441 The period of the kings is the third stage in Israel’s history. It follows the period of the Patriarchs (Abraham in the year 1750 B.C.) and that of the Exodus and the Conquest (Moses in the year 1250 B.C.). David captured Jerusalem around the year 1000 B.C. After Solomon’s death in the year 932 B.C., the kingdom of David and his son Solomon would be divided. The northern part, called the kingdom of Israel, would cease to exist as a nation two centuries later. The southern part, called the kingdom of Judah, would last until the year 587 B.C., the year of the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and of the Exile to Babylon. This period covers a total of four centuries. These four centuries of the kings are the most important in sacred history because this is the period during which God raised up prophets from among his people. The greater part of Scripture was written during those four centuries. It was not only the major prophets who produced writings, e.g., Isaiah and Jeremiah. There 1-2 K were also groups of prophets of lesser importance who wrote much of Israel’s his- tory, such as the greater part of the pages of Genesis and Exodus, the Books of Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings. We can say that the period of the kings is the most important period in sacred history. It is also the time which we know with the greatest precision. These four centuries would appear to be the time of the kingdom of Israel’s deca- dence if we paid attention only to its wealth and power. But during these four centu- ries, through trials, persecutions and diffi culties of all kinds, Israel’s faith matured to the point of reaching, in the great prophets, a sublimity and clarity which only Christ would enhance. The Book of Kings In the beginning, the actual books of kings formed one book. This work is the fruit of the prophets’ refl ection and was edited during the exile in Babylon. It is a religious history. And the events which other historians would consider important are deliberately omitted. For instance, it hardly discusses the important reigns of Omri and of Jeroboam II in Samaria. Its judgment on the kings of Israel (kingdom of Samaria) is always negative, blaming them for the division of the 1 KINGS 442 ancient kingdom of David. Only a few kings of Judah are praised for their loyalty to Yahweh. We can easily note three parts: – the grandeur of Solomon’s reign and of the temple; – the history of the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah after their division; – after the destruction of the kingdom of Israel, the history of Judah until Jerusa- lem’s destruction in the year 587 B.C. The chapters referring to Elijah and Elisha form a unit apart: 1 Kings 17–19 and 2 Kings 2–8. 443 1 KINGS 1 David’s last years you not, my lord king, swear to your 1 King David was already a very handmaid that Solomon, my son, 1 old man who could no longer would reign after you and sit on your throne? Why then does Adonijah act keep warm even in very thick cloth- 14 ing. 2 So his servants said to him, as king?’ Then, while you are still “They should get for my lord king a speaking with the king, I will come in virgin girl to attend the king and nurse and confi rm what you say.” him. She could sleep with you, my 15 So Bathsheba went to the king, right lord king, and make you feel warm.” into his room. (Now the king was very old, 3 and Abishag the Shunamite was attending Song And so they looked for a beautiful 16 7:1 to him.) Bathsheba bowed in homage girl throughout the territory of Israel. to the king who asked her, “What do you They found Abishag the Shunamite, a want?” 17 She answered him, “My lord, you very beautiful girl; and brought her to swore to your handmaid by Yahweh your the king. 4 She attended to him, but God that Solomon, my son, would reign 18 the king had no intimate relations with after you and sit on your throne. But now, Adonijah acts as king without your her. knowing it, my lord king. 19 He has sacri- 5 2S 3:4 Now Adonijah, son of Haggith, fi ced oxen, fattened calves and plenty of had in mind that he would be king. So sheep, inviting all the king’s sons, Abia- he provided himself with a chariot and thar the priest, and Joab, commander of the army; but he did not invite Solomon horsemen, and fi fty men to run before 20 6 your servant. And now, my lord king, all him. His father had never interfered Israel is waiting for your decision as to who 21 by questioning his conduct: “Why have shall reign as your successor. If this is 2K 10:1; you done this or that?” He was a very not known when my lord the king passes 1K 11:1 handsome man born of Haggith after away, I and my son Solomon will be num- Absalom. 7 Adonijah conferred with bered among the criminals.” 22 While she was still speaking with the Joab, son of Zuriah, and with Abiathar, king, Nathan the prophet arrived 23 and the priest. These two sided with him; they told the king: “Here is Nathan the 8 but Zadok, the priest, and Benaiah, prophet.” When Nathan came in before the son of Jehoiada; Nathan, the prophet; king, he bowed before him with his face to 1-2 K Shimei, Rei and David’s warriors did the ground, 24 and said, “My lord king, have you decided that Adonijah shall reign after not join Adonijah. you and sit on your throne? 25 For indeed, 9 Adonijah sacrifi ced sheep, oxen, today he has gone down to sacrifi ce oxen, and fattened calves at the stone Zohe- fattened calves and plenty of sheep. He leth, beside Engrogel, and invited his has invited all the king’s sons, Joab, the brothers, the king’s sons, and all the commander of the army, and Abiathar the priest. They are now eating and drink- royal offi cials of Judah to join him; ing with him and proclaiming, ‘Long live 10 but not Nathan the prophet or Bena- king Adonijah!’ 26 But he has not invited iah, or the warriors, or his brother Sol- me, your servant, Zadok the priest, Bena- omon. iah the son of Jehoiada, nor your servant 27 11 Solomon. Has my lord king decided this 2S 11:3; Then Nathan spoke to Bathshe- 12:24 without having told us, your servants, who ba, mother of Solomon, “Have you is to sit on your throne after you?” heard that Adonijah, son of Haggith, acts as a king, unknown to David our David makes Solomon king 12 28 15:29 lord? Let me then give you advice King David then answered, “Call that could save both your life and Sol- Bathsheba to me.” So she came to omon your son. 13 Go, see king David the king. As she stood before him, immediately and tell him this, ‘Did 29 the king swore an oath and said, 1 KINGS 1 444 “As Yahweh lives, he who has deliv- this as they fi nished feasting. On ered me from all adversity, 30 so will hearing the sound of the horn, Joab I fulfi ll today the oath I swore to you asked, “What is all this commotion in by Yahweh, the God of Israel, when I the city?” 42 While he was still speak- said: “Solomon, your son, shall reign ing, Jonathan, the son of Abiathar after me; he shall sit on my throne in the priest, arrived and Adonijah said, my place.” 31 Then Bathsheba bowed “Come in, for you are a worthy man with her face to the ground and paid and bring good news.” 43 Jonathan homage to the king as she said, “May an swered Adonijah, “Not at all, for my lord king David live forever!” our lord king David has made Solo- 32 King David then said, “Call Zadok mon king. 44 The king sent him with the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” So Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the 33 Es 6:7; they came to the king who said to Cherethites and Plethites who made 6:9 them, “Take with you the servants of him ride on the king’s mule. your lord and make my son Solomon 45 Then Zadok the priest and Nathan ride on my own mule. Then bring him the prophet anointed him king at Gi - 34 1S 9:26 down to Gihon and let Zadok the hon. As they returned, all the city priest and Nathan the prophet anoint cheered; this is the noise that you have him there as king of Israel. Once this heard. 46 Solomon already sits on the is done, sound the horn and proclaim, royal throne 47 and the king’s servants ‘Long live king Solomon!’ 35 Then he came to congratulate our lord king shall sit on my throne in your pres- David, saying: ‘May your God make ence. From now on he will be king in the name of Solomon more famous my place for I have made him ruler of than yours and his reign greater than Israel and Judah.” yours.’ At this, the king bowed in wor- 36 Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, an - ship on his bed and said, 48 “Blessed swered the king, “Amen! May Yah- be Yahweh, the God of Israel, who weh, the God of my lord king, confi rm has granted one of my offspring to sit this.