1 Kings 1 · a question people ask
Wasn't the throne Adonijah's, as the older brother?
The chapter never says the throne went to the eldest son, and it never calls Adonijah the eldest. It says "he was born after Absalom" (1:6), and 2 Samuel lists him fourth of the sons born to David in Hebron: "the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith" (2 Samuel 3:4). In the next chapter Solomon calls him "my elder brother" (2:22). In this chapter the question is put to the king: Bathsheba says, "the eyes of all Israel are on you, that you should tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him" (1:20), and Nathan asks the same (1:27). Moses' law for a king said, "you shall surely set him whom the LORD your God chooses as king over yourselves" (Deuteronomy 17:15). Adonijah himself later says, "You know that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel set their faces on me, that I should reign. However, the kingdom is turned around, and has become my brother’s; for it was his from the LORD" (2:15).
The verses
“His father had not displeased him at any time in saying, “Why have you done so?” and he was also a very handsome man; and he was born after Absalom.”
“Sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;”
“King Solomon answered his mother, “Why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also, for he is my elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.””
“You, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, that you should tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.”