Introducing The Books of Kings and the Success of Solomon

1 Kings 1-2

            Taken together, 1 and 2 Kings will take us through about 400 years of history, from the accession of Solomon in 970 BC to the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. These books look at Israel’s history from a unique perspective, namely, the importance of the kings being faithful to the Lord and his covenant. Some of the kings that from a traditionally historical point of view would be very important barely register; other kings that history would usually overlook get a more extended treatment. For example, historically speaking, Omri, who reigned in the north for 12 years, established a dynasty, and extended Israel’s borders, is an important king who appears in non-biblical sources, and the author of kings couldn’t care less: Omri gets 6 verses in 1 Kings 16. Covenant faithfulness is what makes a king good.

            1 Kings starts with the death of Israel’s great king, David, the one who, despite his missteps and failures, is still a man after God’s own heart, and the accession of Solomon, who is faithful until the end of his life. Of course, there is intrigue around the succession. David is portrayed as old and infirm; perhaps he is out of the public eye; perhaps people think he’s gone dotty. Whatever the case, Adonijah, the oldest of David’s remaining sons, assumes he will be king and arranges his own coronation. David’s loyalists get wind of it, report it to David, and spur David to action, appointing Solomon as the next king.

            For the moment, Solomon spares Adonijah, but a purge is coming. David’s final instructions call for the punishment of Joab, who had so often intrigued against David. This may strike us as strange that David would call for the elimination of a general who had served him for so long, but David worries that the army will prove itself loyal to its commander, not its king. (It happens very often in human history. During the 1200-year history of the Roman Empire, many, many emperors were first generals.) David also calls for punishment on Shimei, who had cursed him during Absalom’s rebellion. In this way, David keeps his promise of clemency but also ensures that those who disrespect the throne are punished.

            Adonijah is the first to die, but really only because he continued to intrigue against Solomon. He asks for Abishag the Shunammite, who had tended David in his old age. 1 Kings 1:4 specifically says that there were no sexual relations between Abishag and David, but nobody else in the kingdom is going to know that; everyone else will assume that Abishag was David’s concubine. Adonijah’s request, then, is tantamount to placing a claim on the throne. (Remember that Absalom slept with David’s concubines to establish his claim.)

            It’s violent. It’s political. It’s tainted with human ambition and human vengeance. But by the end of chapter 2, Solomon’s reign is secure.