"Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they gave him their support." (1 Kings 1:7) Earlier in the Bible when David's son Absalom rebelled against him, we found his nephew Joab remaining firmly on David's side. He was so firmly in support of David's kingship that he killed Absalom in direct disobedience of David's orders and although we never find him confessing this deed, David never felt the same afterwards about the man who was the commander over his entire army. Joab bore the responsibility of making certain David's instructions regarding Absalom were carried out: that Absalom was to be captured alive and unharmed. But instead Absalom ended up dead and David blames Joab even though he evidently does not know Joab stabbed Abdalom in the heart. As soon as David was restored to the throne at Jerusalem, he demoted Joab and put one of his other nephews (Amasa) in his place even though Amasa had betrayed him by serving as Absalom's general. At the first opportunity Joab killed Amasa and resumed leadership of the army himself. David did not oppose him but I don't think he ever showed him the same amount of respect or familial affection he formerly did. This may be why Joab now places all his support behind Adonijah in spite of being aware that Solomon is David's chosen successor.
We've referred to Joab several times as a "loose cannon" because he does what seems best to him even when it contradicts David's orders. It seemed best to him to take Absalom out, and although he was probably right to suspect Absalom and his enormous group of supporters would continue being a threat if he were left alive, he was not right to disobey his king. I think that when he gives his support to Adonijah he is again doing what seems best to him even though it contradicts David's plans. Joab feels Adonijah should succeed David, not Solomon, and he knows David won't live much longer. He sees nothing wrong with Adonijah assuming the throne while David still lives. It's not as if Adonijah is trying to kill David, as his elder brother Absalom intended to do. David is almost at the end of his life already and Adonijah thinks his father is too weak to oppose his bid for the throne. After all, as the author of 1 Kings told us yesterday, David has never denied him anything he wants. Adonijah believes that when his father hears he has declared himself king and that some of the major players in the kingdom are behind him, he will accede to Adonijah's wishes. David was still healthy and reasonably physically fit when Absalom attempted a coup; that is not the case when Adonijah attempts his coup. Adonijah believes David is too old, weak, and sick to resist his efforts to take the crown.
It's more difficult for us to understand the treachery of the high priest Abiathar than it is for us to understand why Joab deserts David. We know that for some time Abiathar and Zadok have been serving as co-high priests, which is not a situation in accordance with the Lord's instructions. Many scholars believe David showed favoritism to Zadok and that could be the case, for we find David addressing himself to Zadok in the Scriptures more often than to Abiathar. Abiathar's desertion of David may be due to rivalry between himself and Zadok. But Zadok remains faithful to David. "But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei and Rai and David's special guard did not join Adonijah." (1 Kings 1:8) Benaiah was the officer in charge of David's special guard. Shimei was the Benjamite who cursed David and threw rocks and dirt at him when Absalom was trying to take over the throne, but later Shimei apologized to David and asked for his mercy, which was granted, and Shimei has been a staunch supporter of David ever since. I could not find any information regarding the identity of Rai or what his duties were.
Adonijah invites his supporters to a sacrifice and a feast but he excludes those he knows are not on his side. "Adonijah then sacrificed sheep, cattle and fattened calves at the Stone of Zoheleth near En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the royal officials of Judah, but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the special guard or his brother Solomon." (1 Kings 1:9-10) He is attempting to legitimize his claim to the throne by having the general of the army, one of the high priests, and all of his brothers (other than Solomon) present to witness sacrifices being made to the Lord. These sacrifices represent another attempt to legitimize his claim by making it seem as though the Lord Himself has chosen him to be king.
Word quickly gets back to the palace regarding what's going on at the Stone of Zoheleth which lay just a hundred yards or so southeast of where the Temple Mount would later be located. The Pool of Siloam, mentioned later in the Bible, was also there. So we see that the news doesn't have far to travel. As soon as Nathan the prophet hears the news, he goes quickly to Solomon's mother Bathsheba to inform her of the danger to herself and her son. "Then Nathan asked Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, 'Have you not heard that Adonijah, the son of Haggith, has become king, and our lord David knows nothing about it? Now then, let me advise you how you can save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. Go in to King David and say to him, 'My lord the king, did you not swear to me your servant: 'Surely Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne?' Why then has Adonijah become king?' While you are still there talking to the king, I will come in and add my word to what you have said." (1 Kings 1:11-14)
We had not been previously told of David's choice of successor but the author of 1 Chronicles 22 gives a detailed account of plans David made while he was still healthy enough to make them. In that chapter he amasses materials for his successor to use in building the temple and he clearly states his intention to pass the crown to Solomon according to the will of God who instructed him to do so. Not only does he speak to Solomon directly in that passage, making his intentions known to him, but he charges "all the leaders of Israel" to help guide the young Solomon after his coronation. Everyone in David's family and all the leaders of his government are very well aware that David wants Solomon to succeed him as king. Those who are supporting Adonijah are doing it in direct opposition to David's will and to the Lord's will.
In our next study session we'll find Bathsheba following Nathan's advice. Nathan will then come in and back up her claim that Adonijah has declared himself king. Then David will find the strength to sit up and do the things that must be done.
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