I Kings 1-2

“You know that the kingdom was mine and that all Israel expected me to be king” (1:15).  David’s son Adonijah had attempted to become king while David lay dying.  Due to the prophet Nathan’s intervention, the coup failed, and David instead appointed Solomon to succeed him.  Left without power, Adonijah went to Bathsheba (now the royal mother) and played on her sympathy in order to acquire Abishag, David’s former concubine, as a wife.  Attempting to marry Abishag was a power-grab, as Solomon recognized.

Adonijah had been shown mercy after his rebellion.  However, deadly self-pity and ambition caused him to forfeit that mercy and face judgment instead (v25).