Modern readers of the Bible need to beware of the anachronistic reading of the Bible. We do this when we take the values, customs, and attitudes of today and interpret ancient Bible texts through that lens. What I view as revenge, the people of David’s day may have seen as just judgment.
What we have in 1 Kings is a transparent account of what took place. The reader can make up their mind whether it was revenge or judgment.
Even though Joab had been loyal to David in the beginning, at a later date he changed allegiances. David told his son to execute his former general.
After David’s defeat of Absalom, he forgave Shimei for cursing him as he exited Jerusalem. You will recall that David fled Jerusalem, weeping and barefoot, as Absalom attempted a coup. David forgave Shimei, but didn’t forget the intense disrespect he was shown. David left it to his son to execute judgment on Shimei.
Barzillai the Gileadite brought food to David and his companions when they escaped Absalom’s coup attempt. Solomon was to make sure this loyalty would be rewarded after his death.
Solomon Consolidates His Reign
You will remember some names from earlier episodes in David’s life. Abishag the Shunammite was a young virgin, who served David prior to his death. Adonijah was the next youngest of David’s sons after Absalom.
Adonijah attempted to take the reins of government before David died. Nathan and Bathsheba counseled with David and made sure Solomon was installed as king instead.
It may seem like an innocent request for Adonijah to be able to marry Abishag. She served David, but they never had sexual relations.
Adonijah put Bathsheba up to the task of asking Solomon for Abishag’s hand in marriage. To the modern reader, Solomon’s response may appear extreme.
King Solomon answered his mother, “And why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom as well! For he is my elder brother, and the priest Abiathar and Joab son of Zeruiah are on his side!”
Then King Solomon swore by the Lord, “So may God do to me, and more also, for Adonijah has devised this scheme at the risk of his life!
Now therefore as the Lord lives, who has established me and placed me on the throne of my father David and who has made me a house as he promised, today Adonijah shall be put to death.”
So King Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he struck him down, and he died (1 Kings 2:22-25).
Benaiah was one of David’s mighty men. Solomon sent him to kill his brother. Once again, that seems extreme.
Here’s another way to look at the situation. When a new king was installed in office, it was customary to make the former king’s concubines his own. Even though Abishag and David never had sexual relations, she was considered one of his concubines all the same.
For Adonijah to marry Abishag would symbolically indicate his place on the throne of Israel. Solomon recognized the scheme and executed judgment on his brother.
The chapter ends by detailing the executions of Joab and Shimei.
Speed Reading the Bible
There are scriptures that are so rich that I want to spend time reading, meditating, and praying their contents. There are other passages, like the one today, that I choose to read very rapidly.
If I hadn’t written a blog article on this passage, I would have glossed over it and moved on to the next section.
Part of why this section is so distasteful is that it is so contrary to the way Jesus conducted his life. Jesus could have consolidated His power through violence and death. He had the power to do so.
Instead, Jesus chose the way of self-giving love. He sacrificed Himself to turn enemies into friends.
Whereas Solomon demanded his rights, Jesus surrendered His. Let’s ask the Lord to give us the grace to live like Jesus did.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 