What is the context?
Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, declares that he will be king. He gathers chariots, horsemen and fifty runners, recalling Absalom’s earlier display in 2 Samuel 15:1.
The narrator notes that David has never reprimanded him. Adonijah is handsome and was born after Absalom. He gains the support of Joab and Abiathar, but Zadok, Benaiah, Nathan and other servants of David do not join him.
Adonijah holds a sacrificial feast near En-rogel and invites the royal sons and the king’s servants from Judah. Solomon and several of David’s leading supporters are left out. A claim to the throne is taking shape without David’s authorization.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Wesley reads the failure to correct Adonijah as David’s serious error and a source of his son’s presumption. The account places that failure beside Adonijah’s confidence and public display.
Wesley gives more than one possible reason for Joab and Abiathar’s support: they may have considered Adonijah entitled to the throne, or may have sought to protect their own interests. The narrative names their support without disclosing all their motives.
The contrast is between Adonijah promoting himself and the decision David has yet to make public. The outward signs of a royal following do not settle who has authority to reign.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.