April 8 - 1 Kings 1-2

Welcome to 1 Kings.  I'm already pulling my hair out with these names.  I'm going to do my best to keep people straight.

King David was very old.  He was so old that he struggled to keep warm.  To assist in his care a young, beautiful virgin by the name of Abishag was found.  From the sounds of it she was one of his concubines, but they did not have sexual relations.  She just snuggled in with him to keep him warm.

Adonijah, David's oldest living son took it upon himself to be named the new king.  He put together a little support group (some of whom were David's trusted men) and made the announcement.  This was all without his fathers knowledge.  God was also not consulted about this decision.

When David was told about Adonijah's actions he immediately named his son, Solomon, as the next king.  He made the announcement and people cheered.

Adonijah was scared of Solomon so he did not try to retaliate.  He did make one request that led to his death.  He asked for his father's concubine, Abishag, to become his bride.  This did not go over well with Solomon and Adonijah was put to death.

Before David died he gave Solomon advise.  (2:2-4)  "So be strong, show yourself a man, and observe what the Lord your God required:  Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go and that the Lord may keep his promise to me."

God promised as long as David's sons walked in obedience they would hold the throne.  David was then buried in the City of David.