CHAPTER ONE Verses 1-10

 CHAPTER ONE:
 Verses 1-10

1Ki 1:1  And King David was old, going into days. And they covered him with garments, for he had no heat. 

1Ki 1:2  And his servants said to him, Let them seek out a young woman for my lord the king, a virgin, and she shall stand before the king, and be a nurse to him, and lie in your bosom, and my lord the king shall have heat. 

1Ki 1:3  And they sought out a beautiful young woman in all the border of Israel. And they found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her in to the king. 

1Ki 1:4  And the young woman was exceedingly beautiful, and she was a nurse to the king and served him. But the king did not know her. 

1Ki 1:5  And Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will reign. And he prepared a chariot for himself, and horsemen, and fifty men running before his face. 

1Ki 1:6  And his father had not troubled him all his days, saying, Why have you done so? And he also was very good of form, and one had borne him after Absalom. 

1Ki 1:7  And his words were with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest. And they helped, going after Adonijah. 

1Ki 1:8  But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men who were to David, were not with Adonijah. 

1Ki 1:9  And Adonijah sacrificed sheep and oxen and fatlings near the Stone of Serpents which is near En-rogel. And he called all his brothers, the sons of the king, and all the men of Judah, the servants of the king. 

1Ki 1:10  But he did not call Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and his brother Solomon. 

Summary: David is old and can't stay warm. Abishag is assigned to minister to him and keep him warm. He does not have relations with her. Adonijah claims himself as king. He hires chariots and 50 men run before him (sounds familiar). David does not disapprove. Adonijah confers with Joab and Abiathar as allies. Some noted people do not follow him. Adonijah sacrifices animals and invites David's sons and servants...but not Solomon (or his followers).  

1. Notice later in the chapter David's relationship with Bathsheba and then the incident with Abishag. Comment on this scene in comparison to the way it would have been had David been devoted to one woman all his life.
(Note:1 Chron 28:5 David declares that God told him Solomon would sit on the throne) - There are some questions as to whether or not David vowed to Bathsheba that Solomon was to be king. 1Chronicles addresses that supposition. It seems likely that indeed, David had made the promise. More importantly in the context of the question, David needs reminding. This was no small task as we see Nathan taking charge and bolstering Bathsheba's case before the king. Perhaps David's memory was waning. To the point, if he only had one wife with limited children, the reminders would have been more pronounced or altogether unnecessary. (Would this have even happened if David was with Bathsheba and not Abishag?) As it is with many wives, his decision making is affected by the whims of his children. (That was true even before he became very old). Note how Bathsheba was treated pretty much like a possession. When Nathan enters the room, she apparently leaves and has to be summoned.

2. Comment on the statement in verse six: "and his father had not rebuked him at any time."
We might point out David's lack of parental actions as part of his weaknesses. If it were a case of David allowing his son to "learn things the hard way" it might have been different. But this is a clear case of usurping of authority, and David does nothing. Adonijah is Absalom's 1/2 brother and we saw David's lack of will to discipline in his case as well. Consider the lack of action against Amnon. It may be that David forgot GOD has called out Solomon to be king. If that is true, it speaks to the level of the relational dynamics he kept with his children. Perhaps being king is not conducive to fostering strong family ties (too busy with other things). 
Many speculate that David felt he could not leverage his authority to exact discipline because of his sin with Bathsheba. The thought is that he would appear as a hypocrite if he passed judgement for other's sin. There is likely some merit to that thought. There does appear to be more to the story as well. David put his faith in God, which means he trusted that outcomes were God driven. Review 2Sam 12- God judges against David - After this incident, David's issues proliferate. Was David just leaving everything in the hands of God? If so, is that wrong? 

3. After so many years with David, why would Joab have joined with Adonijah? 
Consider David's relationship with Joab -See 1Chron 2:15-16 How was Joab related to David? (Cousins) - Through David's sister Zeruiah
Now consider their "working" relationship 1Chron 11:4-7 - Joab was a valiant warrior.
2 Sam - Joab's council to David: He sees David laments for his son and advises him to get Absalom. He advises David NOT to take the census.
Throughout David's life, Joab appears to have David's best interest at heart.
Other things to remember - After Abner had killed Joab's brother Asahel, Joab meets Abner at a city gate for a "quite meeting" then kills Abner on the spot (2 Sam 3:27). David demotes Joab and makes Amasa head general (2Sam 19). 2Sam 20 - Joab greets Amasa stabs him and leaves him to die a slow death. 2 Sam2:17- Amasa was Joab and David's cousin from David's sister Abigail. 2Sam 18:5 David orders no harm tp Absalom, 2 Sam 18:14-15 Joab kills Absalom, David's son.

The relationship of David and Joab is very complicated, and yet a necessary thing for David for his ascension to power. The sting of David demoting Joab was likely never forgotten. Also, it was obvious that Joab did not feel compelled to obey the king and pretty much did whatever he thought was right. As much as Joab cites God for much of his own decision making, his ruthless murdering reveals a more self-centered motivation. Joab tires of David's lament for his children. Perhaps he sees David as weak. It's difficult to know for sure. But one thing we can be sure of, Joab must have thought David was going to lose to Adonijah. It taints any semblance of what once may have been considered "noble loyalty."