Rebellion of Adonijah, 4th Judgment

Adonijah, whose name means "Yahweh is my Lord", is the son who, when David was old, aspired to the crown (1 Kings 1:5), and was later put to death by Solomon (1 Kings 2:24, 25). After the death of his three elder brothers, Chileab being presumably dead, Adonijah regarded himself the rightful heir to the throne. He approaches Bathsheba. The very appearance of Adonijah upon the scene raised a question concerning his intentions. Had he reconciled himself to his fate and was he ready to support Solomon, or was he still hoping by some means to secure the kingdom? Adonijah's reference to his unsuccessful attempt to secure the throne gives evidence that the matter was still very much alive within his heart. Bath—sheba's apprehensions seem to have been well founded.

But, she goes before the king on his behalf. Solomon is giving vent to his disgust at his mother's shortsightedness for having allowed herself to be drawn into such a situation as this. Things were already bad enough without her lending her aid to the efforts of Adonijah to secure the throne. Adonijah was, after all, the elder brother, and many would think he had a just claim to the throne. And at his side were two of the most influential men of the land, Abiathar, the high priest, and Joab, the commander in chief, aiding and abetting him in every possible way.

Now the king's mother had allowed herself to be taken in to the extent that she was actually asking for nothing less than the kingdom for the elder son. Solomon said in effect, "Why ask only for Abishag, why not ask for the kingdom as well? He is my elder brother, and does it not by right belong to him? And in proof of his claims, does he not have with him Abiathar the priest and Joab as well, in support of his cause and giving evidence to all that he indeed is in the right?" Bath—sheba evidently understood the needed rebuke. Knowing that what he was doing was in accord with the will of Heaven, Solomon, with a solemn adjuration, gave judgment that Adonijah be put to death that day.