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the king's gardens, under an over-arching rock, close by the only perennial spring in
Jerusalem - that of the Valley of Kidron - which now bears the name of the "fountain
of the Virgin,"^74 at that time the En-Rogel ("Spring of the Spy," or else "of the Fuller").
But a higher power than man's overruled events. To outward appearance the danger
was indeed most urgent, the more so that it was not known in the palace. But already
help was at hand. Nathan hastened to Bathsheba, and urged on her the necessity of
immediate and decisive action. If Adonijah were proclaimed king, Solomon,
Bathsheba, and all their adherents would immediately be put out of the way. In such
circumstances court-ceremonial must be set aside; and Bathsheba made her way into
the king's sick-chamber. She spoke respectfully but earnestly; she told him fully what
at that very moment was taking place in the king's gardens; she reminded him of his
solemn oath about the succession, which had hitherto determined her own conduct and
that of Solomon's adherents; and, finally, she appealed to him as alone competent at
this crisis to determine who was to be king. The interview had not terminated when,
according to previous arrangement, Nathan was announced. He had come on the same
errand as Bathsheba' to inform the king of what Adonijah and his adherents were
doing, and that Solomon and the king's most trusted servants had been excluded from a
feast, the object of which was not concealed. Had all this been done by direction of the
king? If so, why had not he, so old and faithful a counselor, been informed that
Adonijah was to be proclaimed successor to the throne?
With whatever weakness David may have been chargeable, he always rose to the
requirements of the situation in hours of decisive importance, when either the known
will of God or else the interests of his kingdom were in question. In this instance his
measures were immediate and decisive.
Recalling Bathsheba, who had withdrawn during the king's interview with Nathan, he
dismissed her with words of reassurance. Then he sent for Zadok, Nathan, and
Benaiah, and gave them his royal command for the immediate anointing of Solomon as
king over Judah and Israel. The scene is vividly portrayed in Scripture. The king's
body-guard - the Cherethi and Pelethi - under the command of Benaiah, was drawn up
in front of the royal palace. Soon a vast concourse of people gathered. And now the
king's state-mule, richly caparisoned, was brought out. It was an unwonted sight, which
betokened some great state event. Presently, the great news became known, and rapidly
spread through the streets and up the bazaars, Solomon was about to be anointed king!
The people crowded together, in hundreds and thousands, from all parts of the city.
And now Solomon appeared, attended by Zadok the high priest, Nathan the prophet,
and Benaiah the chief of the royal guard. The procession formed, and moved forward.
To avoid collision with the party of Adonijah, it took an opposite or western direction
to the valley of Gihon.^75 Here, by authority and express command of David, Solomon
was anointed king with the sacred oil by the joint ministry of the high priest and the
(^)