David in Old Age

King David, grown very old and frail, could no longer keep warm even when draped in many layers of clothing. His trusted servants gathered around him one day and said, “My lord, let us find a young virgin to serve as your nurse—one who may attend you, lie close by your side, and keep you warm.” With heartfelt concern for their beloved king, they searched throughout all the territory of Israel. Their search led them to Abishag the Shunammite—a girl noted not only for her beauty but also for her gentle spirit. She was brought to the aged king, and though she became his nurse and served him with great care, the king never lay with her.

The Rise of Ambition

Meanwhile, one of David’s sons stirred ambition. Adonijah, the son of Haggith, arrogantly proclaimed, “I will be king.” Determined to elevate his status, Adonijah prepared chariots and horsemen, gathering fifty men to run before him. He set himself in a position of power without ever having been corrected by his father—never once did David dare ask, “Why do you act thus?” Adonijah was not only handsome and well favored by those around him, but he was also born after the illustrious Absalom. He conspired with influential figures, conferring with Joab, the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest, and many followed him; yet not all were in allegiance. Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the prophet Nathan, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men belonging to David refused to align themselves with Adonijah.

Seeking to solidify his claim, Adonijah offered lavish sacrifices—sheep, oxen, and fatlings—by the stone of Zoheleth near En-rogel. He invited all his brothers, every son of the king, and all the men of Judah who served the king. Notably, however, he left out Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, and his brother Solomon.

Nathan and Bathsheba’s Intervention

Overhearing these developments, Nathan the prophet approached Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon. With urgency and compassion in his voice, Nathan said, “Have you not heard? Adonijah, the son of Haggith, now declares himself king, and our dear King David is unaware. Come, let me counsel you so that we might save your life and your son Solomon’s future. Go right away to King David and remind him of the oath he swore to you by the LORD your God: ‘Surely your son Solomon shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’ Ask him why then has Adonijah set himself up as king. While you speak with the king, I will follow and confirm your words.”

Without delay, Bathsheba went to the king’s private quarters, where the aged David lay with Abishag the Shunammite attending him. Bowing low in reverence, Bathsheba addressed her king. “My lord,” she began, her voice trembling yet determined, “you swore by the LORD our God that your son Solomon would be king after you—he would sit on your throne. Yet now Adonijah proclaims himself king. Look at what he has done: lavish sacrifices of oxen, fatlings, and sheep, and he has invited all your sons, along with Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander, but he has not given a place to Solomon, your faithful servant. The eyes of all Israel are upon you, my lord; they seek to know who will succeed you on your throne. If you do not act, soon after you join your fathers, my son Solomon and I will be branded as offenders.”

As she was still speaking, Nathan the prophet entered. They announced his presence, and he, too, bowed low before the king. Then Nathan raised his voice, “My lord King David, did you say, ‘Adonijah shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne’? Today, Adonijah has sacrificed oxen, fatlings, and sheep in abundance; he has invited all your sons, the commanders, and Abiathar the priest, and they are feasting and proclaiming, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ Yet out of your servants, even you have not invited Solomon. Has it been your desire to leave your servants in the dark about who should inherit your throne?”

King David’s Declaration

Hearing these words, King David’s heart stirred with the weight of destiny. He commanded, “Call Bathsheba to me.” So she entered the king’s presence and stood before him. Then, with a solemn vow, David declared, “By the LORD, who has redeemed my life from all distress, as I swore to you by the LORD the God of Israel, your son Solomon shall indeed be king after me. I will do so this very day.” Overcome with relief and gratitude, Bathsheba bowed deeply in worship, exclaiming, “May my lord King David live forever!”

Then David summoned Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. When they came before him, the king instructed them, “Take some of your servants, and have my son Solomon ride on my mule. Bring him down to Gihon, and there let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him as king over Israel. Then blow the trumpet and proclaim, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ Afterwards, accompany him as he ascends to my throne in my place. I have appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah.” Benaiah, with firm conviction, replied, “Amen! May the LORD, the God of our king, be with Solomon and make his throne greater than yours, King David!”

Solomon Anointed King

So it was that Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, along with the Cherethites and the Pelethites, accompanied Solomon on King David’s mule, carrying him down to Gihon. There, Zadok took the precious horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon as king. As they blew the trumpet, the people all cried out in unison, “Long live King Solomon!” The crowd erupted in celebration—people played their flutes and rejoiced with such great joy that the very earth trembled beneath the sound.

Meanwhile, Adonijah and the guests with him had been eating when they heard the trumpet’s blast. Joab, startled by the uproar, remarked, “Why is the city filled with these sounds?” Before long, Jonathan, the son of Abiathar the priest, arrived. Adonijah welcomed him, saying, “Come in, you valiant man; bring us good news.” But Jonathan replied firmly, “No! King David has made Solomon king. The king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites. They have made Solomon ride the king’s mule, and indeed, Zadok and Nathan have anointed him king in Gihon. They have returned rejoicing, and the city is in an uproar. This uproar is the sound you have been hearing. Moreover, Solomon has taken his seat upon the throne of the kingdom. The servants of King David have come to bless him, saying, ‘May your God give Solomon a name better than yours and a throne greater than your throne!’ King David himself bowed upon his bed, saying, ‘Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has granted one to sit on my throne while my own eyes still behold it.’”

Adonijah and all his guests were terrified by the news, and they fled in dismay. Even Adonijah himself trembled and ran to the altar, where he grasped the horns for protection, declaring, “King Solomon, swear to me today that you will not punish me with the sword.” Word reached Solomon, and he said, “If Adonijah is a worthy man, not one of his hairs shall fall; but if wickedness is found, he shall die.” Solomon then sent emissaries to bring him down from the altar. Adonijah, realizing his fate, came and bowed before King Solomon, who calmly said to him, “Return to your home.”