1 Kings 1:8

1Ki 1:8 But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which [belonged] to David, were not with Adonijah.

Ver. 8. But Zadok the priest.] So Cranmer and Ridley, and some few other conscientious persons, afterwards ill rewarded by Queen Mary, refused to subscribe the letters patent for Lady Jane Gray’s succession to the crown, after the death of King Edward VI; which yet were subscribed by the most of the statesmen, who were guided with respect to their particular interest, for that they were possessed of various lands which once pertained to monasteries, chanteries, &c., which they foresaw they should lose, in case religion should change under Queen Mary.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Ki_1:8

But Zadok the priest . . . went not with Adonijah.

Steadfast when others falter

So Cranmer and Ridley, and some few other conscientious persons, afterwards ill rewarded by Queen Mary, refused to subscribe the letters patent for Lady Jane Greys succession to the crown, after the death of King Edward VI.; which yet were subscribed by the most of the statesmen, who were guided with respect to their particular interest, for that they were possessed of divers lands which once pertained to monasteries, chanteries, etc., which they foresaw they should lose, m case religion should change under Queen Mary. (J. Trapp.)

The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Ki 1:8-10. The mighty men were not with Adonijah — That is, those named 2 Samuel 23., and the guards, who had served under David so long, and had done such mighty acts in his reign and under his conduct. Adonijah had no hope of drawing them to his party, and therefore did not confer with them as he did with Joab and Abiathar. And called all his brethren and all the men of Judah — Except those mentioned 1Ki 1:8, and again excepted, 1Ki 1:10. But all the rest of the family of David, and the principal persons of the tribe of Judah, with the high-priest and captain of the host, being present, there seemed to be nothing wanting to the making of him king, but only his anointing. For this appears to have been a federal feast, in which they swore allegiance to Adonijah. But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, &c., he called not — Because he knew they favoured Solomon.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1:8 Solomon also had influential friends supporting his right to become king. Zadok was in the priestly line of Eleazar, Benaiah commanded David’s bodyguard and his thirty mighty men (2 Sam 23:20-23), Shimei was one of Solomon’s district governors (1 Kgs 4:18), and Nathan was David’s trusted prophet. Rei is unknown beyond this verse.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

But Zadok the priest--He had been high priest in the tabernacle at Gibeon under Saul (Ch1 16:39). David, on his accession, had conjoined him and Abiathar equal in the exercise of their high functions (Sa2 8:17; Sa2 15:24, Sa2 15:29, Sa2 15:35). But it is extremely probable that some cause of jealousy or discord between them had arisen, and hence each lent his countenance and support to opposite parties.

Benaiah--Distinguished for his bravery (Sa1 23:20), he had been appointed captain of the king's bodyguard (Sa2 8:18; Sa2 20:23; Ch1 18:17), and was regarded by Joab as a rival.

Nathan the prophet--He was held in high estimation by David, and stood on the most intimate relations with the royal family (Sa2 12:25).

Shimei--probably the person of this name who was afterwards enrolled among Solomon's great officers (Kg1 4:18).

Rei--supposed to be the same as Ira (Sa2 20:26).

and the mighty men--the select band of worthies.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 8. And Nathan] Some suppose that he was the preceptor of Solomon.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(8) Zadok the priest (son of Ahitub) was the representative of the family of Eleazar, elder son of Aaron, as Abiathar of the family of Ithamar, the younger son (1Ch_24:3). As a “young man of valour,” under “Jehoiada, leader of the Aaronites,” he joined David at Hebron with 3,700 men (1Ch_12:28), and had been left in charge of the Tabernacle at Gibeon (1Ch_16:39) after the removal of the Ark to Jerusalem. On his relation to Abiathar, see 1Ki_2:35.

Benaiah, the son of “Jehoiada, a chief priest,” and therefore of Levitical origin. (See 2Sa_8:18; 2Sa_23:20-23; 1Ch_27:5-6.) His rank is given in 2Sa_23:23, as intermediate between the “three mighty men” and “the thirty,” and in 1Ch_27:5, as “the third captain of the host for the third month”; but his command of the bodyguard gave him special importance, second only to that of Joab (2Sa_20:23), and perhaps of even greater importance for immediate action. (It is notable that there is no mention of Abishai, who is named as prior to Benaiah among “the mighty men” in 2Sa_23:18-22. It may be inferred that he was dead; otherwise he could hardly have been omitted here.)

Nathan the prophet.—See 2Sa_7:2; 2Sa_12:1; 2Sa_12:25. In the whole chapter he appears rather as a chief officer and counsellor of David, than in the loftier aspect of the prophetic character. He was also the royal chronicler of the reigns of David and Solomon (1Ch_29:29; 2Ch_9:29).

Shimei, and Rei.—Ewald conjectures that these were two brothers of David, called Shimma and Raddai in 1Ch_2:13-14. These, however, being older than David, would now be in extreme old age. Of Rei, we have no mention elsewhere; but there is a Shimei (in 1Ki_4:18), a high officer of Solomon; a “Shimea,” brother of Solomon (in 1Ch_3:5), and a “Shammah,” one of the “mighty men” (in 2Sa_23:11).

The mighty men.—See 2Sa_23:8-39. The name Gibbôrim is a technical name, and is thought to designate a picked body of troops, the standing nucleus of the armies of Israel. It is commonly inferred that they were the successors of the six hundred men of David’s band during his life of wandering and exile, and that “the three” and “the thirty” (2 Samuel 23) were their officers. They are mentioned as attached to the person of David in 2Sa_10:7; 2Sa_16:6; 2Sa_20:7.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

8. But Zadok the priest] He was the son of Ahitub, and descended from Eleazar, the son of Aaron. He joined David after the death of Saul, and there were thus two priests, perhaps one being highpriest and the other second priest, through the whole of David’s reign. Zadok’s duties appear (1Ch_16:39) to have been at the Tabernacle in Gibeon, and Abiathar had charge of the ark in Jerusalem. But in consequence of the events described in this chapter Abiathar was thrust out of his office and banished to Anathoth, and Zadok became the sole highpriest.

Benaiah the son of Jehoiada] This man, though of the tribe of Levi, became captain of David’s body-guard of Cherethites and Pelethites (see below on 1Ki_1:38), and was made, when Joab was dead, commander in chief of Solomon’s army.

Nathan the prophet] He was prominent in David’s reign, giving the king advice concerning the building of the Temple, bringing God’s rebuke after David’s adultery and the message of forgiveness when he had repented. He appears also in connexion with the birth of Solomon and now as the adviser and helper of Bath-sheba. After Solomon was proclaimed king we hear no more of Nathan.

and Shimei] There is a person so called mentioned afterwards as one of the twelve officers who provided victuals for king Solomon and his household. But whether that be the Shimei here mentioned there is no means of deciding. It was conjectured by Ewald that it was another way of writing the name of Shimeah, David’s brother.

and Rei] Rei is not mentioned elsewhere, and there is nothing to guide us to any opinion concerning his identity. Several conjectures have been made, but none that deserves much attention.

the mighty men which belonged to David] Of these champions a list is given 2Sa_23:8-39, with which may be compared 1Ch_11:10-47.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

But Zadok the priest,.... Who bid fair to be the high priest on Solomon's coming to the throne as he was:

and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; who was near David's person, and over his bodyguards, the Cherethites and Pelethites:

and Nathan the prophet; a very great intimate of David's, and his seer, whom he consulted on all occasions:

and Shimei; who, according to Abarbinel, was Shimei the son of Gera, who had cursed David, and was afraid of entering into the conspiracy, lest he should be involved in trouble again: though some think this may be that Shimei, one of Solomon's twelve officers, as after constituted, Kg1 4:18;

and Rei; whom the same writer takes to be Hushai the Archite, David's friend:

and the mighty men which belonged to David; that were about his person, his guards, the Cherethites and Pelethites:

were not with Adonijah; they did not join him, and indeed were not invited by him.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

There is some difficulty in understanding how Zadok and Abiathar came to be both “priests” at this time, and in what relation they stood to one another. The best explanation seems to be that Abiathar was the real high priest, and officiated at the sanctuary containing the ark of the covenant in Zion, while Zadok performed the offices of chief priest at the tabernacle of Witness at Gibeon 1Ch 16:39.

For Benaiah, see 2Sa 8:18; 2Sa 20:23; 2Sa 23:20-21. For Nathan, see 2Sa 7:2-3, 2Sa 7:17; 2Sa 12:1-15, 2Sa 12:25. As privy to all David’s plans 1Ki 1:24, he had no doubt fully approved the order of succession which the king was known to intend.

Shimei and Rei - Shimei and Rei are perhaps David’s two brothers, Shimma and Raddai 1Ch 2:13-14.

Mighty men - Probably the company of 600, originally formed during David’s early wanderings 1Sa 25:13; 1Sa 27:2, and afterward maintained as the most essential element of his standing army.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Sadoc, the rival of Abiathar, and a descendant of Eleazar. David had permitted both to perform the functions of the high priesthood; (Calmet) or one had acted as the delegate of the other. (Salien) --- Banaias was distinguished for his valour, 2 Kings xxiii. 20. He was the flower of his age, and, perhaps, aspired at the authority of Joab, whose credit began to decline; as he was grown old, and was known to be rather disagreeable to David, and had been guilty of such horrid murders. Both the contending princes sought to ingratiate themselves with the army and with the priests, as their influence was of the utmost consequence. Solomon was more fortunate, in having also Nathan the prophet on his side; but the throne was secured to him much more on account of the divine decree, 2 Kings vii. 12., and xii. 25. (Haydock) --- Nathan is commonly considered as the tutor of the young prince, (Menochius) and was styled his "father." (Calmet) --- Semei, or Nabath, father of Jeroboam; and Rei, or Ira, who is styled the priest of David, 2 Kings xx. 26. (St. Jerome, Tradit.) (Menochius) --- To confound Semei with Nabath is wrong. (Salien) --- Army; the king’s guard consisting chiefly of the Cerethi, &c., (Calmet) who were under Banaias. The whole army, over which Joab was general, was not always in arms. Septuagint, "Semei and Resi, other copies read (Haydock) his friends," (with Syriac; Arabic) "and Daia, heroes of David." Hebrew may be, "neither the hearers nor the seers, nor the brave men of David were with Adonias." The populace, or the disciples, as well as the prophets, may be thus denoted.

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

His great and famous commanders, and the guards and soldiers under them.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

8. Zadok — This priest probably still officiated at Gibeon. See note on 2Sa_6:17; 2Sa_8:17.

Shimei, and Rei — This Shimei is perhaps the same with the one mentioned 1Ki_4:18; but there is nothing sufficiently positive to identify either of these names with any person mentioned elsewhere.

Were not with Adonijah — This statement contains a tacit intimation that these mighty men of David had been approached by Adonijah, or by some of his abettors, and solicited to join the party, and help carry out the treasonable projects of that aspiring youth.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

But Zadok the priest 2Sa_8:17. It is generally said to be difficult to explain "how Zadok and Abiathar came both to be "priests at this time." Rawlinson, who adds that "the best explanation is that Abiathar was the real high priest," officiating in Zion, while Zadok acted as chief priest at the tabernacle at Gibeon. (Bahr, by a strange oversight, assigns to Zadok the care of the ark on Mount Zion, whereas 1Ch_16:39, distinctly connects his ministry with the tabernacle of witness at Gibeon.) But the precedence (see on ver. 7) generally assigned to Zadok is hardly consistent with the idea that Abiathar was "the real high priest." The fact is that a duality of high priests, associated, apparently, on pretty equal terms, was not unknown in Jewish history. The cases of Eleazer and Ithamar, Hophni and Phinehas, Annas and Caiaphas, will occur to all. 2Ki_25:18, speaks of "the chief priest" and "the second priest;" 2Ch_31:10, of the "chief priest of the house of Zadok." And a dual priesthood would be the more necessary in David"s days, because of the two sanctuaries, Zion and Gibeon. We find, however, from 1Ch_15:11, that Zadok was already priest at the time of the bringing up of the ark. And the true explanation, no doubt, is that Zadok had succeeded some member of his family, in all probability Jehoiada, called in, 1Ch_12:27, "the leader of Aaron" (Hebrews) who had certainly been high priest in the time of Saul, (1Ch_27:5) and who would hardly be degraded when, with 3700 followers, he joined David at Hebron. On his decease, or cession of orifice, Zadok, who had joined at the same time with a large contingent,was associated with Abiathar in the priest"s office. This dual arrangement, consequently, was the result of David"s having taken over a high priest from Saul, together with the kingdom, when he had Abiathar as priest already, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, i.e., Jehoiada the high priest. (1Ch_27:5) Benaiah was consequently a Levite, and of the family of Aaron; set, however, by David, because of his prowess (2Sa_23:20, 2Sa_23:21; 1Ch_11:22) over the bodyguard. (2Sa_8:18; 1Ch_18:17) Probably he was a near relative of Zadok., and Nathan the prophet a Jewish tradition makes Nathan the eighth son of Jesse. He comes before us 2Sa_7:2, 2Sa_7:3, 17 12:1-12, 25 and Shimei by Ewald identified with Shammah, (1Sa_16:9) or Shimeah, David"s brother. (2Sa_13:3 2Sa_21:21) Others suppose him to be the Shimei 1Ki_4:18. But see note on chap. 2:8. Josephus calls Shimei (not Rei, as Bahr states) oJ Dauidou filov), and Rei this name occurs here only. Ewald would identify him with Raddai, (1Ch_2:14) another brother of David, but on very slender grounds, and the mighty men or heroes. Gesen. "chiefs." Not the 600 men who formed David"s band in his wanderings (1Sa_25:13 1Sa_27:2) (Rawlinson), but the 30 (or 37) to whom this name of Gibborim is expressly given, 2 Samuel 1Ch_11:15, 25 29:24. Comp. 2Ki_10:25, Hebrews which belonged to David same expression as in 2Sa_23:8 were not with Adonijah. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen see, Deu_7:6 a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. The promises of Gen_13:16 Gen_15:5, lived in the thoughts and language of the Jews, and were doubtless the original of this expression. Cf. also Num_23:10

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And Noson the prophet. Who prophesied to Dovid that Shlomo would reign, as it is stated in Divrei Hayomim, “ his name will be Shlomo.”

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.