1 Kings 1:1-27

1:1-4 | The phrase David was old, advanced in years implies he was failing physically. Although the expression lie in your bosom often indicates sexual intimacy, here it means the young woman kept him warm by providing body heat – a common practice in that day. David did not have physical relations with (know) the young girl. This is a reflection of his impotence, signaling that he was vulnerable to a hostile takeover of his throne.

1:5-6 | David’s fourth son, Adonijah exalted himself; that is, he stepped forward to be king, breaking the Israelite tradition of God choosing the king. This is ironic, given that the name Adonijah means “Yahweh is My Lord.” The Bible is clear that God does not like people to exalt themselves (James 4:6-10). Adonijah chose fifty men to run before him in order to look like a king before he was one. That his father had not rebuked him at any time speaks to David’s failure to discipline his on, leading Adonijah to attempt to gain the throne.

1:8-10 | The lists of those who were not with Adonijah and those he did not invite are telling: he had neither his father’s approval nor God’s. Priestly sacrifices always accompanied anointings or coronations in Israel, but this time, the self-appointed king was directing the action rather than allowing God to direct it.

1:11-40 | Solomon was the tenth son of David and the second son of David and Bathsheba. Their first son died within days of being born (2 Sam. 12).