TRV
Translation
King James Version
And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him.
Complete Jewish Bible
He conferred with Yo'av the son of Tz'ruyah and Evyatar the cohen; and they both supported Adoniyah.
Berean Standard Bible
So Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, who supported him.
American Standard Version
And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him.
World English Bible Messianic
He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And he tooke counsel of Ioab the sonne of Zeruiah, and of Abiathar the Priest: and they helped forward Adoniiah.
Young's Literal Translation
And his words are with Joab son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest, and they help after Adonijah;
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In the KJVVerse 8,725 of 31,102
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Commentary on 1 Kings 1 verses 5–10
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 very goodly man; and his mother 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.
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 to David, were not with Adonijah.
9 And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by Enrogel, 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.
David had much affliction in his children. Amnon and Absalom had both been his grief; the one his first-born, the other his third, Sa2 3:2, Sa2 3:3. His second, whom he had by Abigail, we will suppose he had comfort in; his fourth was Adonijah (Sa2 3:4); 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, Kg1 1:6. And, further, that in his father's eyes he had been a jewel, but was now a thorn.
I. His father had made a fondling of him, Kg1 1:6. 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? 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.
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, and said, I will be king, Kg1 1:5. 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, Ch1 22:9; Ch1 23:1. 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 (Kg1 1:18), and, God save king Adonijah, Kg1 1:25. 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 (Kg1 1:5), chariots and horsemen, 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, Kg1 1:7. 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 (Kg1 1:8) 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 (Kg1 1:9) 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, Kg1 1:10. 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 16:18. 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 (Sa2 15:7), 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, and that all religious exercises should be made to patronise all religious practices.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 5–10. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
First Kings 1:7 details Adonijah's calculated move to secure his claim to the throne by enlisting the support of two of King David's most influential figures: Joab, the commander of the army, and Abiathar, a prominent priest. This strategic alliance provided Adonijah's premature and unauthorized bid for kingship with both formidable military backing and crucial religious legitimacy, thereby initiating a significant succession crisis within the Davidic monarchy as David's reign drew to a close.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to convey its profound meaning and significance. Characterization is immediately evident, as the choices of Joab and Abiathar to align with Adonijah reveal their shifting loyalties, perhaps driven by ambition, a desire for continued influence, or a miscalculation of the political landscape. This action sharply defines their characters as pragmatic rather than purely loyal. Foreshadowing is also powerfully present; the formation of such a formidable alliance of powerful figures immediately signals the gravity of the succession crisis and the potential for severe civil strife, setting the stage for the dramatic and urgent events that unfold in the remainder of the chapter. Furthermore, there is an implicit juxtaposition with the loyalists mentioned in 1 Kings 1:8 (Zadok, Benaiah, Nathan, etc.), which highlights the deep divisions and divided loyalties within David's court and underscores the stark contrast between those who respected David's will and God's apparent plan, and those who pursued their own self-serving interests.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse highlights the enduring tension between human ambition and divine sovereignty, a recurring and central theme throughout the biblical narrative. Adonijah, along with Joab and Abiathar, sought to establish a king through human means, political maneuvering, and military might, seemingly ignoring or disregarding any divine appointment or David's prior promises concerning Solomon. Their actions reflect a common human tendency to seize power and control, rather than patiently waiting for God's timing and plan to unfold. Ultimately, their meticulously planned scheme failed, demonstrating unequivocally that God's sovereign purposes cannot be thwarted by human conspiracies or powerful alliances. This episode serves as a powerful reminder that while humans may devise many plans in their hearts, it is the Lord's purpose that will ultimately prevail.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The alliance formed in 1 Kings 1:7 serves as a profound and enduring cautionary tale for believers today. It reminds us that even individuals of great influence, extensive experience, and significant spiritual standing—such as a seasoned military commander and a high priest—can be swayed by ambition, misplaced loyalties, or a desire for power that runs contrary to God's revealed will. This narrative challenges us to critically examine our own allegiances and motivations: are we aligning ourselves with human schemes, worldly power structures, or the path of least resistance, or are we committed to diligently discerning and faithfully following God's appointed path, even when it appears less advantageous, popular, or expedient? The eventual consequences faced by Joab and Abiathar underscore that choices made outside of God's will, particularly in matters of leadership and authority, carry significant and often severe repercussions. Our ultimate loyalty and trust must always be directed toward God and His divine purposes, confidently trusting in His sovereignty to establish true and righteous leadership in every sphere of life.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Joab and Abiathar, who had been loyal to David for so long, choose to side with Adonijah?
Answer: Joab and Abiathar's decision to support Adonijah is complex and likely stemmed from a confluence of personal and political factors. For Joab, David's long-serving and often pragmatic military commander, it may have been a calculated move to secure his own continued influence and position. As David aged, Joab might have perceived Adonijah, the eldest surviving son, as the natural and most viable successor, ensuring his own future in the new administration. He may have felt overlooked or threatened by David's perceived favoritism toward Solomon, or perhaps he simply misread the political landscape and God's true intentions. For Abiathar, his motivations are less clear, but it's plausible he felt his priestly lineage (from Eli's house) was being marginalized in favor of Zadok (from Aaron's line, Eleazar's branch), who also served as a high priest. Siding with Adonijah could have been an attempt to secure or reassert his own family's preeminence within the religious establishment. Both men, despite their long and loyal history with David, ultimately chose to align with a perceived rising power, demonstrating a failure to discern or accept God's will for the succession, which had already designated Solomon (1 Chronicles 22:9-10).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Adonijah's self-exaltation and the misguided allegiance of Joab and Abiathar finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the stark contrast between human ambition and divine appointment. Adonijah sought the throne through self-proclamation, political maneuvering, and the gathering of powerful human supporters to legitimize his claim. This stands in stark opposition to the true King, Jesus Christ, who did not grasp for power or self-exalt Himself, but rather "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:7). His kingship is not earned through human conspiracy, military might, or popular acclamation, but is divinely ordained and eternally established by God the Father (Psalm 2:6-7, Hebrews 1:8). Unlike Joab and Abiathar, who chose to follow a self-appointed king destined for failure, believers are called to pledge their ultimate and unwavering loyalty to Jesus, the Lamb of God, who was slain and by His blood "purchased people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth" (Revelation 5:9-10). His authority is not temporary or contested, but is "all authority in heaven and on earth" (Matthew 28:18), and His reign is eternal, bringing true justice, peace, and righteousness, a stark and glorious contrast to the turbulent and self-serving ambitions of Adonijah and his co-conspirators.