"Jonathan answered Adonijah, 'No! Our lord King David has made Solomon king.'" — Jonathan's response is abrupt and declarative: *'abal adoninu ha-melekh David hishli'ach et-Shlomoh melekh*. The *negation* (*'abal lo*, no) shatters Adonijah's hopes immediately. The phrasing *adoninu ha-melekh David* (our lord King David)—using David's name and title—emphasizes David's continuing authority and his exercise of it. The verb *shillach* (sent/anointed, from *shalach*) in some texts is better rendered as *meshach* (anointed). The declaration is that David has *made* Solomon king—the act is already complete, fait accompli.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a note on this verse