Day 80: 1 Kings 1:11–31

Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground, paying homage to the king, and said, “May my lord King David live forever!” (v. 31).

After a long absence from Scripture, the prophet Nathan reentered the scene. He joined Bathsheba in the plan to (1) inform David that the king’s oldest surviving son, Adonijah, was following in the footsteps of his deceased half-brother Absalom, declaring himself king, and (2) to put Solomon on the throne.

I am touched by his support of David and the union with Bathsheba after acknowledgment of their grave sin. Nathan was the prophet God used to confront the sin between David and Bathsheba. He was also the one who warned Bathsheba about Adonijah’s plans, which probably would have resulted in death for her and Solomon. Nathan showed himself to be a true prophet of God. He could both confront sin and lovingly care for sinners.

Nathan knew Bathsheba was the key to restoring decision-making strength to the king, so he sent her to inform David. Then he confirmed her words to the king. Bathsheba captured David’s full attention with the threat to Solomon’s succession. Then Nathan confirmed Bathsheba’s claims. Apparently, Bathsheba stepped out of the room so Nathan could have full access to the king. Then David confirmed his promise to Bathsheba that Solomon was to be his successor.

David could easily have issued the orders without Bathsheba being present, but he summoned his queen so that he could make an oath to her. The words were addressed directly to Bathsheba, intimating to us that this was a matter not only between king and queen but also between husband and wife—father and mother.

I wonder if Bathsheba was a sight for David’s tired eyes. To the exclusion of all good judgment, she had captivated his attention on a moonlit roof many years before. Now after the passage of decades, I imagine he found her beautiful once more.

Need has a way of breathing fresh life into a soul, if just for a moment. We will see David, who seemed chilled with the onset of death, assume swift control, perform the will of God, and meet the desires of his queen’s heart. Whether on his sickbed or on his throne, David was indeed still king.