What was the true issue between Adonijah and Solomon over Abishag?

Response

In King David’s later years, he suffered from circulatory issues, and a young and attractive woman named Abishag was brought to him to care for him and “keep him warm.” Abishag slept in the king’s bed to provide warmth, but there was no sexual relationship between her and David (1 Kings 1:1-4). Following David’s passing, his son Solomon ascended to the throne. Shortly after, another of David’s sons, Adonijah, who had previously attempted to seize the kingdom, devised a plan to challenge King Solomon’s authority. Adonijah’s first move was to ask Solomon’s mother, Bathsheba, to request permission from Solomon to marry Abishag.

Although Adonijah’s request appeared harmless, it was filled with deceit. Solomon reacted with outrage initially. He questioned his mother, saying, “Why do you ask for Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? You might as well ask for the kingdom for him—after all, he is my older brother” «And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah. », (1 Kings 2:22). Solomon correctly perceived Adonijah’s desire to wed Abishag as part of a larger scheme to seize the throne of Israel.

During that era of royal harems, claiming a king’s concubines symbolized a claim to the throne. This tactic had been employed by Absalom when he rebelled against David «So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. », (2 Samuel 16:22). As AbishaG was considered part of David’s harem; her marriage to Adonijah would have strengthened the usurper’s claim to the throne.

In judgment of Adonijah’s request, Solomon said, “God do so to me and more also if this word does not cost Adonijah his life!” «Then King Solomon swore by the LORD, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah has not spoken this word against his own life. », (1 Kings 2:23). He quickly sent Benaiah, one of their father’s mighty men, to execute Adonijah.

The tension between Adonijah and Solomon had been longstanding. Adonijah was older than Solomon and therefore, under normal circumstances, in line before Solomon for the throne. But God promised that Solomon would be king. Adonijah had already attempted to set himself up as king while David was still alive; when David was notified of the plot, he quickly made Solomon’s kingship official (1 Kings 1:38-40).

Adonijah’s followers had fled, leaving him in a situation where he could have been killed for his rebellion. King Solomon mercifully granted Adonijah his life on the condition that he pay homage to the king and give up his claim to the throne (1 Kings 1:52-53).

Yet Adonijah was clearly not done in his attempts to become king. His plan to acquire Abishag as a wife was seen for what it was—a threat to Solomon’s rule. Adonijah’s plan cost him his life, and the sibling rivalry came to an abrupt end. The execution of Adonijah was considered part of the establishment of Solomon’s kingdom (1 Kings 2:19-25).

An interesting theory put forward by some scholars is that Abishag appears later in the Song of Solomon—that she is, in fact, the Shulamite of that book Song of Solomon.6:13. There is no solid biblical evidence for the connection between the two except for a resemblance between the terms Shulamite and Shunammite «So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. », (1 Kings 1:3).

Many lessons can be gleaned from this narrative. Firstly, it is evident that a quest for power can lead individuals to resort to deception, violence, and lawlessness. Secondly, God is the ultimate appointer of rulers, not humans. Thirdly, there are repercussions for wrongdoing. In Adonijah’s situation, his persistent pursuit of kingship resulted in his premature and sudden death. We are urged to surrender to God’s plan and to live contentedly in the position where God has situated us in life.