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Solomon’s Rise to Power
First Kings 1: 1-53

The narrative that begins First Kings is really not a beginning at all, but the last chapter of the larger story of David found in the books of Samuel. First Kings 1:1 begins with the Hebrew word and, indicating that the verse is not the beginning of a new historical work, but a continuation of the narrative of the Second Samuel. It is there that Bathsheba, who plays such a prominent role in the beginning of Kings first appears, possessed by David at the cost of her husband’s life (see the Life of David, to see link click Dc – David and Bathsheba). Later, the lives of David’s various sons are recounted (Second Samuel 12-18). The end of Second Samuel is a sorry tale of wickedness and weakness, which raises an important question in the reader’s mind. The prophet Nathan, himself a major player in the beginning of First Kings (see Al – A Royal Conspiracy), had promised David that his dynasty would last forever. David’s kingship would not be like Sha’ul’s, which all but died with him. Instead, ADONAI would raise up one of David’s sons and establish an eternal kingdom (see the commentary on the Life of David Ct – The LORD’s Covenant with David). How was this promise to be fulfilled? Where is a surviving son to be found to sit on David’s throne? This is the question that the first chapter of the book of Kings will resolve.25