INTRODUCTION: David nears the end of his life, but must face another heart wrenching rebellion. This time it comes from his son Adonijah as he attempts to usurp the throne. However, key men rise up to assist David and the rebellion is quenched as Solomon takes the throne.

1. ABISHAG PROVIDED WARMTH FOR KING DAVID (1 Kings 1:1-4 [1] Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat. [2] Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat. [3] So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. [4] And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.
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1. David’s Problem (1 Kings 1:1Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat.
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1. He was old and stricken in years.
2. He was covered with clothes but gat no heat.
2. His Servants’ Solution (1 Kings 1:2Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat.
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1. To seek out a young virgin
2. To let her give of her warmth to David
3. The Ministry of Abishag (1 Kings 1:3-4 [3] So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. [4] And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.
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1. The search for a damsel (1 Kings 1:3So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.
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1. They sought for a fair damsel.
2. They searched throughout the coasts of Israel.
3. They found Abishag, a Shunammite.
4. They brought her to the king.
2. The qualities of Abishag (1 Kings 1:4And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.
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1. She was very fair.
2. She cherished the king.
3. She ministered to the king.
3. The innocence of the relationship – “the king knew her not” (1 Kings 1:4And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.
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2. ADONIJAH PREPARED TO TAKE THE KINGDOM (1 Kings 1:5-10 [5] Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. [6] And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom. [7] And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him. [8] But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah. [9] And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by Enrogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants: [10] But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.
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1. Adonijah Sought to be King (1 Kings 1:5-6 [5] Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. [6] And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom.
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1. He exalted himself (1 Kings 1:5Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.
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2. He said, “I will be king” (1 Kings 1:5Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.
   See All...; compare Isaiah 14:12-15 [12] How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! [13] For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: [14] I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. [15] Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
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3. He prepared chariots and men to run before him (1 Kings 1:5Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.
   See All...; compare 2 Samuel 15:1And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
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4. David did nothing to discourage him (1 Kings 1:6And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom.
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5. He was a goodly man (1 Kings 1:6And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom.
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6. He was the younger brother of Absalom (1 Kings 1:6And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom.
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2. Adonijah Made Arrangements to be King (1 Kings 1:7-10 [7] And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him. [8] But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah. [9] And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by Enrogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants: [10] But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.
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1. He recruited help (1 Kings 1:7And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him.
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1. He made an ally of Joab.
2. He made an ally of Abiathar the priest.
2. He could not gain the support of Zadok, Benaiah, Nathan, and David’s mighty men (1 Kings 1:8But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.
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3. He made a great feast (1 Kings 1:9-10 [9] And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by Enrogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants: [10] But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.
   See All...).
1. He slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle (1 Kings 1:9And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by Enrogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants:
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2. He called his brethren the king’s sons (1 Kings 1:9And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by Enrogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants:
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3. He called all the men of Judah (1 Kings 1:9And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by Enrogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants:
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4. He did not call certain key men (1 Kings 1:10But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.
   See All...).
3. NATHAN PLANNED FOR SOLOMON’S ACCEPTANCE (1 Kings 1:11-27 [11] Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not? [12] Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon. [13] Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign? [14] Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words. [15] And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king. [16] And Bathsheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou? [17] And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne. [18] And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not: [19] And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called. [20] And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. [21] Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders. [22] And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in. [23] And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground. [24] And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? [25] For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah. [26] But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called. [27] Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed it unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?
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1. Nathan Worked the Plan Out with Bathsheba (1 Kings 1:11-14 [11] Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not? [12] Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon. [13] Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign? [14] Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words.
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1. Nathan informed Bathsheba of Adonijah’s rebellion (1 Kings 1:11Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not?
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2. Nathan offered counsel to Bathsheba (1 Kings 1:12-13 [12] Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon. [13] Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign?
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3. Nathan would come to David and confirm Bathsheba’s words (1 Kings 1:14Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words.
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2. Bathsheba Gave Her Report to David (1 Kings 1:15-21 [15] And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king. [16] And Bathsheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou? [17] And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne. [18] And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not: [19] And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called. [20] And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. [21] Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.
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1. She went in to David’s chamber (1 Kings 1:15And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king.
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2. She bowed before the king and he asked her of her need (1 Kings 1:16And Bathsheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou?
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3. She spoke of David’s promise that Solomon would reign (1 Kings 1:17And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne.
   See All...).
4. She informed him of Adonijah’s rebellion (1 Kings 1:18-19 [18] And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not: [19] And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.
   See All...).
5. She told him of the importance of his leadership (1 Kings 1:20-21 [20] And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. [21] Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.
   See All...).
3. Nathan Confirmed the Report of Bathsheba (1 Kings 1:22-27 [22] And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in. [23] And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground. [24] And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? [25] For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah. [26] But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called. [27] Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed it unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?
   See All...).
1. He entered the room as planned (1 Kings 1:22-23 [22] And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in. [23] And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.
   See All...). Note: Bathsheba left off speaking and exited the room when Nathan entered (1 Kings 1:28Then king David answered and said, Call me Bathsheba. And she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king.
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2. He confirmed the news of Adonijah’s rebellion (1 Kings 1:24-26 [24] And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? [25] For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah. [26] But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.
   See All...).
3. He asked of David’s involvement in Adonijah’s rise (1 Kings 1:27Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed it unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?
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4. DAVID PLACED SOLOMON ON THE THRONE (1 Kings 1:28-40 [28] Then king David answered and said, Call me Bathsheba. And she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king. [29] And the king sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress, [30] Even as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day. [31] Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever. [32] And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king. [33] The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon: [34] And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon. [35] Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead: and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah. [36] And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, Amen: the LORD God of my lord the king say so too. [37] As the LORD hath been with my lord the king, even so be he with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord king David. [38] So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David's mule, and brought him to Gihon. [39] And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon. [40] And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.
   See All...)
1. David Promised That Solomon Would Reign (1 Kings 1:28-31 [28] Then king David answered and said, Call me Bathsheba. And she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king. [29] And the king sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress, [30] Even as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day. [31] Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.
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1. He called for Bathsheba (1 Kings 1:28Then king David answered and said, Call me Bathsheba. And she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king.
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2. He confirmed his original promise (1 Kings 1:29-30 [29] And the king sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress, [30] Even as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day.
   See All...).
3. Bathsheba showed reverence to the king (1 Kings 1:31Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.
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2. David Gave Instructions to Anoint Solomon (1 Kings 1:32-37 [32] And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king. [33] The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon: [34] And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon. [35] Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead: and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah. [36] And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, Amen: the LORD God of my lord the king say so too. [37] As the LORD hath been with my lord the king, even so be he with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord king David.
   See All...).
1. He called in some key men (1 Kings 1:32And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king.
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2. He gave instructions to them (1 Kings 1:33-34 [33] The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon: [34] And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon.
   See All...).
1. Take the servants of king David (1 Kings 1:33The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:
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2. Cause Solomon to ride on David’s mule (1 Kings 1:33The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:
   See All...).
3. Bring Solomon down to Gihon (1 Kings 1:33The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:
   See All...); the closest natural spring to the city of Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 32:30This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.
   See All...; 2 Chronicles 33:14Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah.
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4. Have Zadok and Nathan anoint him as king (1 Kings 1:34And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon.
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5. Blow the trumpet and say, God save king Solomon (1 Kings 1:34And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon.
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3. He confirmed his choice of Solomon as king (1 Kings 1:35Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead: and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah.
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4. Benaiah expressed his pleasure with David’s choice (1 Kings 1:36-37 [36] And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, Amen: the LORD God of my lord the king say so too. [37] As the LORD hath been with my lord the king, even so be he with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord king David.
   See All...).
3. Solomon Is Anointed as King over Israel (1 Kings 1:38-40 [38] So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David's mule, and brought him to Gihon. [39] And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon. [40] And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.
   See All...).
1. The men obeyed the words of David (1 Kings 1:38-39 [38] So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David's mule, and brought him to Gihon. [39] And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.
   See All...).
2. The people rejoiced with great joy (1 Kings 1:40And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.
   See All...).
5. ADONIJAH PREVENTED FROM TAKING THE KINGDOM (1 Kings 1:41-53 [41] And Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, Wherefore is this noise of the city being in an uproar? [42] And while he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came; and Adonijah said unto him, Come in; for thou art a valiant man, and bringest good tidings. [43] And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king. [44] And the king hath sent with him Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and they have caused him to ride upon the king's mule: [45] And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon: and they are come up from thence rejoicing, so that the city rang again. This is the noise that ye have heard. [46] And also Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdom. [47] And moreover the king's servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. And the king bowed himself upon the bed. [48] And also thus said the king, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which hath given one to sit on my throne this day, mine eyes even seeing it. [49] And all the guests that were with Adonijah were afraid, and rose up, and went every man his way. [50] And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar. [51] And it was told Solomon, saying, Behold, Adonijah feareth king Solomon: for, lo, he hath caught hold on the horns of the altar, saying, Let king Solomon swear unto me today that he will not slay his servant with the sword. [52] And Solomon said, If he will shew himself a worthy man, there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth: but if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die. [53] So king Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and bowed himself to king Solomon: and Solomon said unto him, Go to thine house.
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1. Adonijah Received News of Solomon’s Anointing (1 Kings 1:41-48 [41] And Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, Wherefore is this noise of the city being in an uproar? [42] And while he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came; and Adonijah said unto him, Come in; for thou art a valiant man, and bringest good tidings. [43] And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king. [44] And the king hath sent with him Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and they have caused him to ride upon the king's mule: [45] And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon: and they are come up from thence rejoicing, so that the city rang again. This is the noise that ye have heard. [46] And also Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdom. [47] And moreover the king's servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. And the king bowed himself upon the bed. [48] And also thus said the king, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which hath given one to sit on my throne this day, mine eyes even seeing it.
   See All...).
1. Noise of Solomon’s crowning interrupted Adonijah’s feast (1 Kings 1:41And Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, Wherefore is this noise of the city being in an uproar?
   See All...).
2. Jonathan, the son of Abiathar, brought news of Solomon’s promotion (1 Kings 1:42-48 [42] And while he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came; and Adonijah said unto him, Come in; for thou art a valiant man, and bringest good tidings. [43] And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king. [44] And the king hath sent with him Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and they have caused him to ride upon the king's mule: [45] And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon: and they are come up from thence rejoicing, so that the city rang again. This is the noise that ye have heard. [46] And also Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdom. [47] And moreover the king's servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. And the king bowed himself upon the bed. [48] And also thus said the king, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which hath given one to sit on my throne this day, mine eyes even seeing it.
   See All...).
2. Adonijah Responded with Fear for His Life (1 Kings 1:49-51 [49] And all the guests that were with Adonijah were afraid, and rose up, and went every man his way. [50] And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar. [51] And it was told Solomon, saying, Behold, Adonijah feareth king Solomon: for, lo, he hath caught hold on the horns of the altar, saying, Let king Solomon swear unto me today that he will not slay his servant with the sword.
   See All...).
1. All the guests went away in fear (1 Kings 1:49And all the guests that were with Adonijah were afraid, and rose up, and went every man his way.
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2. Adonijah ran and caught hold on the horns of the altar (1 Kings 1:50And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.
   See All...). The horns of the altar were viewed as a place of mercy (Leviticus 4:24-26 [24] And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the goat, and kill it in the place where they kill the burnt offering before the LORD: it is a sin offering. [25] And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out his blood at the bottom of the altar of burnt offering. [26] And he shall burn all his fat upon the altar, as the fat of the sacrifice of peace offerings: and the priest shall make an atonement for him as concerning his sin, and it shall be forgiven him.
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3. Solomon learned of Adonijah’s fear and concern (1 Kings 1:51And it was told Solomon, saying, Behold, Adonijah feareth king Solomon: for, lo, he hath caught hold on the horns of the altar, saying, Let king Solomon swear unto me today that he will not slay his servant with the sword.
   See All...).
3. Solomon Sent Adonijah to His House (1 Kings 1:52-53 [52] And Solomon said, If he will shew himself a worthy man, there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth: but if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die. [53] So king Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and bowed himself to king Solomon: and Solomon said unto him, Go to thine house.
   See All...).
1. Solomon demonstrated his desire to be just (1 Kings 1:52And Solomon said, If he will shew himself a worthy man, there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth: but if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die.
   See All...).
2. Solomon allowed Adonijah to go home alive (1 Kings 1:53So king Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and bowed himself to king Solomon: and Solomon said unto him, Go to thine house.
   See All...).

CONCLUSION: Even in the end, David must make some difficult decisions that will have an impact beyond his death. Wisdom in these decisions is of the utmost importance.