1 Kings 1:7 - Exposition

And he conferred [Hebrews " his words were " ( 2 Samuel 3:17 , Hebrews)] with Joab [Joab's share in this conspiracy, despite his hitherto unwavering fidelity to David, is easily accounted for. He must have known that he was under David's displeasure, and he must have feared, too, that he would be an object of dislike and distrust to a successor trained, as Solomon had been, under David's and Nathan's immediate influence. He could hardly be unconscious that under a new reign his position—unless he took measures to assure it—would be a precarious one. He resolved, therefore, to secure himself by helping Adonijah to his throne. It is also highly probable that Adonijah's ambitious character was much more to his liking than that of the pious and pacific Solomon. Adonijah's physical qualities, again, would no doubt commend him to this rough soldier, who may also have sympathised with him as the eldest son. And there may have been other circumstances (such, e.g; as close personal friendship), of which we know nothing] the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar [in 2 Samuel 8:17 , we read that "Ahimelech son of Abiathar" was priest. Similarly, 1 Chronicles 24:6 . An obvious transposition] the priest. ["Abiathar's defection is still more surprising" than Joab's (Rawlinson). It is certainly remarkable, when we consider the close ties which subsisted between Abiathar and David, ties which were cemented by the blood of eighty-five persons ( 1 Samuel 22:18 ), and strengthened by the many afflictions which they had shared in common ( ibid. 1 Chronicles 24:23 to 1 Kings 28.; 2 Samuel 15:24-29 ), that he should have joined in a plot to defeat David's cherished hopes and plans—plans, too, which he must surely have known, had the sanction of religion ( 1 Chronicles 28:5 ), and there must have been some powerful motive to account for this. May we not find one in jealousy of Zadok, who had for some time been associated with him in the priesthood, who is generally mentioned first ( 2 Samuel 8:17 ; 2 Samuel 15:29 , 2 Samuel 15:35 , 2 Samuel 15:36 ; 2 Samuel 20:25 ). as if he were the more important and influential, and whose advancement, after the prophecy of 1 Samuel 2:33-36 , Abiathar could not contemplate without suspicion and dread. Is it not highly probable that among the "words" Adonijah had with him was a promise to restore the priesthood to his family exclusively, as the reward of his allegiance]: and they following Adonijah helped him .