◄ 1 Kings 1:49 ►
At this, all the guests of Adonijah arose in terror and scattered.
Study Bible
At this,

This phrase refers to the immediate reaction following the news of Solomon's anointing as king. The context is crucial here, as it marks a turning point in the narrative. Adonijah, who had declared himself king, was hosting a feast with his supporters. The sudden shift in power dynamics is a pivotal moment in the succession narrative of the Davidic kingdom.

1Sa 4:18 As soon as the ark of God was mentioned, Eli fell backward…
Dan 5:6 his face grew pale and his thoughts so alarmed him…
Est 7:7-8 In his fury, the king arose from drinking his wine…

all the guests of Adonijah

Adonijah's guests included influential figures who supported his claim to the throne. This gathering was a strategic move to consolidate power. The mention of "all the guests" underscores the widespread support Adonijah initially had, which included key leaders and military figures. This reflects the political tension and division within the kingdom at the time.

2Sa 13:28-29 Watch Amnon until his heart is merry with wine…
Dan 5:1-4 Later, King Belshazzar held a great feast…
Est 1:5-8 At the end of this time, in the garden court…

arose in terror

The reaction of terror indicates the fear of retribution from Solomon, now the legitimate king. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a change in leadership often led to purges of the previous ruler's supporters. The guests' fear highlights the precariousness of political alliances and the potential for violence in royal successions.

2Ki 7:6-7 For the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound…
Jdg 7:21-22 Each Israelite took his position around the camp…
Luk 24:37-39 But they were startled and frightened…

and scattered.

The scattering of Adonijah's guests signifies the collapse of his support base. This dispersal is symbolic of the failure of Adonijah's bid for the throne. It also reflects the broader theme of divine providence in the narrative, as Solomon's kingship was part of God's plan for Israel. The scattering can be seen as a fulfillment of divine justice, ensuring the continuation of the Davidic line through Solomon.

Mat 26:56 But this has all happened so that the writings…
Gen 11:8-9 So the LORD scattered them from there…
Ezk 34:5-6 They were scattered for lack of a shepherd,…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Adonijah
The son of King David who attempted to declare himself king without his father's blessing. His actions were a direct challenge to God's chosen successor, Solomon.

2. Solomon
The son of David and Bathsheba, chosen by God to be the next king of Israel. His anointing as king was orchestrated by David and the prophet Nathan.

3. David
The aging king of Israel, who was nearing the end of his reign. His decision to anoint Solomon was crucial in maintaining the God-ordained lineage.

4. Nathan the Prophet
A key figure in ensuring Solomon's anointing, Nathan played a pivotal role in communicating God's will to David.

5. Jerusalem
The central city of Israel where these events unfolded, highlighting its significance as the political and spiritual center of the nation.
Teaching Points
The Sovereignty of God
God's plans will prevail despite human attempts to thwart them. Adonijah's failed attempt to seize the throne illustrates the futility of opposing God's will.

The Importance of Obedience
Adonijah's actions were rooted in disobedience and ambition. In contrast, Solomon's anointing was in line with God's command, showing the blessings of obedience.

The Role of Fear in Decision-Making
The guests' alarm and subsequent dispersal highlight how fear can lead to hasty and irrational decisions. Trust in God's sovereignty can provide peace in uncertain situations.

The Consequences of Pride
Adonijah's pride led to his downfall. This serves as a warning against self-exaltation and the importance of humility before God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the reaction of Adonijah's guests reflect human nature when faced with unexpected changes in plans? Can you think of a time when fear led you to make a hasty decision?

2. In what ways does the account of Adonijah and Solomon illustrate the principle found in Proverbs 19:21 about God's plans prevailing over human intentions?

3. How can we apply the lesson of obedience from Solomon's anointing to our own lives, especially when faced with decisions that challenge our personal ambitions?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure that our actions align with God's will, as seen in the roles of Nathan and David in this account?

5. Reflect on a time when pride led to negative consequences in your life. How can the account of Adonijah serve as a reminder to practice humility and seek God's guidance?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 16
The anointing of David by Samuel, which parallels Solomon's anointing and underscores the importance of divine selection in leadership.

Proverbs 19:21
This verse speaks to the sovereignty of God's plans over human intentions, reflecting the futility of Adonijah's self-exaltation.

Psalm 2
This psalm discusses the futility of opposing God's anointed, which can be seen in the failure of Adonijah's attempt to usurp the throne.
Sermons
AdonijahA. Williamson.1 Kings 1:5-53
Ambition, DestructivePlutarch.1 Kings 1:5-53
UsurpationJ. Parker, D. D.1 Kings 1:5-53
When the Play is OutT. Adams.1 Kings 1:5-53
People
Abiathar, Abishag, Absalom, Adonijah, Bathsheba, Benaiah, Cherethites, David, Haggith, Jehoiada, Joab, Jonathan, Kerethites, Nathan, Pelethites, Rei, Shimei, Solomon, Zadok, Zeruiah
Places
En-rogel, Gihon, Jerusalem, Serpent's Stone
Topics
Adonijah, Adoni'jah, Adonijah's, Afraid, Alarm, Dispersed, Fear, Got, Guests, Rise, Rose, Terrified, Tremble, Trembled
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Kings 1:49

     5699   guests

1 Kings 1:5-53

     5087   David, reign of

Library
David Appointing Solomon
'Then king David answered and said, Call me Bath-sheba. And she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king. 29. And the king sware, and said, As the Lord liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress, 30. Even as I sware unto thee by the Lord God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day. 31. Then Bath-sheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Gihon, the Same with the Fountain of Siloam.
I. In 1 Kings 1:33,38, that which is, in the Hebrew, "Bring ye Solomon to Gihon: and they brought him to Gihon"; is rendered by the Chaldee, "Bring ye him to Siloam: and they brought him to Siloam." Where Kimchi thus; "Gihon is Siloam, and it is called by a double name. And David commanded, that they should anoint Solomon at Gihon for a good omen, to wit, that, as the waters of the fountain are everlasting, so might his kingdom be." So also the Jerusalem writers; "They do not anoint the king, but …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Adonijah
BY REV. ALFRED ROWLAND, D.D., LL.B. It is notorious that the sons of devout men sometimes prove a curse to their parents, and bring dishonour on the cause of God. When Eve rejoiced over her first-born, she little suspected that passions were sleeping within him which would impel him to slay his own brother; and the experience of the first mother has been repeated, though in different forms, in all lands and in all ages. Isaac's heart was rent by the deceit of Jacob, and by the self-will of Esau. …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known

Whether Prayer Should be Vocal?
Objection 1: It would seem that prayer ought not to be vocal. As stated above [3025](A[4]), prayer is addressed chiefly to God. Now God knows the language of the heart. Therefore it is useless to employ vocal prayer. Objection 2: Further, prayer should lift man's mind to God, as stated above (A[1], ad 2). But words, like other sensible objects, prevent man from ascending to God by contemplation. Therefore we should not use words in our prayers. Objection 3: Further, prayer should be offered to God …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Reign of David.
2 Sam.; 1 Chron. Chs. 11-29; 1 K 1:1-2:11. His Reign over Judah. The reign of David is divided into two parts. The first part was over Judah, with the capitol at Hebron, and lasted seven and one-half years. During this period Ishbosheth, son of Saul, reigned over Israel in the North. It is probable that both of these kings were regarded as vassals of the Philistines and paid tribute. On account of rival leaders, there was constant warfare between these two rival kings. The kingdom of Judah, however, …
Josiah Blake Tidwell—The Bible Period by Period

The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Typified in the Lives of Joseph and Solomon.
In the Old Testament there are numerous references to the Second Coming of Christ, references both direct and typical, but in every instance it was His return to the earth which was in view. The secret coming of Christ into the air, to catch up the saints to Himself, was an event quite unknown to the Old Testament prophets, an event kept secret until revealed by God to the apostle Paul who, when writing to the Corinthians upon this particular aspect of our subject, said, "Behold, I show you a mystery …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

Of Justification by Faith. Both the Name and the Reality Defined.
Sections. 1. Connection between the doctrine of Justification and that of Regeneration. The knowledge of this doctrine very necessary for two reasons. 2. For the purpose of facilitating the exposition of it, the terms are explained. 1. What it is to be justified in the sight of God. 2. To be justified by works. 3. To be justified by faith. Definition. 3. Various meanings of the term Justification. 1. To give praise to God and truth. 2. To make a vain display of righteousness. 3. To impute righteousness …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Prov. 22:06 the Duties of Parents
"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it."--Prov. 22:6. I SUPPOSE that most professing Christians are acquainted with the text at the head of this page. The sound of it is probably familiar to your ears, like an old tune. It is likely you have heard it, or read it, talked of it, or quoted it, many a time. Is it not so? But, after all, how little is the substance of this text regarded! The doctrine it contains appears scarcely known, the duty it puts …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men
WHEN St. Paul wrote his Epistle to Titus about his duty as a minister, he mentioned young men as a class requiring peculiar attention. After speaking of aged men and aged women, and young women, he adds this pithy advice, "Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded" (Tit. 2:6). I am going to follow the Apostle's advice. I propose to offer a few words of friendly exhortation to young men. I am growing old myself, but there are few things I remember so well as the days of my youth. I have a most …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

Christ a Complete Saviour:
OR, THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST, AND WHO ARE PRIVILEGED IN IT. BY JOHN BUNYAN Advertisement by the Editor. However strange it may appear, it is a solemn fact, that the heart of man, unless prepared by a sense of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, rejects Christ as a complete Saviour. The pride of human nature will not suffer it to fall, as helpless and utterly undone, into the arms of Divine mercy. Man prefers a partial Saviour; one who had done so much, that, with the sinner's aid, the work might be …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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