He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest. And they followed Adonijah and helped him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to overlook that Joab and Abiathar, men who had previously served David faithfully, actively chose to follow Adonijah. Their allegiance wasn't accidental; the text says they "followed Adonijah and helped him," a deliberate decision that carried immense weight and risk given David was still alive.
He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest. And they followed Adonijah and helped him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
King David is growing old and weak, and his sons are vying for the throne. Adonijah, David's fourth son, is making a bold move to seize power, gathering support from influential figures like Joab, the commander of the army, and Abiathar, a high priest. This sets the stage for a dramatic power struggle that will unfold as David's reign comes to an end and Solomon is eventually chosen as his successor.
Adonijah is making a bold power play, but is he acting alone? Some influential figures are on his side.
The King's Sons and Power Struggles
Adonijah, one of David's older sons, sees his chance to seize the throne. In ancient Israel, the succession of kings wasn't always clear-cut. It often came down to who could rally the most support and present themselves as the rightful heir.
Adonijah is smart, in a worldly sense. He knows he needs key players on his side to make his claim legitimate.
Key Allies:
Joab and Abiathar were loyal to King David, yet here they are, backing Adonijah's rebellion. What went wrong?
The Slippery Slope of Compromise
It's easy to see this as a simple betrayal, but it's more complex. Joab and Abiathar were men of influence. Adonijah's bid for power appealed to their own ambitions or perhaps their desire to align with the seemingly stronger side.
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This is a stark reminder that even those closest to God or in positions of authority can be drawn into schemes that defy God's will if they aren't firmly rooted in Him.
Understand the original words
kohen · Hebrew Noun
A term for a high-ranking religious official who serves as a mediator between God and the people, responsible for offering sacrifices and maintaining the sanctuary.
This passage captures a critical moment of political intrigue and succession crisis in ancient Israel, revealing the shifting alliances and desperate measures taken by claimants to the throne.
c. 970 BC— this verse
David's Reign Nearing Its End
King David, now old and frail, faces the critical issue of succession, with multiple sons vying for the throne.
c. 970 BC
Adonijah Declares Himself King
Adonijah, David's fourth son, secretly anoints himself king, gathering support from key figures like Joab and Abiathar.
c. 970 BC
Nathan and Bathsheba Intervene
The prophet Nathan and Bathsheba, David's wife, hear of Adonijah's actions and quickly alert David.
c. 970 BC
Solomon Anointed King
King David, influenced by Nathan and Bathsheba, commands that his son Solomon be immediately anointed as the next king.
c. 970 BC
Adonijah's Rebellion Fails
Upon hearing of Solomon's anointing and David's decree, Adonijah and his supporters disperse, their bid for the throne thwarted.
This passage shows Abiathar escaping a massacre and joining David, highlighting his past faithfulness to David's lineage that contrasts sharply with his current actions.
1 Kings 2:26-27This shows the ultimate consequence of Abiathar's decision, as he is removed from the priesthood due to his disloyalty, demonstrating the serious repercussions of siding with rebellion against God's anointed king.
Proverbs 3:5-6Adonijah and his allies lacked true wisdom, failing to trust in the Lord's plan for succession, instead leaning on their own understanding and military might.
1 Samuel 15:23Adonijah's rebellion mirrors Saul's stubbornness and rejection of God's command, showing the dangerous pattern of assuming authority without divine approval.
It's easy to overlook that Joab and Abiathar, men who had previously served David faithfully, actively chose to follow Adonijah. Their allegiance wasn't accidental; the text says they "followed Adonijah and helped him," a deliberate decision that carried immense weight and risk given David was still alive.
King David is growing old and weak, and his sons are vying for the throne. Adonijah, David's fourth son, is making a bold move to seize power, gathering support from influential figures like Joab, the commander of the army, and Abiathar, a high priest. This sets the stage for a dramatic power struggle that will unfold as David's reign comes to an end and Solomon is eventually chosen as his successor.
King David is growing old and weak, and his sons are vying for the throne. Adonijah, David's fourth son, is making a bold move to seize power, gathering support from influential figures like Joab, the commander of the army, and Abiathar, a high priest. This sets the stage for a dramatic power struggle that will unfold as David's reign comes to an end and Solomon is eventually chosen as his successor.
"He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest. And they followed Adonijah and helped him." — It's easy to overlook that Joab and Abiathar, men who had previously served David faithfully, actively chose to follow Adonijah. Their allegiance wasn't accidental; the text says they "followed Ado…
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Last reviewed October 2026