The Rise of Solomon

1 Kings 2:1-3:28

Drawing Near

What are some of the benefits of making compromises? Under what circumstances would you refuse to compromise?

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The Context

The book of 1 Kings begins with the final years of David's reign. By this time David is seventy years of age, and circulatory problems have plagued him to the point that he has trouble keeping warm. So his servants propose a solution in keeping with the medical practices of the day. They find a beautiful young woman named Abishag to watch over him at night and warm him with her body heat. In this manner Abishag joins David's harem, though the text makes it clear that she remained a virgin.

The news of David's failing health soon prompted Adonijah, David's fourth son, to assert his claim to the throne. By this point Adonijah's older brothers Amnon and Absalom (and evidently Chileab) were dead, making him the heir apparent. Like Absalom, Adonijah was an attractive young man, and his ambition led him to raise a small army to support his claim. He soon gained the support of Joab, David's powerful general, and the high priest Abiathar.

However, the prophet Nathan knew Adonijah was not God's choice for the next king. That distinction would fall to Solomon — the second child born to David and Bathsheba. Nathan's intervention prompted David to formally recognize Solomon as his successor, even though he was not next in line for the kingship. Adonijah's support eroded, and he begged Solomon for mercy. Solomon spared his life, provided he proved "himself a worthy man" (1 Kings 1:52) and did not seek to reclaim the throne.

Once the succession was secure, Solomon began his reign on a good footing. He asked God to give him wisdom to shepherd His people, and the Lord answered by giving him not only wisdom but also great riches and power. Solomon's kingdom would grow to be one of the most powerful in the world at the time. Unfortunately, in the process Solomon would allow a number of compromises to creep in that would ultimately set him up for disaster.

Keys to the Text

Read 1 Kings 2:1-3:28, noting the key words and phrases indicated below.

David's Final Instructions: As the time of David's life on earth draws to a close, he summons Solomon, his chosen heir, to impart some final wisdom and instructions to him.

2:1. He charged Solomon: Leaders typically gave final instructions to their successors when they were handing over power to them (see Deuteronomy 31:7-8; Joshua 23:1-16; 1 Samuel 12:1-25). David followed this practice by giving Solomon a final exhortation.

2. BE STRONG, THEREFORE, AND PROVE YOURSELF A MAN: David told Solomon he would be going "the way of all the earth" and that Solomon needed to be strong. In this way David sought to encourage and prepare Solomon for the difficult tasks that lay ahead.

3. Keep the charge of the Lord your God: David admonished Solomon to obey the Mosaic Law so he could have a successful kingship. God had made an unconditional covenant with him in 2 Samuel 7:4-17, and He would confirm that covenant to Solomon (see 1 Kings 9:5). In this way, the Lord promised the perpetuation of the Davidic dynasty over Israel.

4. If your sons take heed to their way: The king's obedience to the Law was a necessary condition for the fulfillment of the divine promise. Unfortunately, none of David's descendants would remain faithful to God's Law, and none of them would meet the conditions for the fulfillment of the promise.

Reward and Punishment: David not only encourages Solomon to be courageous and faithful to the Lord but also charges him with tying up some loose ends from his reign.

5. You know also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me: David concluded his instructions by commanding Solomon to reward one man who had been faithful to him and to punish two men who had wronged him. One of those men whom Solomon was to punish was David's former general. Joab's zeal had led him to murder two men — Abner and Amasa — after warfare had ceased, which under the Law made him a murderer (see Deuteronomy 19:11-13). Joab had also gone against David's direct orders to not kill his son Absalom.

7. Show kindness to the sons of Barzillai: The man whom David wanted to reward was Barzillai, who had brought supplies to him and his troops when they fled from Jerusalem (see 2 Samuel 17:27-29). David instructed Solomon to repay this kindness by showing similar kindness to Barzillai's sons. Allowing them to eat at Solomon's table represented a position of honor that could also include a royal stipend.

8. Shimei the son of Gera: Shimei had cursed David and thrown stones at him as he was escaping from Absalom, which were actions worthy of death (see 2 Samuel 16:5-13). David had spared his life at the time, not wanting further bloodshed, but he now counseled Solomon through subtle means to arrange for his just punishment.

11. David reigned over Israel ... forty years: David ruled from approximately 1011 BC to 971 BC, probably with Solomon as co-regent during his final year.

Brotherly Treachery: Solomon's rivals move in after the death of King David to lay their claim to the throne. One of these contenders draws Solomon's mother into his treachery.

12. HIS KINGDOM WAS FIRMLY ESTABLISHED: Solomon enjoyed the Lord's approval for his succession, but not everyone had agreed with God's choice.

15. All Israel had set their expectations on me: As the direct heir to the throne, Adonijah might have been correct in his claim that "all Israel" expected him to be king. However, as the Lord would say through the prophet Isaiah, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways" (55:8). He had already chosen Solomon to be the next ruler.

17. Give me Abishag: Adonijah went to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, and asked her to persuade Solomon to give him Abishag as his wife. In the ancient Near East, possession of the royal harem was a sign of kingship, so Adonijah's request was an attempt to support his claim and perhaps generate a revolt. Bathsheba didn't see through the treachery.

22. Ask for him the kingdom also:...