A Journey Through The Old Testament - Elmer Towns

enemies of Israel during his reign. Second, Solomon was the wisest man to ever live and used
that wisdom at least initially to resolve minor problems before they became major crises.
Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba, was born about two years after David’s sin
involving Bathsheba and Uriah. Soon after his birth, Nathan the prophet told the proud parents of
the boy that God had named him Jedidiah, meaning “beloved of the Lord.” In this sense, the birth
of Solomon was a further evidence of the grace and forgiveness of God extended toward David
after his repentance.
THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON
(1 Kings 2:14:34)
Soon after the death of his father David, Solomon faced his first test as the new king of
Israel. His brother Adonijah who had been unsuccessful in declaring himself heir to David’s
throne, approached Bathsheba to ask her to intercede on his behalf. He reminded Solomon’s
mother he had been declared king before Solomon came to the throne, but suggested all he
wanted was one request granted. He asked that Solomon give him in marriage Abishag, the last
concubine of David.
Bathsheba viewed the request as reasonable and agreed to plead his cause before the new
king. But when Solomon heard the request, he discerned the request was yet another threat to his
throne by Adonijah. He realized Adonijah was older than he and, therefore, would normally be
considered heir to the throne. Also, it was customary for a rebel king to enter into relations with
the wives and concubines of the former king to demonstrate his authority to take the throne.
Adonijah’s request was, therefore, a veiled coup and Solomon responded with firm and direct
action. He began a purge of the leaders of the attempted coup and removed his enemies from
their positions of authority.
The first of his adversaries to be dealt with was Adonijah himself. Had he succeeded in
his coup, he would have ended the life of Solomon. As the wise king observed, “Adonijah has ...
spoken this word against his own life!” (1 Kings 2:23) Solomon found himself forced into a
position where he was faced with no other option. “So King Solomon sent by the hand of
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he struck him down, and he died” (v. 25).
Abiathar the priest was another that had been involved in Adonijah’s attempted coup.
This was the priest who had originally joined with Joab in helping Adonijah take the throne
while David was on his deathbed. In his office as a priest, Abiathar wielded a strong influence
over the people even beyond the religious concerns of the tabernacle. It is probable he would
have been the priest to officiate at the official coronation of Adonijah had the coup been
successful. “So Solomon removed Abiathar from being priest to the Lord, that he might fulfill
the word of the Lord which He spoke concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh” (v. 27).
Joab had lived long enough to realize his life also was in danger. Though Joab had not
joined in other rebel causes, he did ally himself with Adonijah. He would probably have retained
his position as a military advisor and leader in the new government had they succeeded in
defeating Solomon. Because of his influence over the army and his potential for leading an