Summary 1 Kings 1:28-53:
David has Solomon appointed king. He is anointed by Zadok the priest at Gihon. Upon hearing this, the supporters of Adonijah fled, and Solomon spares Adonijah’s life.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 23, Day 3: 1 Kings 1:28-53:
6) Part Personal Question. My answer: David acts decisively when he needs to and does everything by the book. It shows we all need to act when the time has come, especially if God says to do so.
7) Jonathan told Adonijah that Solomon was made king. The people were afraid of retribution from supporting Adonijah, so they fled.
8 ) Part personal Question. My answer: Solomon responded with grace and compassion by not killing Adonijah. I need more compassion, caring, empathy, sympathy, and understanding.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 23 Day 3: 1 Kings 1:28-53:
We see the best in both David and Solomon here. David doing the right thing when he has to, and Solomon sparing his brother when he didn’t have to.
Link to great book of Kings summary video HERE
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 23, Day 3: 1 Kings 1:28-53:
David stepped aside, quickly and decisively, so Solomon could rule.
This is a rare glimpse of all three offices in cooperation – prophet, priest, and king. Each of these offices was fulfilled in Jesus.
David made sure the proclamation of Solomon as successor was known.
- Solomon rode on David’s mule
- Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him.
- Horn blew
- “Long live King Solomon!”
- Solomon sat on the throne.
The mule in the Old Testament
- “Since Hebraic law forbade crossbreeding (Leviticus 19:19), mules had to be imported and were therefore very expensive. So while the common people rode donkeys, the mule was reserved for royalty.” (Dilday)
- “As David offered Solomon to ride on his own mule, this was full evidence that he had appointed him his successor.” (Clarke)
“Gihon, the site of the anointing, was just outside the city in the Kidron Valley, on the east bank of Ophel. It was at this time Jerusalem’s major source of water and was therefore a natural gathering place of the populace” (Patterson and Austel).
Solomon’s mercy to Adonijah
According to almost universal custom in the ancient world, a religious altar was a place of sanctuary against justice or vengeance. An accused man might find safety if he could flee to an altar before he was apprehended.
It is important to understand that this ancient custom was not used in Israel to protect a guilty man. But if a man acts with premeditation against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you shall take him from My altar, that he may die (Exodus 21:14).
- Solomon gave Adonijah a limited reprieve. This went against all custom in the ancient world. It was common, even expected, that when a new king assumed the throne, he would execute every potential rival. Solomon not only let a potential rival live, but one who openly tried to subvert his reign. This was a large measure of grace and mercy on the part of Solomon, and a good start to his reign.
- At the same time, Solomon wanted Adonijah to know that if he should show the slightest inclination towards rebellion, he would be killed instantly. Mercy would be withdrawn and justice would be delivered quickly.
Adonijah knew he received great mercy from Solomon, and he wanted to show his gratitude for it and his reliance upon Solomon’s mercy.