David and Solomon were successive kings of Israel. Their reigns present a striking contrast. David was a man of war; he lived in stormy times, and from boyhood his mission appears to have been to clear Israel of its enemies. His encounter with Goliath the Philistine is an instance of this. On the other hand Solomon was a man of peace. His name means "peaceable," and in contrast with that of his father, David, his reign was peaceful and prosperous.
The first book of Kings opens with an account of David in his old age, when Adonijah, his eldest son, endeavored to usurp the throne before his father's death and so forestall the accession of his brother Solomon. At this juncture Bath-sheba, the mother of Solomon, was instructed by Nathan the prophet to visit the king and inform him of Adonijah's action. Nathan also arranged that he should come in to the king while Bath-sheba was speaking to him and confirm her words.
The plan was successful. David was aroused to action. Calling to his side Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, he gave the following instruction (I Kings 1:33-35): "Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon: and let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon. Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead: and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah."
