Adonijah the Opportunist (1 Kings 1:1-10)

The kingdom of Israel was facing a crisis because King David was on his deathbed. In facing this crisis, different people responded in different ways.

A real leader looks at a crisis and ask, “What can I do that will best help the people?” An opportunist looks at a crisis and asks, “How can I use this situation to promote myself and get what I want?” Opportunists usually show up uninvited, focus attention on themselves, and end up making the crisis worse. Adonijah was that kind of person.

I. The Occasion (vv. 1-4)

1 Now King David was old, advanced in years; and they put covers on him, but he could not get warm. 2 Therefore his servants said to him, “Let a young woman, a virgin, be sought for our lord the king, and let her stand before the king, and let her care for him; and let her lie in your bosom, that our lord the king may be warm.” 3 So they sought for a lovely young woman throughout all the territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. 4 The young woman was very lovely; and she cared for the king, and served him; but the king did not know her.

A. As David’s eldest son, Adonijah felt that he deserved the throne.

Adonijah Adonijah was David’s oldest living son and was probably thirty-five years old at this time. David’s firstborn, Amnon, was killed by Absalom; his second son, Kileab (or Daniel), must have died young because there’s no record of his life; and the third son, Absalom, was slain by Joab.

King David was a sick man who would soon die, and it was important that there be a king on the throne of Israel. Like his older brother Absalom, Adonijah seized his opportunity when David wasn’t at his best and was bed fast. However, David wasn’t dead! Adonijah underestimated the stamina and wisdom of the old warrior.

B. Abishag became a companion and nurse for David.

Abishag was probably considered a concubine, so there was nothing immoral about their relationship. “4 The young woman was very lovely; and she cared for the king, and served him; but the king did not know her.” She will become a very person in the drama after David’s death.

Adonijah should have been a sympathetic son, but instead he made the mistake of thinking his father was unable to function normally and decided to claim the throne for himself. If he had won the support of his siblings, the government leaders, the priests, and the army, he could pull off a coup and be the next king.

II. The Traitors (vv. 5-7).

5 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king”; and he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. 6 (And his father had not rebuked him at any time by saying, “Why have you done so?” He was also very good-looking. His mother had borne him after Absalom.) 7 Then he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they followed and helped Adonijah.

A. Adonijah choose to promote himself.

Adonijah began to generate popular support. The unthinking people joined his crusade. Wisely, Adonijah got the support of both the army and the priesthood by enlisting Joab the general and Abiathar the high priest.

By declaring “I will be king” he breaks with the Israelite tradition of God choosing the king, then confirming the choice through a prophet’s ministry. Neither Saul nor David sought the throne, yet God told Samuel to select these men for the task. Not only is his arrogance shown through his “running for office,” but it is further revealed by his choice of “fifty men to run ahead of him.” He acts like a king before being made king.

B. Adonijah knew that the Lord had chosen Solomon.

Abiathar and Joab certainly understood that Solomon was to be king. When the Lord gave David His covenant, He indicated a future son would succeed him and build the temple, and that son was Solomon.

Adonijah, Abiathar, and Joab were rebelling against the revealed will of God, forgetting that the counsel of the Lord stands forever.

III. The Faithful (vv. 8-10)

8 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. 9 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. 10 But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or Solomon his brother.

A. Adonijah pushes forward with his plans to become king.

Adonijah is lacking a clear consensus so he offers sacrifices and invites strategically important persons to a meal, all of which is intended to unite the group. His brothers are included except Solomon so they can relinquish their right to the throne. The “men of Judah who were royal officials” are invited so that the most prestigious leaders in David’s court can give Adonijah’s claim more validity.

Adonijah also ignored several other important leaders in the kingdom, including Zadok the high priest, Benaiah the leader of the king’s personal guard, Nathan the prophet, and David’s mighty men. This was a coronation feast and the guest were proclaiming Adonijah as king of Israel.

B. The Lord always accomplishes His purpose.

Some of the guest I’m sure believed that David had laid hands on Adonijah and named him king. They were also probably aware of the absence of Solomon, Zadok, Benaiah, and Nathan. Did anyone ask when and where Nathan had anointed Adonijah? Why was this event so secret?

Those not invited to this premature coronation are prominent persons. Nathan has religious authority, while Benaniah bears the sword. They pose religious and military threats to Adonijah’s plans. Solomon is also mentioned for the first time. The exclusion of these individuals meant that Adonijah relied on “the strength of his party to get rid of the opposition” rather than on any notion of negotiating peace with them.