1 King 1:1-53
Key Verse : 29 The
king then took an oath: "As surely as the LORD lives, who has delivered me
out of every trouble, 30 I will surely carry out this very day what I swore to
you by the LORD, the God of Israel: Solomon your son shall be king after me,
and he will sit on my throne in my place."
1.
[1-4] What problem did David have? What
provision was made for him? Discuss the
condition of David and his rule of the nation at this time (Ref. 2 Sam 5:4; 1
King 1:6a).
David became old
(70 yrs) and debilitated to the extent that he did not or could not concern
much about running the country, indicating that the governing was somewhat on
an autopilot mode by the appointed leaders. This situation also called for a
measure to find the next king. If the King is debilitated to the extent that he
is not able to choose the next king, then a serious question on how the next
king will be chosen or who the next king should be come to a fore.
At this situation,
one may ask why King David did not take an action long before he became weak as
he is now?
To understand
correctly we are to consider the deaths of his two sons; possibly a lack of
discipline with Amnon (2 Sam. 13:21) and Absalom (2 Sam. 18:5) had previously
led to unrest in the family and nation. This line of understanding is well
substantiated from v1:6. His father had
never rebuked him by asking, "Why do you behave as you do?"
Some suggested that
he could not discipline his children because of the sin that he committed with
Bathsheba, and even killing of his loyal general.
Did he not see this
problem coming? Or did he not consider that it was his responsibility to choose
a king? Under this unanswered question or ‘a situation of a leadership vacuum’
Adonijah moved forward to put himself a king.
This first
paragraph sets the situation whereby the following events evolves. So, it is
important how to understand this paragraph. If we misread this, then our
understanding of the rest will be likely to be wrong or will likely miss the
key message that God wants to convey through the event of choosing the king.
2.
[5-10] Who was Adonijah (5a-6)? Whom did he
confer with (7-8; Joab: 2 Sam 1-4;2 Sam 2:18-22; 3:23-29; 18:15; 20:10;
Abiathar 2 Sam 15:27; 20:25)? And why (5)? How did he put himself up as the
king (9-10)?
Adonijah was the fourth but eldest
surviving son of David, after the deaths of Amnon, Chileab(Abigail), and
Absalom (2 Sam. 3:2–4; 13:28; 18:15). He was called the son of Haggith. ( 2
Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon the son of Ahinoam
of Jezreel; (2Sa 3:3 his second, Kileab
the son of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third, Absalom the son of
Maakah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; 4 the fourth, Adonijah the son of
Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5 and the sixth, Ithream the
son of David's wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron. NIV) As we
have seen here, who the mother was important in understanding of the son. More
often Adonijah was called the Son of
Haggith(1 King 1:11; 2:13-possibly
derogatory remark; 1 Ch 3:2). The meaning of Haggith is ‘festival dancer’. It is likely that she
was chosen by David because of her beauty as a festival dancer. Adonijah’s
handsome look gives a subtle allusion for his mother Haggith’s beauty(6b).
About his
relationship with his father David, there is only one sentence: His father had
never rebuked him by asking, "Why do you behave as you do?"(6a). This
is very neutral statement and can be taken both, positive or negative ways. In
other words, by this sentence alone,
we cannot discern whether it is a positive statement of his character,
commending and accepting his way of life, or negative aspect of his life that
King did not care about whatever he did.
He chose to confer
with two, Joab son of Zeruiah, and Abiatha the priest. David distance himself
from Joab and chose Benaiah as his royal guard because of his ‘unacceptable
behaviors’ in the eyes of King David [Joab
murdered two men in cold blood who stood in the way of his personal goals :Abner-2
Sam 3:22–39; Amasa 20:9–10: Amasa was appointed to head the army , displacing
Joab from the position 2 Sam 17:25; Abiathar,
the son of Ahimelech priest of Nob, served
David from the beginning of his struggles (cf. 1 Sam 22:20–23), but David chose
Zadok (cf. 2 Sam 20:25) over him, indicating that he was not as good as Zadok
in his eyes.]
King David’s
confidants did not join (v8: Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada-the head
of the royal guard, Nathan the prophet, Shimei and Rei and David's special
guard) with Adonijah. It is not clear whether it was their unwillingness to
join with Adonijah or Adonijah’s will not to include as a part of his
leadership. Probably both. The alienation of these leaders indicates that
Adonijah was not well received by these people or/and there was an intention to
exclude them or to hide this from King David.
Adonijah moved
forward with his desire and declared his kingship along with the nation as a
whole including all David’s children, except few of David’s inner circle and
Solomon. Also, as was noted in our discussion, there was no anointing though
there was a priest, Abiathar; a critical ritual that signifies God’s will.
3.
[11-22] What concern did Nathan raise to
Bathsheba (11)? What did he suggest her
do to do (13-14)? Why (12)? What did she ask King David (17)? Based on what
(17a; 13a)? What did she inform him (19)? Why (20-21)? As Nathan the prophet
came in, what details did he say to him (24-26)? What was the purpose of addressing
this detail (27)?
Prophet Nathan realized the serious
nature of Adonijah’s move to be king and advised Bathsheba the mother of
Solomon. The primary focus was not about kingship but about a matter of life
and death of Solomon and Bathsheba. In order to save their lives, he urged
Bathsheba to move to plead to the King on behalf of her son Solomon. It is good
to note that neither Bathsheba nor Solomon or none of David immediate
confidants but Nathan noted or took action on the serious nature of this. Nathan was the one who knew what went on
between David and God in regard to David’s throne during his sin with
Bathsheba, especially the oath that David made in the past. In other words, Nathan,
the prophet, functioned as the depot of God’s will, which David did not
remember or have a will to carry it out and for which Bathsheba had no courage
to ask King to fulfill. Nathan
devised a plan to push forward the will of God, which was set when
David made a vow to the Lord that he would make Solomon king after him. The
primary purpose of this joint effort is one, to remind David the will of God
contained in his vow of the past and help him made decision based on this vow.
According to the Law (Lev 27), when one made a vow, he cannot recant that vow.
Vow always carries one’s commitment to the will of God. Or, one’s heart is
conformed to the will of God and the explicit expression of one’s will to
conform God’s will is vow. So, this plan is an effort to seek the will of
God and that the holder of the will of God was King David for God vested His
will in David. Only when this plan enfolds God’s will, this plan will
succeed though there would be many unexpected variables. In this regard, faith
and commitment are integral and essential part to put into action. The
certainty that it is within God’s will is ’the vow’ that David made and that
will of God has not changed or that God will not change His will.
Where, on what, or
on whom is the will of God? Often times, the situation looks so murky to
discern where, what, or on whom the will of God is. Here Nathan was the depot
or carrier of that will. God provided David with such great prophet Nathan and
Nathan navigated the course of David’s life toward the right direction to the
Lord’s will. He did this when he was under the power of sin and he is doing
even now, when David is unable to handle important matters of the kingdom.
Though David was the holder of that will, by unknown reason, he could not put
it into action and got himself into a situation whereby his mind become
oblivious to that will. If no one takes action and let the situation dictate
its course, God’s will will be left unfulfilled and might disappear into
darkness of history. But God would not let his will die out by the power of a
human will. He kept Nathan beside David.
We tend to look for
a man in whom we can find our place for our security or wellbeing or our
purpose. Adonijah was the prime example of the one who sought the people who
can accommodate his will or purpose. It is obvious that his aspiration was far
above the will and purpose of God.
4.
[28-37] What oath did David make (29-30)? Before
whom (28) and based on what (30a)? What further instructions did David give
regarding enthronement of Solomon (33-35)? To whom (Ref. 2 Sam 23:22-23)? What was
Benaiah’s answer to the King (36-37)?
By joint efforts of
Nathan and Bathsheba, King David was confronted the will of God, not just for
him but for the kingdom. Before King David, Bathsheba and Nathan reminded David
of his vow, which he did not remember or had no will or strength to put in
action.
Was David
indecisive in choosing the next king? David could be blamed for his indecision
on this matter. Such blame is based on the principle that the king must choose
the next king for it is king’s responsibility.
God said that David was a man after His own heart. David’s legacy, or
how he became king and ran the country is so important for God said to him, 12 “When your days are over and you rest
with your ancestors, I will raise up
your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will
establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and
I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” (2Sa 7 NIV) Who is the one that God
raised up to succeed him? Here the emphasis on “I, God himself,” will
raise up one.
It is likely that
to David, it was unclear whom God chose as the next king. He had made a vow to
make Solomon the next king. But he forgot or left it without an action. God’s
will was not there with Absalom since he died though he had all power and
support to succeed. Adonijah had all qualities as far as one can see and
discern in human eyes. Also, he is the oldest of the remaining sons. And by all
reason, he might be also the holder of God’s will.
How
can one discern the will of God with a clarity and without any ambiguity? This
moment did not come to David until Bathsheba and Nathan came together to remind
him of his vow and how significant that vow was in the present context,
when Adonijah was ready to take the kingship.
How does the
current situation help David discern the will of God? There are two things that
what Adonijah did would end in against God’s will. First, making Bathsheba and
Solomon criminals (v21; whom God loved-Jedidiah),
second, the alienation of the most loyal and godly servants (26,27) in whom
David confided his trust and his will (or God’s will). These are the better and
loyal servants of God than Joab and Abiathar for they were loyal to the Lord as
much as they were loyal to David. In other words, David, the holder of God’s
will, saw that in these servants are the true fear of the Lord. So, he makes an
oath again to confirm his previous oath.
29 The king then
took an oath: "As surely as the LORD lives, who has delivered me out of every
trouble, 30 I will surely carry out this very day what I swore to you by the
LORD, the God of Israel: Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will
sit on my throne in my place."
Making an oath is
to recognize God’s will and expression of one’s will to follow through that
will. In other words, the decision on who is to be the king after David was
thoroughly on the will of God. Nathan and Bathsheba assisted but they were not
the key reason to make this decision. Rather it was the heart of David who
remembered the Lord who delivered him out of trouble that made a decision in accordance with God’s will.
In David, God saw
the prototype of the ideal king for His chosen and was happy to see that and
blessed him with a promise to send the eternal king for the nation through his
posterity. So, all the kings after him must share the same spirit that David
had and that God was pleased with. How
can that spirit be carried on to the next king? Or, does the next king has such
spirit that was in David?
If we are to pin
point of what the spirit is, then what is it?
In my perspective, it is to trust in God according to His promise (2 Sam
7:12). To trust the word “I will” of God is to entrust all matters to God’s
hand especially, choosing the next king. His trust in the Lord was to honor Him
for His will to decide who would be the next King. Though he was anointed by
Samuel and all Israel knew that David would be the next king after Saul, he
remained in silence after the death of Saul and the people of Judah came to him
at Hebron in order to anoint him as their king. He again did not do anything to
bring the ten tribe under his kingship and reigned the two tribes at Hebron for
ten years. After all, it was not David
but the leaders of the ten tribes came to him voluntarily to uphold David as
their king (2 Sam 5:1-5). These two
events speaks very clearly of how David understood the kingdom and the
kingship. There is one thing that flowed
as the major current in the dept of his heart; the kingdom is not his but God’s
and God will choose a king for His kingdom. To trust Him is to honor His will
and His prerogative to choose a king for His kingdom. Quite a number of people
understood that David had no ability to discipline and to train his children
because of his sin. How he dealt with Adonijah was also considered to be from
such lack of his will to discipline. At best, it is an inferred idea connecting
two facts; his sin and no record of discipline. Can a human discipline make a
king fit for God’s kingdom (Cf. 2 Sam 7:14)?
In silence, the Bible denies this. Rather it speaks loudly in this
chapter that God will raise the king whom he loves according to His will and
purpose (2 Sam 12:24). This is revealed in the process of handing down the
kingship of David to Solomon despite of David’s frailty.
5.
[38-40] How did these leaders follow through
David’s command (38-39)? Find the difference in the way how each becoming king
between Adonijah and Solomon. Discuss what its implication might be today.
Benaiah’s word, "Amen! May the LORD, the God of my lord
the king, so declare it. 37 As the LORD was with my lord the king, so may he be
with Solomon to make his throne even greater than the throne of my lord King
David!" captures the theme of this chapter: the LORD, the God of David
confirmed/declares that Solomon is the King and He will fulfill his will by
making him greater than David. Here is a subtle hint that Solomon is a
prefigure of coming Messiah.
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Solomon
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Adonijah
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Birth
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Bathsheba: sinning and forgiveness
of the sin became the major make up of her mind and David’s
the birth of or Solomon himself
was the evidence of God’s forgiveness;(2 Sam 12:24-25)
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Often called the son of Haggith,
(meaning a dancer; possibly derogatory)
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Name
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Jedidiah—loved (the Lord loved
him)
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Often called the son of Haggith
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Relationship
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Love ; David’s oath to make him
the next king
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6 (His father had never rebuked
him by asking, "Why do you behave as you do?"
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Their will
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Remained in silence like David
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put himself forward and said,
"I will be king."(5b)
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Kingship
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God’s will and David’s oath
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His personal will and action
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Anointing
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No anointing
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God’s will and
one’s own aspiration to rule; When one is unaware of God’s will or when one is
not willing to honor the Lord, he makes his will on top of all. All spiritual
leaders must learn to put God’s will above his will. God chooses his leaders
through those in whom the Spirit of God lives. Let God choose… who is the
holder of God’s will among us? Please, add more comments …
6.
[41-53] What were the things that Jonathan
reported on Solomon’s coronation process (43-48)? What did Adonijah do in his
fear (50-51)? On what condition, would Solomon let him live (52)? Discuss what
it might mean to “show himself to be worthy” or “evil”.
Whether he is
innocent or not will be judged by the law of God; If he upholds the law well
(without rebellion or treason), then he will live. If not, he will die. Solomon
did not punish him out of his anger or hostility but let the law of God do its
course in this man’s life. He would be the enforcer of the law of God. In other
words, Solomon’s mind was set the law of God (or fear of God) above his own
feelings of vendetta.
Since this chapter
concludes with the succession of kingship to Solomon, it might be the place to
think over for what or why God chose Solomon to succeed after King David.
1.
Solomon was born after the death of the baby
born by ungodly union of David and Bathsheba. The death of the baby was God’s
judgment and birth of Solomon was a confirmation of God’s forgiveness that was
delivered by Nathan (2 Sam 12:13-14) In other words, Solomon was emblem or
embodiment of God’s forgiveness for David.
2.
The main spirit in David’s heart was the highest
honor to the Lord who delivered him out of every trouble (v29 The king then
took an oath: "As surely as the LORD lives, who has delivered me out of
every trouble). In other words, God is the deliverer and savior for his life.
This was the spirit in David and this spirit must be in the king who succeeds
David, the owner of God’s promise for the kingdom.
3.
God, by giving a son Solomon after the death of
the baby, teaches strongly that He wants the kind of king in whom the spirit of
God’s grace and mercy as the deliver and savior lives. In this regard, we can
consider that Solomon is a shadow of coming Messiah Jesus.
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