1 Kings 1:1-10

Background

The books of 1–2 Kings originally formed a single work, which was probably divided because its length required two scrolls. The division between 1–2 Kings is not based on a natural break in the text; it splits the story of Elijah between the two books. The whole work of 1–2 Kings deals with the period from 971 bc (the transition from David to Solomon) to 586 bc (the Babylonian exile). First Kings covers about 120 years of that span, starting just before Solomon’s accession and ending shortly after Ahab’s reign over the northern kingdom (853 bc).

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., Whitehead, M. M., Grigoni, M. R., & Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible. Lexham Press.

Outline

• Solomon comes to the throne (1:1–2:46)

• Solomon’s reign (3:1–11:43)

• Israel is divided after Solomon’s death (12:1–22:53)

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., Whitehead, M. M., Grigoni, M. R., & Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible. Lexham Press.

Theme

First Kings profoundly illustrates just how faith in national identity or leadership can lead to failure. Meanwhile, a faithful relationship with Yahweh is reflected in the life of Elijah, who predicts droughts, resurrects the son of a widow, and calls down fire upon the prophets of the god Baal (chs. 17–18). Elijah and a few others bravely show strength in the midst of religious persecution (e.g., 18:1–16). We see that these courageous few have the most powerful ally of all, Yahweh, who provides whatever they need (17:2–6) and speaks truth in a still small voice (19:9–18). First Kings leads us to reflect on what kind of people we will turn out to be. We can choose to stand nearly alone like Elijah, proclaiming righteousness in an unjust time, or we can choose to follow after failed leaders—or worse, become like them. The choice to follow Yahweh—or not—is ours to make.

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., Whitehead, M. M., Grigoni, M. R., & Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible. Lexham Press.

Theme: Irresponsible leadership destroys nations

Wiersbe, W. W. (2002). Be responsible (p. 7). Victor.

Chapter 1

David’s Old Age (1:1-4)

Adjoniah’s Plot (1:5-10)

1 Kings 1:7

NLTAdonijah took Joab son of Zeruiah and Abiathar the priest into his confidence, and they agreed to help him become king.47% difference

AV 1873And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him.14% difference

1 Kings 1:8

NLTBut Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s personal bodyguard refused to support Adonijah.30% difference

AV 1873But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.24% difference

1 Kings 1:9

NLTAdonijah went to the Stone of Zoheleth near the spring of En-rogel, where he sacrificed sheep, cattle, and fattened calves. He invited all his brothers—the other sons of King David—and all the royal officials of Judah.

Adonijah means “Yah is master.” In spite of his efforts to make himself master, Adonijah’s life history demonstrates that Yah is indeed Master. Adonijah, an Adam figure, attempts to seize the forbidden fruit of the kingdom and is cast out as a result.

Peter Leithart

1 Kings 1:10 “But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, and Solomon his brother.”

Explanation

Sunset and Sunrise “A crisis isn’t what makes a person; a crisis shows what a person’s made of.” In one form or another, you find this statement in the writings of insightful thinkers from antiquity to the present. Another version is, “What life does to you depends on what life finds in you.” The same sun that hardens the clay melts the ice. The kingdom of Israel was facing a crisis because King David was on his deathbed. In facing this crisis, different people responded in different ways. 1. Adonijah the opportunist (1 Kings 1:1–10) A real leader looks at a crisis and asks, “What can I do that will best help the people?” An opportunist looks at a crisis and asks, “How can I use this situation to promote myself and get what I want?” Opportunists usually show up uninvited, focus attention on themselves and end up making the crisis worse. Adonijah was that kind of person. The occasion (vv. 1–4). Adonijah was David’s oldest living son and was probably thirty-five years old at this time. David’s firstborn, Amnon, was killed by Absalom; his second son, Kileab (or Daniel), must have died young because there’s no record of his life; and the third son, Absalom, was slain by Joab (1 Chron. 3:1–2). As David’s eldest son, Adonijah felt that he deserved the throne. After all, his father was a sick man who would soon die, and it was important that there be a king on the throne of Israel. Like his older brother Absalom (2 Sam. 15:1–6), Adonijah seized his opportunity when David wasn’t at his best and was bedfast. However, Adonijah underestimated the stamina and wisdom of the old warrior and ultimately paid for his pride with his life. Abishag became a companion and nurse for David and was probably officially considered a concubine, so there was nothing immoral about their relationship. She will become a very important person in the drama after David’s death (2:13–23). Adonijah made the mistake of thinking that his father was unable to function normally and therefore interfere with his plans, but he was wrong. Instead of being a sympathetic son, Adonijah decided to claim the throne for himself. If he won the support of his siblings, the government leaders, the priests, and the army, he could pull off a coup and become the next king The traitors (vv. 5–7). Following the example of his infamous brother Absalom (2 Sam. 15:7–12), Adonijah began to promote himself and generate popular support. Like Absalom, he was a handsome man who had been pampered by his father (v. 6; 2 Sam. 13–14), and the unthinking people joined his crusade. Wisely, Adonijah got the support of both the army and the priesthood by enlisting Joab the general and Abiathar the high priest. Both of these men had served David for years and had stood with him during his most difficult trials, but now they were turning against him. Yet Adonijah knew that the Lord had chosen Solomon to be Israel’s next king (2:15), and Abiathar and Joab certainly understood this as well. When the Lord gave David His covenant (2 Sam. 7), He indicated that a future son would succeed him and build the temple (1 Chron. 22:8–10), and that son was Solomon (1 Chron. 28:4–7). Adonijah, Abiathar, and Joab were rebelling against the revealed will of God, forgetting that “[t]he counsel of the Lord stands forever” (Ps. 33:11, nkjv). The faithful (vv. 8–10). Again, like his brother Absalom, Adonijah hosted a great feast (2 Sam. 15:7–12) and invited all his brothers except Solomon (v. 26). He also ignored several other important leaders in the kingdom, including Zadok the high priest, Benaiah the leader of the king’s personal guard, Nathan the prophet, and David’s “mighty men” (2 Sam. 23). This was a coronation feast and the guests were proclaiming Adonijah as king of Israel (v. 25). Perhaps some of them thought that the ailing King David had actually laid his hands on Adonijah and named him king. After all, Adonijah’s brothers were at the feast, which suggested they made no claim to the throne. But surely the guests were aware of the absence of Solomon, Zadok, Benaiah, and Nathan. And did anyone ask when and where Nathan had anointed Adonijah, and if he had been anointed, why the event was so secret? The faithful servants of God and of David had been left out, an obvious clue that Adonijah had named himself as king without any authority from David or the Lord. Often in Bible history it appears that “truth is fallen in the street, and equity [justice] cannot enter” (Isa. 59:14, nkjv), but the Lord always accomplishes His purposes. “The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands” (Ps. 9:16, nkjv). Adonijah’s great feast was the signal David’s loyal servants needed to inform David that it was time to name Solomon the next king of Israel.

Wiersbe, W. W. (2002). Be responsible (pp. 9–11). Victor.