1 Kings 1 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study
1 Kings 1 Short Summary:
In 1 Kings 1 is a transition chapter in the Bible story. David, the long-time king of Israel, is about to die. Adonijah, David’s son, seizes the opportunity to declare himself king, but Solomon, Bathsheba, and Nathan the prophet intervene. With David’s help, they anoint Solomon king, causing Adonijah’s allies to abandon him.
What is 1 Kings 1 About?
WHEN:
The events recorded in 1 Kings 1 occurred at the very end of David’s life, approximately 1015 B.C.
CHARACTERS:
David – The 2nd king of Israel and Judah.
Solomon – The son of David and the 3rd king of Israel and Judah.
Adonijah – David’s 4th son. He tried to claim the throne of Israel for himself. He is described as a very handsome man.
Bathsheba – David’s wife and the mother of Solomon.
Nathan – A prophet of God who advised David on several occasions.
Abishag – A beautiful young woman who assisted David in his old age.
WHERE:
David’s capital was in Jerusalem.
Adonijah’s allies met in En-rogel to appoint him David’s successor. En-rogal was very close to Jerusalem, no more than a mile south.
David commanded his servants to anoint Solomon king at Gihon. Gihon was on the eastern side of Jerusalem, even closer than En-rogel.
OUTLINE:
A YOUNG WOMAN IS FOUND TO HELP DAVID STAY WARM (1:1-4):
David was “old and advanced in years,” and he was having trouble staying warm.
His servants decided to find a young woman to stay near him and keep him warm.
They found a young woman named Abishag. She stayed with the king and served him, but the “king knew her not” (their relationship was not sexual).
ADONIJAH TRIES TO MAKE HIMSELF KING (1:5-10):
Adonijah, David’s son with Haggith, decided to declare himself king in his father’s old age.
He managed to get Joab, the commander of David’s army, and Abiathar, the priest, to help him.
However, he didn’t consult with some of David’s closest allies, including Zadok, Benaiah, Nathan, Solomon, or David’s mighty men.
Adonijah, David’s other sons, and all the officials of Judah went to En-rogel, offered sacrifices, and honored Adonijah as the next king.
NATHAN SENDS BATHSHEBA TO DAVID TO PROTECT SOLOMON’S THRONE (1:11-27):
When Nathan the prophet learned about Adonijah’s intentions, he went to Bathsheba to inform her.
He knew David was planning to make Solomon king (1 Chronicles 22:9), and they needed to act quickly to counter Adonijah.
Nathan and Bathsheba went to David, informed him of Adonijah’s actions, and encouraged him to make it clear to the people of Israel who he had chosen as his heir.
SOLOMON IS ANOINTED KING (1:28-40):
David commanded Nathan, Zadok, and Benaiah to take Solomon, set him on the king’s mule, and take him to Gihon.
They took him to Gihon and anointed him king in the presence of all the people. They then brought him back to Jerusalem and had him sit on David’s throne.
The people celebrated “so that the earth was split by their noise” (1 Kings 1:40).
ADONIJAH ASKS SOLOMON FOR MERCY (1:41-53):
When Adonijah’s company heard the news and learned Solomon had been anointed at Gihon, they were terrified and disbanded.
Adonijah was so afraid of Solomon that he went and “took hold of the horns of the altar.” This was probably the altar in the Tabernacle, the Altar of Burnt Offerings.
He would not leave the altar until Solomon swore not to kill him.
Solomon promised not to hurt him if he would prove himself a worthy man.
After being reassured, Adonijah left the altar and paid homage to King Solomon.
APPLICATION:
Serving the elderly is godly work, even though it isn’t always glamourous work.
We should admire people who care for the aging, its hard work, and often thankless work.
We should be willing to serve older people when we have the opportunity or the responsibility.
God commanded respect for the elderly in His law to the Israelites.
“You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the LORD” (Lev 19:32).
Abishag’s service to David was commendable, and she set an example worth mimicking.
