(His father had never once reprimanded him by saying, “Why do you act this way?” Adonijah was also very handsome, born next after Absalom.)
David made a fondling of Adonijah, never crossing him, never calling him to account, never reproving him, and the son repaid such indulgence by making a fool of his father. Those who honor their sons more than God, by keeping them not under discipline, forfeit the honor they might expect from them.
AI summary
Commenting on 1 Kings 1:5-10
And his father had not displeased him at any time,.... Always humoured him in everything, let him have his own way and will, and granted him what he desired, and never corrected him for his faults, or made him ashamed, as the Targum, by telling him of them, and chastising him for them; this was not to the credit of David, being guilty of the...
Adonijah was the oldest son alive, blessed with manners and looks that won the court's favor; but his father's silence in seeing him flaunt the trappings of an heir-presumptive was read as consent. That fatal quiet emboldened him.
AI summary
Commenting on 1 Kings 1:5-31