Solomon ascending

1 Kings 2:15 - 3:28

As David's life is coming to a close he faces one last rebellious son. Adonijah aligns himself with Joab, incessant schemer and military commander, and Abiathar, the priest. Were told that he hires fifty men to run before his chariot...the same marketing campaign used by his older brother Absalom...and invites the royal officials and his various brothers to a feast in an attempt to portray himself as David's successor.
In a brilliant counter-move worthy of Hollywood David trots out Benaiah, military commander and captain of his personal bodyguard, Zadok the priest, AND Nathan the prophet...one-uping Adonijah's posse...and publicly cements Solomon's position as King.

This causes a bit of a stir amongst Adonijah's followers but as we'll see he doesn't give up easily.

Adonijah submits to Solomon's authority at first but then comes to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, with a seemingly innocent request:
"As you know, he said, "the kingdom was mine. All Israel looked to me as their king. But things changed, and the kingdom has gone to my brother; for it has come to him from the Lord. Now I have one request to make of you. Do not refuse me." "You may make it", she said. "So he continued, "Please ask King Solomon - he will not refuse you- togive me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife."
(1Kings 2:15-17)
Abishag was the "beautiful virgin" that was brought in at the end of David's life to keep him warm and perhaps raise his spirits but scripture is clear that he did not sleep with her.
According to Jewish tradition Adonijah's request, to be given the King's concubine as wife...one with whom the king had not slept, would have provided him with a new level of royal legitimacy from which he could have attempted yet another coup!

Bathsheba brings this request to Solomon, in the throne room, no doubt in front of a host of royal courtiers in another adept strategic move...making the request in such a manner exposes Adonijah as someone continuing to scheme after the throne.

Solomon's reaction is swift a decisive. He removes the threat rather than allowing it to fester in secret. But this isn't his only move.

David's "final words" to Solomon include several requests that the son deal with some of the father's unfinished business. (1Kings 2:5-9) David hints that his son should do away with possible threats from Joab, the scheming commander who has shed innocent blood time and time again against the king's commands, and Shimei who cursed David and his household as they fled from Absalom.

Solomon dispatches Benaiah as executioner in each of these three cases Adonijah, Joab, and Shimei over the course of about a three year period. And it is at this point, following the thrid of three executions, that scripture says:
The kingdom was now firmly established in Solomon's hands.
(1Kings 2:46)

I find it interesting that David was not allowed to build God's temple because he was had "shed much blood on the earth" in God's sight. And yet Solomon's reign, Solomon whom God has chosen to be the builder of His temple, is established after three acts of bloodshed.

Is it just a quantity thing? David spilled a LOT but Solomon merely ordered the spilling of some?
That seems arbitrary.
Is it a justice thing? Solomon somehow only ordered the execution of those who deserved death?
Have to be careful there since God obviously blessed David's reign.

I think where I land on it is that the three instances of blood shed that bring about the beginning of Solomon's rule are all attributed to his finishing his father's business. Whether for personal or political reasons David had not dealt with these individuals in his time, passing that duty on to his son. Solomon, as king, dispenses God's justice but is not marked as being a man who has shed too much blood because he is carrying out his father's duties. Once he has finished the work of his father David his kingdom is "firmly established".

(If you understand baseball at all it is a lot like a relief pitcher coming into the game midway through. The starting pitcher owns responsibility for runners that are on base when the new guy comes in to the game.)

This is another one of those stories that takes up just a chapter or two in the text but from which it would be easy to craft a feature length film.
No doubt Solomon, and even Benaiah, will be amongst the fella's who have a long waiting list or people waiting to do interviews with them in heaven. Reserve your time now. The lines will be long but we'll have all the time we need.