5 10<\/strong>. Adonijah attempts to make himself king (Not in Chronicles)<\/p>\n 5<\/strong>. Adonijah, the son of Haggith<\/em> ] He seems now to have been the eldest of David’s living sons. See the list of them 2Sa 3:2-5<\/span>. Amnon and Absalom we know were dead, and of the second son, Chileab (called Daniel 1Ch 3:1<\/span>), we have no notice in Scripture, so that he seems to have died young. Adonijah stands fourth in the list; of his mother’s parentage or connexion no mention is made.<\/p>\n chariots and horsemen<\/em> &c.] Compare the similar conduct of Absalom (2Sa 15:1<\/span>) at the time of his conspiracy against his father. The words refer not to the preparation of an armament for war, but to a kingly retinue which should attend him wherever he went. The runners<\/em> were a body-guard, and the word is applied (1Ki 14:27<\/span>) to those guards who kept the door of the king’s house. See note there. By such a step Adonijah let his intention be known and found out who were likely to be on his side.<\/p>\n The narrative concerning – <\/B>Abishag, the Shunammite (see the margin reference a), is introduced as necessary for a proper understanding of Adonijahs later history (see 1Ki 2:13-25<\/span>.) But even as it stands, it heightens considerably the picture drawn of the poor kings weak and helpless condition, of which Adonijah was not ashamed to take advantage for his own aggrandizement. Adonijah was born while David reigned at Hebron, and was therefore now between thirty-three and forty years of age. He was Davids fourth son, but had probably become the eldest by the death of his three older brothers. He claimed the crown by right of primogeniture 1Ki 2:15<\/span>, and secretly to his partisans (compare 1Ki 1:10<\/span>) announced his intention of assuming the sovereignty. It was well known to him, and perhaps to the Jews generally, that David intended to make Solomon his successor 1Ki 1:13<\/span>.<\/P> To run before him – <\/B>That is, he assumed the same quasi-royal state as Absalom had done, when he contemplated rebellion 2Sa 15:1<\/span>.<\/P> <\/p>\n 1Ki 1:5-53<\/span><\/p>\n Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Usurpation<\/strong><\/p>\n David is old and stricken in years. Round about him there are certain proceedings which are almost always associated with the death of great men. There are persons who are wondering who will succeed to the throne. One man has made up his mind that he will be the king. Could we understand all that is going on in the minds of our friends when we ourselves arc approaching the hour and article of death, we should be surprised by some revelations of character which we had little suspected. Adonijah said, I will be king (1Ki 1:5<\/span>). How certainly, then, he will not! Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself. He did not hear the voice sounding far away in the coming time which said, Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased. You will find that Adonijah was a spoiled child, for his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? (1Ki 1:6<\/span>). That is the explanation. Every will has to be broken, and it ought to be broken as soon as possible; it is not as if the will could go on always having its own way, marching from conquering to conquer, going on from throne to throne; it is the law of life, and it is the most solemn fact in personal history, that the will must be broken, in the sense of being subdued, chastened, made to feel that there are other wills in creation, and that peace can only come by mutual understanding and concession. How cruel, then, are parents! They think they are kind, but their kindness is the worst form of cruelty. How would it be in physical matters? You say that a mans hand is out of action, and the doctor says that hand might have been as good as the other if the infirmity or accident had been attended to when the child was young. That we call reason. A child does not see straightly; its eye is somewhat askance; and the doctor again says that eye could have been made perfectly right if it had been attended to when the child was young. When the doctor says that, everybody looks upon him as a wise man. So many things ought to have been done when we were young! Yet we ourselves will not do them to those who are young, and who depend upon us for discipline, education, and general training. When Adonijah said, I will be king, he carried to its logical issue the training which he had received, or lacked, at home. How will he set about this business? Exactly like a spoiled child. There is a striking consistency in all the parts of his character and action. If you ask for his programme, you may yourself write it for him; them is no need to make inquiry as to what he will do. Spoiled children can only do one thing. They are absolutely destitute of originality. What, then, does Adonijah do? He copied, Absalom,. whom in some degree he resembled, being also a very goodly man. That is to say, a well-favoured man physically; good to look upon, a handsome, noble figure. What will Adonijah do? The answer is in the <\/strong>fifth verse: He prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. How will Adonijah proceed? quite consistently. In the seventh verse we find him still pursuing the same level of thought and purpose: And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest. What was Abiathar the priest? the priest of the tent in which the ark of God was kept? or was he but some subordinate, good and honest in his own way, hut a little tempted to believe in chariots and horses and forerunners and outriders? Alas! it is possible for a priest even to be so demented. This was the bound of Adonijahs counsel; the crafty Joab and Abiathar. Not the people. The people were to be taken by a storm of music. That was Adonijahs great plan for taking the nation! But the people are wiser than they are often thought to be. Have faith in the people. You cannot easily measure them. Taken one by one, they <\/strong>do not seem to amount to much; but when they touch one another, and feel the contagion of sympathy and the inspiration of common interests; when they listen as one man to the voice of the declaimer or the charmer, the reasoner and the statesman, they know who is right and who is wrong. Why these signs of masonry? Why this desire to get away from the society of pure women and frank children, question-asking youth, and unsuspecting love! Why did you <\/strong>not call Zadok and Nathan and Solomon? Out of thine own month I condemn thee. The honest man would have said, Let all come; this thing shall not he done in a corner; it is right, sound, clear-hearted, through and through–come one, come all, and guide me if I am wrong. The right man need not be in any hurry. He will be sent for in due time. What became of Adonijah? He feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar–the projecting pieces of wood overlaid with gold, to which the sacrifices were fastened with bands or ropes. Laying hold of these, he thought he had the right of asylum; and he feared Solomon, saying, Let King Solomon swear unto me to-day that he will not slay his servant with the sword (1Ki 1:50-51<\/span>). Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased. Adonijah, who began by saying, I will be king, ended by saying, I am a servant. See the end of all vanity, foolish conceit, mistaken and selfish ambition; so Solomon, being a king in very deed, said: He shall have a conditional pardon–If he will shew himself a worthy man, there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth: but if wickedness shall be <\/strong>found in him, he shall die (1Ki 1:52-53<\/span>). So Adonijah became a ticket-of-leave man. What a fame! but right. Do not let us mistake this: for we are all ticket-of-leave men. Let there be no boasting. We are all out of hell conditionally. (J. Parker, D. D.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Adonijah<\/strong><\/p>\n When the play is out<\/strong><\/p>\n Honour must put off the robes when the play is done, make it never so glorious a show on this worlds stage; it hath but a short part to act. A great name of worldly glory is but like a peal rung on the bells, the common people are the clappers, the rope that moves them is popularity; if you once let go your hold and leave pulling, the clapper lies still, and farewell honour. (T. Adams.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Ambition, destructive<\/strong><\/p>\n The principal thing that excited the public hatred, and at last caused the death of Julius Caesar was his passion for the title of king. It was the first thing that gave offence to the multitude, and it afforded his inveterate enemies a very plausible plea. (Plutarch.<\/em>)<\/p>\n Verse 5<\/span>. Adonijah the son of Haggith<\/B><\/I>] Who this woman was we know not; Adonijah was evidently David’s eldest son now living, and one of whom his father was particularly fond; see 1Kg 1:6<\/span>.<\/P> <\/P> Prepared him chariots and horsemen<\/B><\/I>] He copied the conduct of his brother Absalom in every respect. See 2Sa 15:1<\/span>.<\/P> <\/p>\n Then, <\/B>on notice of the desperateness of the kings disease, and the approach of his death, <\/P> Adonijah the son of Haggith<\/B> (see 2Sa 3:4)<\/span> exalted himself; entertained high thoughts and designs. <\/P> I will be king; <\/B>as the right of the kingdom is mine, 1Ki 1:6<\/span>, so I will now take possession of it, lest, Solomon attempt to deprive me of it. <\/P> He prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him, <\/B>as Absalom had done upon the like occasion, 2Sa 15:1<\/span>; such ill use did he make of that example, that he committed the same wickedness which he had done, and yet feared not the same disappointment and destruction which he brought upon himself. <\/P> <\/p>\n 5, 6. Then Adonijah the son ofHaggith exalted himself<\/B>Nothing is said as to the origin orrank of Haggith, so that it is probable she was not distinguished byfamily descent. Adonijah, though David’s fourth son (2Sa 3:4<\/span>;1Ch 3:2<\/span>), was now the oldestalive; and his personal attractions and manners (1Sa9:2<\/span>) not only recommended him to the leading men about court, butmade him the favorite of his father, who, though seeing him assume anequipage becoming only the heir-presumptive to the throne (2Sa15:1<\/span>), said nothing; and his silence was considered by many, aswell as by Adonijah, to be equivalent to an expression of consent.The sinking health of the king prompted him to take a decisive stepin furtherance of his ambitious designs.<\/P><\/p>\n Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself<\/strong>,…. This was his mother’s name, 2Sa 3:4<\/span>; his father David being old and infirm, and not like to live long, notable to oppose him; and he being the eldest son, and a comely person, was inspired with ambition to set up for king:<\/p>\n saying, I will be king<\/strong>; though he knew that Solomon was appointed of God, and promised by David, and expected by the people to be king, yet he was resolved to set up himself for king, and try if he could not get himself to the throne; on this he was bent and determined:<\/p>\n and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him<\/strong>; just as Absalom had done, when he had the same thing in view, to make him respectable among the people, see 2Sa 15:1<\/span>.<\/p>\n Adonijah seized the opportunity of David’s decrepitude to make himself king. Although he was David’s fourth son (2Sa 3:4<\/span>), yet after the death of Ammon and Absalom he was probably the eldest, as Chileab, David’s second son, had most likely died when a child, since he is never mentioned again. Adonijah therefore thought that he had a claim to the throne (cf. 1Ki 2:15<\/span>), and wanted to secure it before his father’s death. But in Israel, Jehovah, the God-King of His people, had reserved to Himself the choice of the earthly king (Deu 17:15<\/span>), and this right He exercised not only in the case of Saul and David, but in that of Solomon also. When He gave to David the promise that his seed should rule for ever (2Sa 7:12-16<\/span>), He did not ensure the establishment of the throne to any one of his existing sons, but to him that would come out of his loins (i.e., to Solomon, who was not yet born); and after his birth He designated him through the prophet Nathan as the beloved of Jehovah (2Sa 12:24-25<\/span>). David discerned from this that the Lord had chosen Solomon to be his successor, and he gave to Bathsheba a promise on oath that Solomon should sit upon the throne (1Ki 1:13<\/span> and 1Ki 1:30<\/span>). This promise was also acknowledged in the presence of Nathan (1Ki 1:11<\/span>.), and certainly came to Adonijah’s ears. Adonijah said, “I will be king,” and procured chariots and horsemen and fifty runners, as Absalom had done before (2Sa 15:1<\/span>). , in a collective sense, does not mean fighting or war chariots, but state carriages, like in 2Sa 15:1<\/span>; and are neither riding nor carriage horses, but riders to form an escort whenever he drove out.<\/p>\n 1Ki 1:6<\/span><\/p>\n <\/strong> “And (= for) his father had never troubled him in his life ( , a diebus ejus<\/em>, i.e., his whole life long), saying, “Why hast thou done this?” Such weak oversight on the part of his father encouraged him to make the present attempt. Moreover, he “was very beautiful,” like Absalom (see at 2Sa 14:25<\/span>), and born after Absalom, so that after his death he appeared to have the nearest claim to the throne. The subject to is left indefinite, because it is implied in the idea of the verb itself: “she bare,” i.e., his mother, as in Num 26:59<\/span> (vid., Ewald, 294, b<\/em>.). There was no reason for mentioning the mother expressly by name, as there was nothing depending upon the name here, and it had already been given in Num 26:5<\/span>.<\/p>\n 1Ki 1:7<\/span><\/p>\n <\/strong> He conferred (for the expression, compare 2Sa 3:17<\/span>) with Joab and Abiathar the priest, who supported him. , to lend a helping hand to a person, i.e., to support him by either actually joining him or taking his part. Joab joined the pretender, because he had fallen out with David for a considerable time (cf. 1Ki 2:5-6<\/span>), and hoped to secure his influence with the new king if he helped him to obtain possession of the throne. But what induced Abiathar the high priest (see at 2Sa 8:17<\/span>) to join in conspiracy with Adonijah, we do not know. Possibly jealousy of Zadok, and the fear that under Solomon he might be thrown still more into the shade. For although Zadok was only high priest at the tabernacle at Gibeon, he appears to have taken the lead; as we may infer from the fact that he is always mentioned before Abiathar (cf. 2Sa 8:17<\/span>; 2Sa 20:25<\/span>, and 2Sa 15:24<\/span>.). For we cannot imagine that Joab and Abiathar had supported Adonijah as having right on his side (Thenius), for the simple reason that Joab did not trouble himself about right, and for his own part shrank from no crime, when he thought that he had lost favour with the king.<\/p>\n 1Ki 1:8<\/span><\/p>\n <\/strong> If Adonijah had powerful supporters in Joab the commander-in-chief and the high priest Abiathar, the rest of the leading officers of state, viz., Zadok the high priest (see at 2Sa 8:17<\/span>), Benaiah, captain of the king’s body-guard (see at 2Sa 8:18<\/span> and 2Sa 23:20-21<\/span>), the prophet Nathan, Shimei (probably the son of Elah mentioned in 1Ki 4:18<\/span>), and Rei (unknown), and the Gibborim of David (see at 2Sa 23:8<\/span>.), were not with him.<\/p>\n 1Ki 1:9-10<\/span><\/p>\n <\/strong> Adonijah commenced his usurpation, like Absalom ( 2Sa 15:2<\/span>), with a solemn sacrificial meal, at which he was proclaimed king, “at the stone of Zocheleth<\/em> by the side of the fountain of Rogel<\/em>,” i.e., the spy’s fountain, or, according to the Chaldee and Syriac, the fuller’s fountain, the present fountain of Job or Nehemiah, below the junction of the valley of Hinnom with the valley of Jehoshaphat (see at 2Sa 7:17<\/span> and Jos 15:7<\/span>). E. G. Schultz ( Jerusalem, eine Vorlesung<\/em>, p. 79) supposes the stone or rock of Zocheleth<\/em> to be “the steep, rocky corner of the southern slope of the valley of Hinnom, which casts so deep a shade.” “The neighbourhood ( Wady el Rubb<\/em>) is still a place of recreation for the inhabitants of Jerusalem.” To this festal meal Adonijah invited all his brethren except Solomon, and “all the men of Judah, the king’s servants,” i.e., all the Judaeans who were in the king’s service, i.e., were serving at court as being members of his own tribe, with the exception of Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, and the Gibborim. The fact that Solomon and the others mentioned were not included in the invitation, showed very clearly that Adonijah was informed of Solomon’s election as successor to the throne, and was also aware of the feelings of Nathan and Benaiah.<\/p>\n Adonijah’s Ambition.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/I><\/span><\/P> <\/TD> B. C.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN> 1015.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/FONT><\/P> <\/TD> <\/TR> <\/TABLE> 5 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. 6 And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a<\/I> very goodly man;<\/I> and his mother<\/I> bare him after Absalom. 7 And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him.<\/I> 8 But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged<\/I> to David, were not with Adonijah. 9 And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is<\/I> by En-rogel, and called all his brethren the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah the king’s servants: 10 But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.<\/P> David had much affliction in his children. Amnon and Absalom had both been his grief; the one his first-born, the other his third, 2Sa 3:2<\/span>; 2Sa 3:3<\/span>. His second, whom he had by Abigail, we will suppose he had comfort in; his fourth was Adonijah (2 Sam. iii. 4<\/span>); he was one of those that were born in Hebron; we have heard nothing of him till now, and here we are told that he was a comely person, and that he was next in age, and (as it proved) next in temper to Absalom, v.<\/I><\/span> 6<\/span>. And, further, that in his father’s eyes he had been a jewel, but was now a thorn.<\/P> I. His father had made a fondling of him, v.<\/I><\/span> 6<\/span>. He had not displeased him at any time. It is not said that he never displeased his father; it is probably that he had done so frequently, and his father was secretly troubled at his misconduct and lamented it before God. But his father had not displeased him, by crossing him in his humours, denying him any thing he had a mind to, or by calling him to an account as to what he had done and where he had been, or by keeping him to his book or his business, or reproving him for what he saw or heard of that he did amiss; he never said to him, Why hast thou done so?<\/I> because he saw it was uneasy to him, and he could not bear it without fretting. It was the son’s fault that he was displeased at reproof and took it for affront, whereby he lost the benefit of it; and it was the father’s fault that, because he saw it displeased him, he did not reprove him; and now he justly smarted for indulging him. Those who honour their sons more than God, as those do who keep them not under good discipline, thereby forfeit the honour they might expect from their sons.<\/P> II. He, in return, made a fool of his father. Because he was old, and confined to his bed, he thought no notice was to be taken of him, and therefore exalted himself,<\/I> and said, I will be king,<\/I> v.<\/span> 5<\/span><\/U><\/I><\/span>. Children that are indulged learn to be proud and ambitious, which is the ruin of a great many young people. The way to keep them humble is to keep them under. Observe Adonijah’s insolence. 1. He looked upon the days of mourning for his father to be at hand, and therefore he prepared to succeed him, though he knew that by the designation both of God and David Solomon was to be the man; for public notice had been given of it by David himself, and the succession settled, as it were by act of parliament, in pursuance of God’s appointment, 1Ch 22:9<\/span>; 1Ch 23:1<\/span>. This entail Adonijah attempted by force to cut off, in contempt both of God and his father. Thus is the kingdom of Christ opposed, and there are those that say, “We will not have him to reign over us.” 2. He looked upon his father as superannuated and good for nothing, and therefore he entered immediately upon the possession of the throne. He cannot wait till his father’s head be laid low, but it must now be said, Adonijah reigns<\/I> (v.<\/I><\/span> 18<\/span>), and, God save king Adonijah,<\/I> v.<\/span> 25<\/span><\/U><\/I><\/span>. His father is not fit to govern, for he is old and past ruling, nor Solomon, for he is young, and not yet able to rule; and therefore Adonijah will take the government upon him. It argues a very base and wicked mind for children to insult over their parents because of the infirmities of their age. 3. In pursuance of this ambitious project, (1.) He got a great retinue (v.<\/I><\/span> 5<\/span>), chariots and horsemen,<\/I> both for state and strength, to wait on him, and to fight for him. (2.) He made great interest with no less than Joab, the general of the army, and Abiathar the high priest, v.<\/I><\/span> 7<\/span>. That he should make his court to those who by their influence in church and camp were capable of doing him great service is not strange; but we may well wonder by what arts they could be drawn to follow him and help him. They were old men, who had been faithful to David in the most difficult and troublesome of his times, men of sense and experience, who, one would think, would not easily be wheedled. They could not propose any advantage to themselves by supporting Adonijah, for they were both at the top of their preferment and stood fast in it. They could not be ignorant of the entail of the crown upon Solomon, which it was not in their power to cut off, and therefore it was their interest to oblige him. But God, in this matter, left them to themselves, perhaps to correct them for some former misconduct with a scourge of their own making. We are told (v.<\/I><\/span> 8<\/span>) who those were that were of such approved fidelity to David that Adonijah had not the confidence so much as to propose his project to them–Zadok, Benaiah, and Nathan. A man that has given proofs of his resolute adherence to that which is good shall not be asked to do a bad thing. (3.) He prepared a great entertainment (v.<\/I><\/span> 9<\/span>) at En-rogel, not far from Jerusalem; his guests were the king’s sons, and the king’s servants, whom he feasted and caressed to bring them over to his party; but Solomon was not invited, either because he despised him or because he despaired of him, v.<\/I><\/span> 10<\/span>. Such as serve their own belly, and will be in the interest of those that will feast them what side soever they are of, are an easy prey to seducers, Rom. xvi. 18<\/span>. Some think that Adonijah slew these sheep and oxen, even fat ones, for sacrifice, and that it was a religious feast he made, beginning his usurpation with a show of devotion, as Absalom under the colour of a vow (2 Sam. xv. 7<\/span>), which he might do the more plausibly when he had the high priest himself on his side. It is a pity that any occasion should ever be given to say, In nomine Domini incipit omne malam–In the name of the Lord begins all evil,<\/I> and that all religious exercises should be made to patronise all religious practices.<\/P> <\/p>\n Adonijah Plots, verses 5-10<\/strong><\/p>\n With David approaching the end of his life there must have been much speculation about who should succeed him on Israel’s throne. It was all without reason, for David announced to the assembly, called a short time earlier, that the Lord had chosen Solomon his successor (1Ch 28:5<\/span>; 1Ch 29:1<\/span>). However, there must have been a majority of the people who had not taken the old king seriously, and may have thought Solomon much too young for the task. This gave Adonijah his opportunity, and he made the most of it. He equipped himself a chariot such as kings rode in, prepared horsemen and runners and adopted a regal bearing before the public.<\/p>\n Several things are named as basis for Adonijah’s determination to be his father’s successor: 1) his father had not “displeased” him, which means David had not discouraged his fanfare; 2) he was a “goodly” man, meaning that he was possessed of charisma, much as Absalom had used to his advantage; 3) he was next to Absalom in birth, suggesting that by the law of primogeniture he was next in line for the throne after the death of the older sons; 4) he had the support of some of the most influential men in David’s court, Abiathar, one of the chief priests, and Joab, the captain of the host. Thus, from the natural vantage point Adonijah must surely have appeared to be the heir apparent.<\/p>\n Yet there were other great and influential men in David’s council notably, and ominously, missing from Adonijah’s retinue. These included Zadok, the true high priest; Benaiah, the captain of the special forces of the Cherethites and Pelethites; Nathan the prophet, who had predicted the succession of Solomon to the throne; Shimei and Rei, who possibly were captains among the mighty men of David.<\/p>\n Adonijah pressed on with his plans, <\/em>gathering his followers to the stone of Zoheleth, at the spring of En-rogel, near the confluence of the Valley of Hinnom and the Kidron Valley, not five hundred yards outside the walls of Jerusalem. Here it was evidently planned to make him the king. It was a festive time, with much slaying of sheep, oxen, and fat cattle for their feast. To this event Adonijah invited the great men of Judah, and all his brothers, except Solomon. Neither had he called Nathan and Benaiah. Adonijah is an example of that to which one may come if let go on in his error (Ecc 8:11<\/span>). It appears that David vacillated toward his sons to the very end of his life.<\/em><\/p>\n CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES.<\/strong><\/p>\n 1Ki. 1:5<\/span>. Adonijah, son of Haggith<\/strong>No record of origin or rank of Haggith, therefore probably without any family distinction. Adonijah was Davids fourth son, and the eldest now alive. Exalted himself<\/strong> (cf<\/em>. Pro. 30:32<\/span>); took advantage of his fathers feebleness to claim the throne. But God was king in Israel, and he retained the unchallengeable right of selecting the occupant of the throne (Deu. 17:14<\/span>). <\/p>\n 1Ki. 1:6<\/span>. He also was a very goodly man<\/strong>This would give him acceptance with the nation (1Sa. 9:2<\/span>). <\/p>\n 1Ki. 1:7<\/span>. Conferred with Joab<\/strong>, commander-in-chief of the army, through whom Adonijah hoped to win military support, and Abiathar, the High-priest, through whom he sought sacerdotal sanction and help; and he gained it, to help one so that men immediately follow him (Keil). <\/p>\n 1Ki. 1:9<\/span>. Slew sheep and oxen,<\/strong> &c.This usurpation of the throne inaugurated by a sacrificial feast. En-rogel, the well or source of the Rogel; south-east of Jerusalem in (Josephus). <\/p>\n HOMILETICS OF <\/em>1Ki. 1:5-10<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n THE REVOLT OF ADONIJAH<\/p>\n I. Was the outcome of a spirit of arrogance and vanity<\/strong> (1Ki. 1:5<\/span>). Solomon had been designated by both Jehovah and David as successor to the throne, and this had been publicly declared. But Adonijah, presuming upon his seniority, and puffed up with pride, insolently strove to prevent by force the accomplishment of what he knew to be the Divine arrangement. Vain men, whilst, like proud and yet brittle clay, they will be knocking their sides against the solid and eternal decree of God, break themselves in pieces.Trapp<\/em>. Like his brother Absalom, his prototype in rebellion, Adonijah assumed all the external show of royaltyhad a great retinue of chariots and horsemen, both for state and protection, to wait upon and fight for him. The glitter of outward display always attracts the multitude. There is no limit to the pride and extravagance of a rebel. Absalom-like, ambition rideth without reins.<\/p>\n II. Aggravated as committed against an indulgent and aged parent<\/strong> (1Ki. 1:6<\/span>). Adonijah took advantage of his fathers growing infirmities to gratify his sinful ambition. Had never known the wholesome discipline of parental restraint. The indulgence of parents at last pays them home in crosses. Reminds us of Prince Henry, in Shakespeares Henry IV., part ii., scene <\/p>\n 5. It added not a little to the grief of the dying king that the trumpet of rebellion should be sounded in his ears by the son whom he had loved not wisely, but too well.<\/p>\n III. Succeeded in corrupting men of the highest reputation<\/strong> (1Ki. 1:7<\/span>). Joab, as commander-in-chief, had formerly done David noble service in most difficult and troublous times. He had incurred the displeasure of the king by his unwarrantable murder of Abner and Amasa; and, probably, he disliked the character of Solomon as a man of peace. For the history of Joab see 2Sa. 2:13-32<\/span>; 2Sa. 3:22-31<\/span>; 2Sa. 10:7-14<\/span>, &c. The defection of Abiathar, the high priest, was more surprising. He was son of that Ahimelech who suffered death in Davids cause, and the only one of his sons who escaped the massacre by Doeg. David seems to have felt towards him a special tenderness. Hitherto they had been the firmest friends. Abiathar was with David through all his wanderings when he fled from Saulserved him as priest in Hebronaccompanied him out of Jerusalem when Absalom rebelledwas one of his chief counsellors. The addition of these two representatives of the church and camp mightily strengthened the cause of Adonijah, and was significant of the charm of his personal presence, and bland, insinuating address. Outward happiness and friendship are not known till our last act. In the impotency of either our revenge or recompense it will easily appear who loved us for ourselves, who for their own ends.<\/p>\nFuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
I<\/strong>.<\/em><\/strong> <\/strong>Beware of ambition. When regulated, restrained, and guided, ambition serves a good end. It rouses to activity, and it tends to produce a generous and noble character. But when it is inspired only by selfishness, by the desire simply to attain to a certain position, so that vanity may be indulged and pride gratified–by the determination to outstrip your <\/strong>fellows and win certain prizes for which they too are toiling;–when, in short, there is nothing but self to be consulted and flattered and appeased, it is dangerous. It may lead you to do much that is evil, to trample on that which is sacred, to break through and cast down the barriers which Gods law has erected around you, to despise the nearest and dearest relationships of human life. Under its withering influence he loses sight of the eternal in the temporal, ignores the spiritual in the carnal, and forgets God in self! There is no ban laid by God on advancement or getting on. You are not forbidden to attain earthly honours, to acquire what are called the worlds good things. But then, recollect, you must regard them only as subordinate to higher things. Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.<\/p>\n
II. <\/strong>Beware of disobedience to <\/strong>parents. It may be an old, but it is a permanent command, Honour thy father and thy mother, etc.<\/p>\n
III. <\/strong>Beware of evil associations. The unholy alliance at Enrogel broke up, immediately on the arrival of adverse tidings. Joab, Abiathar, and their confederates disappeared, and left Adonijah to <\/strong>his own devices. There was no deep affection, and no bond of pure love to keep them together; selfishness was at the root of the association. They fawned, and flattered, and fled. Wicked men do not care for their companions beyond the point of advantage. They have no interest in each others welfare, and they are <\/strong>suspicious of each others designs and of each others fidelity. Accomplices and partners in guilt indulge in mutual accusations and revelations which show the slender nature of the tie which binds them together. There is no love–no true, deep, self-sacrificing love–such as dwells in the hearts of Christian brethren, united in Jesus Christ. (A. Williamson.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\nFuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible <\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n