but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the mighty men or Solomon his brother.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Here's something easy to miss: notice who is deliberately left out of Adonijah's feast. By excluding Nathan the prophet, the mighty men, and Solomon, Adonijah is actively choosing to disregard God's chosen heir and the prophetic word concerning him, a bold move that signals his outright rebellion against God's established plan.
but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the mighty men or Solomon his brother.
English Standard Version (ESV)
King David is old and frail, and his sons are vying for the throne. Adonijah, David's eldest surviving son, is making a bold move to seize power by having himself proclaimed king, gathering a following and holding a feast. This passage highlights those David didn't include in this crucial moment, setting up the dramatic intervention that Nathan and Bathsheba will soon make.
Adonijah is making a big move – claiming the throne. But he's intentionally left some key players out of the loop. What does this tell us about his strategy and his understanding of God's will?
Leaving Out the Prophets
Adonijah's exclusion of Nathan the prophet is a critical detail. Nathan was a significant figure in David's life, instrumental in correcting him and guiding him in matters of God's kingdom. By not inviting him, Adonijah reveals:
It wasn't just the prophet left out; the 'mighty men' and Benaiah were also excluded. Why would Adonijah sideline the very people who could help secure his claim?
Underestimating God's Allies
Adonijah's exclusion of Benaiah (a mighty warrior) and the other 'mighty men' is telling. These were loyal soldiers, defenders of the kingdom. Their absence from Adonijah's feast suggests:
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This verse reveals the tense political maneuvering happening behind the scenes of David's court as the king's life ends. Adonijah's exclusion of key figures like Nathan and Solomon highlights the factionalism and the deliberate effort to exclude rivals from any claim or knowledge of the succession.
c. 972 BC
David's Old Age
King David is very old and frail, leading to a succession crisis.
c. 972 BC— this verse
Adonijah's Coup Attempt
David's son Adonijah, with the support of Joab and Abiathar, tries to seize the throne.
c. 972 BC
Nathan and Bathsheba Intervene
Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba approach the aging David to ensure Solomon's rightful succession.
c. 972 BC
Solomon Anointed King
David commands that Solomon be anointed king, thwarting Adonijah's plans.
c. 972 BC
Adonijah's Plot Foiled
Adonijah's attempted usurpation is exposed and stopped by David's decree.
c. 971 BC
David's Death
David dies, and Solomon becomes the undisputed king of Israel.
This passage highlights God's preference for obedience over sacrifice, mirroring how bypassing key figures like Nathan, who represented God's will, was a critical error.
2 Samuel 12:1-15Nathan the prophet played a crucial role in confronting David about his sin and had a direct relationship with God's prophetic word, making his exclusion from Solomon's anointing highly significant.
1 Kings 2:26-27The consequences of Adonijah's actions are revealed here, as his attempt to seize the throne without divine approval and proper counsel led to his downfall, underscoring the importance of godly inclusion.
Proverbs 11:14This proverb emphasizes the need for wise counsel, especially in matters of leadership and governance, a principle that Adonijah flagrantly disregarded by excluding key advisors like Nathan.
Here's something easy to miss: notice who is deliberately left out of Adonijah's feast. By excluding Nathan the prophet, the mighty men, and Solomon, Adonijah is actively choosing to disregard God's chosen heir and the prophetic word concerning him, a bold move that signals his outright rebellion against God's established plan.
King David is old and frail, and his sons are vying for the throne. Adonijah, David's eldest surviving son, is making a bold move to seize power by having himself proclaimed king, gathering a following and holding a feast. This passage highlights those David didn't include in this crucial moment, setting up the dramatic intervention that Nathan and Bathsheba will soon make.
King David is old and frail, and his sons are vying for the throne. Adonijah, David's eldest surviving son, is making a bold move to seize power by having himself proclaimed king, gathering a following and holding a feast. This passage highlights those David didn't include in this crucial moment, setting up the dramatic intervention that Nathan and Bathsheba will soon make.
"but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the mighty men or Solomon his brother." — Here's something easy to miss: notice who is deliberately left out of Adonijah's feast. By excluding Nathan the prophet, the mighty men, and Solomon, Adonijah is actively choosing to disregard God'…
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Last reviewed October 2026