24/11/2023
*Solomon: A throne in the Bedroom*
Solomon’s path to the throne is a series of trade-offs in the marketplace of life. The negotiations are intense and steeped in blood and shame.
Absalom was David’s first son. He was the one that the throne rightly belonged to. However, because of the incestuous r**e of his younger sister, Tamar and his subsequent revenge on his half brother, Amnon, he went on self-exile from the palace.
Absalom was an adult when the scandal of Bathsheba and the birth of Solomon happened. In the palace he heard the rumours about the husband snatcher and gold digger who had shamelessly committed adultery with King David, leading to the death of her husband. As it is customary in most polygamous homes, the mothers built envy, hatred and competition into the hearts of their children.
Haggith, the mother of Absalom, Adonijah and Tamar strongly believed that she should be the Queen Mother. She planted the idea in her boys and trained them as such. We can safely deduce this from the action of both sons.
Absalom made a challenge for the throne, bringing war into the family of David. He took his time – about 4 years – to plan and execute his scheme. (2 Samuel 14 -18). By the time King David realized what was going on, it was too late. His son had formed an army and a coup was in progress.
King David ran out of Jerusalem. Ahithophel seeing the opportunity to avenge Uriah quickly switched allegiance to the man Absalom. Ahithophel is the grandfather of Bathsheba. He was never able to get over the scandal of her granddaughter.
The bible says Ahithophel was so spiritual in his insights and wisdom that he was a walking oracle. Why did Ahithophel recommend that Absalom should r**e the younger wives of David publicly? He gave one reason to Absalom, that by so doing he will strengthen the resolve of the soldiers with him.
There was a deeper reason:
The throne of Solomon was bought by a sexual transaction and he wanted to reverse it by a sexual transaction. There is a spiritual understanding that says it is the thing that was used to put a curse that will be used to undo the curse. It is the key used to lock a padlock that will be used to open it.
Perhaps Absalom had vowed that over his dead body will Solomon be king. And he paid the price with his life. With him off the scene, Adonijah, his younger brother, the oldest living son of David also coronated himself as king while David was still alive. That was the day we learnt how the price was paid for the throne of Solomon.
Here’s how it happened.
After the death of Uriah and the delivery of her first son, God decreed that the boy must die. David went into 7 days dry fast to turn the hand of fate. It was in that season that he wrote Psalm 51. Then the child died.
Bathsheba was in intense pains. Her agony was beyond anything David could bear. She had lost a husband, a son, and all her dignity in family and society. How will she ever recover? She had lost her life. If it were not the king that was involved, she and the man would have been stoned to death. This was her reality.
Now David walked back into that sorrow-filled room. In the corner was a broken woman not accepted in the palace or the society. She didn’t entice the king as all the other queens were insinuating and David knew the truth. How would you repay for such damage? She couldn’t have fought with a man who started fighting with bears and lions as a teenager!
David had made it right with God, how will he make it right with his victim? David stated in Psalm 51 that he will teach the other sinners. It was a direct reference to Bathsheba. She learnt well.
“Give me your throne,” she demanded. David was transfixed.
“Hoooowwww? You can’t possibly make such a demand…” His voice was husky and shaky.
“I will not be comforted and you will not touch me ever again unless my son, our son will sit on your throne after you.”
They were in the market place. David knew of Esau and the plate of porridge. David knew of Judah and the promise to Tamar. Bathsheba knew of exchanging ashes for beauty. David’s weakness was a beautiful woman. One was in the room. David’s reverence was for God, whose laws demand restitution and sevenfold repayment for victims. David was in a tight corner.
He had fought and won many wars, but none was as intense as this.
“Our son will reign in Jerusalem” He said after the tense silence.
Slowly, Bathsheba got up, standing to her full height as she stepped slowly to the king.
“Make it a promise. Say it with a vow to Jehovah.”
I won’t go through all of this without a reason. She said in her heart as the tears rolled down her beautiful cheeks.
“I vow to you that your son will sit on the throne of David as the son of David.”
Then David knew Bathsheba and Solomon was conceived. The trade had been sealed. From being a woman with a scandal to being the virtuous writer of Proverbs 31 – The virtuous woman chapter. Bathsheba had gone to the Market of the spirits and came back with a trophy.
When Adonijah carried out his coup, Bathsheba under the instruction of Prophet Nathan activated the covenant and trade off. David quickly coronated Solomon. But the spiritual contentions for the throne was far from being over.
Shortly after the death of David, Adonijah, tried one more time to get into the market. This time he convinced the virtuous woman of Israel to permit his marriage to Abishag, the Shunamite virgin that was to be David’s last wife.
Hear him…
*15 “Everything was going well for me,” he said, “and the kingdom was mine: everyone expected me to be the next king. But the tables are turned, and everything went to my brother instead; for that is the way the Lord wanted it. 16 But now I have just a small favor to ask of you; please don’t turn me down.”*
_“What is it?” she asked._
17 He replied, “Speak to King Solomon on my behalf (for I know he will do anything you request) and ask him to give me Abishag, the Shunammite, as my wife.”
_18 “All right,” Bathsheba replied, “I’ll ask him.”_
19 So she went to ask the favor of King Solomon. The king stood up from his throne as she entered and bowed low to her. He ordered that a throne for his mother be placed beside his; so she sat at his right hand.
_20 “I have one small request to make of you,” she said. “I hope you won’t turn me down.”_
“What is it, my mother?” he asked. “You know I won’t refuse you.”
_21 “Then let your brother Adonijah marry Abishag,” she replied._
*22 “Are you crazy?” he demanded. “If I were to give him Abishag, I would be giving him the kingdom too! For he is my older brother! He and Abiathar the priest and General Joab would take over!” 23-24 Then King Solomon swore with a great oath, “May God strike me dead if Adonijah does not die this very day for this plot against me! I swear it by the living God who has given me the throne of my father David and this kingdom he promised me.” (1 Kings 2:17-22. NLT)*
By inspiration, Solomon understood immediately the transaction that was about to take place. What was bought with two deaths and a sexual in*******se can be undone with the same.
That was the day Solomon went to the market to buy his throne. He killed Adonijah and married Abishag the virgin wife of King David. Some scholars believe the Song of Solomon was written for and about her.
References: 2 Sam 11 & 15; Ps 51, Pro 31, 2 Kings 1 & 2
© SPIRITUAL & COVENANT TRANSACTIONS
Aleele Paago
_If you could spend a weekend in the market of spirits, what will you buy? Have a pleasant one!_
