Daily Devotional | Bathsheba: Who Shall Be King?

History is full of epic stories of kings and queens fighting to obtain or retain the throne. Not surprisingly, 1 Kings begins with such a tale. King David was old and very ill. The throne was vulnerable, and people were vying for position.

Adonijah, David’s oldest surviving son by Haggith, declared that he would be king. He commissioned chariot power and recruited two powerful supporters: Abiathar the priest and Joab the general (v. 7). Being allied with Joab also gave Adonijah access to the entire army. The author notes, however, that other leaders did not turn traitor, namely, Nathan the prophet (v. 8).

When Adonijah audaciously hosted a celebration feast and invited his father’s royal officials—except Nathan and his own brother Solomon (vv. 9–10) Nathan took action. His strategy was not in military might, but in cunning and connections. Instead of going directly to David, Nathan informed Bathsheba of Adonijah’s plot and enlisted her help. He sent her into the king’s room first. When David asked Bathsheba what she wanted, she reminded him of his oath: “You yourself swore to me your servant by the LORD your God. ‘Solomon your son shall be king after me’” (v. 17). The promise was both personal and providential. Bathsheba reminded David of his influence and authority, and appealed for his care (v. 21).

Just as they’d planned, Nathan arrived, and Bathsheba slipped off the scene. Nathan hammered home the gravity of the situation, challenging David directly (v. 27). But before David answered, he summoned back Bathsheba. Though his body was failing, his mind was clear, and his response was regal: “I will surely carry out today what I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel” (v. 30). Solomon would be king.

>> Through Bathsheba, we see another unlikely story of God’s redemptive power. We can be thankful that God moves the hearts of kings and that His will can never be stopped.

Pray with Us

God in heaven, You are sovereign. Nothing that transpires escapes Your notice. Indeed, You foreknew everything! You will fulfill Your promises, no matter how impossible they sometimes seem. We trust You with every outcome.

BY Kelli Worrall

Kelli Worrall is Professor of Communications and Chair of the Division of Music and Media Arts at Moody Bible Institute. She is the author of several books, including Pierced and Embraced: 7 Life-Changing Encounters with the Love of Christ. Kelli studied at Cedarville University (BA), Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (MRE), and Roosevelt University (MFA). Kelli and her husband, Peter, are parents of two children through adoption and enjoy decorating their Craftsman house.