1 Kings 2:13-46

This chapter is full of death, so what is going on?  Let's break it down:

Adonijah was David's eldest living son; therefore, he thought he had a right to the throne.  In 1 Kings 1, as David is nearing the end of his life, Adonijah goes to Joab and Abiathar the priest to usurp David.  Adonijah isn't waiting for David to name him king, he's just going to take it while is father is too ill to stop him. However, the rest of Israel is not behind Adonijah, and Solomon is named king.  So, Adonijah attempts to gain the upper hand by asking to wed Abishag, the woman attending the king.  Basically, this is very much what Absolom did - bedding' his fathers concubine, which amounts to claiming the throne.  Because of his continued attempts to usurp the throne, Solomon has him put to death.  Those in conspiracy with Adonijah are either put to death also, or cast out.

Harsh?  Well, let's think it through.  Solomon is in charge of a great kingdom.  As king, he is tasked in bringing peace and prosperity to the nation.  Does one continue to allow a group of people to threaten that peace and prosperity with their greed and pride?  Our country doesn't.  Traitors are put to death or confined to prison.  I think we have a tendency to read the Old Testament and think of it as a violent, uncivilized time; yet, in our world today wars are being fought, governments are being overturned, and the peace and prosperity of our own country is constantly being defended.  The technology of such defense has come a long way, but really there is nothing new under the sun.

So, as we continue to read the Old Testament, take the time to think these events through.  Compare and contrast the actions of these people with our own lives.  There is much to be learned from the history of Israel.