Most of us don't like problems that come to us when we are exhausted. David was weak and weary from advanced age, but a problem was developing again within his own household about who would follow him as king. He was unaware of the problem, so Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba found it necessary to inform him. PROMISE. Through Nathan, God had promised David a son whom the Lord would love and establish on David' throne (2 Samuel 7:14-16). Later, Nathan identified Solomon as that son and gave him the name Jedidiah, which meant "loved of God" (2 Samuel 12:24-25). David then had promised Bathsheba that her son Solomon would be the next king (vv. 13, 17). This promise was also known within the family and by Adonijah, who ominously failed to invite Solomon to the party he was throwing near En Rogel Spring just outside the city walls.
EXPECTATION. Although David had expressed his intention about the throne within his family, he had never made a public announcement about which son would follow him as king. Because David's health was failing, the nation was anticipating such an announcement at any moment (v. 20; Accordingly, the public assembly in 1 Chronicles 29:22 could not have already happened.)
SHOCK AND DANGER. With David's health failing and the nation in expectation, Adonijah decided to preempt the king and proclaim himself as David's successor (vv. 13, 18, 25). With the support of a significant portion of the government, namely Joab the army commander and Abiathar the priest, Adonijah would surely treat Solomon and Bathsheba as criminals because he would see them as endangering his rule and authority (v. 21).
Though weak and weary, David needed to act decisively. He would because he was still a leader at heart.
Be willing to make decisions. That's the most important quality in a good leader.
-- Gen. George S. Patton
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