1 Kings 1:7-10 Invited All

 ”Then he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they followed and helped Adonijah. But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David were not with Adonijah. And Adonijah sacrificed sheep and oxen and fattened cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by En Rogel; he also invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants. But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or Solomon his brother.“ ‭‭I Kings‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

 

a. They followed and helped Adonijah: Sadly, Joab (David’s chief general) and Abiathar (the high priest of Israel) each supported Adonijah. They did not consult the LORD or David in giving their support to this unworthy son of David.

i. It is sad to see these once trusted associates of David turning against him late in his life. Joab may have sought revenge for David’s choice of Amasa over him (2 Samuel 19:13), and because Benaiah now had more authority over military affairs. Abiathar might have been jealous of Zadok the high priest (2 Samuel 8:17). “Professional rivalry had darkened into bitter hate” (Maclaren).

ii. “Joab, the most powerful of Adonijah’s supporters, had always been fiercely loyal to David, but not to David’s wishes. In supporting Adonijah’s pretentions to the throne, Joab was acting characteristically.” (Patterson and Austel)

iii. “Joab and Abiathar tarnished a life’s devotion and broke sacred bonds, because they thought of themselves rather than of God’s will.” (Maclaren)

b. Nathan… Zadok… and the mighty men who belonged to David were not with Adonijah: Fortunately, there were some prominent people in Israel who did notsupport Adonijah.

c. Sacrificed sheep and oxen and fattened cattle: The idea is that Adonijah burned the fat of these animals as a sacrifice to the LORD, and he used the meat to hold a dinner honoring and blessing his supporters.

i. Yet it was important that this was both a sacrifice and a feast. “He had not only a splendid feast, but a great sacrifice; and he gave by this a popular colour to his pretensions, by affecting to receive his authority from God” (Clarke).

(Guzik)

Invited All

I find it interesting he “invited all his brothers, the king’s sons”. 

And they all thought this was ok and a good idea?

I’m also surprised about Joab and Abiathar who broke sacred bonds with king David!

What will king David do when he hears the news?

Blessings