Adonijah's Feast is a significant event recorded in the Old Testament, specifically in the First Book of Kings. This event is pivotal in the narrative of the transition of kingship from David to Solomon, highlighting themes of ambition, divine will, and the fulfillment of God's promises.

Context and Background

Adonijah, the fourth son of King David, was born to Haggith. As David aged and his health declined, the question of succession became pressing. Adonijah, being the eldest surviving son after the deaths of Amnon and Absalom, saw himself as the natural heir to the throne. The political landscape at the time was fraught with tension, as David had not publicly declared his successor.

The Feast

In an attempt to solidify his claim to the throne, Adonijah organized a grand feast at the Stone of Zoheleth, near En Rogel. This location was strategically chosen, being outside Jerusalem but close enough to the city to garner attention. Adonijah invited all his brothers, except Solomon, and key figures such as Joab, the commander of the army, and Abiathar the priest, who supported his claim. The feast was a public declaration of his intent to become king, as described in 1 Kings 1:9: "Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened cattle near the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants."

Exclusion of Key Figures

Notably absent from the feast were Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, and Solomon. This exclusion was deliberate, as these individuals were loyal to David and, by extension, to Solomon, whom David had privately promised the throne. Nathan, aware of the implications of Adonijah's actions, acted swiftly to counter this unauthorized claim.

Intervention and Divine Will

Nathan informed Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, of Adonijah's actions, urging her to remind David of his promise regarding Solomon's succession. Bathsheba approached David, and Nathan confirmed her words, prompting David to take immediate action to secure Solomon's kingship. David ordered Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah to anoint Solomon as king at Gihon, a public and authoritative declaration of Solomon's rightful succession.

1 Kings 1:39-40 records the anointing: "Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people shouted, 'Long live King Solomon!' And all the people went up after him, playing flutes and rejoicing with such a great joy that the earth split apart with their sound."

Aftermath

The news of Solomon's anointing reached Adonijah and his guests, causing panic and dispersal. Adonijah, fearing for his life, sought refuge by taking hold of the horns of the altar, a traditional act seeking mercy. Solomon, demonstrating clemency, spared Adonijah's life on the condition of his future loyalty.

Adonijah's Feast serves as a cautionary tale of presumption and the futility of human ambition against divine ordination. It underscores the biblical principle that God's purposes prevail, as seen in the establishment of Solomon's reign, which was in accordance with God's covenantal promise to David.