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1 Kings 1:11-27 | Bible Study

Who will live? Who will die?

The Fight for Survival

The first ten verses of Kings set the scene. David is old, cold, and near death (see 1 Kgs 1:1-4). Adonijah, his oldest surviving son, seizes the moment to take the throne.

When Adonijah makes his move, political battle lines are quickly drawn (see 1 Kgs 1:5-10). He gathers an influential group of men to his side. Unfortunately, Adonijah does not gain the loyalty of key figures in David's life (Nathan, Zadok, the mighty men, etc.).

1 Kings 1:11-27 recounts the political maneuvering of Nathan and Bathsheba in their fight for survival.

In this blog post, we'll focus on three issues: the role of Nathan, the passage's main conflict, and the themes that tie 1 Kgs 1:11-27 to the book's opening.

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1 Kings 1:11-27 (NIV) with highlights

11 Then Nathan asked Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, “Have you not heard that Adonijah, the son of Haggith, has become king, and our lord David knows nothing about it? 12 Now then, let me advise you how you can save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. 13 Go in to King David and say to him, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to me your servant: “Surely Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’ 14 While you are still there talking to the king, I will come in and add my word to what you have said.”

15 So Bathsheba went to see the aged king in his room, where Abishag the Shunammite was attending him. 16 Bathsheba bowed down, prostrating herself before the king.

“What is it you want?” the king asked.

17 She said to him, “My lord, you yourself swore to me your servant by the Lord your God: ‘Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne.’ 18 But now Adonijah has become king, and you, my lord the king, do not know about it. 19 He has sacrificed great numbers of cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the king’s sons, Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander of the army, but he has not invited Solomon your servant. 20 My lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, to learn from you who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. 21 Otherwise, as soon as my lord the king is laid to rest with his ancestors, I and my son Solomon will be treated as criminals.”

22 While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived. 23 And the king was told, “Nathan the prophet is here.” So he went before the king and bowed with his face to the ground.

24 Nathan said, “Have you, my lord the king, declared that Adonijah shall be king after you, and that he will sit on your throne? 25 Today he has gone down and sacrificed great numbers of cattle, fattened calves, and sheep. He has invited all the king’s sons, the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest. Right now they are eating and drinking with him and saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ 26 But me your servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon he did not invite. 27 Is this something my lord the king has done without letting his servants know who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”

Who is Nathan?

Nathan played a prominent role in key moments of David’s life. (see this dictionary entry for a summary)

He delivered God’s covenant promise to David in 2 Samuel 7:1-17. That speech served as the foundation for the Davidic dynasty.

Nathan also delivered an oracle of judgment after David took advantage of Bathsheba and had Uriah murdered (2 Sam 12:1-14).

It’s no surprise then, that Nathan figures prominently in David’s final days. What is surprising, however, is the way this scene unfolds.

Nathan doesn’t provide some “word from the Lord”. Instead, Nathan works behind the scenes to ensure that Solomon takes the throne and not Adonijah.

Nathan is the orchestrator of the events in this passage. He provides Bathsheba with the strategy she needs to ensure that Solomon becomes king and she takes a position of influence in the kingdom. Finally, Nathan lends his support to Bathsheba by confirming her words to the king.

The Main Conflict in the Passage

The survival of Bathsheba and Solomon is at stake in this passage (1 Kgs 1:12, 21). Solomon is the only brother Adonijah did not invite to his coronation. This is an ominous sign. As we will see in the next chapter, it is dangerous to fall out of favor with the new monarch.

The Themes that Connect the Passage to 1 Kings 1:1-10

David is old and he doesn’t know much.

These themes reoccur throughout the first half of 1 Kings 1. The narrator reminds us that David is an old man (1 Kgs 1:15). Nathan and Bathsheba tell the king something he does not know: Adonijah made himself king (1 Kgs 1:11, 18).

In the first ten verses we learned that David was an old, cold man. We also discover that he doesn't "know" Abishag, the female servant laying beside him in bed.

Both of these themes emphasize David's impotence. He is far from the vivacious character we read about in 1 & 2 Samuel.

Summary

1 Kings 1:11-27 is fascinating. It’s a story filled with political intrigue.

The prophet Nathan plays an important role in the story, but he never gives a prophecy. Instead, Nathan has a political function. He ensures that Solomon sits on the throne.

The situation for Bathsheba and Solomon is precarious. They could very well end up dead if Adonijah takes the throne. So, they take matters into their own hands. Nathan and Bathsheba coordinate a plan to remind King David about a previous promise he made concerning Solomon.

Interestingly, you will not find David’s promise to make Solomon king recorded anywhere in Scripture. We cannot know for sure whether David ever made the promise. We do know, however, that Nathan and Bathsheba successfully conspire on behalf of Solomon.

Also, all of this happens with David blissfully unaware. He is an old man. His kingdom is in a state of transition, but he’s not in control. This is not a great start for the davidic monarchy in 1 & 2 Kings.

Recommended Resources

This blog post is a part of the Passage of the Week. Join the email list to get guided study notes sent to your inbox every Monday and Friday.

Check out the notes for this passage here and here.

Here are a couple of commentaries you might find helpful on the book of Kings.

Wray Beal, Lissa M. 1 & 2 Kings. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2014.

Leithart, Peter J. 1 & 2 Kings. Grand Rapids, Mich: Brazos Press, 2006.

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