CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES.—
1 Kings 1:5. Adonijah, son of Haggith—No record of origin or rank of Haggith, therefore probably without any family distinction. Adonijah was David’s fourth son, and the eldest now alive. Exalted himself—הִתְנַשֵּׂאֹ (cf. Proverbs 30:32); took advantage of his father’s feebleness to claim the throne. But God was king in Israel, and he retained the unchallengeable right of selecting the occupant of the throne (Deuteronomy 17:14).
1 Kings 1:6. He also was a very goodly man—This would give him acceptance with the nation (1 Samuel 9:2).
1 Kings 1:7. Conferred with Joab, 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, עזַרַאֹהַר “to help one so that men immediately follow him” (Keil).
1 Kings 1:9. Slew sheep and oxen, &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 βασιλικῷ παραδείσῳ (Josephus).
HOMILETICS OF 1 Kings 1:5-10
THE REVOLT OF ADONIJAH
I. Was the outcome of a spirit of arrogance and vanity (1 Kings 1:5). 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. Like his brother Absalom, his prototype in rebellion, Adonijah assumed all the external show of royalty—had 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.
II. Aggravated as committed against an indulgent and aged parent (1 Kings 1:6). Adonijah took advantage of his father’s 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 Shakespeare’s Henry IV., part ii., scene
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.”
III. Succeeded in corrupting men of the highest reputation (1 Kings 1:7). 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 2 Samuel 2:13-32; 2 Samuel 3:22-31; 2 Samuel 10:7-14, &c. The defection of Abiathar, the high priest, was more surprising. He was son of that Ahimelech who suffered death in David’s 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 Saul—served him as priest in Hebron—accompanied him out of Jerusalem when Absalom rebelled—was 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.”
IV. Stimulated and bribed by excessive festivity (1 Kings 1:9). Esau sold his birthright for a mess of pottage, and he is not the only one whose appetite has proved stronger than his conscience. Sensual feasting is often the precursor of thoughtless, perilous conduct. The judgment is unhinged, the heart inflamed with a fictitious bravery. Many commit themselves to measures which in calmer moments they regret. 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 (Romans 16:11).—Matt. Henry. If the oxen were offered in sacrifice, as some think, it only added to the audacity and impiety of the proceeding. Such a mockery of worship is hateful to God, and can end only in disaster to the promoters. The triumph of the wicked is short (Job 20:5)
V. Powerless to vitiate the integrity of the faithful (1 Kings 1:8; 1 Kings 1:10). Zadok performed the offices of chief priest at the tabernacle of witness at Gibeon, while Abiathar was the real high priest, and officiated at the sanctuary containing the ark of the covenant in Zion. Benaiah was chief of David’s bodyguard (2 Samuel 8:18; 2 Samuel 20:23). Nathan, the prophet, might be counted among Solomon’s staunch friends. Had given the infant prince the name of Jedidiah, “darling of Jehovah,” and was probably entrusted with his education. As representative of the Divine aspect of the arrangement, and privy to all David’s plans, he fully approved the order of succession which the king was known to intend. Shimci and Rei are supposed to be David’s two brothers Shimma and Raddai. The mighty men were the company of 600 originally formed during David’s early wanderings (1 Samuel 25:13; 1 Samuel 27:2), and afterwards maintained as the most essential element of his standing army (2 Samuel 23:8-39; 1 Chronicles 11:9-47).—Speaker’s Comm. Neither these worthies nor Solomon were invited to the feast. It would only have added insult to the wrong. High integrity of character lifts man above many solicitations to evil. Tacitus observed that the statues of Brutus and Cassius were the more glorious and illustrious because they were not brought out with other images in a solemn procession at the funeral of Germanieus. Cato said he would rather men should question why he had no statue or monument erected to him, than why he had. By not inviting Solomon, Adonijah betrayed his plans, and himself gave the occasion for their frustration. The policy of the wicked is short-sighted, and often helps the cause it seeks to hinder (Psalms 69:23; Romans 11:9).
LESSONS:—
1. Pride is a fruitful source of rebellion.
2. Rebels do not sufficiently estimate the power of the principles they oppose.
3. Rebellion is reckless in its movements.
4. Rebellion conceived in arrogance is doomed to a humiliating defeat.
REMONSTRANCE WITH EVIL DOERS— 1 Kings 1:6
We are taught here that much of the evil that Adonijah did had its root in his early bad training. David, though a good man and a great king, sadly erred in his treatment of his children. What a sad glimpse do we get here of his domestic life! What is written is for our admonition. Learn—
I. That remonstrance with evil doers is an imperative duty. “Why hast thou done so?” Thus should he have spoken. “His father.” None able to speak with such authority and tenderness. So others, according to their place and relationships. Hear God’s call to arms: “Who will rise up for me against the evil doers?”
II. That remonstrance with evil doers is a very difficult duty. “Displeased.” Pride hurt; carnal security disturbed; conscience roused to give pain; danger of speaking harshly; of speaking the truth in wrath more than in love. Still must do what is right. Better offend men than God; better speak, than by silence imperil souls. Besides, if you act in time yon may gain your brother.
III. That remonstrance with evil doers is a much neglected duty. Here a father, and that father David, is charged with failure. Who, then, is safe? The very fact that the duty is so difficult and delicate makes many shrink from it. They will not give pain. They fear the consequences of rebuke and discipline. But though the neglect of this duty is so common this does not make the guilt the less. It is a sin against God, and a crime against your brother. Take heed; be warned by many fearful examples. Innocence is better than repentance. Better far to “displease” your children now by kind and righteous correction, than to let them go on in sin without check, and, in view of their sad fate and terrible upbraidings, to cry, “Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O Lord!” Besides, how much higher a place will the father hold who rules as a king, like Abraham (Genesis 18:19), than the man who weakly abuses his trust like Eli (1 Samuel 3:13).—Homilist.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES
1 Kings 1:1-4. Weakness and infirmity in old age are—
1. The universal lot to which we must all consider ourselves appointed (Psalms 90:10).
2. Should loosen the bands which hold us to the temporal and perishable, and ripen us for eternity (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). Old and sick people should, and it is expected of them as a work well pleasing to God, that they bear this with a willing heart, with patience, self-denial, and sacrificing love.—Lange.
1 Kings 1:5. Adonijah’s attempt to gain the crown.
1. The ground upon which it rests.
1. Upon self-assertion, pride, lust of power; but God resisteth the proud, and a haughty spirit goeth before a fall.
2. Upon outward qualities, age, and beautiful person; but 1 Samuel 16:7; Psalms 147:10; Psalms 11:2. The means which he employed.
1. He seeks to impose upon the people by chariots and horsemen; but Psalms 20:8.
2. He conspires with false and faithless men, but they forsake him in the hour of danger (1 Kings 1:49; Psalms 101:6-7).
3. He prepares, for appearance sake, a religious festival; but Proverbs 15:8.
The effort after high things (Romans 12:16). Now many a person thinks: I will become a great personage, a man of authority and influence, and then scruples at nothing to attain his goal. But that which is written in 1 Corinthians 7:20-24 applies to the individual as well as to entire classes.—Lange.
1 Kings 1:6. The inevitable retribution of parental indulgence. In its effect—
1. Upon character, engendering—
1. Vanity, conscious of personal beauty, fond of display.
2. Pride “exalted himself.”
3. Recklessness. (a). Disrespect of a parent’s love. (b). Indifference to a parent’s sufferings. 2 Upon conduct. Seen—
1. In deliberate opposition to the Divine intentions.
2. Defiance of parental authority.
3. Usurpation of parental rights.
4. Dissension in the household.
5. Abuse of property.
I. His father made a fondling of Adonijah. II. He, in return, made a fool of his father.—M. Henry.
The father who allows his son to go on in his pride and in worldly or sinful conduct, and shuts his eyes, not to trouble him, must expect that his son will trouble him and embitter the evening of his life. The fond parent is generally punished in the ingratitude and opposition of those very children whom he has most indulged, for they cannot be influenced by any sense of obligation or duty who have been accustomed to be gratified in every wish of their hearts (Proverbs 29:17).
1 Kings 1:7. The instability of human friendship.
1. Begins in misunderstandings, and is fostered by imaginary wrongs.
2. Characterized by ingratitude to our greatest benefactors.
3. Culminates in bitter hostility and revenge.
4. Disastrous in proportion to the intimacy formerly enjoyed.
—Wickedness sometimes unites strange elements.
1. Knows where to select its accomplices—among the ambitious, the disaffected, the wavering.
2. Combines its votaries in sympathy, aim, mode of operation, and vengeance, against a common foe.
3. Formidable and dangerous when espoused by men of high repute.
—High personages always find people for the execution of their sinful plans, who, from subserviency or desire of reward, from ambition or revenge, will act as counsellors and agents; but they have their reward, and for the most part end with terror (Proverbs 19:21).
1 Kings 1:8. The true value of human friendship tested in trouble. An incorruptible fidelity—
1. Sinks selfish considerations in promoting the common weal.
2. Soothes the alarm and anxieties of the principal sufferer.
3. Is vigilant and active in counteracting the plots of evil workers.
4. Is a powerful incentive and support in doing the right.
With those who are meditating treason and destruction we should never make common cause (Proverbs 24:21-22).
1 Kings 1:9. Sensual indulgence.
1. Unfits the mind to estimate the relative value of things.
2. A fruitful source of social and moral corruption.
3. Encourages promiscuous association with questionable characters.
4. Affords a coveted opportunity to artful conspirators.
5. Instigates to all kinds of violence.
—He who gives the crowd wherewith to eat and to drink, who prepares for them festivities and pleasures, makes himself popular and beloved for the moment; but all who allow themselves to be gained in such way, to-day shout Hosanna! and to-morrow, Crucify!—Lange.
1 Kings 1:10. A good character.
1. Places a man beyond the suspicion of treachery.
2. Is honoured, while it is feared and envied, by the base.
3. Saves man from many temptations to evil.