David has many wives and many children. However, the lists of his children are exclusively masculine (2 Samuel 3:2-5; 5:13-16). We know the name of one daughter, Tamar, because the crime against her impacts the kingdom (2 Samuel 13). Likewise, the names of David’s officials and officers are all male (2 Samuel 8:15-18; 18:1-2; 23:8-39; 1 Kings 1:32). Are there no wise women? Yes, there are (2 Samuel 14:2-21; 20:16-22; 1 Kings 1:11-31). They have much influence but it seldom, if ever, takes an official form—with a brief exception in Solomon’s time.
As promised by God, David’s dynasty begins. God establishes Solomon, David’s son from Bathsheba, as the next king (1 Kings 2:24; 10:9; 1 Chronicles 23:1). Despite an attempted power-grab by his older brother Adonijah, Solomon is anointed as king by the high priest (1 Kings 1:38-39). Then follows a curious scene that gives prominence, at least briefly, to Bathsheba.
So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him on behalf of Adonijah. And the king rose to meet her and bowed down to her. Then he sat on his throne and had a seat brought for the king’s mother, and she sat on his right (1 Kings 2:19).
Solomon, however, must immediately correct his mother’s serious misstep (1 Kings 2:20-25). 1 Kings 10 introduces us to the Queen of Sheba whom Solomon treats with all the dignity due to an esteemed head of state. Blessed with wisdom and wealth, Solomon begins well, but his many foreign wives eventually prove his downfall (1 Kings 11:1-13; Nehemiah 13:26).