1 Kings 1:32-53
BACKGROUND NOTES
DOCTRINAL POINT(S)
Solomon is a picture of Christ as the rightful king. (1 Kings 1:32-40)
Solomon is a picture of Christ as the righteous judge. (1 Kings 1:50-53)
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Do you discern what is really good news?
QUESTIONS
What was Adonijah plotting?
Who jumped on Adonijah’s bandwagon and why?
By whom and how were Adonijah’s plans thwarted?
What was the tabernacle in Jerusalem? Where was the regular tabernacle at this time?
What happened when the plans of Adonijah and his friends were thwarted?
What is meant by “type?”
ANSWERS
Adonijah, one of the sons of King David, was plotting to take over the throne when the king died.
A number of David’s royal servants, including Joab, a military leader and Abiathar the priest, because they thought that Adonijah would be the next king of Israel.
Nathan the prophet went to Bathsheba, David’s wife and reminded her of King David’s vow that Solomon, Bathsheba’s son, would be his successor. In turn, Bathsheba reminded the king of his vow. Then King David called for Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah a military commander, to confirm that Solomon should be anointed and set on the throne as king.
The tabernacle or sacred tent at Jerusalem was the temporary shelter that David had erected for the ark of the covenant. The regular tabernacle was still at Gibeon.
When Adonijah realized what was going on he was afraid of Solomon, so he went and took hold of the horns of the altar, which was an acknowledgment of guilt and a cry for mercy. All the guests who were with him were afraid and each one went his way, leaving Adonijah alone. They knew that the king had the right to put to death all those who had conspired against David to take the throne without his blessing.
“Type” (or picture) is an Old Testament person, place, event or other item which illustrates a New Testament truth.
DISCUSS/CONSIDER
Solomon is a picture of Christ as the rightful king. Adonijah was not David’s choice and he was not God’s choice. Solomon was God’s choice. See 1 Chronicles 22:6-10. Solomon is a picture of the rightful king and it was the responsibility of the people to recognize him as such. The lesson for us? Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the anointed one, chosen by God to be your rightful king. Just as it was the responsibility of the people to recognize Solomon as the rightful king, it is our responsibility to recognize Christ as the rightful king. Question: Do you recognize the Lord Jesus Christ as your rightful king? Or, is some Adonijah stealing your affections and allegiance? Adonijah could represent any person or any thing that is taking the place of the rightful king in your life.
When Adonijah realized that his conspiracy had failed, he fled to the brazen altar. He grabbed the horns of the altar as an acknowledgement of guilt and a cry for mercy. See Exodus 21:14. Solomon as king had the right to put Adonijah to death because he conspired against David to take the throne without his blessing. It was up to Solomon to show righteous judgment, and at this point Adonijah was shown mercy rather than being executed. Jesus Christ is the righteous judge. We all deserve to die because of our sin against God, but we have been shown mercy and have been given a chance to bow the knee and submit to King Jesus, the righteous judge. Question: Have you submitted to the Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful king and the righteous judge? If so, you received mercy. If not, judgment awaits you in the future.
CHALLENGE
Jonathan brought the news to Adonijah that Solomon was the new king. Was it good news? Not for Adonijah and his crowd. But it was good news because Solomon was God’s choice for king, and Solomon became one of the great kings of Israel. Do you discern what is really good news? If prayer was allowed back into the classroom in this country, some people would say that it was bad news, but it’s really good news. If abortion were to be banned in this country, some people would say that it’s bad news, but it’s really good news. The life of unborn humans made in the image of God would no longer be destroyed. Do you discern what is really good news?
KEY VERSES
“King David said to Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, ‘Take with you the servants of your lord, and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule…anoint him king over Israel” 1 Kings 1:32-34
“…all the people said, ‘Long live King Solomon!’… the people rejoiced with great joy.” 1 Kings 1:39-40
“Adonijah was afraid of Solomon; so he arose, and went and took hold of the horns of the altar…” “Adonijah fell down before King Solomon.” 1 Kings 1:50-53