1 Kings 1:19

And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.

And he hath slain {H2076} oxen {H7794} and fat cattle {H4806} and sheep {H6629} in abundance {H7230}, and hath called {H7121} all the sons {H1121} of the king {H4428}, and Abiathar {H54} the priest {H3548}, and Joab {H3097} the captain {H8269} of the host {H6635}: but Solomon {H8010} thy servant {H5650} hath he not called {H7121}.

He has killed oxen, fattened calves and sheep in great numbers; and he has summoned all the sons of the king, Evyatar the cohen and Yo'av the commander of the army; but he didn't summon Shlomo your servant.

And he has sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the other sons of the king, as well as Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander of the army. But he did not invite your servant Solomon.

and he hath slain oxen and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host; but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.

Commentary

Context of 1 Kings 1:19

This verse is a crucial snapshot of the unfolding succession crisis as King David nears the end of his life (1 Kings 1:1). David's fourth son, Adonijah, seeing his father's weakness and believing he was the rightful heir, took it upon himself to proclaim himself king without David's consent (1 Kings 1:5). To solidify his claim, Adonijah orchestrated a grand feast and invited key figures who he believed would support him. This verse details the lavish nature of the feast and, more importantly, highlights the deliberate exclusion of Solomon, whom God had chosen and David had promised the throne to (1 Kings 1:17), along with his loyal supporters like Nathan the prophet and Zadok the priest.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Usurpation and Ambition: Adonijah's actions demonstrate a clear attempt to seize power through self-proclamation and public display, bypassing the established order and God's divine will for Solomon.
  • The Battle for Succession: The verse underscores the intense political maneuvering and power struggle that often accompanies the end of a monarch's reign, especially when a clear successor has not been publicly affirmed.
  • Loyalty and Disloyalty: By calling specific individuals like Joab and Abiathar, Adonijah revealed who his allies were, and by omitting Solomon, he declared his rival. This highlights the divisions within David's court and family.
  • Divine Appointment vs. Human Schemes: Adonijah's ambitious plot stands in stark contrast to God's pre-ordained plan for Solomon to sit on David's throne, a plan that ultimately prevailed (1 Kings 1:39).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance" describes a massive sacrificial feast, which was a common practice for a new king to declare his reign and gather public support. It signified prosperity, celebration, and an appeal for loyalty. The act of calling "all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host," but pointedly *not* calling "Solomon thy servant," is highly significant. This deliberate omission was Adonijah's way of publicly discrediting Solomon's claim and asserting his own authority over his presumed rival. The term "thy servant" (referring to Solomon) used by Bathsheba in her address to David subtly underscores Solomon's humility and faithfulness compared to Adonijah's presumption.

Practical Application

The narrative of Adonijah's failed coup offers several timeless lessons:

  • Beware of Self-Promotion: Adonijah's story is a cautionary tale against ambition that seeks to elevate oneself outside of God's timing or established authority. True leadership often emerges through divine appointment and humility, not through forceful self-proclamation.
  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: Despite human machinations and attempts to seize power, God's ultimate plan for succession and leadership will prevail. This narrative encourages trust in God's ability to fulfill His purposes, even amidst chaos and conspiracy.
  • Discern True Allegiance: The choices made by Joab and Abiathar to align with Adonijah, versus the loyalty of Nathan, Zadok, and Benaiah to David and Solomon, highlight the importance of discerning who to align with and whose counsel to follow.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 1:7

    And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped [him].

  • 1 Kings 1:10

    But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.

  • 1 Kings 1:25

    For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah.
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