Godly fathers-ungodly sons-33

Sorry for this delay, we were out of town and my car broke down on the way home. We did not get home until after 10 pm.

We left with another son trying to take the throne from David, who is now 70 years old and weakening.

1Kings 1:28  Then King David said, "Call Bathsheba to me." And she came into the king's presence and stood before the king. 1:29  The king vowed and said, "As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress, 

1:30  surely as I vowed to you by the LORD the God of Israel, saying, 'Your son Solomon shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place'; I will indeed do so this day." 1:31  Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground, and prostrated herself before the king and said, "May my lord King David live forever." 

It is a little strange that of all his wives and of all his sons, that David would make this promise to Bathsheba. Remember that she was the wife of Uriah, whom David had killed in battle.

1:32  Then King David said, "Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada." And they came into the king's presence. 1:33  The king said to them, "Take with you the servants of your lord, and have my son Solomon ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon. 1:34  "Let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there as king over Israel, and blow the trumpet and say, 'Long live King Solomon!' 1:35  "Then you shall come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne and be king in my place; for I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah." 1:36  Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king and said, "Amen! Thus may the LORD, the God of my lord the king, say. 1:37  "As the LORD has been with my lord the king, so may He be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David!" 

David still had enough strength and presence of mind to prepare the way for Solomon to be king in his place. The other oddity was that normally, the king died before his son ascended to the throne. But, David was encouraged to act quickly as Adonijah was make his move in this apparent vacuum of David’s age and health

1:38  So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David's mule, and brought him to Gihon. 1:39  Zadok the priest then 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!" 1:40  All the people went up after him, and the people were playing on flutes and rejoicing with great joy, so that the earth shook at their noise. 

So not everyone in Jerusalem knew of Adonijah’s plans as they celebrated King Solomon.

1:41  Now Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they finished eating. When Joab heard the sound of the trumpet he said, "Why is the city making such an uproar?" 1:42  While he was still speaking, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came. Then Adonijah said, "Come in, for you are a valiant man and bring good news." 1:43  But Jonathan replied to Adonijah, "No! Our lord King David has made Solomon king. 1:44  "The king has also sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites; and they have made him ride on the king's mule. 1:45  "Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon, and they have come up from there rejoicing, so that the city is in an uproar. This is the noise which you have heard. 1:46  "Besides, Solomon has even taken his seat on the throne of the kingdom. 1:47  "Moreover, the king's servants came to bless our lord King David, saying, 'May your God make the name of Solomon better than your name and his throne greater than your throne!' And the king bowed himself on the bed. 1:48  "The king has also said thus, 'Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has granted one to sit on my throne today while my own eyes see it.'" 

Nathan’s plan was carried off swiftly and effectively. There was no room for doubt. Solomon was now king and Adonijah was defeated on the 5 yard line.

1:49  Then all the guests of Adonijah were terrified; and they arose and each went on his way. 1:50  And Adonijah was afraid of Solomon, and he arose, went and took hold of the horns of the altar. 1:51  Now it was told Solomon, saying, "Behold, Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon, for behold, he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, 'Let King Solomon swear to me today that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.'" 1:52  Solomon said, "If he is a worthy man, not one of his hairs will fall to the ground; but if wickedness is found in him, he will die."  1:53  So King Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and prostrated himself before King Solomon, and Solomon said to him, "Go to your house." 

Just like with Joab, Adonijah feared for his life and ran to the Temple hoping that this would keep Solomon from killing him. Solomon made a promise to spare his life on one condition. He must give up his wicked plans to take the throne.

What have we learned so far?

David’s sons all wanted the throne.

It would appear that none of them really knew of his plan for Solomon.

Solomon held in his hand the life of his brother Adonijah.

The three older brothers are all dead. Only Solomon and Adonijah are left.

Even though David had other sons, they are not really mentioned as being in line for being king. Quite possibly because they were younger.

More next Saturay.