Bible Discussion Thread

Why did Solomon have Adonijah killed? I don't understand that.

Adonijah had a history of rebellion against God and treason against Solomon and Isreal. He knew God had selected Solomon to be king yet he set himself up as king instead anyway.

1 Kings 1:5

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.

Solomon showed mercy at first to Adonijah and forgave him but warned him not to show rebellion against the king in the future.

1 Kings 5

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.

Adonijah failed to keep the charge given him by Solomon and was put to death accordingly for claiming he should have been king instead of Solomon.

1 Kings 2

13 And Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. And she said, Comest thou peaceably? And he said, Peaceably.

14 He said moreover, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And she said, Say on.

15 And he said, Thou knowest that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel set their faces on me, that I should reign: howbeit the kingdom is turned about, and is become my brother's: for it was his from the Lord.

16 And now I ask one petition of thee, deny me not. And she said unto him, Say on.

17 And he said, Speak, I pray thee, unto Solomon the king, (for he will not say thee nay,) that he give me Abishag the Shunammite to wife.

Hello Hanna,

1Kings 2,

Why did Solomon have Adonijah put death?

1st because Adonijah asked Solomon's mother to conspire to do an unlawful act, trying to get Solomon also to be part of breaking GOD's law. 1Kings 2:13-21, The law: Leviticus 18:8, Leviticus 20:11,

2nd Treason, I believe Solomon saw this as an act of Treason, also punishable by death even by law today. Please see 2Kings 2:22, Adonijah had already tried to take the kingdom from Solomon: 1Kings 1,

David was promised that his son Solomon was to reign as king after him & that Solomon was going to build the temple for GOD. This was known: 1Chronicles 28:5, 1Chronicles 22:5-9, note: 1Chronicles 22:17, "all the princes of Israel" 1Chronicles 29:1, please read all of Chapter, 1Chronicles 22. & 1Chronicles 28,

Note: 1Chronicles 29:22

3rd the curse, was Adonijah trying to curse Solomon, his Father's household & Israel? Leviticus 20:9, Deuteronomy 11:27-28,

Hopefully these are helpful

Thanks so much!

King David had promised Solomon would be king upon his death. See 2 Samuel 15. King David made the promise to Bathsheba. Adonijah attempts to have himself anointed king trying to usurp the right of Solomon. That is why Solomon is not invited to the feast. He clearly understood his actions. This action suggests that he is someone who will cause great problems for Solomon in the future. Solomon forgives him provided he would abide by the restrictions. Solomon told him he would allow him to live if he showed himself to be a worthy man. However, after the death of King David, Adonijah goes to Bathsheba asking for Abishag from David's harem which could be seen as an affront to Solomon's authority. In first Kings chapter 2 you will see that Solomon obviously understood this. He would always have conflict throughout his reign as king if he did not settle the problem of Adonijah