As It Is Written . . .
Without a Prophet
by Patrick Henry Reardon
When the author of Kings starts to tell of Adonijah's attempt to seize the Davidic throne (1 Kings 1:5–10), he describes both the man and the event in ways that recall the earlier revolt of Absalom.
Thus, both brothers are described as handsome (v. 6 and 2 Samuel 14:25), and each, acting in secrecy (v. 10 and 2 Samuel 15:9–11), provides for himself not only the identical showy retinue (v. 5 and 2 Samuel 15:1), but also the support of political figures at court (vv. 7–8 and 2 Samuel 15:31).
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Patrick Henry Reardon is pastor emeritus of All Saints Antiochian Orthodox Church in Chicago, Illinois, and the author of numerous books, including, most recently, Out of Step with God: Orthodox Christian Reflections on the Book of Numbers (Ancient Faith Publishing, 2019).
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