1 KINGS 1

DAVID KEEPS HIS PROMISE TO ANOINT SOLOMON AS KING

David is old in age and cannot keep warm, so a beautiful young woman named Abishag is sent to keep David warm. Although this job is very strange, it is not implied to be a sexual relationship.

After Absalom’s death, Adonijah is David’s oldest son. Adonijah put the cart before the horse, literally, and appointed himself as king over Israel. Adonijah gathers the Israelites to exalt him as king, but does not include David, Solomon, or anyone else who did not encourage him to take the throne.

Nathan and Bathsheba warn David about Adonijah’s actions, knowing David’s promise to God to make Solomon king. David intervenes and appoints Solomon, sending him into town riding on David’s mule. Solomon’s beginning as king is similar to the humble entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (Matthew 21).

Adonijah realizes that Solomon was appointed and becomes afraid. Adonijah fears that Solomon will have him killed for his attempt to take the throne. Instead, Solomon forgives Adonijah and lets him live.