"While he was still speaking, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came; and Adonijah said, 'Come in, for you are a worthy man and bring good news.'" — Jonathan (*Yehonatan*), son of Abiathar, arrives as a messenger. Adonijah's greeting—*bo' ki ish hayil 'attah u-tvi sora tibi'* (come in, for you are a worthy/mighty man and bring good news)—is hopeful yet mistaken. He assumes Jonathan brings confirmation of Adonijah's coronation, not news of its rival. The phrase *ish hayil* (a mighty man) acknowledges Jonathan's credibility and status within Adonijah's faction. The irony is acute: Adonijah *expects* good news from a messenger of the old guard, yet Jonathan arrives with catastrophic news.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a note on this verse