Solomon- Grace and Justice

By Mary Vee
I Kings 2

From Bathsheba's Diary

One of David's sons, Adonijah, asked to speak to me. As one of David's wives, and the mother of David's son, Solomon, I decided to see what he wanted to say. Although, I was cautious since Adonijah recently attempted to steal the throne.

When he arrived I asked, "Do you come in peace?"

He bowed. "Oh, yes. I come in peace. I have something I wish to discuss with you."

"All right. Say what is on your mind."

"You know as well as I do that the kingdom was mine. I am older than Solomon and the rightful hear to the throne instead of him. All of Israel expected me to be king. But, the kingdom was given to my brother as the Lord decreed. Since I do not have the kingdom, I have but one request."

"I'm listening."

"Will you speak with King Solomon, your son. I know he will not refuse to hear you. Ask if I may have Abishag, the one who took care of my father in his last days, as my wife."

I didn't see any problem with the request. "Very well, I will speak to King Solomon."

He bowed and left the room.

I sent a servant to King Solomon and requested to speak to him. As I expected he invited me to the throne room right away. He rose from his chair and came to me, greeting me as he walked. He walked me back to his chair and called his servants to bring a second chair for me. The chair was placed on his right side.

"Mother, you came to speak with me. What did you wish to say?"

"I have a request."

"Ask for anything you want."

"Give Abishag to your brother, Adonijah, as a wife."

He didn't say anything for a moment. "Mother, why did you ask for me to give Abishag to my brother for a wife? You may as well have asked for me to give him the kingdom, for he is my older brother. And then he and Abiathar the priest and Joab the former captain will take over the country as they planned.

"I had promised to spare his life as long as he was good."

He rose to his feet and raised his fist in the air. "May God do to me and more if Adonijah made this request to steal the kingdom. I promise before the Lord who lives, the one who has confirmed me and set me on the throne of David my father  The one who has made this house for me as He promised. Adonijah will be put to death today!"

Guard, bring Benaiah to me at once.  Benaiah arrived in only a few moments. "Yes, my lord."

Solomon sat back in his throne seat. "Find Adonijah and run him through with the sword, for today he attempted to steal the throne."

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1. Who is king?
2. Who is the king's older brother?
3. Who is Bathsheba?
4. What did Adonijah ask Bathsheba to do?
5. How did Solomon greet his mother?
6. Did Solomon give Adonijah what he wanted? Why or why not?

David-Scandal and Palace Coup

By Mary Vee
I Kings 1

From the Prophet Nathan's Journal

This is the time for new beginnings. I understand you are celebrating a new year. We too are experiencing something new, but, I refuse to celebrate this event.

Recently, King David became too sick to go about his business as king. He is rather old and will probably die soon. His son, Adonijah, the fourth child born to David, knew his father's last day would come soon and assumed he was the next rightful king. 

He stood before the king's court and said, "I will be king." He ordered chariots and horsemen to be brought to him. Next he appointed fifty men to run before the chariots, showing the people he had authority. David did not punish Adonijah for this behavior.

Adonijah was handsome like his brother, Absalom, who died shortly after overthrowing the palace. Adonijah called Joab, the captain of the army and Abiathar, the priest.  Unbelievable. I thought they would have learned to not participate in these takeovers after Absalom's failed attempt. 

Adonijah sacrificed sheep and oxen and healthy cattle near EnRogel to proclaim his kingship. He also invited all his brothers, the king's sons, the men of Judah, and the king's servants to the celebration. But he didn't invite me or Solomon.

What does this tell us? Uh huh. He knew Solomon had been chosen to be the next king and he knew I would defend the Lord's will. 

Adonijah may think he will succeed, but I still have a say. I went to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother and said, "Did you hear Adonijah has become king and David our lord does not know it?"

Her brows deepened with worry. "No, I hadn't heard. David said my son, Solomon, would be the next king."

"Yes, I know. He told me. We need to act quickly. Please do as I say. Go immediately to King David and say to him 'My lord, didn't you promise me Solomon would reign and sit on your throne after you? Why then has Adonijah become king?' Then, while you are still talking with the king, I will come in to the king's chamber and confirm your words."

"I will go right away." She rushed toward the door then turned back. "Thank you, Nathan."

She ran to David's chamber and begged to speak with him on an urgent matter. David, of course invited her into his room where he lay covered with several blankets and shivering. Once he realized she was there he said, "What is your wish?"

She bowed before him and said the words I gave her. "And as for you, my lord, the eyes of all Israel are on you, waiting for you to tell them who will sit on the throne after you. If you do not speak, then Solomon and I will be counted as offenders and be imprisoned."

As she finished her words and left his room I stepped into the king's chamber and waited to be announced. When David gave me permission to see him, I bowed low, with my face to the ground. "If I may, my lord. Have you said Adonijah will be king after you and sit on your throne? He went down today and sacrificed many oxen, healthy cattle, and sheep. He invited all your son's, the commanders of your army, and Abiathar the priest.

"They are having a party at this very moment celebrating Adonijah as the next king and shouting, 'Long Live King Adonijah!' But, he has not invited me, Zadok, Benaiah, or Solomon. Did you do this without telling me?"

David took a small drink and said, "Call Bathsheba to me."

We called her back right away. She stood next to David's bed and bowed. David looked at me then at Bathsheba. "As the Lord lives who has redeemed my life from every distress, just as I promised to you before the Lord God of Israel, saying 'Solomon, your son, will be king after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place,' this I will certainly do this day."

I am not surprised David honored his word. Now we need to stop the Coup.

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1.  Who is Adonijah?
2.  What did do?
3.  Who wasn't invited to Adonijah's party?
4.  ________________ did know what Adonijah did. She thought __________ had been chosen.
5. Who told David about the problem?
6. What did David do?
7. What still needs to be done?