https://esv.literalword.com/?q=1+Kings+1
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Monday, 8 September 2025:
Note: Here is a short video summary of 1-2 Kings: https://youtu.be/bVFW3wbi9pk
1 Kings 1:1-4 — Now King David was old and advanced in years. And although they covered him with clothes, he could not get warm. Therefore his servants said to him, “Let a young woman be sought for my lord the king, and let her wait on the king and be in his service. Let her lie in your arms, that my lord the king may be warm.” So they sought for a beautiful young woman throughout all the territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. The young woman was very beautiful, and she was of service to the king and attended to him, but the king knew her not.
David, once the strong shepherd-warrior, now appears frail and fading. This opening scene shows how even the mightiest human king is subject to the weakness of flesh. The nation senses David’s impending death, and instability begins to surface. This reminds us that the promises of God do not rest on human strength but on His faithfulness. It also foreshadows our need for a greater King, one who does not grow weak or fade away, but reigns forever with strength unending (Hebrews 7:23–25).
The Bible notes that, though this young woman was very beautiful, David did not have sex with her, addressing the obvious: why did David need a beautiful young woman to lie in his arms to “keep warm.” It would appear David was still a womanizer, and even if he wasn’t, this is still not the sort of thing an adulterer king should do because the perception alone is not good.
1 Kings 1:5 — Now Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” And he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.
Adonijah did not consult God before assuming kingship. If your plan isn’t God’s plan, it is doomed from the start. “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)
1 Kings 1:6 — His father [David] had never at any time displeased him by asking, “Why have you done thus and so?” He was also a very handsome man, and he was born next after Absalom.
This chapter reveals David’s ‘fatal flaws,’ things about him that he never mastered and that caused great heartache for him and for others. First, he was a womanizer; second, he did not hold himself or people close to him accountable for their actions, particularly, his sons and Joab. Do you have fatal flaws?
Adonijah was very handsome like Absalom (and David). We are often enamored by the appearance, talents, personality, and popularity of those that would proclaim themselves as leader, rather than seeking to identify people of noble character and lifting them up.
David lost the ability to lead, but did not effectively transfer authority to a capable leader, causing a leadership void. To whom will you transfer your responsibility (particularly your responsibility to proclaim Christ), and are you preparing them?
1 Kings 1:7, 8 — He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest. And they followed Adonijah and helped him. But Zadok the priest and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and Nathan the prophet and Shimei and Rei and David’s mighty men were not with Adonijah.
There were priests on both sides of the “Adonijah” issue. Abiathar not only positioned himself against God, he counseled others against God. What a terrible place to be in life. Today we have many priests boldly proclaiming ungodly lies. They will face severe judgment.
Joab was a pragmatist who did what seemed right to him in his own eyes, right to him was what appeared to serve how own interests. Ultimately, he was loyal to no one but himself. His ways were not God’s ways.
1 Kings 1:9,10 — Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened cattle by the Serpent’s Stone.
Adonijah attempted to validate his kingship with religious ceremony, but he did not invite the faithful followers of God. We may act like our selfish deeds are being done for God’s glory, but God sees through that and will not honor our actions. One indicator that your successes may not be God’s successes is if they are not being celebrated with truly holy people within your church who recognize them as the clear activity of God in your life.
So, Adonijah, like Absalom before him, exalted himself and sought the throne. Scripture notes both his ambition and David’s failure to discipline him as a son: “His father had never at any time displeased him.” Again, David’s lack of accountability within his family bears dangerous fruit. Adonijah gathered support through appearance, power, and manipulation, but not through God’s will. The omission of Solomon, Nathan, and others from his feast shows deliberate scheming. This teaches us how pride and self-exaltation lead to rebellion against God’s chosen order (James 4:6).
1 Kings 1:11-14 — Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king and David our lord does not know it? Now therefore come, let me give you advice, that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. Go in at once to King David, and say to him, ‘Did you not, my lord the king, swear to your servant, saying, “Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne”? Why then is Adonijah king?’ Then while you are still speaking with the king, I also will come in after you and confirm your words.”
God raised up Nathan once more to protect His promises. Through Nathan and Bathsheba’s intervention, David was reminded of the oath he had sworn. This moment reveals both human intrigue and divine providence working together. God’s promises are sure, but He often uses His people’s bold words and faithful actions to secure them.
1 Kings 1:15 — Now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was attending to the king.
In their old age, David and Bathsheba had grown apart, and this had a negative impact on their adult children.
1 Kings 1:28-31 — Then King David answered, “Call Bathsheba to me.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before the king. And the king swore, saying, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my soul out of every adversity, as I swore to you by the Lord, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,’ even so will I do this day.” Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground and paid homage to the king and said, “May my lord King David live forever!”
David, though weak, was stirred back into leadership. He remembered God’s redemption and kept his word. By reaffirming Solomon’s kingship, David aligned himself with God’s plan. Even in frailty, he demonstrated that true leadership depends not on physical vigor but on obedience to God.
1 Kings 1:32-40 — King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” So they came before the king. And the king said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon. And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet there anoint him king over Israel. Then blow the trumpet and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’” … And all the people went up after him, playing on pipes, and rejoicing with great joy, so that the earth was split by their noise.
God’s choice was made clear through the anointing of Solomon. The imagery of Solomon riding on the king’s mule and being anointed by prophet and priest highlights the divine legitimacy of his kingship. The people’s rejoicing testifies to God’s hand at work. This event foreshadows the greater Son of David, Jesus Christ, who entered Jerusalem humbly on a donkey, proclaimed by crowds shouting, “Hosanna!” (Matthew 21:5–9).
1 Kings 1:41-53 – And Solomon said, “If he will show himself a worthy man, not one of his hairs shall fall to the earth, but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die.”
When Adonijah and his supporters heard the trumpet and the joy of the people, they realized their rebellion had failed. Adonijah fled in fear to the altar and clung to its horns, begging for mercy. Solomon chose justice and mercy over revenge. He was willing to give his brother a chance, but was also ready to hold him accountable. Solomon granted him life, but warned that disloyalty would lead to death. This moment reveals the mercy and justice of God’s appointed king. It also points forward to Christ, who extends mercy to repentant sinners but promises judgment to the unrepentant (John 3:36).
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 8 September 2025: Today, reflect on the contrast between Adonijah and Solomon. Adonijah exalted himself and pursued power in pride; Solomon received his kingdom as a gift of God’s promise. Likewise, the Christian life is not about striving for control or recognition, but about humbly receiving God’s grace and aligning with His will. Practice Christlike character today by surrendering one area of your life where you are clinging to self-exaltation or control. Instead, choose the humility of Solomon’s path, trusting God to fulfill His promises.
Pray: “Sovereign Lord, You alone establish kings and remove them. Forgive me when I, like Adonijah, seek to exalt myself or grasp for control. Teach me instead to walk in humility, trusting Your promises and timing. Thank You for Christ, the true Son of David, whose kingdom cannot fail. Help me to live in glad submission to His reign today, and to reflect His character of humble trust and obedience. In His name I pray, Amen.”
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