1 Kings 1:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So Bathsheba went to the king in his chamber (now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was attending to the king).

NIV: So Bathsheba went to see the aged king in his room, where Abishag the Shunammite was attending him.

NASB: So Bathsheba entered to the king in the bedroom. Now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.

CSB: So Bathsheba went to the king in his bedroom. Since the king was very old, Abishag the Shunammite was attending to him.

NLT: So Bathsheba went into the king’s bedroom. (He was very old now, and Abishag was taking care of him.)

KJV: And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king.

NKJV: So Bathsheba went into the chamber to the king. (Now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.)

David is old and so infirm that it seems he doesn't leave his personal chambers. His servants have found Abishag, a beautiful young woman, to serve David and to lie in bed with him when he gets too cold (1 Kings 1:1–4).

Just outside Jerusalem's southern wall, David's son Adonijah is preparing to declare himself king. He has the support of the military commander Joab, the priest Abiathar, the elders of Judah, and most of David's sons (1 Kings 1:5–10). The prophet Nathan knows this isn't David's plan. He probably knows it's not God's plan. He's called on Bathsheba to push David to officially crown her son Solomon (1 Kings 1:11–14).

David has many wives and concubines, but his relationship with Bathsheba seems special. She has had more of his children than any other wife listed. It seems he genuinely cares for her (2 Samuel 12:24; 1 Chronicles 3:5). It can't be easy for her to see him so weak.

If David doesn't hear her, her life and Solomon's will be in danger. She bows to him. He asks her what she desires. She reminds him of his promise that her son would be king. She tells him of the betrayal occurring right outside the city. He doesn't have much time. If he wants Solomon to be king and doesn't want him executed as a rival, David must act now (1 Kings 1:16–20).

David still has strength. By the end of the day, Solomon is king, and Adonijah submits.

First Kings 1:15–21 records Bathsheba calling David to battle one last time. The king is so weak that his son Adonijah is declaring himself king without David's knowledge (1 Kings 1:1–10). Bathsheba follows Nathan's instructions to warn David, reminding him that he promised Solomon would inherit the crown. When she's finished, Nathan will tell David which of his servants have betrayed him and who is still loyal. By the end of the day, David will make sure Solomon sits on the throne (1 Kings 1:22–40).

First Kings 1 records Solomon's first anointing as king. David is weak. His fourth son, Adonijah, convinces Joab, Abiathar, and the officials of Judah to declare him king. Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba convince David to crown Solomon. With the help of Zadok the priest and Benaiah the royal guard commander, Solomon becomes king. His first act is to pardon his brother, although the truce doesn't last long. After David dies, Solomon must execute Adonijah for rebellion and Joab for murder, as well as banish Abiathar the priest (1 Kings 2:13–35).

First Kings 1 picks up the story of David's kingship several years after the events at the end of 2 Samuel. David has protected the kingdom, gathered supplies for the temple, and purchased the land (2 Samuel 24:18–25; 1 Chronicles 21:2–5; 29:1–9). It's time for Solomon to take over and build the temple. First, however, David must ensure Solomon is king and that the throne does not fall to Solomon's brother Adonijah. Once crowned, Solomon solidifies his hold by executing Adonijah, Joab, and David's nemesis, Shimei. He also banishes Abiathar, the priest who supported Adonijah. With Nathan, Benaiah, and Zadok beside him, Solomon is ready to rule (1 Kings 2).

This was originally the first half of a combined text. First Kings records the end of David's reign and the rule of Solomon. After this, the kingdom is split in two. The northern nation of Israel no longer submits to the king of the southern nation, called Judah. The prophet Elijah first appears in this book. The kings mostly fail to honor the Lord. They participate in idolatry and other sins. This will eventually result in their conquest and exile, as depicted throughout the books of Chronicles.