Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

Medical practices have changed a lot since the period written about in the first book of the Kings of Israel. Chapter one begins with the elderly King David needing some aid to stay warm while sleeping.  Electric blankets and space heaters had not been invented yet.  Abishag, a young unmarried woman is brought in to be a human hot water bottle.  This problem with old age sets the stage for a coup.

We have finally finished the material about and by David. In 1 Kings 1, we begin to look at the third king of Israel, Solomon. David is still alive, and his second-oldest son makes a play to become the ruler of the Jews. The shepherd king is old and feeble. A young woman is found to share his bed to keep him warm. Talk about a live hot water bottle. She will be significant later.

David’s son, Adonijah, decided to promote himself as king. Joab supported him.  As the next oldest to Absalom, he felt he should be the successor.  No one told him he was next in line. As many of us do, he considered it was easier to ask forgiveness than permission. He even invited all of his brothers except Solomon to the coronation.

Nathan was not invited, either. He went to Bathsheba and asked her to go to see her husband about his wishes for an heir to the throne.  This triggers a ceremony to put Solomon on the throne before there is a battle between brothers. When word reaches Adonimah, the party is over.  He runs to the altar and pleads that Solomon will not take revenge on him for trying to grab his Jehovah granted position. Solomon agrees to forgive him if he is faithful to the new king.  That’s not going to happen.

Adonijah uses Joab and Abiathar to help promote his place as the next ruler. The problem is that Yahweh had told David a son by Bathsheba would succeed him. Remember the prophet Nathan that confronted David about his sin with her? He works with her to move Solomon in as the current leader’s true choice.

His older brother goes to the altar in the tent of meeting and holds onto the horns until he has the new King’s pledge not to kill him. Execution of family members is common to secure your place as a monarch.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger