up vote 6 down vote favorite
share [g+] share [fb]

This answer to another question makes me wonder: Did anointed kings of Israel have any contact with their parents? David was dead when Shlomo succeeded him, and Shlomo ruled until his own death. But were Shaul and David's fathers alive during their respective reigns? What about the mothers of all of the above? What about later kings (assuming they had legitimacy)?

link|improve this question
46% accept rate
4  
I seem to recall Batsheva having her own throne alongside Shlomo's during his reign. – jake Jan 6 at 19:01
1  
In fact, it is recorded that the Maharam of Rothenberg (Germany, 1215-1293) stayed away from his father once he became a Rabbi, in order not to compromise his or his father’s honor. He did not want his father to show him respect, but he knew that if others would see his father not showing him respect, they would not realize that this was his father, thus causing a disgrace to the Torah. He therefore felt it was preferable to him not to see his father at all, so that neither would have to compromise his honor for the sake of the other’s honor. – simchashatorah Jan 6 at 19:35
1  
From here I would Imagine a King would be more strigent – simchashatorah Jan 6 at 19:35
1  
@simchashatorah sounds like an answer, not a comment :) – avi Jan 7 at 16:27
I think two sub-question would be: 1)as stated above when did Shlomo become king as it appears in the Pshat that he became king while David was still alive. 2)when did David become king? He was anointed by Shmuel/Hashem long before he was anointed by the people and it seems clear that he saw his father, and even lived with him after this initial anointing, so answering when he actually became king would be helpful in solidifying the answer. – morah hochman Feb 1 at 19:19
feedback

2 Answers

up vote 2 down vote
+25

While I don't know how it reconciles with the issue you referred to, we see that although Shlomo HaMelech is appointed king (at Dovid HaMelech's command) in 1 Kings 1:32-40 prior to the passing of Dovid HaMelech. In verse 43-4 we read "Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, 'To the contrary, our lord King David has made Solomon King!...Furthermore, Solomon has sat upon the royal throne." (Artscroll translation). Afterwards in 1 Kings 2 we see Dovid haMelech giving his son the King his final advise and instruction. As Jake mentioned 1 Kings 2:19 Bathsheba had a throne next to her son Shlomo HaMelech.

link|improve this answer
The laws pertaining to the honor of a king are found in Mishnah Torah Hilchos Melachim 2, which does not seem to address this issue explicitly. – Yirmeyahu Jan 29 at 4:03
1  
Although Shlomo was anointed prior to David's passing, I think he was not considered king and certainly didn't act as one until after David's death. – jake Jan 29 at 4:15
@Jake, I do not see on what basis you have to make that claim. In addition to the verses I just added where he is immediately identified as king and sat upon the throne, we also see Shlomo rendering judgement on the status of his brother who had tried to assume the throne – Yirmeyahu Jan 29 at 4:28
Yirmeyahu, I am not basing it on any verses at the moment. IIRC, both the claim that David remained king and the claim that Shlomo succeeded him before his death have scriptural basis. (Of course they cannot both be correct, as we cannot have two simultaneous rulers.) Note that the verse you quoted that calls Shlomo king calls David king as well. It is my recollection that when I studied this subject last, I was swayed more by the arguments of the opinion that I stated above. – jake Jan 29 at 4:49
Perhaps it would be wise to ask this as a separate question. – jake Jan 29 at 4:51
show 3 more comments
feedback
up vote 1 down vote

The Medrashim say Shlomo's Mother beat him for waking up late the day after his wedding to queen Sheba as she tricked him by placing a Sheet over their bed to make him believe it was still night and this was the first day the Avodah in the Beis Hamikdash was supposed to start. Mentioned here in the Jewish Encyclopedia-under Solomon's Marriage

link|improve this answer
feedback

Your Answer

 
or
required, but never shown

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.