1 Kings 1: David names Solomon his heir

Synopsis:

David is old and feeble. Doesn’t matter how much clothes you put on him, he’s cold all the time. In fact, he’s so cold they hire a young virgin girl to lie next to him to keep his body warm. But the king refused her. In the meantime Adonhijah, son of Haggith and one of David's older sons, decides he’s going to be king and he gets some chariots and men to run before him. He called all the sons of David to him except Solomon.  Nathan, the prophet tells Bath-sheba, mother of Solomon that she needs to take action to secure her son’s throne. So she goes to David and asks him whether he named Adonijah his heir. David says he didn’t and he orders his priests to take Solomon to Gihon and blow trumpets and say, God save king Solomon so that people will know – David has appointed him ruler over Israel. Solomon is annointed with holy oil and the trumpet is blown. Adonijah was having a feast when this happened. He comes out to find out what the fuss was all about and why were people in the streets cheering. Adonijah’s guests were scared and went home. Adonijah was afraid of what Solomon would do so he went to the temple and took hold of the horns of the altar and refused to let go until Solomon promised not to kill him.

In other words:

Solomon and his mom Bath-sheba outmaneuver his rivals to be named king of Israel by David.

Favorite bit:

1 Kings 1:2-4 – David’s servants say – find the king a young virgin and let her stand before him and let her cherish him and let her lie in thy bosom that the king may get heat.  They sought for this fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel and found Abishag a Shunammite. She was fair and cherished the king and ministered to him but the king knew her not!

2nd favorite bit:

1 King 1: 50-52 – Adonijah feared because of Solomon and went and caught hold of the horns of the altar. Let king Solomon swear unto me to day that he will not slay his servant with the sword.

3rd favorite bit:

1 King 49 – And all the guests that were with Adonijah were afraid, and rose up , and went every man his way.

What I liked about this chapter:

I liked that despite a usurper claiming the throne against an invalid king, those loyal to him where able to out maneuver and regain control.

Moral Lesson Learned:

Just because someone is old, doesn’t mean they are stupid (1 King 1)