LESSON ONE Welcome to God’s Vision Ministries The Reign of Solomon Study BIBLE STUDY LESSON ONE Solomon’s Transition Teacher: Pastor Burnice B. Green

1 Kings Kings 1-11 Introduction A presidential election between Gore and Bush certainly kept us all on edge for several weeks. I was watching the election returns with friends when it looked as though Al Gore had won. A few hours later it appeared that George Bush was the winner, and Al Gore even conceded the election. Then, the count became so close that Mr. Gore reversed his concession and the race seemed to be a draw. After counting and re- counting the ballots (along with a decision by the Supreme Court of the United States), George Bush was declared the winner. These were uncertain moments for many people. The Reign of Solomon Study BIBLE STUDY LESSON ONE

The situation was something like this nearly 3,000 years ago when David was the king of Israel.186 His health and vitality were diminishing daily, and it was only a matter of time until his death. It was assumed that one of David’s sons would become the next king, but no one knew for certain which son it would be. Privately, David had told Bathsheba that Solomon would reign in his place, but he had not publicly installed Solomon as his replacement.

The Reign of Solomon Study BIBLE STUDY LESSON ONE David’s failure to step down and to act decisively in installing Solomon on the throne created a leadership vacuum that Adonijah, one of David’s other sons, attempted to fill. Adonijah managed to convince some of Israel’s key leaders to give him their support, and the celebration of his “victory” was already underway.

These were tense moments for the nation Israel, and even more so for Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon, and for those who remained loyal to David. If Adonijah was successful in his efforts to seize the throne, he would almost certainly kill every descendant of David who might be a rival for the throne. The first two chapters of 1 Kings are thus filled with suspense and intrigue, as Solomon finally prevails and secures his position as the king of Israel. The Reign of Solomon Study BIBLE STUDY LESSON ONE

1 Kings 1 & 2 1 Kings 1 As I read the first four verses of chapter 1, I see a very different “David” from the valiant warrior who stood up against Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. Here is a very old man, who is very near the end of his life. He is lying in his bed shivering, virtually oblivious to the daily affairs of his kingdom. He has a beautiful young woman to attend him, who did serve him, but who in my opinion was intended to be far more than a nurse. She was a concubine, which events will clearly substantiate. The fact that David did not “know” her is told to the reader as an indication of David’s age and physical strength. He was a man who no longer was able to function in many areas of his life.1 Samuel 17 The Reign of Solomon Study BIBLE STUDY LESSON ONE

There is no indictment here, no words of condemnation, as though David were at fault for his diminished capacity. The fault lies in David’s failure to step aside, and more particularly in his failure to designate who would follow him as the king of Israel. This man, whose right to rule had earlier been challenged (by Absalom, and probably others), was not eager to let go, and yet he was not really in control either. The Reign of Solomon Study BIBLE STUDY LESSON ONE

Several factors seem to have contributed to Adonijah’s bid to become Israel’s next king. (1) He was apparently David’s oldest surviving son. (2) He was a very attractive and winsome fellow (1 Kings 1:6). (3) Adonijah was able to assemble an elite group of men who served as his bodyguards (1:5). (4) He was a son that David failed to discipline or “reign in.” I take it that he had never been told, “No,” and so he was used to having his way (1:6). A child who had no respect for, nor fear of, his father would be more inclined to try to replace him.1 Kings 1:6 The Reign of Solomon Study BIBLE STUDY LESSON ONE

Had David actually been functioning as Israel’s king, Adonijah would not have stood a chance. (5) Adonijah had gained the support of Joab, the commander of the army, and Abiathar, the priest. (6) David was oblivious to what was taking place and virtually non-functioning as the king. There was a vacuum of leadership in Israel, and Adonijah seemed to have the resolve and the resources to fill it. The Reign of Solomon Study BIBLE STUDY LESSON ONE

Nathan was aware of what Adonijah was up to and that he and those loyal to David were carefully excluded by Adonijah. Nathan warned Bathsheba that if she did not use her influence with David, she and her son would soon be in grave danger. At Nathan’s prompting, Bathsheba went to David and told him what was going on. The Reign of Solomon Study BIBLE STUDY LESSON ONE

She also reminded the king of his promise that her son, Solomon, would be Israel’s next king. She urged David to do something or she and her son would become enemies of the state should Adonijah be allowed to carry out his revolt. The Reign of Solomon Study BIBLE STUDY LESSON ONE

“Coincidentally,” Nathan now arrives at the king’s court. It would appear that Bathsheba leaves the king’s presence when Nathan appears, so that they can talk privately. Nathan tells David the same story, that Adonijah is seeking to seize the throne. He informs David that the celebration of his victory has already begun. The Reign of Solomon Study BIBLE STUDY LESSON ONE

Nathan asks David if these things have been approved by the king. David responds by calling once again for Bathsheba. David then summons Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada (1:32). He gives instructions that they are to immediately crown Solomon as Israel’s king at David’s request.187 The Reign of Solomon Study BIBLE STUDY LESSON ONE

While Adonijah and his supporters are celebrating his “victory,” Zadok, the priest, is anointing Solomon as Israel’s king. The trumpet is sounded and the people are declaring, “Long live King Solomon!” The masses must have dreaded having Adonijah as their king; the news of Solomon’s coronation is met with jubilant celebration. The Reign of Solomon Study BIBLE STUDY LESSON ONE

The sound of this celebration reaches the ears of those who are with Adonijah, but they don’t know what it means. Jonathan, son of Abiathar the (soon to be “retired”) priest, informs them that the sounds of celebration are not good news for Adonijah and his supporters. He informs them that David has designated Solomon as his successor and that he had already taken the throne. The Reign of Solomon Study BIBLE STUDY LESSON ONE

Adonijah’s guests panicked when they realized they were now Solomon’s enemies. They quickly left, and Adonijah fled to lay hold of the horns of the altar. Solomon granted his brother’s plea for mercy and sent him home. The Reign of Solomon Study BIBLE STUDY LESSON ONE

The story of Solomon is, in many ways, a wonderful success story. He is the wisest man who ever lived. His wealth and power were known to all who lived in Israel and most of those who lived beyond its borders. Solomon was a prolific writer, composing 1,005 songs and 3,000 proverbs. In spite of all this, Solomon’s life ended as a disaster. The Reign of Solomon Study BIBLE STUDY LESSON ONE

His many foreign wives succeeded in turning his heart from the Lord, which cost Solomon’s son much of his kingdom and divided Israel for centuries to come. The lessons we learn from Solomon are largely negative lessons – how not to make the same mistakes Solomon did. The Reign of Solomon Study BIBLE STUDY LESSON ONE

The parallels between the days in which Solomon lived and our own times are many, and they are striking. Let us listen carefully to the words of the first 11 chapters of the Book of 1 Kings, and let us learn from Solomon’s mistakes, rather than repeat them ourselves. The Reign of Solomon Study BIBLE STUDY LESSON ONE