Solomon Has His Own Brother Executed

Adonijah — Solomon's older brother who had tried to seize the throne — approaches the queen mother Bathsheba with a seemingly innocent request: he wants Solomon's permission to marry Abishag, the young woman who had cared for the dying David. Solomon sees through it instantly. A claimant marrying the late king's concubine would be a political assertion of royal succession. 'Ask for him the kingdom also,' Solomon says coldly — and sends Benaiah to kill him that same day.