Reading for June 6th

Read 1 Kings 1
In verses 1-53 Solomon succeeds David
In verses 1-4 the choice of Abishag (v.3) to serve David (v.4) is a test of his virility.
The fact that he did not know her sexuality (v. 4) indicates that he is impotent and therefore no longer fit to be king.
In verse 5 the knowledge of David's impotence spurs Adonijah to declare himself king.
The chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him were trappings of kingship (2 Sam 15.1).
In verse 6 as the next after Absalom, Adonijah was David's oldest living son (2 Sam 3.2-5).
Therefore, was by all rights the heir tot he throne.
In verses 7-8 the court is divided between those who support Adonijah for king (Joab and Abiathar, v. 7) and those who support Solomon (Zadok, Benaiah, and Nathan, among other, v.8).
Since Adonijah was rightful heir heir, it must be explained how Solomon came to succeed David.
That is the topic of the rest of the chapter.
In verses 9-10 Adonijah holds a sacrifice to celebrate his coronation.
Such sacrifices were like banquets because the meat from the sacrificed animals was eaten.
Adonijah recognized Solomon as his rival and did not invite him or those who supported him to the sacrifice.
In verse 11 it is surprising to find Nathan and Bathsheba in cahoots; when they are mentioned together previously (2 Sam 11-12), Nathan was condemning David for his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband.
In verse 12 Nathan advises Bathsheba on how to save your own life and the life of your son Solomon.
The lives of Bathsheba and Solomon were in danger is Adonijah became king, since new kings customarily killed off all their potential rivals (v.21).
In verse 17 the promise Bathsheba cites here here is not recorded elsewhere and maybe fictional.
She may be taking advantage of David's senility in order to have Solomon declared king.
In verses 28-32 the movements of Bathsheba and Nathan are confusing and may indicate editorial work of some sort.
As it stands, the reader must assume that each of them leaves the king's presence when he interviews the other.
In verse 33 the mule was the royal mount (2 Sam 18.9).
The Gihon spring was the water source for the city of Jerusalem.
In verse 38 the Cerethites and the Pelethities were the royal body guard; they we Philistines or associated with the Philistines.
In verse 39 anointing was a way of designating a person for some special office.
It involved dripping or smearing fine olive oil on the person's head.
In verse 50 the horns of the altar were projections from each corner of a sacrificial altar.
Since the altar was holy, grasping the horns was a way of seeking sanctuary from execution.
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