SOLOMON BECOMES KING. 1st Kings 1:11-53 Only some things that have affected the historical account are written down in the scriptures. We are not told earlier in the scriptures when the Lord told David that Solomon would be the king after him. We know from 1st Chronicles 22 and 28 that it was plain to David that Solomon would build the temple, and God had chosen Solomon to be the king of Israel. It is not stated when that promise was made to Bathsheba. However, it happened; David knew Solomon would succeed him on the throne God had promised to continue, and our Lord Jesus Christ would be seated there in time to come. David's oath could not be changed because the Lord God had witnessed it.
It was a practice among Middle Eastern tribes to eliminate all threats to the throne by killing those who would think they had a claim to it. Bathsheba was concerned that this would happen to her and her son Solomon if Adonijah became the king. The prophet Nathan planned a way to bring the ailing old king to understand what needed to be done. By arranging the order of Bathsheba's visit and his own to follow and getting a similar report, David would see what had to be done.
David’s integrity was such that Nathan, the prophet, was still welcomed even though he had confronted David with his terrible sin with Bathsheba. Nathan was still welcomed in David's household, and his words held great weight as one who spoke for the Lord. He knew the consequences of what would happen if Adonijah succeeded in taking the throne of Israel.
Diplomacy is important in dealing with older people. Much of what they think about relates to the past, and present events are not important to them personally. It takes wisdom to communicate clearly enough to them to get specific answers from them and still not be offensive. Nathan understood this so wisely that he staged Bathsheba's inquiry and follow-up to find out if David had privately sanctioned Adonijah's actions or whether Adonijah had acted on his own.
Sometimes, things around us seem to have no real consequences because they don’t affect us personally. But if they are allowed to continue, the results will be disastrous to us and many other unsuspecting people who do not have much spiritual insight. Our first response may be that we don’t want to get involved for fear of being considered self-seeking or meddlesome. Prayer, good intentions, anxiety, or anger do not excuse us from taking responsibility for that which God has placed in our hands to do.
In a quick response of enlightened decision-making, David took charge of the whole matter. Solomon was to be king. He wanted them to do quickly what must be done to establish the throne by first having Solomon ride David's royal mule. This was a visible, public proclamation that David sanctioned Solomon's succession to the throne. All the people could see this and know what that action meant.
The natural course of living often gives us greater insight into how and when things promised will come to pass. Other people may not know how God’s promises will be fulfilled. Still, we must be awake and aware of the issues going on around us so that we can take the necessary action. To leave questions, intentions, or directions up in the air that affect God’s people leaves them uncertain and questioning their leaders. People can become discontented when left in the dark concerning things that will affect them.
David was an old man, but he was respected and even revered by those who knew him best and were spiritual enough to know that God was still using His servant. “The eyes of all Israel” would still be on the old, ill, and weary king to give the needed orders expected by his leadership. His supporters had been with him through thick and thin and were not about to abandon him like the self-seekers were. The words of Nathan, the messenger of God, were heeded, and immediate action was taken to deal with an unavoidable problem.
When we hear ministry from the word of God through reading the Bible ourselves and teaching from other men guided by the Holy Spirit, our spirits will bear witness to the truth we hear. God gives wisdom to those who fear Him, ask for it, and are willing to do what He says. There is great value in listening to what mature Christians say, particularly what they have personally experienced and are willing to pass on.
David had his share of distress and victory, so he did not hesitate to affirm that the Lord had redeemed his life “in every distress.” He openly confessed that he trusted the Lord as the God who had redeemed him and delivered him from his enemies and his own sins. Many of the Psalms he wrote are testimonies of his actions and response to the Lord dealing with him.
Gihon, a spring east of Jerusalem in the Kidron Valley about a mile from where Adonijah was feasting, was the place of Solomon’s anointing as king. Anointing oil was made of a special formula kept where the ark was. Zadok, the priest representing the people to God, Nathan, the prophet representing God to the people, and other leaders loyal to David were to be witnesses to the ceremony of Solomon being anointed king. The blowing of trumpets would have been heard for a long distance. That, along with the pipes the people played and the enthusiastic shouts of the people, was intimidating to those seated with Adonijah at his feast when they found out Solomon was proclaimed king by the highest authority. When the news was that he was king over Israel and Judah, still a kingdom of united tribes, those guests looking for a place of authority under Adonijah quickly left him alone.
The people of Israel expected the nation under the new king to be even more successful than when David was king. David worshipped in reverence on his bed because he had lived to see his son, Solomon, the new king, on his throne. Adonijah feared what he would have done to Solomon would be done to him, so he hung on to the altar's horns to place himself under divine protection. Later, both Joab and Adonijah found that it was a false hope. His only choice was to submit to Solomon's authority as the new king, or he would die if he continued in opposition.
It is foolish to take matters into one's own hands without understanding God's will. It is also unwise to leave things that need to be done unattended. Making decisions that offend some people may make us uncomfortable, but we must commit ourselves to doing what is right, no matter the cost. Some schemes are doomed to fail before they start, yet people get caught up in a net of wrongdoing. It is hard to admit that what we have been doing or supporting needs to be corrected. To seek God's help and mercy after failure has occurred is too late. We need to seek guidance and wisdom from Him before undertaking some project or plan we might have. Hindsight often leaves us defeated and unwilling to admit to our mistakes. When that happens, we need to make a fresh start in fellowship with God and under divine guidance.
When one has been attacked, challenged, or accused unfairly, forgiving demonstrates more strength than retribution. Grace is a powerful force with long-lasting effects. Trying to prove our power and authority at the expense of others is self-defeating because it is motivated by fear and doubt.
Expectations: every father has them when each child is born. Is he going to be like her side of the family or mine? Will he look like his mother or his father? Will he be a good learner, or will he be a bit slow? Can I give him what he needs with all the responsibilities I have in my life? How much time can I take from my work to give him the kind of instructions he must hear? He is not like his other brothers. He is an individual in his own right, but why can’t he be like the rest of the family? Maybe this is just a phase he is going through. I’ll get him the best tutors I can find. Why can’t his mother get control of that boy?
Now, this one is more like it. He is what I had hoped for. Smart? You better believe it. He has got all he needs and more. He seems to be more like me than the other boys. Well, of course, I spend more time with him, but still, he’s young, and I am not quite so busy now. Things are going better at work, and I can give him more time than I could give to the older boys. Now that he is grown, I think he is the one to take over the business – the work that God gave me to do. He even thinks like I do.
Regrets: one couldn’t get his mind out of the gutter. Too bad he had that weakness for girls. And to think he could do that to his sister. Unbelievable! And the rebel – he was too good-looking for his own good. He couldn’t keep his eyes off of the mirror. Yes, it is true – he had the personality to go with it. I thought I could handle him. Who would’ve thought he would ever try to take over the whole business and leave me out in the cold? I should’ve started with him a whole lot earlier. Part of that entire rebellion was my fault because I should have seen it coming years before. Now? I am afraid he is in hell!
Now I’m frozen all the time. I can’t seem to get warm at all. And that son of mine can’t seem to get his eyes off this girl helping me. I am afraid he has some of his old dad in him – looking where he shouldn’t. And this news – what am I to do? He’s taking over just like his brother did. He wants it all now, and he wants what he wants, no matter what I might say. Come on - act now – don’t wait. If you don’t act now, there will be a major war when the Lord takes me. It is obvious who God wants to lead this work. Now speak up and do it right – and do it right immediately!
Anticipation: he is the one for sure that God has chosen. Now do this right – make it public – make it quick – and ensure the greatest number of people know what has happened before the other son can do anything about it. Solomon, my son: you are God’s man. Act like it. Don’t hesitate. You have what it takes because God gave it to you. How did it go, I wonder? Did it work out the way I planned? It did? Praise God! He has done great things, which I am glad about! Not often does one see his successor on the throne and live to tell about it. Yes, my body is cold; where is my parka? I need some more blankets. Where is that girl who is supposed to take care of me and keep me warm? Aw, David, don’t be so fussed up. Solomon is on the throne. My heart is warm! He needs my advice. Give it to him quick while your mind is sharp. He is in danger and needs to know how to deal with things. Someone go quickly and get Solomon, the king!