Bible Strands
1 Kings 1:8
But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s mighty men would not join Adonijah.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David’s court is divided over succession as Adonijah prepares to proclaim himself king, but Zadok, Benaiah, Nathan, Shimei, Rei, and David’s mighty men refuse to support his claim.
The words — The Hebrew וְ/צָד֣וֹק הַ֠/כֹּהֵן (ve./tza.Dok ha./ko.hen) translates literally as "and Zadok the priest," while וְ/שִׁמְעִ֣י (ve./shim.'I) simply names "and Shimei" without a patronymic.
The thread — These figures reappear in administrative and military records, including Zadok and Abiathar as priests (2 Samuel 20:25) and the listing of David’s mighty men (2 Samuel 23:8).
Why it lands — The text records a factual refusal of allegiance that establishes the political split in David’s court before naming Adonijah’s supporters. It requires the reader to note the precise alignment of key officials against a usurper without adding theological commentary.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 4:18 Shimei son of Ela in Benjamin;
- 2 Samuel 20:25 Sheva was the scribe; Zadok and Abiathar were priests;
- 2 Samuel 23:8 These are the names of David’s mighty men: Josheb-basshebeth the Tahchemonite was chief of the Three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed at one time.
- 2 Samuel 7:2 he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”
- 2 Samuel 8:17 Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was the scribe;
- 2 Samuel 12:1 Then the LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he arrived, he said, “There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor.
- 1 Kings 2:35 And the king appointed Benaiah son of Jehoiada in Joab’s place over the army, and he appointed Zadok the priest in Abiathar’s place.
- 1 Chronicles 11:10 Now these were the chiefs of David’s mighty men, who, together with all Israel, bolstered and strengthened his kingdom, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel.
- 1 Chronicles 27:5 The third army commander, as chief for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest. There were 24,000 men in his division.
- Ezekiel 44:15 But the Levitical priests, who are descended from Zadok and who kept charge of My sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from Me, are to approach Me to minister before Me. They will stand before Me to offer Me fat and blood, declares the Lord GOD.