Matthew Henry on 1 Kings 1:5-10
David had much affliction in his children. Amnon and Absalom had both been his grief; the one his first-born, the other his third, Sa2 3:2, Sa2 3:3. His second, whom he had by Abigail, we will suppose he had comfort in; his fourth was Adonijah (Sa2 3:4); he was one of those that were born in Hebron; we have heard nothing of him till now, and here we are told that he was a comely person, and that he was next in age, and (as it proved) next in temper to Absalom, Kg1 1:6. And, further, that in his father's eyes he had been a jewel, but was now a thorn.
I. His father had made a fondling of him, Kg1 1:6. He had not displeased him at any time. It is not said that he never displeased his father; it…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 1:9
En-rogel--situated (Jos 15:7-10) east of Jerusalem, in a level place, just below the junction of the valley of Hinnom with that of Jehoshaphat. It is a very deep well, measuring one hundred twenty-five feet in depth; the water is sweet, but not very cold, and it is at times quite full to overflowing. The Orientals are fond of enjoying festive repasts in the open air at places which command the advantage of shade, water, and verdure; and those fetes champetres are not cold collations, but magnificent entertainments, the animals being killed and dressed on the spot. Adonijah's feast at En-rogel was one of this Oriental description, and it was on a large scale (Sa2 3:4-5; Sa2 5:14-16; Ch1 14:1-…
Read the whole note in the consoleAdam Clarke on 1 Kings 1:9
Slew sheep and oven - Making a royal feast, in reference to his inauguration. As he had Abiathar the priest with him, no doubt these animals were offered sacrificially, and then the guests fed on the flesh of the victims. He had not only a splendid feast, but a great sacrifice; and he gave by this a popular color to his pretensions, by affecting to receive his authority from God.
John Gill on 1 Kings 1:10
