must suffer justly for his permissiveness to him. Those who honor their sons more than God by not giving them the necessary punishment, lose the honor they can expect from their sons.

Joab and Abiathar join Adonijah. Joab can always be found in the place where he thinks he can get the most benefit. He thinks only of himself. He thinks David can’t do anything anymore because of old age and weakness and chooses the side of what he thinks is the strongest party. Abiathar is, as Eli’s descendant, the representative of the religion on which the judgment has come. He does not accept that judgment, which is apparent from his choice for Adonijah.

Others, like Zadok, Nathan, Benaiah and the heroes of David, are not invited by Adonijah. The true priest (Zadok), the true prophet (Nathan) and the true servants (the heroes) have nothing to do with someone who claims authority. Adonijah doesn’t ask them, because he knows they won’t accept his offer to join. They have always been and will always be faithful to David. It’s a good thing when people don’t ask us to join in an evil cause because they know we will say no.

Adonijah hypocritically gives the conspiracy the appearance of paying homage to God by slaughtering animals, as if it were a peace offering. No doubt Adonijah will have abused his father’s weakness and old age to carry out his coup. However, his plans will fail because he overlooks God.

Nathan’s Advice

From 1Kgs 1:11 onward the Holy Spirit describes in detail how Solomon becomes king through the actions of faithful people. God uses the sensible consultation of people dedicated to Him to fulfill His plans regarding Solomon. What happens in 1 Chronicles in rest – there is no question of Adonijah there – without opposition and consultation (1Chr 23:1 ; 1Chr 29:22-25), takes place here through many events. It is even presented in such a way, that Solomon and Bathsheba will lose their lives if the faithful do not act (1Kgs 1:12). Thus God watches over His purpose with Solomon, that it may be carried out and will not be frustrated.

The first one to perform is Nathan, the prophet. Humanly speaking, it is thanks to his alertness and perceptiveness that God’s plan does not fail. The prophet is the testimony of God’s will and is used by Him to carry out His will. With words of wisdom he informs Bathsheba about the situation that Adonijah has become king and that David doesn’t know about it. He gives her advice with a view to saving her own life and that of her son Solomon. If Adonijah became king, he would see them as his political opponents and eliminate them.

It is important to warn others who are in danger of their lives. This is about living in God’s people and especially about fulfilling God’s plans. If they are at risk, there must be a strong warning and consultation to ward off the danger. Our life is Christ. If there is a danger that we will not be able to show Him as our life, we must issue a warning and look at how we can prevent this.

Bathsheba With David

The hearts of Bathsheba and Nathan are one. What one says, the other does. There is unity in speaking and acting. Bathsheba does what Nathan has suggested. She goes to the old David, who doesn’t even seem to be able to get off his bed anymore. She approaches him with the appropriate acknowledgment that he is her ‘lord’ (cf. 1Pet 3:6a).

When David asks her what she wishes, she speaks to him the words the prophet Nathan told her. She reminds him of what he promised her with regard to her son Solomon and calls him to account regarding his responsibility toward the people.

Nathan With David

While Bathsheba is still talking to David, Nathan appears on stage as appointed. He approaches the matter from a different angle than he had let Bathsheba say. He pretends it as if David has ordered Adonijah to succeed him. In doing so, he presents the case as it has been brought about.

He tells David what Adonijah did and said. What he wants to know from David is whether he really gave the command, for none of the faithful knows anything about it. His question is whether David wants to give clarity.

Solomon Will Be King

From 1Kgs 1:28 it appears that Bathsheba left after Nathan’s arrival. When Nathan has spoken, she is called again. David addresses the word to her. He swears by the LORD, the God of Israel, because it is His counsel. He wants to execute this counsel. He seems to be aware of a new attack by the enemy, but also that the LORD will redeem him from it, as He has done so many times before (cf. 2Sam 4:9; Psa 34:22). He solemnly declares that Solomon will sit on the throne in his place. He speaks about “your son Solomon”. Thus, three times it is spoken about Solomon as the son of Bathsheba (1Kgs 1:12 ; 17 ; 30).

Solomon is also the son of the people. One day the people will say: “A son will be given us” (Isa 9:6). The Bridegroom in Song of Songs speaks of the willing people (Darby Translation) by whom He is set on His royal chariot (Song 6:12). The way is paved for Him by His people, as David was helped by the heroes in the acquisition of his kingship at the time (1Chr 12:23). So through our faithfulness we can hasten the day of God (2Pet 3:11-12).

Command to Make Solomon King

Here David speaks of “my son Solomon” (1Kgs 1:33), the son of David. David calls to him Zadok, Nathan and Benaiah. He gives Zadok and Nathan the order to anoint Solomon as king over Israel. They must make his kingship known by blowing the trumpet and saying “[long] live King Solomon!” See also “[long] live King Adonijah!” in 1Kgs 1:25 and “may my lord King David live forever” in 1Kgs 1:31.

It is about who is king in the practice of our life. Although the kingdom of God has not yet been openly established, we may already be in that kingdom (Rom 14:17-18; Col 1:13). The application of this chapter is whether the Lord Jesus is warmly given the place of dominion in our life. It is about giving Him the place in the practice of our life God has given Him, whether He is on the throne in our life, or whether we ourselves are on the throne of our life.

David orders Solomon to sit on “my throne”. The kingship of Solomon was disputed. Therefore there had to be this action in this way. The kingship of David and also that of Saul has never been disputed. Solomon must sit on the mule, the animal of peace (Zec 9:9). Riding the king’s mule is the sign that he who sits on it will take his place on his throne as his successor. David says that he has appointed him ruler over Israel and over Judah. He can say this because he is completely in accordance with God’s plan.

Benaiah agrees wholeheartedly. He wishes that the word of the king will be a word of the LORD, and that the LORD will be with Solomon, as he was with David. He even wishes Solomon to be greater than David. This is entirely in accordance with the desires of David. Thus the reign of the Lord Jesus will be many times greater than the way of humiliation He once went on earth.

Solomon Anointed King

The anointing of Solomon is done by Zadok, together with Nathan (1Kgs 1:45). For this purpose the horn of oil is used from the tent that David erected on Zion for the ark (2Sam 6:17). The tabernacle is still in Gibeon. The oil will have been the holy anointing oil, with which the priests and the objects of the tabernacle were anointed (Exo 30:23-30). There has been shouting and cheering because of the anointing of Solomon.