10 - Bible Commentary | Karuna Sadan

Keep the charge of the Lord your God, walk in His ways, keep His statutes [khook-kaw], His commandments[mits-vaw'], His precepts [mish-pawt'], and His testimonies [ay-dooth'], as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may do wisely and prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, (1 Kings 2:3)

Why did Solomon execute Adonijah for asking to marry Abishag the Shunammite as wife? (1 Kings 2)

Adonijah’s request seems very innocent, but it was full of deception. Solomon saw through this deception and rightly said to his mother, “Why do you request Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? You might as well request the kingdom for him—after all, he is my older brother” (1 Kings 2:22).

Solomon rightly saw Adonijah’s desire to marry Abishag as part of his brother’s ongoing attempt to take over the kingdom of Israel.

In those times, taking possession of a king’s concubines was a declaration of one’s right to the throne. This had been one of Absalom’s methods when he led a coup against David (2 Samuel 16:22).

Since Abishag the Shunammite was considered part of David’s harem, her marriage to Adonijah would have strengthened his claim to the throne of Israel.

And to Abiathar the priest the king said, “Go to Anathoth, to your own fields, for you are deserving of death; but I will not put you to death at this time.. (1 Kings 2:26)

Abiathar deserved death because he supported Adonijah as the next king, in defiance of the will of God and the will of King David (1 Kings 1:7). This was treason against both God and the King of Israel.

That he might fulfill the word of the LORD which He spoke concerning the house of Eli at Shiloh (1 Kings 2:27)

This refers to the prophecies found in 1 Samuel 2:27-36 and 1 Samuel 3:11-14. In removing Abiathar from the priesthood, Solomon, without direct intention, fulfilled the promise of judgment against the house of Eli, made some 100 years before Solomon took the throne.

Why did David ask Joab to be killed?

“And there is something else. You know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me when he murdered my two army commanders, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He pretended that it was an act of war, but it was done in a time of peace, staining his belt and sandals with innocent blood.

Do with him what you think best, but don’t let him grow old and go to his grave in peace. 1 Kings 2:5-6 (NLT)

Justice needed to be executed upon Joab, the commander of David's army throughout his reign (1 Kings 2:5-6). Joab had always been a mixed blessing for David. He was a brilliant military strategist, fiercely loyal and a wise counselor, a man whom David deeply respected (2 Samuel 19:1-8). But Joab also created some embarrassing problems and political difficulties for David. For example...

• Joab killed Abner, the commander-in-chief of Israel whom David had enlisted to help reunite Israel with Judah. By killing Abner, Joab jeopardized the reunification efforts (2 Samuel 3:1-39).

• Joab also murdered the commander Amasa, whom David had appointed to handle a revolt by the Israelites led by the traitor Sheba (2 Samuel 20:1-26).

• When Absalom rebelled against his father David, Joab killed Absalom against David's orders (2 Samuel 18:1-18).

• Just recently, in opposition to Solomon, Joab had supported the coup of Adonijah (1 Kings 1:1-53).

Because of Joab's loyalty to David, David had always chosen not to execute Joab. However, when Joab killed Absalom, David had him removed from the position of commander-in-chief of the armed forces (1 Kings 20:4).

But he never had Joab executed for the crimes he had committed. The execution of justice upon Joab was now being left up to Solomon (1 Kings 2:6). Solomon was to deal with Joab as he saw fit. But if he allowed the commander to live, Solomon needed to watch him closely; for the commander had proven to be a dangerous opponent to Solomon (1 Kings 1:7, 19, 25, 41).

Chapter 2