2 Sam. 24; 1 Kings 1

David’s oldest son Adonijah declared himself the new king of Judah and Israel when David was old and near death. This caused a division in the nation’s leaders. One element knew God’s hand was not upon Adonijah to be the next king. The prophet Nathan approached David along with Solomon’s mother Bathsheba to appeal that Solomon should be the true king. Having already promised this, David complied and had the young man’s authority confirmed for all to see. He went on to reign for 40 years.