Why was Solomon chosen to rule?

Answer 1

Answer
The Deuteronomic history and the Book of Chronicles are in almost complete dispute on the events leading up to the succession by Solomon. We can surmise that the Chronicler had reason to believe that the Deuteronomic history was false, or that the Chronicler simply wanted to rewrite history, whether or not the earlier account was based on fact.

The Deuteronomic history follows the Absalom narrative with another uprising in 2 Samuel chapter 20, then the remainder of 2 Samuel has a group of miscellaneous chapters out of context, clearly later insertions. These chapters include a famine, killing of giants, a psalm, the purported last words of David and then a census undertaken by David. Removing chapters 21 to 24 leaves a coherent story line, from Absalom's attempted coup to Sheba's uprising, proof of David's senility, Adonijah's attempted coup and then the anointment of Solomon as king. Within the well constructed sequence, the literary purpose of Absalom's attempt was to remove the two most likely successors to the kingdom. The sickbed sequence provided a sense of urgency in appointing a successor, then Adonijah's attempted coup gave David a reason and context to move quickly and anoint Solomon over his other more senior brothers.

The Book of Chronicles omits the lengthy diversion about Absalom, the attempted coups and the Sheba uprising. More particularly, while still in apparent good health and not yet bed-ridden, David announced to the people of Israel that Yahweh had chosen Solomon to be his heir.

Answer 2

He was chosen because God loved him (2 Samuel 12:24-5).