Go in at once to King David, and say to him, ‘Did you not, my lord the king, swear to your servant, saying, “Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne”? Why then is Adonijah king?’
David lies old and weak in his palace, and Adonijah has taken the throne. Nathan the prophet sends Bathsheba to the king with one question, built on a promise David once made under oath.
The King Who Did Not Know
Nobody in the palace had acted against the danger. One writer points out that the king's ignorance did not leave Israel unprotected.
H. L. RossierThe king, weakened by age, confined to his palace, "knew not" what was happening. Thankfully, God was keeping watch for him. God, who has the glory of His Son and His kingdom in view, does not allow the plans of the usurper to succeed. To this end He sends the prophet to Bathsheba with a word of wisdom. You can be sure of this: in the Word of God we will always find the means to glorify Christ and to keep ourselves safe from the enemy's traps.
Why Then Is Adonijah King?
Nathan's closing question is sharp because the answer was already public knowledge. Adonijah was not just seizing a chance. He was going against something God had already settled.
William KellyEveryone in the house of David and in the land of Israel knew this: just as God chose David from among his brothers, so He had also been pleased to appoint Solomon for the throne of Israel... So Adonijah's sin was not just ambition. It was not even simply rebellion against the king, against David. It was rebellion against the Lord. He set himself directly against the purpose God had declared and revealed.
Counsel That Does Not Manipulate
Nathan's plan uses timing and a chosen speaker. That could look like scheming. So one writer sets it beside Joab's earlier approach to David through the woman of Tekoa.
H. L. RossierWhat a contrast between Nathan's mediation and Joab's through the woman of Tekoa (2 Sam. 14)! There everything was trickery and lying. The aim was to work on the king's mind and flatter his hidden leanings. In the end it was to put a deceitful and violent man on the throne over Israel. Here prudence suggests what should be done, but without straying in the least from the truth. The king must be made aware of the imminent danger. He must be persuaded to act decisively for God.
Who You Go To
Before Bathsheba goes to David, she has already gone to Nathan. Kelly reads that choice as a test anyone can apply to themselves.
William KellyShe went to the one who, above all, could give the mind of God — to Nathan. He was the one who had rebuked the king at the height of his power. He had the courage to speak for God whatever the cost... we always show where our heart is by who we confide in. Suppose a man is going wrong in his own will. He is sure to look for advice in exactly the place where he should not.
Respect And Boldness Together
Nathan tells her to go in at once and speak to the aged king. One writer treats her manner as a model.
H. L. RossierBathsheba speaks with respect and boldness. She shows David that he does not know the danger (v. 18). She reminds him what he had settled on: a successor who was a king after God's own heart (v. 17). She also points out his responsibility towards herself, her son, and the people. The eyes of all Israel were on David, waiting for him to say who should sit on his throne after him. Truth is in this woman's heart, as it is in the prophet's heart. It is a lovely example of the spirit we should show one another.
The Outcome And The Oath
The plot did not delay Solomon. It brought his crowning forward, and Kelly draws a general rule from that.
William KellyAdonijah's conspiracy did not hinder Solomon. Its only effect was to move him forward to the throne of Israel. If there had been no conspiracy, Solomon would surely have waited for the king to die. Instead the result was to secure the throne, and to secure it at once. So it is that if we are only calm, God always accomplishes His purpose.
Nathan's question rests on an oath, and Rossier explains why that reminder was enough.
H. L. RossierThe mind of the Lord about Solomon had already been revealed to David. He knew it very well. There was a reason why the Lord had given David's son the name Jedidiah, Beloved of the Lord (2 Sam. 12:25)... It was enough to remind this man of faith of his oath for him to see the path to take.
Summary
- Watching — David knew nothing of the plot, but God did. Heaven guarded the throne before anyone in the palace noticed.
- Word — the rescue came as a word of wisdom through a prophet, and one reminder of David's oath was enough to move him. God's Word still shows us how Christ is glorified and how we escape the enemy's traps.
- Way — Nathan's plan was urgent and shrewd, yet it never left the truth. Joab's earlier approach through the woman of Tekoa was pure trickery.
- Witness — Bathsheba went first to the man who could give her the mind of God. Who we ask for advice shows where our heart already is.
- Wait — Adonijah's rush only put Solomon on the throne sooner. If we stay calm, God still accomplishes His purpose.