His father had never rebuked him by asking, “Why do you behave as you do?” He was also very handsome and was born next after Absalom. 1 Kings 1:6
The New Living Translation reads: “Now his father, King David, had never disciplined him (Adonijah) at any time.” How tragic! Why didn’t David ever discipline his son? Was it because David was never disciplined as a child himself or because he was harshly disciplined? David’s family does seem dysfunctional (Psalm 27:10). Or perhaps the reference to being handsome suggests it was because Adonijah was very cute and this made it difficult for his father to discipline him?
Whatever the reason, since Adonijah had never been disciplined he felt he could do as he pleased. So he decides to take over as king even though God had given that role to Solomon (verse 5).
Sadly Adonijah was accustom to getting his own way, so when his first attempt failed he tried again (2:15-17). Abishag was effectively David’s wife. If Adonijah married her he was making a claim to the throne, therefore his request was effectively an act of treason. Yet he acknowledged that the Lord had given the kingdom to his brother (2:15). Demanding his own way brought Adonijah deadly results (2:25) and it all seems to have come about because he’d never been disciplined.
When we discipline our children they learn that they cannot always have their own way. Allowing a child to do whatever they like doesn’t prepare them for life, even if they’re the king’s son.
God had decided that Solomon would be king and his plans weren’t thwarted by the undisciplined son of the former king. Likewise, God’s plans for our lives won’t be thwarted by others.
