Summary: King David was on his death bed. Adonijah, David's fourth son, declared himself king. He threw a big celebration with a general and a high priest backing him and a big feast and music - he did it to certify that he was king.

But Bathsheba, mother of David's second son Solomon (second son with Bathsheba), went to King David on his death bed to remind him that he promised that Solomon would be king. David got a spurt of energy, called a prophet and high priest, and told them to take Solomon and have their own celebration declaring Solomon the king, and blow trumpets, and declare Solomon as king by David's word - Solomon riding into town on King David's donkey, so everyone would know Solomon was David's choice. David instructed them to then have Solomon sit on the throne to show that he, not Adonijah, was king.

When Solomon's declaration happened, Adonijah's followers abandoned him in mid party. Adonijah was afraid, and he sent word to Solomon, begging that Solomon should not have Adonijah put to death. Solomon told Adonijah that if he dropped his invalid claim and did no other wrong, and proved himself worthy, Solomon would not punish Adonijah. He appeared before Solomon to beg forgiveness, Solomon pardoned him and sent him home.

Later, Adonijah asked to marry Abishag, who was the woman brought to David on his death bed in the hopes of reviving him. She had nursed Daved. Solomon saw this as Adonijah's attempt to again try to usurp the throne, claiming that Abishag was heir to the throne through her relationship with David, and so her husband would rightfully be king. Solomon had Adonijah put to death.

Sound familiar? The premature celebration is an attempt to usurp the Presidency before the process is complete.