1 and 2 Kings records all the kings except Saul. It records Jehoichin’s release from Babylonian captivity, so may have been written by an exile, as Ezra or Ezekiel.
The historical books are not merely for history, but to preserve spiritual lessons.
KING JAMES BIBLE
1 Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat.
2 Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat.
3 So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.
4 And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.
5 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.
6 And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom.
7 And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him.
8 But 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.
9 And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by Enrogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants:
10 But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.
11 Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not?
12 Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon.
13 Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign?
14 Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words.
15 And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king.
16 And Bathsheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou?
17 And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne.
18 And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not:
19 And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.
20 And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.
21 Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.
22 And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in.
23 And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.
24 And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?
25 For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah.
26 But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.
27 Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed it unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?
28 Then king David answered and said, Call me Bathsheba. And she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king.
29 And the king sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress,
30 Even as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day.
31 Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.
32 And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king.
33 The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:
34 And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon.
35 Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead: and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah.
36 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, Amen: the LORD God of my lord the king say so too.
37 As the LORD hath been with my lord the king, even so be he with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord king David.
38 So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David's mule, and brought him to Gihon.
39 And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.
40 And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.
41 And Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, Wherefore is this noise of the city being in an uproar?
42 And while he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came: and Adonijah said unto him, Come in; for thou art a valiant man, and bringest good tidings.
43 And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king.
44 And the king hath sent with him Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and they have caused him to ride upon the king's mule:
45 And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon: and they are come up from thence rejoicing, so that the city rang again. This is the noise that ye have heard.
46 And also Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdom.
47 And moreover the king's servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. And the king bowed himself upon the bed.
48 And also thus said the king, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which hath given one to sit on my throne this day, mine eyes even seeing it.
49 And all the guests that were with Adonijah were afraid, and rose up, and went every man his way.
50 And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.
51 And it was told Solomon, saying, Behold, Adonijah feareth king Solomon: for, lo, he hath caught hold on the horns of the altar, saying, Let king Solomon swear unto me to day that he will not slay his servant with the sword.
52 And Solomon said, If he will shew himself a worthy man, there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth: but if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die.
53 So king Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and bowed himself to king Solomon: and Solomon said unto him, Go to thine house.
KING JAMES 1611
1 Now King Dauid was olde, and striken in yeeres, and they couered him with clothes, but hee gate no heate.
2 Wherefore his seruants said vnto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a yong virgin, and let her stand before the King, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosome, that my lord the King may get heate.
3 So they sought for a faire damosel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the King.
4 And the damosell was very faire, and cherished the king, and ministred to him: but the king knew her not.
5 Then Adoniiah the sonne of Haggith exalted himselfe, saying, I wil be king: And he prepared him charets and horesemen, and fiftie men to runne before him.
6 And his father had not displeased him at any time, in saying, Why hast thou done so? And hee also was a very goodly man, and his mother bare him after Absalom.
7 And hee conferred with Ioab the sonne of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the Priest: and they following Adoniiah, helped him.
8 But Zadok the Priest, and Benaiah the sonne of Iehoiada, and Nathan the Prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mightie men which belonged to Dauid, were not with Adoniiah.
9 And Adoniiah slew sheepe, and oxen, and fat cattell, by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by En-Rogel, and called all his brethren the kings sonnes, and all the men of Iudah the kings seruants.
10 But Nathan the Prophet, and Benaiah, and the mightie men, and Solomon his brother he called not.
11 Wherefore Nathan spake vnto Bath-sheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adoniiah the son of Haggith doth reigne, and Dauid our lord knoweth it not?
12 Now therefore come, let mee, I pray thee, giue thee counsell, that thou mayest saue thine owne life, and the life of thy sonne Solomon.
13 Goe, and get thee in vnto King Dauid, and say vnto him, Diddest not thou, my lord, O king, sweare vnto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy sonne shall reigne after mee, and he shall sit vpon my throne? why then doth Adoniiah reigne?
14 Beholde, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirme thy words.
15 And Bath-sheba went in vnto the King into the chamber: and the king was very olde, and Abishag the Shunammite ministred vnto the king.
16 And Bathsheba bowed, and did obeysance vnto the king: and the king said, What wouldest thou?
17 And she said vnto him, My lord, thou swarest by the Lord thy God vnto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy sonne shall reigne after me, and he shall sit vpon my throne:
18 And now behold, Adoniiah reigneth; and now my lord the king, thou knowest it not.
19 And he hath slaine oxen, and fat cattell, and sheepe in abundance, and hath called all the sonnes of the king, and Abiathar the Priest, and Ioab the captaine of the hoste: but Solomon thy seruant hath he not called.
20 And thou, my lord O king, the eyes of all Israel are vpon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.
21 Otherwise it shall come to passe, when my lord the king shal sleepe with his fathers, that I and my sonne Solomon shall be counted offenders.
22 And loe, while shee yet talked with the king, Nathan the Prophet also came in.
23 And they tolde the king, saying, Beholde Nathan the Prophet. And when hee was come in before the king, he bowed himselfe before the king with his face to the ground.
24 And Nathan said, My lord O king, hast thou said, Adoniiah shall reigne after mee, and hee shall sit vpon my throne?
25 For hee is gone downe this day, and hath slaine oxen, and fat cattel, and sheepe in abundance, and hath called all the kings sonnes, and the captaines of the host, and Abiathar the Priest: and behold, they eate and drinke before him, and say, God saue king Adoniiah.
26 But me, euen me thy seruant, and Zadok the Priest, and Benaiah the sonne of Iehoiada, and thy seruant Solomon hath he not called.
27 Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed it vnto thy seruant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king, after him?
28 Then king Dauid answered, and said, Call me Bathsheba. And she came into the kings presence, and stood before the king.
29 And the king sware, and said, As the Lord liueth, that hath redeemed my soule out of all distresse,
30 Euen as I sware vnto thee by the Lord God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy sonne shall reigne after me, and he shal sit vpon my throne in my stead; euen so wil I certainly doe this day.
31 Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reuerence to the king, and said, Let my lord king Dauid liue for euer.
32 And king Dauid said, Call me Zadok the Priest, and Nathan the Prophet, and Benaiah the sonne of Iehoiada. And they came before the king.
33 The king also saide vnto them, Take with you the seruants of your lord, and cause Solomon my sonne to ride vpon mine owne mule, and bring him downe to Gihon.
34 And let Zadok the Priest, and Nathan the Prophet, anoint him there King ouer Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God saue King Solomon.
35 Then ye shall come vp after him, that hee may come and sit vpon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead: and I haue appointed him to be ruler ouer Israel, and ouer Iudah.
36 And Benaiah the sonne of Iehoiada answered the King, and said, Amen: The Lord God of my lord the king say so too.
37 As the Lord hath bene with my lord the King, euen so be he with Solomon, and make his throne greater then the throne of my lord King Dauid.
38 So Zadok the Priest, and Nathan the Prophet, and Benaiah the sonne of Iehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites went downe, and caused Solomon to ride vpon King Dauids mule, and brought him to Gihon.
39 And Zadok the Priest tooke an horne of oile out of the Tabernacle, and anointed Solomon: and they blew the trumpet, and all the people said, God saue King Solomon.
40 And all the people came vp after him, and the people piped with pipes, and reioyced with great ioy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.
41 And Adoniiah and all the ghests that were with him, heard it as they had made an end of eating: and when Ioab heard the sound of the trumpet, hee said, Wherefore is this noise of the citie, being in an vproare?
42 And while hee yet spake, behold, Ionathan the sonne of Abiathar the Priest came, and Adoniiah sayde vnto him, Come in, for thou art a valiant man, and bringest good tidings.
43 And Ionathan answered, and said to Adoniiah, Uerily our lorde king Dauid hath made Solomon king.
44 And the king hath sent with him Zadok the Priest, and Nathan the Prophet, and Benaiah the sonne of Iehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and they haue caused him to ride vpon the kings mule.
45 And Zadok the Priest, and Nathan the Prophet haue anointed him king in Gihon: and they are come vp from thence reioycing, so that the citie rang againe: this is the noyse that yee haue heard.
46 And also Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdome.
47 And moreouer, the kings seruants came to blesse our lorde king Dauid, saying, God make the name of Solomon better then thy name, and make his throne greater then thy throne. And the king bowed himselfe vpon the bed.
48 And also thus sayde the King, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which hath giuen one to sit on my throne this day, mine eyes euen seeing it.
49 And all the guests that were with Adoniiah, were afraid, and rose vp, and went euery man his way.
50 And Adoniiah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the hornes of the Altar.
51 And it was tolde Solomon, saying, Behold, Adoniiah feareth King Solomon: for loe, he hath caught hold on the hornes of the Altar, saying, Let King Solomon sweare vnto mee to day, that hee will not slay his seruant with the sword.
52 And Solomon sayd, If hee will shewe himselfe a worthy man, there shall not an haire of him fall to the earth: but if wickednesse shall be found in him, he shall die.
53 So king Solomon sent, and they brought him downe from the Altar, and hee came and bowed himselfe to king Solomou: and Solomon sayde vnto him, Goe to thine house.
Compare Verse to Verse
III == Josh 19:18
V == 2nd Sam 3:4 ; 15:1
VI == 2nd Sam 3:3-4 ; 1st Chr 3:2
VII == 2nd Sam 20:25 ; 1st Kings 2:22 , 28
VIII == 2nd Sam 23:8 ; 1st Kings 4:18
IX == 2nd Sam 17:17
XI == 2nd Sam 3:4
XIII == 1st Chr 22:9
XVII == 1st Kings 1:13 , 30
XIX == 1st Kings 1:7-9 , 25
XXI == Deut 31:16 ; 1st Kings 2:10
XXV == 1st Sam 10:24 ; 1st Kings 1:19
XXIX == 2nd Sam 4:9
XXX == 1st Kings 1:17
XXXI == Neh 2:3 ; Dan 2:4
XXXIII == 2nd Sam 20:6 ; 2nd Chr 32:30 ; Esth 6:8
XXXIV == 1st Sam 10:1 ; 16:3 , 12 ; 2nd Sam 2:4 ; 5:3 ; 15:10 ; 1st Kings 19:16 ; 2nd Kinbs 9:3 , 13 ; 11:12 , 14
XXXVII == Josh 1:5 , 17 ; 1st Sam 20:13 ; 1st Kings 1:47
XXXVIII == 2nd Sam 8:18 ; 23:20-23
XXXIX == Ex 30:23 , 25 , 32 ; 1st Sam 10:24 1st Chr 29:22; Ps 89:20
XLII == 2nd Sam 18:27
XLVI == 1st Chr 29:23
XLVII == Gen 47:31 ; 1st Kings 1:37
XLVIII == 1st Kings 3:6 ; Ps 132:11-12
L == 1st Kings 2:28
LII == 1st Sam 14:45 ; 2nd Sam 14:11 ; Acts 27:34
THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 When King David was old and advanced in years, though they spread covers over him he could not keep warm.
2 His servants therefore said to him, "Let a young virgin be sought to attend you, lord king, and to nurse you. If she sleeps with your royal majesty, you will be kept warm."
3 So they sought for a beautiful girl throughout the territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunamite, whom they brought to the king.
4 The maiden, who was very beautiful, nursed the king and cared for him, but the king did not have relations with her. .
5 Adonijah, son of Haggith, began to display his ambition to be king. He acquired chariots, drivers, and fifty henchmen.
6 Yet his father never rebuked him or asked why he was doing this. Adonijah was also very handsome, and next in age to Absalom by the same mother.
7 He conferred with Joab, son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest, and they supported him.
8 However, Zadok the priest, Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, and Shimei and his companions, the pick of David's army, did not side with Adonijah.
9 When he slaughtered sheep, oxen, and fatlings at the stone Zoheleth, near En-rogel, Adonijah invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the royal officials of Judah.
10 But he did not invite the prophet Nathan, or Benaiah, or the pick of the army, or his brother Solomon.
11 Then Nathan said to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother: "Have you not heard that Adonijah, son of Haggith, has become king without the knowledge of our lord David?
12 Come now, let me advise you so that you may save your life and that of your son Solomon.
13 Go, visit King David, and say to him, 'Did you not, lord king, swear to your handmaid: Your son Solomon shall be king after me and shall sit upon my throne? Why, then, has Adonijah become king?'
14 And while you are still there speaking to the king, I will come in after you and confirm what you have said."
15 So Bathsheba visited the king in his room, while Abishag the Shunamite was attending him because of his advanced age.
16 Bathsheba bowed in homage to the king, who said to her, "What do you wish?"
17 She answered him: "My lord, you swore to me your handmaid by the LORD, your God, that my son Solomon should reign after you and sit upon your throne.
18 But now Adonijah has become king, and you, my lord king, do not know it.
19 He has slaughtered oxen, fatlings, and sheep in great numbers; he has invited all the king's sons, Abiathar the priest, and Joab, the general of the army, but not your servant Solomon.
20 Now, my lord king, all Israel is waiting for you to make known to them who is to sit on the throne after your royal majesty.
21 If this is not done, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, I and my son Solomon will be considered criminals."
22 While she was still speaking to the king, the prophet Nathan came in.
23 When he had been announced, the prophet entered the king's presence and, bowing to the floor, did him homage.
24 Then Nathan said: "Have you decided, my lord king, that Adonijah is to reign after you and sit on your throne?
25 He went down today and slaughtered oxen, fatlings, and sheep in great numbers; he invited all the king's sons, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest, and they are eating and drinking in his company and saying, 'Long live King Adonijah!'
26 But me, your servant, he did not invite; nor Zadok the priest, nor Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, nor your servant Solomon.
27 Was this done by my royal master's order without my being told who was to succeed to your majesty's kingly throne?"
28 King David answered, "Call Bathsheba here." When she re-entered the king's presence and stood before him,
29 the king swore, "As the LORD lives, who has delivered me from all distress,
30 this very day I will fulfill the oath I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel, that your son Solomon should reign after me and should sit upon my throne in my place."
31 Bowing to the floor in homage to the king, Bathsheba said, "May my lord, King David, live forever!"
32 Then King David summoned Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, son of Jehoiada. When they had entered the king's presence,
33 he said to them: "Take with you the royal attendants. Mount my son Solomon upon my own mule and escort him down to Gihon.
34 There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet are to anoint him king of Israel, and you shall blow the horn and cry, 'Long live King Solomon!'
35 When you come back in his train, he is to go in and sit upon my throne and reign in my place. I designate him ruler of Israel and of Judah."
36 In answer to the king, Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, said: "So be it! May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, so decree!
37 As the LORD has been with your royal majesty, so may he be with Solomon, and exalt his throne even more than that of my lord, King David!"
38 So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and Pelethites went down, and mounting Solomon on King David's mule, escorted him to Gihon.
39 Then Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. They blew the horn and all the people shouted, "Long live King Solomon!"
40 Then all the people went up after him, playing flutes and rejoicing so much as to split open the earth with their shouting.
41 Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it, just as they ended their banquet. When Joab heard the sound of the horn, he asked, "What does this uproar in the city mean?"
42 As he was speaking, Jonathan, son of Abiathar the priest, arrived. "Come," said Adonijah, "you are a man of worth and must bring good news."
43 "On the contrary!" Jonathan answered him. "Our lord, King David, has made Solomon king.
44 The king sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and Pelethites, and they mounted him upon the king's own mule.
45 Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed him king at Gihon, and they went up from there rejoicing, so that the city is in an uproar. That is the noise you heard.
46 Besides, Solomon took his seat on the royal throne,
47 and the king's servants went in and paid their respects to our lord, King David, saying, 'May God make Solomon more famous than you and exalt his throne more than your own!' And the king in his bed worshiped God,
48 and this is what he said: 'Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has this day seated one of my sons upon my throne, so that I see it with my own eyes.'"
49 All the guests of Adonijah left in terror, each going his own way.
50 Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, also left; he went and seized the horns of the altar.
51 It was reported to Solomon that Adonijah, in his fear of King Solomon, had seized the horns of the altar and said, "Let King Solomon first swear that he will not kill me, his servant, with the sword."
52 Solomon answered, "If he proves himself worthy, not a hair shall fall from his head. But if he is found guilty of crime, he shall die."
53 King Solomon sent to have him brought down from the altar, and he came and paid homage to the king. Solomon then said to him, "Go to your home."
COMMENTARIE
v 1-4. David was old, feeble, and apparently had loss of circulation, resulting in him being cold. He has been criticized for having a young virgin to keep him warm instead of one of his wives. However this was a common medical custom of the day and was a therapeutic practice that continued into the middle ages.
v 5. David died at 70 and may have been becoming senile. He certainly should have seen that Adonijah was setting himself up as Absalom did, 2 Sam. 15:1.
v 6. David had been too lenient with all his children, and as yet today, it usually turns out harmful. Several of David’s family were extra good looking, perhaps having something to do with the wives he chose. Haggith bore Adonijah after Maacah bore Absalom, but he had died, 2 Sam. 18:14,15. Though Solomon was younger, he knew David favored Solomon and God had said that he was to be king, 2:15 and 22:9.
v 7-10. Joab and Abiathar may have thought they would fare better if Adonijah was king. He didn’t invite Solomon, heir to the throne, 1 Chr. 22:9, and his friends to the feast.
v 11-14. Nathan informed Bathsheba of Adonijah’s plans, with the warning that he would probably kill her and Solomon. He instructed her to ask the king why he was letting Adonijah be king, then Nathan would immediately come in to confirm her words
v 15-21. She bravely reminded him of his promise to her that Solomon was to be king, but that Adonijah was taking over, that people were watching to see what David would do, and if he did nothing, she and Solomon would be killed after his death.
v 22-27. The words were hardly out of her mouth before Nathan was ushered in and confirmed and enlarged on her statements. Then he tactfully asked if Adonijah was the king’s choice and he had not told him. v 28-31. David was spurred to action and promised Bathsheba he would attend to the matter that very day. v 32-37. David was true to his word and took immediate steps to have Solomon crowned king. Open declaration of this was by having Solomon ride the king’s mule. Those who had remained faithful to David were to blow the trumpet and declare Solomon king, following him and causing him to sit on the throne as David ordered.
v 38-40. David’s faithful ones did as directed, Zadok, with Nathan, anointed him with oil, (2nd 1 Chr. 29:22) and the people celebrated with music and joyful shouting. They are at Gihon spring northeast of Jerusalem, preparing for a ride of honor into the city, and the rebel group were likewise at En-rogle spring southeast of Jerusalem.
v 41-49. Adonijah’s guests had barely finished their feast, which was to celebrate him as king, when the trumpet (official announcement) and gaiety over Solomon could be heard less than a mile away. One of the faithful messengers when David was fleeing, Jonathan, brought word that the cause of the clamor was the anointing of Solomon as king. All the people and David’s servants were rejoicing, and he even bowed in his bed before Solomon. All the guests of Adonijah fled in fear at this report. v 50-53. Adonijah was in fear for his life and fled to the altar at the Tabernacle (Apparently the altar of burnt offering set up by David when he brought the ark back.) for refuge and hope for mercy. Solomon’s words as much as said, “You can go home and live if you behave yourself”. Adonijah bowed in submission, but see his failure 2:13-25.
v 50-53. Adonijah was in fear for his life and fled to the altar at the Tabernacle (Apparently the altar of burnt offering set up by David when he brought the ark back.) for refuge and hope for mercy. Solomon’s words as much as said, “You can go home and live if you behave yourself”. Adonijah bowed in submission, but see his failure 2:13-25.
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