מלכים א, פרק א׳, פסוק י״ט

Bathsheba approaches King David with an urgent message, using careful words to expose a quiet but dangerous rebellion. She describes a massive feast that is far from an innocent social gathering. Instead, it is a calculated political move designed to seize the throne and establish facts on the ground. Adonijah slaughtered many animals to host a grand celebration for his own coronation [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The timing of this event makes it particularly cruel. By celebrating and acting as king while his father lies on his deathbed, Adonijah shows a complete lack of care for David's suffering [מלבי״ם, אברבנאל].

The primary approach among commentators is that Bathsheba's mention of Solomon's absence is not a petty complaint about a missed invitation. Rather, it serves as undeniable proof that this gathering is a rebel coronation. Adonijah invited his supporters to secure their endorsement and eat with him [רד״ק], but he deliberately left Solomon out. If this were merely an innocent meal or a thanksgiving celebration for David reaching the age of seventy, there would be no reason to exclude a royal prince, whose rank certainly equals that of an army commander [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, אהבת יהונתן]. This deliberate exclusion proves that Adonijah was fully aware that the right to the throne actually belonged to Solomon [מלבי״ם].

Bathsheba highlights this exclusion to warn David of the immediate danger. By choosing to ally with figures like Joab and Abiathar while rejecting Solomon and those loyal to David, Adonijah exposes his deep hatred. This hints to the king that Adonijah views Solomon as an enemy he would gladly eliminate. Ultimately, this reveals Adonijah's true character. By embracing the king's adversaries and pushing away his loved ones, Adonijah demonstrates a profound lack of loyalty to his own father [אברבנאל].