READ: 1 Kin. 2:12-46: … Thus the kingdom was established …
Not long after David’s death, Adonijah approaches Solomon’s mother with a request. She must plead on his behalf with the king. He begins with cunning words, betraying his unscrupulous intentions.
First, he claims that the kingship belonged to him, which is false. Then he says that the whole people wanted him as king, also untrue.
Adonijah suggests that he has to accept that the LORD decided otherwise, giving the kingship to Solomon and relinquishing his claim to the throne. This conceals his true motives. He then asks for Abishag’s hand in marriage, hoping that Bathsheba will present the request to Solomon.
Bathsheba does not see through the trick and presents Adonijah’s appeal to the king. But Solomon immediately recognizes Adonijah’s treachery. He knows this is no harmless request. If Adonijah were to marry Abishag, he could argue that he had taken one of David’s wives, strengthening his claim to the throne as the older son.
Solomon sees through it and immediately pronounces judgment: Adonijah is untrustworthy and must die (cf. 1:52). He then deals with others involved in Adonijah’s plot: Abiathar is told to remain in Anathoth or be killed. In this punishment, God’s Word against Eli is fulfilled (1 Sam. 2:31).
Joab, feeling threatened, flees to the altar and clings to its horns. But asylum rights do not apply to murderers (Ex. 21:14). When Benaiah tells him to come out, Joab refuses and is eventually killed.
The same happens to Shimei, whom David had named for punishment. At first, Shimei is given the chance to avoid punishment by staying in Jerusalem. But when he breaks his oath, he too is killed.
The conclusion in verse 46 reads: Thus the kingdom of Solomon was established. This means Solomon founded his reign on justice and righteousness.
Why did David not pronounce judgment himself?
Sing: Ps. 72:1,4