Solomon’s Ascension to the Throne
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
OT character studies are valuable. They involve people who lived in a different time, but who are real people. They have ups and they have downs. As we can see with David and with Solomon, sometimes they walk as God would have them walk; yet, other times they sin and go their own path. What we observe about God acting in, through and around them, teaches us about Him. We learn theology. We also see truth come from the pages of their lives that we can apply today in our lives. With Solomon, there is much God has for us to learn as we look at his life.
Solomon’s life and reign is found primarily in 1Kings 1.11.
In Chs. 1 and 2 we will cover how he came to rule
In Chs. 3 and 4 we’ll see how God abundantly blessed him
In Chs. 5-8 we will cover his primary accomplishments
In Chs. 9-11 we will cover how and why the kingdom was removed from him
Background on Solomon
He was the third king of Israel. God chose him to succeed David.
Before his birth God spoke to David about Solomon. It was similar to God speaking to Abraham about Isaac and naming him before he was born (Gen 17.19).
9 Behold, a son will be born to you, who shall be a man of rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side; for his name will be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. 10 He shall build a house for My name, and he shall be My son and I will be his Father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’
Having set the table, let’s see what the text tells us about how he came to the throne
DAVID IS AGED and INFIRMED (1 Kings 1.1-4)
1 Now King David was old, advanced in age; and they covered him with garments, but he could not keep warm. 2 So his servants said to him, “Have them search for a young virgin for my lord the king, and have her attend the king and become his nurse; and have her lie on your chest, so that my lord the king may keep warm.” 3 So they searched for a beautiful girl throughout the territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. 4 The girl was very beautiful; and she became the king’s nurse and served him, but the king did not become intimate with her.
David was about 70 at this time. His reign began at 30 (2 Sa 5.4-5) and he reigned for 40 years.
His body was frail but not his mind.
He needed a nurse; since he was king, they wanted a beautiful virgin to attend to him.
Shunem was northwest of Nazareth; it was in the tribal territory of Issachar.
Abishag was a cargiver, but David did not cohabit with her. She provided warmth and nursing care.
Along comes a son, seeking to take advantage of his old and ill father, and usurp the throne.
ADONIJAH’S ATTEMPTED COUP
(1 Kings 1.5-10)
5 Now Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” So he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, with fifty men to run before him. 6 And his father had never rebuked him at any time by asking, “Why have you done so?” And he was also a very handsome man, and he was born after Absalom. 7 Now he had conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest; and they allied themselves with Adonijah. 8 But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.
9 Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened steers by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En-rogel; and he invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants. 10 But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or his brother Solomon.
Adonijah was self-exalted. Prov 27.1, “let another praise you and not your own mouth.”
David was ill and old. He was the oldest living son and he saw what he thought was an opportunity.
Adonijah forgot one very important fact. God had given clear instructions about how a king would be chosen in Deut 17.14-15:
14 “When you enter the land which the Lord your God is giving you, and you take possession of it and live in it, and you say, ‘I will appoint a king over me like all the nations who are around me,’ 15 you shall in fact appoint a king over you whom the Lord your God chooses. One from among your countrymen you shall appoint as king over yourselves; you may not put a foreigner over yourselves, anyone who is not your countryman.
He planned a huge feast to celebrate his rise to power at the Stone of Haz-o-hey-let beside En-rogel.
ADONIJAH’S ACTIONS PROMPT NATHAN TO ACT (1 Ki 1.11-14)
11 Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king, and David our lord does not know it? 12 So now come, please let me give you advice, and save your life and the life of your son Solomon. 13 Go at once to King David and say to him, ‘Have you not, my lord the king, sworn to your servant, saying, “Solomon your son certainly shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’ 14 Behold, while you are still there speaking with the king, I will come in after you and confirm your words.”
All of this is taking place on the same day Adonijah was celebrated as the new king in Israel.
Nathan, a man of much wisdom, decided the best way to approach David was through Bathsheba because of what David had promised her.
Nathan counseled her to tell David what Adonijah had done.
Nathan made sure she understood this was a matter of life and death for her and for Solomon.
BATHSHEBA APPEALS TO KING DAVID (1 Ki 1.15-21)
15 So Bathsheba entered to the king in the bedroom. Now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king. 16 Then Bathsheba bowed and prostrated herself before the king. And the king said, “What is on your mind?” 17 So she said to him, “My lord, you yourself swore to your servant by the Lord your God, saying, ‘Your son Solomon certainly shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’ 18 But now, behold, Adonijah is king; and now, my lord the king, you do not know it. 19 He has sacrificed oxen and fattened steers and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of the army, but he has not invited Solomon your servant. 20 And as for you, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are upon you, to announce to them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. 21 Otherwise it will come about, as soon as my lord the king lies down with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be considered offenders.”
Bathsheba wasted no time. Adonijah had claimed to be king. En-rogel celebration was underway.
She explained what had been done and that all of his sons were there except Solomon and that both Joab and Abiathar had joined Adonijah.
She reminded him of his oath to her that Solomon would succeed him.
She indicated all Israel, not just Judah, was waiting for him to announce his successor.
If he failed to do so, she feared death for herself and Solomon after David died.
NATHAN APPEARS BEFORE KING DAVID (1 Ki 1.22-27)
22 And behold, while she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in. 23 They informed the king, saying, “Nathan the prophet is here.” And when he came into the king’s presence, he prostrated himself before the king with his face to the ground. 24 Then Nathan said, “My lord the king, have you yourself said, ‘Adonijah shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne’? 25 For he has gone down today and has sacrificed oxen and fattened steers and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king’s sons, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest, and behold, they are eating and drinking in his presence; and they say, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ 26 But me, even me your servant, Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon, he has not invited. 27 Has this thing been done by my lord the king, and you have not let your servants know who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”
Nathan came in on cue.
He asked questions. Did you appoint Adonijah as your successor? Did you do it and not tell any of us who are close to you?
He made sure it was clear that neither he nor Zadok nor Benaiah was involved.
Once David had the facts, he acted quickly.
DAVID ORDERS SOLOMON TO BE ANOINTED KING IMMEDIATELY (1 Ki 1.28-40)
28 Then King David responded and said, “Summon Bathsheba to me.” And she came into the king’s presence and stood before the king. 29 Then the king vowed and said, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress, 30 certainly as I vowed to you by the Lord, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Your son Solomon certainly shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place’; I will indeed do so this day.” 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.”
David wanted to first address Bathsheba. He wanted to confirm to her that indeed Solomon would succeed.
Notwithstanding the acts of a usurper, God will bring about His will for a successor; David will fulfill his human responsibility and Solomon will become king that day.
He then instructed his key people on what to do.
1 kings 1.32-37
32 Then King David said, “Summon to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” And they came into the king’s presence. 33 And 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. 34 And have Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there as king over Israel, and blow the trumpet and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ 35 Then you shall come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne, and he shall be king in my place; for I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah.” 36 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king and said, “Amen! May the Lord, the God of my lord the king, say the same. 37 Just 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!”
It was Zadok, Nathan and Benaiah.
David’s mule .
The Gihon spring was the main water source for Jerusalem. It was located where the Hinnom and Kidron valleys meet.
Within earshot of En-rogel; about 600+ yards.
Combined monarchy.
V. 35 is noteworthy also because it refers to Solomon as king and ruler. The king at that time had absolute power. By also using “na geed” the word for “ruler” which is often translated as prince, the idea is that he serves under another. It is a reminder that in Israel, YHWH is king and the ruler/prince serves under Him and is accountable to Him.
SOLOMON ANOINTED AS KING (1 Ki 1.38-40)
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. 39 And 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!” 40 And 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.
This was a major celebration; it began late but it finished strong.
People turned out. The earth shook!
ADONIJAH LEARNS HIS COUP d’etat FAILED (1 Ki 1.41-48)
41 Now Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard this as they finished eating. When Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, “Why is the city making such an uproar?” 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 you bring good news.” 43 But Jonathan replied to Adonijah, “On the contrary! Our lord King David has made Solomon king! 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 mounted him on the king’s mule.
The Cherethites and the Pelethites were mercenaries David had hired to fight and they stuck with him. They served under Benaiah.
45 Furthermore, 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 going wild. This is the noise which you have heard. 46 Besides, Solomon has even taken his seat on the throne of the kingdom. 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. 48 The king has also said this: ‘Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who has granted one to sit on my throne today while my own eyes see it.’ ”
Three things are occuring: 1) the city is going wild in celebration; 2) Solomon is seated on the literal throne of David; and 3) God is being praised and worshiped for what He has done.
TERROR AMONG ADONIJAH AND HIS CAMP (1 Ki 1. 49-53)
49 Then all the guests of Adonijah trembled and got up, and each went on his way. 50 Adonijah also was afraid of Solomon, and he got up, and went, and took hold of the horns of the altar.
Adonijah’s fear is next.
51 Now it was reported to Solomon, saying, “Behold, Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon, for behold, he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘May King Solomon swear to me today that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.’ ” 52 And 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.” 53 So King Solomon sent men, 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.”
14 If, however, someone is enraged against his neighbor, so as to kill him in a cunning way, you are to take him even from My altar, to be put to death.
DAVID DEFINES SUCCESS FOR SOLOMON (1 Ki 2.1-4)
1 As David’s time to die drew near, he commanded his son Solomon, saying, 2 “I am going the way of all the earth. So be strong, and prove yourself a man.
What a challenge from a dying father to his son. Be strong and prove yourself to be a man. How was Solomon to do that? David explains.
3 Do your duty to the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, so that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn, 4 so that the Lord may fulfill His promise which He spoke regarding me, saying, ‘If your sons are careful about their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and all their soul, you shall not be deprived of a man to occupy the throne of Israel.’
He was saying, “Solomon, you have to walk in His ways. You have to keep all that He has spelled out in the Torah, the Law of Moses. Then you will have success!
David is saying that Solomon will know how to live if he follows God’s instruction. If that also occurs with his sons, they will continue to occupy your throne after him. But, they must do it from the heart. As Bob sometimes says it needs to be a “want to” attitude and not a “have to” attitude. And, as we’ve seen in our Leviticus study, the condition of the heart of man is God’s great concern whether it be a king or a shepherd.
DAVID INSTRUCTS SOLOMON REGARDING JOAB, THE SONS OF BARZILLAI (Bar a zee ley)AND SHIMEI (1 Ki 2.5-9)
5 “Now you yourself also know what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, what he did to the two commanders of the armies of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner and to Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed; he also shed the blood of war in peace. And he put the blood of war on his belt that was on his waist, and on his sandals that were on his feet. 6 So act as your wisdom dictates, and do not let his gray hair go down to Sheol in peace.
Joab was David’s nephew. Zeruiah was his sister. He was the commander of David’s armies. While he had done a lot for David, he had also shed innocent blood against the desires of David.
David trusts Solomon to act wisely with Joab but he does not want him to die in peace.
7 However, show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table; for they assisted me when I fled from Absalom your brother.
The sons of Barzillai: Solomon was to protect them and give them privilege.
8 And behold, you have with you Shimei the son of Gera the Benjaminite, of Bahurim; now it was he who cursed me with a painful curse on the day I went to Mahanaim. But when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord, saying, ‘I will not put you to death with the sword.’ 9 But now do not leave him unpunished, for you are a wise man; and you will know what to do to him, and you will bring his gray hair down to Sheol with blood.”
Shimei: Solomon is to be wise about Shimei ben Gera, but in the end, David anticipates Solomon will need to kill him, bring him to Sheol with blood.
Ponderings:
David has just advised Solomon to be a man by walking before God according to the Torah, the instruction God had provided.
Now, David has just instructed Solomon that Joab shed innocent blood for which he deserved to die (although David never issued that sentence and let him live). He asks Solomon to deal wisely with him but not to let him die in peace.
When Joab is executed in vv. 28-34, Solomon says that the LORD has returned the blood he shed on his own head because he killed two men more righteous than he. This, Solomon will say removed the blood Joab shed without cause from the house of David and the house of Solomon.
I believe David saw Joab and Shimei as representing threats to Solomon’s kingdom which is why David spoke to him about them.
DEATH OF DAVID (1 Ki 2.10-12)
10 Then David lay down with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David. 11 Now the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: in Hebron he reigned for seven years, and in Jerusalem he reigned for thirty-three years. 12 Then Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his kingdom was firmly established.
This is significant because it records for the readers including us that David served a total of 40 years before his death. He ruled Judah for 7 years and the combined kingdom for 33 years.
It is also significant that God did not allow David to die until Solomon’s kingdom was firmly established.
ADONIJAH’S DISLOYALTY LEADS TO HIS DEATH (1 Ki 2.13-25)
13 Now Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. So she said, “Do you come peacefully?” And he said, “Peacefully.” 14 Then he said, “I have something to say to you.” And she said, “Speak.” 15 So he said, “You yourself know that the kingdom was mine and that all Israel intended for me to be king; however, the kingdom has turned around and become my brother’s, for it was his from the Lord. 16 So now I am making one request of you; do not refuse me.” And she said to him, “Speak.” 17 Then he said, “Please speak to Solomon the king—for he will not refuse you—that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as a wife.” 18 And Bathsheba said, “Very well; I will speak to the king for you.”
Revisionist history! The kingdom was never his.
Remember he was promised life and safety if he was a worthy man. Is this the conduct of a worthy man?
King Solomon’s Response
19 So Bathsheba went to King Solomon, to speak to him for Adonijah. And the king stood to meet her, bowed to her, and sat on his throne; then he had a throne set up for the king’s mother, and she sat on his right. 20 Then she said, “I am making one small request of you; do not refuse me.” And the king said to her, “Ask, my mother, for I will not refuse you.” 21 So she said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as a wife.” 22 But King Solomon answered and said to his mother, “And why are you requesting Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Request for him the kingdom as well—since he is my older brother—for him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah!” 23 Then King Solomon swore by the Lord, saying, “May God do so to me and more so, if Adonijah has not spoken this word against his own life! 24 Now then, as the Lord lives, who has established me and set me on the throne of David my father, and has made me a house just as He promised, Adonijah certainly shall be put to death today!” 25 Then King Solomon sent the order by Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he struck him so that he died.
He was claiming a status (marrying Abishag) that would have been symbolic of the power of one on the throne.
Adonijah ordered his own death sentence by what he did.
This removed his threat to Solomon’s throne.
SOLOMON DISMISSES ABIATHAR AS PRIEST (1 Ki 2.26-27)
JOAB IS EXECUTED (1 Ki 2.28-35)
SHIMEI VIOLATES HIS AGREEMENT AND DIES (1 Ki 2.36-46)
46 So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck him so that he died.
And the kingdom was established in the hands of Solomon.
Thus the kingdom was established in the hands of Solomon.
Closing
The purpose and plan of God will not be thwarted; it will succeed. We see the sovereignty of God displayed in the ascension of Solomon to the throne.
The Stone of Zoheleth
In Hebrew, it is eben haz-o-hey-let. Eben is stone; hazoheylet is often translated as snake or serpent. Thus, the place Adonijah chose to celebrate his self-proclaimed kingship was at “The Serpent’s Stone.”
How ironic!
Likely knowing the will of God for David’s successor, he still chose to go his own way, to seek to fulfill his own desires and ignore God’s choice and God’s will.
How many of our choices are made because of what we want even when we know that choice is not God’s will?
There was only one way here to obtain blessing; that was to fulfill the will of the Father.
Adonijah’s determination to be king, all the support he rallied, would not and could not change God’s design. Solomon was installed and his kingdom was firmly established.
Key figure: NATHAN; pivotal. Wise, timely.