Day 102: David Makes Solomon King


*1 Kings 1:28-53

Following David’s instructions, Solomon is anointed king and consolidates his power by eliminating Adonijah and other potential threats.

  • David Confirms Solomon as King
    • After hearing from Bathsheba and Nathan, King David calls Bathsheba back in.
    • He swears before God that Solomon will be king, just as he had promised.
    • Bathsheba bows in respect, thankful that Solomon will rule.
  • David Gives Clear Orders
    • David commands Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah (a military leader) to take Solomon to Gihon, a nearby spring.
    • He tells them to anoint Solomon as king there and then blow the trumpet to announce it publicly.
    • David wants everyone to declare, “Long live King Solomon!”
    • He also tells them to place Solomon on his royal mule and have him sit on David’s throne afterward.
  • Solomon Is Anointed King
    • The group follows David’s instructions exactly.
    • They anoint Solomon with oil, blow the trumpet, and the people shout joyfully.
    • Music and celebration break out, and the noise spreads across the city.
  • Adonijah and His Guests React
    • Adonijah and his supporters are still celebrating when they hear the noise.
    • Jonathan, the son of a priest, arrives and tells them Solomon has just been crowned king.
    • Everyone at Adonijah’s party panics and quickly leaves.
  • Adonijah Fears for His Life
    • Afraid of Solomon’s power, Adonijah runs to the altar and grabs its horns—a traditional way to seek mercy.
    • He begs Solomon not to kill him.
  • Solomon Shows Mercy
    • Solomon sends word that if Adonijah proves himself to be loyal, he will not be harmed.
    • But if he causes trouble, he will be punished.
    • Adonijah comes before Solomon, bows in respect, and Solomon sends him home.

1 Kings 1:28-53 teaches us that God’s plans always come to pass, no matter what others try to do. Solomon was the rightful king, and despite Adonijah’s attempt to take the throne, God’s will was fulfilled. This reminds us to trust that God is in control, even when situations seem uncertain or unfair. It also shows that seeking mercy and admitting wrongdoing, like Adonijah did, can lead to forgiveness. However, true change requires more than just words—it requires a sincere heart and a willingness to follow the right path.

1 Kings 1:28-53 (WEB)

1:28 Then King David answered, “Call Bathsheba in to me.” She came into the king’s presence and stood before the king. 29 The king vowed and said, “As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity, 30 most certainly as I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place;’ I will most certainly do this today.”
31 Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth and showed respect to the king, and said, “Let my lord King David live forever!”
32 King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” They came before the king. 33 The king said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon. 34 Let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel. Blow the trumpet, and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ 35 Then come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne; for he shall be king in my place. I have appointed him to be prince over Israel and over Judah.”
36 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, “Amen. May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, say so. 37 As the LORD has been with my lord the king, even so may he be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David.”
38 So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David’s mule, and brought him to Gihon. 39 Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the Tent, and anointed Solomon. They blew the trumpet; and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!”
40 All the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth shook with their sound. 41 Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they had finished eating. When Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, “Why is this noise of the city being in an uproar?”
42 While he yet spoke, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came; and Adonijah said, “Come in; for you are a worthy man, and bring good news.”
43 Jonathan answered Adonijah, “Most certainly our lord King David has made Solomon king. 44 The king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and they have caused him to ride on the king’s mule. 45 Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon. They have come up from there rejoicing, so that the city rang again. This is the noise that you have heard. 46 Also, Solomon sits on the throne of the kingdom. 47 Moreover the king’s servants came to bless our lord King David, saying, ‘May your God make the name of Solomon better than your name, and make his throne greater than your throne;’ and the king bowed himself on the bed. 48 Also thus said the king, ‘Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has given one to sit on my throne today, my eyes even seeing it.’ ”
49 All the guests of Adonijah were afraid, and rose up, and each man went his way. 50 Adonijah was afraid because of Solomon; and he arose, and went, and hung onto the horns of the altar. 51 Solomon was told, “Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon; for, behold, he is hanging onto the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon swear to me first that he will not kill his servant with the sword.’ ”
52 Solomon said, “If he shows himself a worthy man, not a hair of his shall fall to the earth; but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die.”
53 So King Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. He came and bowed down to King Solomon; and Solomon said to him, “Go to your house.”