Nathan’s Warning to Bathsheba
Introduction:
In our previous lesson, Adonijah began boasting, “I will make myself king.”
The prophet Nathan knows that this action must be addressed.
1 Kings 1:11-27 NLT
Nathan’s Warning to Bathsheba
11 Then Nathan went to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, and asked her, “Haven’t you heard that Haggith’s son, Adonijah, has made himself king, and our lord David doesn’t even know about it? 12 If you want to save your own life and the life of your son Solomon, follow my advice. 13 Go at once to King David and say to him, ‘My lord the king, didn’t you make a vow and say to me, “Your son Solomon will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’ 14 And while you are still talking with him, I will come and confirm everything you have said.”
Bathsheba Appeals to David
15 So Bathsheba went into the king’s bedroom. (He was very old now, and Abishag was taking care of him.) 16 Bathsheba bowed down before the king.
“What can I do for you?” he asked her.
17 She replied, “My lord, you made a vow before the Lord your God when you said to me, ‘Your son Solomon will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne.’ 18 But instead, Adonijah has made himself king, and my lord the king does not even know about it. 19 He has sacrificed many cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and he has invited all the king’s sons to attend the celebration. He also invited Abiathar the priest and Joab, the commander of the army. But he did not invite your servant Solomon. 20 And now, my lord the king, all Israel is waiting for you to announce who will become king after you. 21 If you do not act, my son Solomon and I will be treated as criminals as soon as my lord the king has died.”
Nathan Confirms the Crisis
22 While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived. 23 The king’s officials told him, “Nathan the prophet is here to see you.”
Nathan went in and bowed before the king with his face to the ground. 24 Nathan asked, “My lord the king, have you decided that Adonijah will be the next king and that he will sit on your throne? 25 Today he has sacrificed many cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and he has invited all the king’s sons to attend the celebration. He also invited the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest. They are feasting and drinking with him and shouting, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ 26 But he did not invite me or Zadok the priest or Benaiah or your servant Solomon. 27 Has my lord the king really done this without letting any of his officials know who should be the next king?”
Examine the Scriptures
1 Kings 1:11-27 NLT
Nathan’s Warning to Bathsheba
11 Then Nathan went to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother,
Nathan is the one to initiate action.
- Nathan approaches Bathsheba.
Nathan was a prophet of the LORD and served as a close adviser to King David.
Bathsheba was one of David’s wives and was the mother of Solomon.
Remember how this relationship got off to a bad start. (2 Samuel 11-12)
- The queen mother held an important and influential position in the royal court.
An example of Bathsheba’s influence:
1 Kings 2:19 NLT
19 So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak on Adonijah’s behalf. The king rose from his throne to meet her, and he bowed down before her. When he sat down on his throne again, the king ordered that a throne be brought for his mother, and she sat at his right hand.
and (Nathan speaking to Bathsheba) asked her, “Haven’t you heard that Haggith’s son, Adonijah, has made himself king, and our lord David doesn’t even know about it?
Refer to verse 5. (Previous lesson)
5 About that time David’s son Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, began boasting, “I will make myself king.”
Refer to verse 25. (Today’s lesson)
25 Today he (Adonijah) has sacrificed many cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and he has invited all the king’s sons to attend the celebration. He also invited the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest. They are feasting and drinking with him and shouting, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’
- Nathan tells Bathsheba that Adonijah has made himself king.
- Nathan would have known that it was the Lord’s will for Solomon to be the king of Israel.
A previous conversation Nathan had with David years before:
2 Samuel 7:11-17 NLT
11…. “‘Furthermore, the Lord declares that he will make a house for you (David) —a dynasty of kings! 12 For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. 13 He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do. 15 But my favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight. 16 Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’”
17 So Nathan went back to David and told him everything the Lord had said in this vision.
The Lord speaking to David:
1 Chronicles 22:9-10 NLT
9 But you will have a son who will be a man of peace. I will give him peace with his enemies in all the surrounding lands. His name will be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel during his reign. 10 He is the one who will build a Temple to honor my name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will secure the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’
Nathan knew that God loved Solomon.
2 Samuel 12:24-25 NLT
24 Then David comforted Bathsheba, his wife, and slept with her. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son, and David named him Solomon. The Lord loved the child 25 and sent word through Nathan the prophet that they should name him Jedidiah (which means “beloved of the Lord”), as the Lord had commanded.
12 If you want to save your own life and the life of your son Solomon, follow my advice.
Nathan warns Bathsheba that both she and Solomon ae in danger.
- If Solomon does not become the next king, his life as well as the life of Bathsheba would be at risk. (see verse 21)
- In the ancient near East, rival heirs were commonly executed once a new king took power.
13 Go (Bathsheba) at once to King David and say to him,
Tell David what is happening.
- Nathan advises Bathsheba to tell King David what is happening.
‘My lord the king, didn’t you make a vow and say to me, “Your son Solomon will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne”?
Refer to verse 17
17 She replied, “My lord, you made a vow before the Lord your God when you said to me, ‘Your son Solomon will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne.’
Refer also to verse 29-30
29 And the king repeated his vow: “As surely as the Lord lives, who has rescued me from every danger, 30 your son Solomon will be the next king and will sit on my throne this very day, just as I vowed to you before the Lord, the God of Israel.”
- This vow to Bathsheba is not mentioned anywhere else in scripture.
This vow to Bathsheba is not mentioned anywhere else in scripture, but we do know that this was God’s will.
Why then has Adonijah become king?’ 14 And while you are still talking with him, I will come and confirm everything you have said.”
In this appeal to King David:
Bathsheba will speak first. To remind David of his oath.
Nathan will confirm her words.
A Biblical principle to consider:
Deuteronomy 19:15 NLT
15 “You must not convict anyone of a crime on the testimony of only one witness. The facts of the case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
2 Corinthians 13:1 NLT
… “The facts of every case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses).
- In an appeal to King David, Bathsheba will speak first and then Nathan will confirm her words.
- Bathsheba Appeals to David
15 So Bathsheba went into the king’s bedroom. (He was very old now, and Abishag was taking care of him.)
Bathsheba follows Nathan’s advice and goes to the king.
David’s silence can enable rebellion.
16 Bathsheba bowed down before the king.
David is old and weak.
Bathsheba treated King David with the respect he deserved,
“What can I do for you?” he asked her.
David was receptive to Bathsheba’s visit.
17 She replied, “My lord, you made a vow before the Lord your God when you said to me, ‘Your son Solomon will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne.’
Bathsheba reminds David of his solemn oath that Solomon would reign.
An oath taken in the Lord’s name was inviolable.
18 But instead, Adonijah has made himself king, and my lord the king does not even know about it. 19 He has sacrificed many cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and he has invited all the king’s sons to attend the celebration. He also invited Abiathar the priest and Joab, the commander of the army. But he did not invite your servant Solomon.
- Bathsheba stated the facts about Adonijah’s uprising without exaggeration or embellishment.
20 And now, my lord the king, all Israel is waiting for you to announce who will become king after you.
- Bathsheba appealed to David to announce publically who his successor would be.
21 If you do not act, my son Solomon and I will be treated as criminals as soon as my lord the king has died.”
If Solomon does not become the next king, his life as well as the life of Bathsheba would be at risk.
Solomon will be declared a traitor.
Bathsheba will likely be executed.
God’s covenant promise through Solomon would appear to fail.
Nathan Confirms the Crisis
22 While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived.
- Nathan joins with Bathsheba as planned, to confirm her report.
14 And while you are still talking with him, I will come and confirm everything you have said.”
23 The king’s officials told him, “Nathan the prophet is here to see you.”
Nathan went in and bowed before the king with his face to the ground. 24 Nathan asked, “My lord the king, have you decided that Adonijah will be the next king and that he will sit on your throne?
Had David, in fact, encouraged Adonijah to claim the throne, or had he been betrayed by Adonijah?
Nathan speaks with urgency and respect, not accusation.
Nathan forces David to recognize that silence has allowed rebellion.
25 Today he has sacrificed many cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and he has invited all the king’s sons to attend the celebration. He also invited the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest. They are feasting and drinking with him and shouting, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’
Nathan confirms Bathsheba’s report with a few more details, adding “They are feasting and drinking with him and shouting, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’”
Nathan’s comments, along with Bathsheba’s comments would have encouraged David to act immediately.
This is the royal acclamation normally spoken for God’s chosen king.
Adonijah:
has offered sacrifices,
gathered military and priestly support,
proclaimed himself king —
26 But he did not invite me or Zadok the priest or Benaiah or your servant Solomon.
27 Has my lord the king really done this without letting any of his officials know who should be the next king?”
Nathan diplomatically asked David if he had planned the present circumstances.
Nathan did not accuse David of anything.
Nathan did not put David on the defensive.
This was a nice way to treat an old dying man.
David must now:
either confirm Adonijah, or
act decisively for Solomon.
Neutrality is no longer possible.
- David must now take action.
