The first major unit of 1–2 Kings is the account of David’s death and designation of Solomon as his successor in 1 Kgs 1:1–2:11. Scholars generally define the larger unit as the account of Solomon’s reign in 1 Kgs 1–11, the account of Solomon’s succession in 1 Kgs 1–2, or the like (e.g., Long 11–32; Campbell and O’Brien 324–25), but these decisions are based on models of compositional history that do not take full account of the synchronic form of the text.1
First Kings 1:1–4 introduces the unit, beginning with a nominative clause that relates David’s old age, and provides the basis on which the following account of the designation of David’s successor proceeds. First Kings 1:5–49 then relates Adonijah’s unsuccessful attempt to have himself designated as David’s successor together with Nathan’s and Bath Sheba’s successful efforts to prompt David to designate Solomon as king. First Kings 1:5–49 begins with a nominative clause that identifies Adonijah as the principal actor, and each of its seven constituent subunits likewise begins with a nominative clause that identifies the major character or characters of each constituent episode (1 Kgs 1:5–10, 11–14, 15–27, 28–31, 32–37, 38–40, and 41–49). The third major unit in 1 Kgs 1:50–2:10 provides an account of Adonijah’s fear, again introduced by a nominative clause in v. 50, and David’s final instructions to Solomon in 1 Kgs 2:1–9 prior to the report of the old king’s death in 1 Kgs 2:10. The fourth major unit, the summation of David’s reign in 1 Kgs 2:11, brings the account of David’s reign to a close.
The general bloodbath that follows Solomon’s succession to the throne raises questions about Solomon, even though he was counseled to act in this manner by David on his deathbed.2 The narrative goes to special lengths to portray Solomon as David’s choice to succeed him, but it is never clear that David had the right to make such a decision. Earlier portrayals of the selection of monarchs, including both Saul (1 Sam 8–12) and David (1 Sam 16; 2 Sam 2–5; 7), emphasize the role of the Deity and the people in choosing the king (cf. Deut 17:14–20). The narrative at no point indicates YHWH’s approval of the choice of Solomon (or Adonijah), other than to place divine oaths and blessings concerning the succession of David’s son in the mouths of the principal characters, such as Nathan, Bath Sheba, David, and so on. Confirmation that such statements do indeed come from YHWH never appear in this narrative. The acclamation of the people takes place only after David makes his decision, and by that point, it is largely irrelevant to the decision as the people simply accept the designation of Solomon by David. YHWH ultimately approves Solomon in 1 Kgs 3, but this does not mitigate the impression that Solomon came to the throne improperly.
First Kings 1–2 is a redactional block that provides the transition from 2 Samuel to 1 Kings. By raising questions about Solomon, these chapters lay the foundation for the critique of Solomon in 1 Kgs 11, as well as the critique of the monarchy throughout 1–2 Kings. Such a concern fits well with the Josian DtrH, in which Josiah functions as a foil to Solomon by correcting the problems in Israelite worship instituted by Solomon. This concern also serves the exilic edition of the DtrH, which attempts to explain the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, the fall of the Davidic monarchy, and the Babylonian exile.
1:1 And King David was old, advanced in years, and they covered him in garments, but he was not warm. 2 So his servants said to him, “Let there be sought for my lord, the king, a young virgin woman, who will stand before the king,a and be an attendantb for him, and lie in your bosom,c so that my lord, the king, shall be warm.” 3 And they sought a beautiful young woman in all the territory of Israel, and they found Abishag the Shunammited and brought her to the king. 4 And the young woman was extremely beautiful, and she was an attendant for the king; she served him, but the king did not know her intimately.
5 And Adonijah ben Haggith promoted himself, saying, “I will be king!” and he provided himself with a chariot and horses with fifty men running before him. 6 Now his father had never in his life reprimanded him by saying, “Why did you do that?” He was also very handsome, and she (his mother) bore him after Absalom. 7 And he conferred with Joab ben Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they supported Adonijah. 8 But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah ben Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei,e and David’s warriors were not with Adonijah. 9 And Adonijah sacrified sheep and cattle and fattened lambs at the Zohelet stone,f which is beside Ein Rogel,g and he invited all his brothers, the sons of the king, and all the men of Judah, the servants of David. 10 But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the warriors, or Solomon his brother.
11 And Nathan said to Bath Sheba, the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah ben Haggith has assumed kingship, and our lord David does not know about it? 12 And now, come, let me give you counsel so that you may saveh your life and the life of your son Solomon. 13 Come now, and go to King David, and say to him, ‘Did you not, my lord the king, swear to your maidservant saying, “Wheni Solomon your son becomes king after me, he shall sit upon my throne”? Then why has Adonijah become king?’ 14 Then while you are still speaking with the king I will enter after you and confirm your words.”
15 And Bath Sheba came to the king in his chamber, but the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king. 16 And Bath Sheba bowed and prostrated herself to the king, and the king said, “What do you want?” 17 And she said to him, “My lord, you have sworn by YHWH your G-d to your maidservant that Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he shall sit upon my throne. 18 And now, behold, Adonijah has become king, but now, my lord the king, you do not know about it. 19 And he has sacrificed oxen, and fat lambs, and sheep in great quantities, and he invited all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of the army, but Solomon your servant he did not invite. 20 And you, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are upon you to declare to them who shall sit upon the throne of my lord the king after him. 21 And when my lord the king lies with his fathers, then I and my son Solomon shall be considered as criminals.”
22 And then, while she was speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet came. 23 And they announced him to the king, saying, “Behold, Nathan the prophet.” And he entered before the king, and he prostrated himself to the king with his face to the ground. 24 And Nathan said, “My lord the king, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall become king after me, and he shall sit upon my throne’? 25 because he has gone down today, and he has sacrificed oxen, and fat lambs, and sheep in great quantities, and he invited all the sons of the king, and the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest, and they are eating and drinking before him, and they said, “May the king, Adonijah, live!” 26 But me, I your servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah ben Jehoiada, and Solomon your servant, he did not invite. 27 Could this thing have come from my lord the king, and you did not inform your servantj who shall sit upon the throne of my lord the king after him?”
28 And King David answered and said, “Summon Bath Sheba for me!” And she came and stood before the king. 29 And the king swore and said, “As YHWH lives, who has redeemed my life from every adversity, 30 just as I have sworn to you by YHWH, the G-d of Israel, saying, ‘that Solomon, your son, shall become king after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my place,’ indeed, so shall I do this day.” 31 And Bath Sheba bowed to the ground and prostrated herself to the king, and she said, “May my lord, King David, live forever!”
32 And King David said, “Summon to me, Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah ben Jehoiada!” And they came before the king. 33 And the king said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord, mount Solomon my son upon my own mule, and take him down to Giḥon,k 34 and Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet shall anoint him there as king over Israel. And you shall blow the Shofar and say, ‘May King Solomon live!’ 35 And you shall go up after him, and he shall enter, sit upon my throne, and be king in my place, for have I commanded him to be ruler over Israel and Judah.” 36 And Benaiah ben Jehoiada answered the king and said, “So be it (Amen)! May YHWH, the G-d of my lord the king, so say! 37 Just as YHWH was with my lord the king, so shall He bel with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord, King David!”
38 And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet, Benaiah ben Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites went down, mounted Solomon upon the mule of King David, and brought him to the Giḥon. 39 And Zadok the priestm took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon, and they blew the Shofar, and all the people said, “May King Solomon live!” 40 And all the people went up after him, and the people were playing pipes and rejoicing with great joy so that the land was split because of their noise.
41 And Adonijah and all the invited guests with him heard just when they had finished eating. And Joab heard the sound of the Shofar and said, “Why does the city sound so noisy?” 42 While he was speaking, behold, Jonathan ben Abiathar the priest came, and Adonijah said, “Come, for you are a man of worth, and you will announce good news.” 43 And Jonathan said to Adonijah, “Indeed our lord King David has made Solomon king, 44 and the king sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah ben Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and they mounted him upon the king’s mule. 45 And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed him as king at Giḥon, and they went up from there rejoicing so that the city is noisy. That is the sound that you heard. 46 And also, Solomon is seated upon the throne of the kingdom. 47 And also, the servants of the king have come to bless our lord King David saying, ‘May G-dn make the name of Solomon better than your name, and make his throne greater than your throne!’ and the king prostrated himself upon the bed. 48 And also, he spoke accordingly, ‘Blessed is YHWH, the G-d of Israel, who has this day granted that my eyes see one sitting upon my throne!’” 49 And all Adonijah’s invited guests were afraid, and they rose, and each went on his own way.
50 And Adonijah feared Solomon, so he rose, went, and seized the horns of the altar. 51 And it was reported to Solomon, saying, “Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon, and behold, he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon swear to me today that he will not kill his servant by sword.’” 52 And Solomon said, “If he will be worthy, not even a hair shall fall to the ground. But if evil is found in him, then he shall die.” 53 And King Solomon sent (people) who brought him down fro...
