1 Kings 1

David was seventy years old (2 Samuel 5:4–5). He was weak, likely due to years of war and stress. He needed a young person to provide warmth. This was a medical remedy also mentioned in Josephus’s Antiquities and by the Greek doctor Galen. David's weakening strength encouraged Adonijah to try to make himself king.

The book of 1 Kings begins with the Lord's promise to David (see 2 Samuel 7:11–16). Solomon was the rightful and God-chosen heir to what God gave his father David. The problems during Solomon's rise to power suggested there would be more troubles later in his reign and between Israel and Judah in the future(1 Kings 1:1–2:46; 11:12–43).

Adonijah was David’s fourth son. His older brothers, Amnon, Daniel, and Absalom, had died. So, Adonijah thought he would become king. However, according to ancient Near Eastern tradition, Solomon, the son of David’s favorite wife Bathsheba, was to become king. David had already told Solomon about this (1 Kings 1:13, 17; 1 Chronicles 22:6–10). Adonijah's ambition, likely encouraged by his father's lenient discipline, showed when he declared, “I will be king!”

Joab, the leader of David's army, and Abiathar, the high priest, supported Adonijah with strong military and religious support in his pursuit to become king.

Solomon had powerful friends who supported his claim to be king. Zadok came from the priestly line of Eleazar. Benaiah led David’s bodyguard and his thirty mighty men (2 Samuel 23:20–23). Shimei was one of Solomon’s district governors (1 Kings 4:18). Nathan was a trusted prophet of David. Rei is not known beyond this verse.

En-rogel, now known as Bir Ayyub or "Job’s well," is located south of Jerusalem where the Kidron and Hinnom valleys meet. In the past, it was the hiding place for David’s two informants, Jonathan and Ahimaaz, during Absalom’s rebellion (see 2 Samuel 17:17).

• Bathsheba was Solomon’s mother and David’s favorite wife. Their affair caused the death of Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah the Hittite (see 2 Samuel 11:1–27).

• Nathan, the prophet who shared God’s promise with David (2 Samuel 7:1–17) and announced God’s love for Solomon at his birth (2 Samuel 12:24–25), confirmed God’s choice of Solomon to become king after David (see 1 Chronicles 28:4–7). Although Nathan strongly criticized David for his affair with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah (2 Samuel 12:1–15), the king respected him.

• Adonijah likely noticed Nathan’s close ties with Bathsheba and Solomon. If Adonijah’s plan to make himself king succeeded, all three could expect to be killed (see 1 Kings 15:29; 16:11).

David comforted Bathsheba by promising again, in God's name, that Solomon would be the next king (see 1 Kings 1:17).

David confirmed his promise by calling for a public show of support. The priest Zadok, the prophet Nathan, and the military leader Benaiah supported him as representatives of their groups.

• Riding the king's mule showed high status. An ancient text from Mari advised King Zimri-Lim to follow royal protocol by riding in a donkey cart. David's sons rode mules (2 Samuel 13:29; 18:9). Similarly, Zechariah predicts that Israel's king will come "riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey" (Zechariah 9:9), a prophecy fulfilled by Jesus (Matthew 21:4–7; John 12:14–15). When Solomon rode David's royal mule, it showed that David approved of Solomon becoming king.

• The Gihon Spring was the main water source for Jerusalem. It was just outside the city’s eastern slopes. People often gathered there, so Solomon’s anointing would be widely known. But those who supported Adonijah at En-rogel could not see it.

• Solomon's anointing followed the usual process and was performed by a prophet (see 1 Samuel 16:1–13).

• Priests were important in royal events, and people appreciated Zadok's blessing. David later publicly confirmed Solomon as king (1 Chronicles 29:22).

• sit on my throne: Because David was old and weak, Solomon led publicly for about two years before David died. Sharing the throne ensured a smooth royal succession and became common during Israel’s divided monarchy. It was also used in Egypt.

• The Hebrew word for ruler, used for different leadership roles, can have religious importance. The king was seen as both a spiritual and administrative leader of God’s people (see Deuteronomy 31:10–11; 1 Chronicles 28:4–6; Psalm 89:3–4; Isaiah 55:3–4).

The king's bodyguards were foreign soldiers from Crete. They served David during his entire reign (2 Samuel 8:18; 15:18; 20:7).

The priest anointed Solomon with olive oil. This common Near Eastern practice gave the ceremony a divine blessing.

The people at Adonijah's banquet in En-rogel could not see the celebration, but it was so loud and joyful that they could hear it.

Solomon was proclaimed king and the people welcomed him with joy. Adonijah and his followers panicked. They ran away, and their attempt to make Adonijah king failed.

Fearing for his life, Adonijah sought safety at the horns (projections at the corners) of the altar (Exodus 27:2), hoping for mercy based on biblical tradition (see Exodus 21:12–14). However, this protection was only for accidental killings, so only the king could forgive Adonijah's treason. Solomon showed him kindness if he stayed loyal. Despite appearances, Adonijah still tried to make himself king and was later killed for causing trouble (1 Kings 2:13–25).