1 Kings 1:11-14

King David was subject to all the social pressures and unrest of the people of his time......but David, even in his sin, clung to God and was the friend of God and like the Father he kept his promises. If Bathsheba had not asked, based upon David’s promises, she would not have received. Sometimes we just need to ask! 

Traditionally, Jeremiah was identified as the author of 1 and 2 Kings. However, contemporary critical scholarship has suggested that the books were the result of a compilation process that began with its initial composition in the late seventh century b.c. and concluded in the middle of the sixth century b.c. The proponents of this view have identified a Deuteronomic school of writers as the source of 1 and 2 Kings.

Evangelical biblical scholars have largely rejected the idea of a Deuteronomic school of writers. Many continue to endorse the traditional view that Jeremiah wrote the books of the Kings. They cite as evidence for his authorship his priestly origin, his prophetic activity, his access to governmental authorities at the highest level, and his great personal involvement in the complex religious, social, and political activities that occurred during the collapse and fall of Judah in the early sixth century b.c. 

It is a mark of David’s integrity that Nathan, who had confronted him with his terrible sin, was still welcome in the royal household. Nathan went to Bathsheba because she would not want to see Adonijah displace her son Solomon as heir to the throne. As David’s wife, Bathsheba had immediate access to him, and she also had considerable influence in civil and social matters. If Adonijah became king she and Solomon could probably expect to die in a royal purge of all potential claimants to the throne.

1 Kings 1:11-14

¹¹ So Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king, and David our lord does not know it? ¹² Come, please, let me now give you advice, that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. 

¹³ Go immediately to King David and say to him, ‘Did you not, my lord, O king, swear to your maidservant, saying, “Assuredly your son Solomon shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’ ¹⁴ Then, while you are still talking there with the king, I also will come in after you and confirm your words.”