1 Kings 1:7

And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest,.... About getting the kingdom into his hands: and they were very proper persons to consult with, who, if gained to his

And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him. He conferred with Joab.

Either because they thought the right of the crown was his; or rather, from secret grudges, because they perceived themselves neglected by David, and possibly by Solomon too; and from carnal policy, that they might secure and advance their own interest, which they saw to be in manifest danger.

1 Kings 1:7 And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped [him].Ver. 7. And he conferred with Joab, &c.] Seeking to draw these grandees to his party, whom he knew to be discontented, and therefore more easily wrought upon. Joab was conscious to himself of the treacherous murdering of Abner and Amasa; for which and the death of Absalom, David bare him still an aching tooth: and if he stayed till David appointed a successor in the kingdom, who knew what might follow? Abiathar haply was displeased that Zadok was so much favoured: and might fear the fulfilling of that prophecy concerning the overthrow of Eli’ s house, of which he was. But what saith an ancient? Divinum consilium dum devitatur, impletur; humana sapientia, dum reluctatur, comprehenditur. There are "many devices in a man’ s heart: nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand." Greg.

(7) Joab.—The books of Samuel have brought out clearly the career and character of Joab, as being (in some degree like Abner) a professed soldier, raised to a formidable and half-independent power by the incessant wars of Saul and David. He stands out in consistent portraiture throughout, as a bold, hard, and unscrupulous man; in his relations to the king often imperious and disobedient; but nevertheless an absolutely loyal servant, to whom, in great degree, the establishment of David’s throne was due, and who, moreover (as is shown by his remonstrance against the numbering of the people, recorded in 2 Samuel 24:3; 1 Chronicles 21:3; 1 Chronicles 21:6), was not without some right instincts of policy and of duty to God.Abiathar the priest.—Of Abiathar we also know that he had been the companion of all David’s adversity, and of his reign at Hebron (1 Samuel 22:20; 1 Samuel 23:6; 1 Samuel 23:9; 1 Samuel 30:7; 2 Samuel 2:1-4); that he was in-installed (with Zadok) as high priest at Jerusalem, and remained faithful to David in the rebellion of Absalom (2 Samuel 8:17; 2 Samuel 15:24-29).The adhesion of these two faithful servants of David, as also of “the king’s sons,” and “the men of Judah, the king’s servants,” to the rash usurpation of Adonijah, seems strange at first sight. Probably Joab had never recovered his position in the king’s favour since the death of Absalom; and it is possible that the evident growth of despotic power and state in David’s latter years may have alienated from him the trusty friends of earlier and simpler days. But the true explanation would seem to be, that the attempt of Adonijah was not viewed as an actual rebellion. Solomon was young; David’s designation of him for the succession might be represented as the favouritism of dotage; and the assumption of the crown by the eldest son, a man in the prime of life and of popular qualities, might seem not only justifiable, but even right and expedient.

Verse 7. And he conferred with Joab] Joab well knew, if he made the new king, he would necessarily be continued in the command of the army, and so govern him.

7. Joab the son of Zeruiah] Zeruiah was David’s sister, and Joab the eldest of her three sons, and a man of much authority and influence during David’s reign. He became captain of the host (as we should say, commander in chief) after the conquest of Jebus (1 Chronicles 11:6), and served David faithfully in the main until this time. But he held David’s secret in the matter of Uriah, and accordingly defied him, when it suited his purpose. His greatest offence against the king was the slaughter of Absalom, whom he killed in defiance of David’s order. (2 Samuel 18:14.) Abiathar the priest] This was the son of that Ahimelech who, with all his family except Abiathar, was put to death by Saul, when Doeg the Edomite informed him that the shewbread from the tabernacle at Nob had been given to David (1 Samuel 21, 22.). Abiathar then escaped to David and had remained with him through all his troubles until this time, when, it may be through jealousy of Zadok, he sided with Adonijah against Solomon. they following Adonijah helped him] Lit. ‘They helped after Adonijah.’ Joab had his own thoughts about the orders which David might leave at his death, and Abiathar his jealousy, and both no doubt felt that by their conduct, if it were successful, they were making Adonijah for evermore their debtor.

Joab’s defection on this occasion, after his faithful adherence to David during the troubles caused by Absalom 2 Sam.

7. He conferred with Joab — Joab doubtless felt that he had lost the favour of David, (compare 2 Samuel 19:13,) but hoped to continue captain of the host if his help raised Adonijah to the throne,