Reading for June 24th

Read 1 Kings 1.1-10
In 1.1-53 Solomon succeeds David.
In verses 1-4: The choice of Abishag (v. 3) the serve David (v. 4) is a test if his virility.
The fact that he did not know her sexually (v. 4) indicates that he is impotent and therefore no longer fit to be king.
In verse 5: Te knowledge of David's impotence spurs Adonjah to declare himself king.
The chariots and horsemen and the fifty men to run before him were trappings of kingship (2 Sam 15.1).
In verse 6: As the next after Abaslom, Adonjah was David's oldest living son (see 2 Sam 3.2-5; nothing is known about Chileab and many scholars assume he died in infancy).
Therefore, he was by all rights the heir to the throne.
In verses 7-8: The court is divided between those who support Adonjah for king (Joab and Abiathar, v. 7) and those who support Solomon (Zadok, Benaiah, and Nathan among other, v. 8).
Since Adonjah was the rightful 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: Adonjah holds a sacrifice to celebrate his coronation.
Such sacrifices were like banquets because the meat from the sacrificed animals were eaten.
Adonjah recognized Solomon as his rival and did not invite him or those who supported him tot he sacrifice.
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