King David grew old and became stricken in his years. No matter how many blankets they put on him, he was cold all of the time. His servants thought that maybe a young virgin would bring him some delight and she could take care of him; lie close to him and keep him warm. This was not for the intimacy of a concubine. They found Abishag from Shunem and brought her to the king.
1 Kings 1:1-4 (1) King David was now very old, and no matter how many blankets covered him, he could not keep warm. (2) So his advisers told him, “Let us find a young virgin to wait on you and look after you, my lord. She will lie in your arms and keep you warm.” (3) So they searched throughout the land of Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag from Shunem and brought her to the king. (4) The girl was very beautiful, and she looked after the king and took care of him. But the king had no sexual relations with her.
While in his weakened state, David’s son Adonijah the son of Haggith boasted, saying, I will be king: and he prepared a chariot and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. Like his brother Absalom, he was a very handsome man with a great deal of charisma. Even his father never corrected him. So Adonijah took Joab, son of Zeruiah and Abiathar the priest into his confidence, and they agreed to help him become king. However, Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s personal bodyguard refused to conspire with Adonijah. The conspirators went to the Stone of Zoheleth, and there Adonijah sacrificed cattle and fattened calves. David’s other sons along with the rest of the royals, were invited except Nathan the prophet; Benaiah; the king’s bodyguard and his brother Solomon.
1 Kings 1:7-10 ESV He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest. And they followed Adonijah and helped him. (8) But Zadok the priest and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and Nathan the prophet and Shimei and Rei and David's mighty men were not with Adonijah. (9) Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened cattle by the Serpent's Stone, which is beside En-rogel, and he invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the royal officials of Judah, (10) but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the mighty men or Solomon his brother.
Then Nathan went to Bathsheba and asked, “Did not the King promise to you that Solomon would reign after him, because Adonijah has declared himself king?” So Nathan instructs her to go into David and inform him of what Adonijah had done and reminded him of his promise to her that her son Solomon was to be king. David then ordered, “Call Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” When they came, he instructed them to take Solomon down to Gihon Spring; and Solomon was to ride on David’s mule. Furthermore, Zadok and Nathan were to anoint him king and blast the trumpet and shout; “Long live King Solomon.” Finally, they were to bring him back to Jerusalem where he was to sit on David’s throne. This they did, with every detail and in haste.
1 Kings 1:38-40 ESV So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David's mule and brought him to Gihon. (39) There Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people said, "Long live King Solomon!" (40) And all the people went up after him, playing on pipes, and rejoicing with great joy, so that the earth was split by their noise.
When Adonijah and his conspirators found out that Solomon had been anointed King over all Israel, the conspirators all fled, leaving Adonijah without any support. His coup d'etat was very short lived. As he would have had Solomon executed, now he feared the same fate. So Adonijah ran and clung to the horns of the altar and demanded a promise from Solomon not to kill him. Solomon agreed to deal fairly with him and sent him home.
1 Kings 1:49-53 ESV Then all the guests of Adonijah trembled and rose and each went his own way. (50) And Adonijah feared Solomon. So he arose and went and took hold of the horns of the altar. (51) Then it was told Solomon, "Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon, for behold, he has laid hold of the horns of the altar, saying, 'Let King Solomon swear to me first that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.'" (52) And Solomon said, "If he will show himself a worthy man, not one of his hairs shall fall to the earth, but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die." (53) So King Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and paid homage to King Solomon, and Solomon said to him, "Go to your house."
Rarely does any good ever come out of insurrection. Kings and emperors who have crowned themselves have almost always led in tyranny and are typically recorded by history as being disastrous. Obedience to the LORD is the only way to become a successful leader.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you for your law that is perfect and holds order and justice. Strengthen me in your righteousness and lead me, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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