Solomon Becomes King: The narrative that begins our book (1 Kgs. 1–2) is really not a beginning at all, but the last chapter of the larger story of David, which is found in 1–2 Samuel. It is in 2 Samuel 11 that Bathsheba, who plays such a prominent role in 1 Kings 1–2, first appears—possessed by David at the cost of her husband’s life (2 Sam. 11:6–27). Later the lives of various of David’s sons are recounted (2 Sam. 12–18). The end of 2 Samuel is a sorry tale of wickedness and weakness, which raises a important question in the reader’s mind. The prophet Nathan, himself a major player in 1 Kings 1–2, had earlier promised David that his dynasty would last forever (2 Sam. 7:1–17). David’s kingship would not be like Saul’s, which all but died with him (1 Sam. 31). Instead, God would raise up o…