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).
In addition, the author later reveals that Adonijah entertains an amorous interest in Abishag, the newest of David's wives, (1 Kings 2:13–22); this detail, too, puts the reader in mind of Absalom's public seizure of David's harem (2 Samuel 16:20–22).
These points of similarity form an analogy significant to the author's intent, inasmuch as the reader already knows what became of Absalom. The literary scholar Meir Sternberg puts his finger on the matter. The author, he says, "directs the reader to apply the lessons of the past to the imminent conflict: to look forward to the new pretender's downfall while he appears at the zenith of his fortunes" (The Poetics of Biblical Narrative, p. 268).
A Murky Matter
The action happens at 'Ein-Rogel, a place named for the spring in the southern outskirts of Jerusalem, on the boundary line between the tribes of Judah and Benjamin (cf. Joshua 15:7, 18:16). Near 'Ein-Rogel lie the village of Siloam and the large flat-stone formation called Zoheleth ("serpent's stone"), where Adonijah exploits his aged father's weakness by plotting to advance his own ambition. Taking advantage of a clan festival, Adonijah gathers the forces he needs to accomplish the coup, even though David is still alive and has not publicly declared his appointed heir.
Adonijah's claim to the throne is legally plausible. His older brothers, Amnon and Absalom, are both dead, and perhaps Chileab as well (2 Samuel 3:3), so Adonijah can promote his case on the premise of primogeniture.
The matter is murky, nonetheless, and the prince's failure to invite Solomon to the gathering at 'Ein-Rogel suggests that Adonijah knows, or at least seriously suspects, that David had Solomon in mind as his successor.
What Adonijah does, however, is not only murky; it is also dangerous. Even though he has the support of the rest of his siblings, at least some of the army (led by Joab), the priest Abiathar, and other officials of the court, the success of this coup depends on a certain measure of secrecy. The royal garden at 'Ein-Rogel (according to Josephus, Antiquities 7.14.4) is sufficiently secluded to avoid too much notice, until the deed is actually done.
Neglect of Revelation
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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