After the peaceful resolution in chapter 1, we are now back to the chaos of David’s family lineage. As David lies on his deathbed, he gives Solomon a list of action steps to follow. First and foremost was to obey the Lord and his commands. David knew that his family heritage would endure if they continued in obedience. Secondly, he puts together a task list.
After their long history together and Joab’s faithful and loyal service to David, he orders that Solomon must kill him as punishment for his disobedience. Joab is such a complex individual. He was extremely loyal to David but also extremely disobedient. To put it simply, he was a loyal loose cannon.
“You also know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me and what he did to the two commanders of Israel’s army, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He murdered them in a time of peace to avenge blood shed in war. He spilled that blood on his own waistband and on the sandals of his feet.
1 Kings 2:5 HCSB
“You know what he did to me” could refer to Joab’s murder of David’s son Absalom after he commanded him not to. Abner and Amasa were killed by Joab – not in battle – but under the disguise of friendship. He killed Abner by pulling him aside as if to speak with him privately and he killed Amasa when pretending to come close and kiss him!
Knowing that David was a man of courage, we have to assume that there was a reason he allowed Joab to serve as commander for so long. Was it because Joab was his nephew? Was it because Joab knew of the entire affair/murder ordeal with Bathsheba? We will never know. However, we must believe that in order for Solomon to begin his reign as king, this difficult task had to be accomplished.
After failing to gather enough support to “steal” the right to be the next king, Adonijah requests to marry Abishag. We know from the 1 Kings 1 that Abishag was a beautiful young virgin who was brought to David in his declining health (circulation issues) in order to keep him warm. This was a very common and even prescribed treatment during that time.
David married her, but she remained a virgin. It was common in that time for the king’s sons to request the right to marry the king’s concubine after his death. Consummation of a marriage with a concubine was historically accepted as a means to transfer kingship from father to son. As if that wasn’t sneaky enough, Adonijah goes to Bathsheba with this request instead of going directly to Solomon. Most likely he was attempting to “soften the blow” of this offensive inquiry. Of course, this enrages Solomon and he has Adonijah put to death.
In looking at this chapter, I wonder if Adonijah assumed that Solomon would take after David in his decision making. David sometimes struggled to follow through with what was right because of his relationship with the individual (i.e. His son Amnon’s incestuous rape of his daughter Tamar). Solomon proved to be wise and aggressive in his actions. He did exactly as David had told him.