We have finished 2 Samuel and David’s reign is coming to an end. We are now beginning the reign of the kings that followed David.

In 1 Kings 1 David is getting quite old. His son Adonijah decides he should be king without consulting with his father. He has the approval of Joab and the priest Abiathar, but not of everybody including the prophet Nathan. Nathan and Bathsheba tell David what is happening. David decides to anoint Solomon king. Zadok anoints Solomon king. The people bless Solomon and ask that God make him greater and even more famous than David. When Adonijah hears this he begs Solomon not to kill him because of his presumption. Solomon says that if he proves himself a worthy man he will spare his life.

1 Kings 2 opens with David coming to the end of his life. He blesses his son Solomon and exhorts him to be faithful and obedient to God. David encourages Solomon to deal with Joab because of his deceitful ways. He also lets Solomon know of those who he has pledged to protect. David dies.

Adonijah tricks Bathsheba into making a request for him. Solomon becomes angry and kills Adonijah and Joab for their deception. He banished Abiathar who sided with Adonijah. Solomon spares Shimei at his father’s request on the condition that he remain in Jerusalem. Shimei disobeys this condition and Solomon has him killed. So Solomon’s kingdom is established.

In Psalm 55 David continues to ask for God’s protection against his enemies and for God’s punishment of those enemies.