But Zadok the priest and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and Nathan the prophet and Shimei and Rei and David's mighty men were not with Adonijah.
Adonijah, one of David's sons, has just declared himself king while his father lies dying. He has drawn a general, a priest and most of the royal family to his side. Then comes a short list of men who were not there. That absence turns out to be the hinge of the whole chapter.
Two Priests Divided
Up to now the two priests of David's reign always appeared together. This verse splits them, and one writer sees a test in that split:
Michael HardtAt this point we see a striking difference between the two priests, Zadok and Abiathar. Until now the record kept naming them together, and both stood on David's side: during Absalom's rebellion and during Sheba's rebellion. But now the time has come to separate the wheat from the chaff... How refreshing to read in the next verse: "But Zadok the priest ... and David's mighty men were not with Adonijah." Again Zadok is on the right side — this time in contrast to Abiathar, his fellow priest. Adonijah was a "very handsome man," but that did not sway Zadok. His loyalty to David was marked by faith.
Four Kinds of Loyalty
The names are not a random list. Each man was tied to someone, and that tie kept him away from Adonijah:
H. L. RossierZadok, Benaiah, Nathan and David's mighty men are not with Adonijah. The true priest; the prophet, God's messenger; Benaiah, the true servant who walks in the footsteps of his master — what do they have to do with him? The priest looks to God, the prophet to the Spirit of God, the servant to David, to Christ. Do they need anything else? Those mighty men have found their strength in David. Will they follow Adonijah, who cannot give it to them?
Shimei and Rei appear almost nowhere else in the Bible. About Rei, one reference work says only this:
Morrish Bible DictionaryA friend of David, mentioned when Adonijah set himself up to be king.
Title Against Substance
One writer weighs a man's title against the work he actually does:
William Kelly"But Zadok the priest and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada" — Benaiah was the true servant of the king's purposes, not Joab. Joab had the name and the title, but Benaiah was the man who did the real work. And there was "Nathan the prophet," the man who interpreted the mind of God.
What kept Benaiah steady was not ambition for promotion but the habit of copying the man he served:
H. L. RossierIn David's time he already held a leading place in service. Was he not worthy of it? He had followed his master's footsteps step by step in everything, and he later became chief captain over the whole army. Still, this man has no ambition except to stay faithful to his king and to be like him. He is not like Joab, who captured the stronghold of Zion to gain the first place. No, he is humble. His whole aim is to reproduce David in the way he lives.
The Strength of the Rebellion
On the day, these few names looked like the weaker side. Numbers, talent, religious standing and royal blood all sat with Adonijah:
William KellyTurning away from the mind of God is usually a success at first. Where there is ability, every step of unfaithfulness brings big results in the world. Everything that could work on people's minds was drawn up here, and no doubt it was all well planned. Joab would influence one set of people. Abiathar the priest would bring his religious name and reputation. And above all there were the king's sons — all of them except Solomon... The rebellion was widespread, and it looked carefully planned... And that is exactly where faith can rest — on God's word... There is no real blessing except where the call of God is... The flesh may rule for a while in the world, but God must rule among God's people.
Where the King Turns
When David acts, he does not have to search for men he can trust:
Michael HardtKing David, though weak and at death's door, rises to the occasion. He knows who he can trust: "Call me Zadok the priest …" He orders that Solomon is to be king and that Zadok is to have the honour of anointing him. Zadok receives his reward already during his lifetime.
Summary
- Absence. The verse records nothing these men did. It records where they refused to go, and that refusal is their loyalty.
- Attachment. Priest, prophet, servant and soldier each held a different tie: to God, to His Spirit, to David, to David's strength. Every tie pulled the same way.
- Ambition. Joab had the title; Benaiah did the work. The man chasing first place changed sides. The man copying his master stayed.
- Appearance. The rebellion had the crowd, the talent and the religious reputation, and still lost. Faith rests on God's word, not on a head count.
- Answer. When the dying king needed men, he called the ones who had stayed away from Adonijah. Zadok received his reward within his own lifetime.