David Takes Action (28-40)

Enraged, David called for Bathsheba to return, and he swore by Yahweh, who had redeemed him from every adversity and who would once again redeem him in this present difficulty. David, who had been decrepit just a few verses before, was filled with vigor and found his lost appetite to act and to govern. David was decisive and emphatic—Solomon was going to rule. David further promised Bathsheba he would do what he had promised on that very day—her son Solomon would find himself on his throne (28-30). Bathsheba again paid David high honor (31). David then called Zadok the priest, Benaiah the general, and Nathan the prophet and instructed them to have Solomon ride on his mule, surrounded by all their servants and palace guard, to the spring of Gihon. There, where many would be gathered, they were to anoint Solomon king of Israel, blowing trumpets and beginning the chants, “Long live King Solomon!” (32-34) They were then to take Solomon with the procession to his throne and put Solomon on it, for David on that day relinquished his power to Solomon and made him king over Israel and Judah (35). The men blessed David’s decision, Benaiah erupting with a prayer of blessing over King David’s decision and his life (36-37). The ambitions of Adonijah were quelled by a reinvigorated David declaring the will of God over the Kingdom of God.

Just as David had asked, Zadok the priest, Benaiah the general, and Nathan the prophet organized the processional quickly, taking the royal palace guards to escort the march to the springs. Once there, they took oil from the sacred tent in Zion (Exodus 30:23-25; 2 Samuel 6:17), anointed Solomon, and then began the jubilant music and riotous shouting. There was so much noise that it seemed the ground was quivering (38-40).

Solomon’s Coronation Reported to the Feast (41-48)

While Adonijah and his guests were feasting, they could hear the uproar just around the bend coming from the city. While they all wondered what was going on, they went ahead and finished their meal while Joab sought to find out what it could all mean (41). While Joab was questioning people, Abiathar’s son Jonathan brought news that Joab assumed was favorable (42). Jonathan immediately silenced their growing enthusiasm with the reality: King David had just made Solomon king (43). Jonathan told them how David had sent Zadok the priest, Benaiah the general, and Nathan the prophet, along with the palace guard, to have Solomon ride on the well-recognized king’s mule. They anointed him at the springs of Gihon in the middle of a mob of people, and then the whole city spilled into a celebration, carrying the king all the way to the royal throne (44-45). Jonathan included the detail of David’s servants giving their own congratulations, praying that God make Solomon more famous and greater than his father. He also mentioned how Solomon’s own father, David, bowed on his bed, thanking Yahweh for making Solomon king in his place (46-48).

Without a doubt, Solomon had been irrefutably set on David’s throne, and there would be no way Adonijah and his conspirators could oppose it.

The Terror of Adonijah (49-53)

Adonijah’s guests scuttled off into obscurity, pretending they were not in attendance (49). Adonijah scurried off to the Tabernacle of Moses at Gibeon, where he clung to the horns of the altar, refusing to let go until his brother Solomon swore he would not put him to death (50-51). Solomon did commit to show his brother mercy in the face of his treachery and treason if he proved to be a man of integrity (52).

Solomon then sent for Adonijah, bringing him before his throne to pay him homage in order to unify Israel under his reign. After Adonijah recognized Solomon as his king, he was allowed to return to his home (53).