And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by Enrogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants:

1 KINGS 1:9KJV
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1 Kings 1:9 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 1:9 mean?

1 Kings 1:9 describes how Adonijah, one of King David’s sons, held a large sacrificial feast near the stone of Zoheleth by Enrogel, inviting all his royal brothers and the king’s officials from Judah. This gathering was part of Adonijah’s attempt to present himself as the next king while David was still alive.

The verse is set during a tense time in Israel’s royal family, as King David was old and weak, and there was uncertainty about who would succeed him. Adonijah took the initiative to gather support by hosting a public sacrifice and feast, inviting influential people but intentionally excluding some key figures, as the following verses show. This act was a political move to gain legitimacy as the next ruler.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 1:9

  • אֲדֹנִיָּה (Adonijah, ’adoniyyāh): This is the name of David’s son who is trying to become king. The name means "Yahweh is my Lord," which is ironic given his actions here.
  • זֹחֶלֶת (Zoheleth, zōḥeleṯ): This is the specific stone mentioned as the location of the feast. The name means "serpent" or "crawling thing," and it marks a real place near Jerusalem, giving the story a concrete setting.
  • עֵין רֹגֵל (Enrogel, ‘ên rōgēl): This is a spring near Jerusalem, often used as a gathering place. Mentioning it helps locate the event geographically and suggests it was a public, visible act.
  • זָבַח (slew, zāvaḥ): This word means "to sacrifice" animals, not just to kill them. It points to a religious ceremony, not just a meal, which would have given Adonijah’s actions a sense of official or sacred approval.

Why 1 Kings 1:9 matters

  • The verse shows that Adonijah’s move to claim the throne was carefully planned and public, not a private or accidental event.
  • By naming the location and the invited guests, the verse highlights who was included and, by implication, who was left out—setting up the tension with Solomon and his supporters.
  • Understanding the sacrificial nature of the feast (not just a party, but a religious event) reveals how Adonijah was trying to use religious tradition to legitimize his claim to kingship.

Where else these words appear

“Enrogel” Hebrew H5883 · used in 4 verses

  • Joshua 15:7 And the border went up toward Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that is before the going up to Adummim, which is on the south side of the river: and the border passed toward the waters of Enshemesh, and the goings out thereof were at Enrogel:
  • Joshua 18:16 And the border came down to the end of the mountain that lieth before the valley of the son of Hinnom, and which is in the valley of the giants on the north, and descended to the valley of Hinnom, to the side of Jebusi on the south, and descended to Enrogel,
  • 2 Samuel 17:17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David.

“cattle” Hebrew H4806 · used in 8 verses

  • 2 Samuel 6:13 And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.
  • 1 Kings 1:25 For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah.
  • Isaiah 11:6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

“Adonijah” Hebrew H138 · used in 26 verses

  • 2 Samuel 3:4 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
  • 1 Kings 1:25 For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah.
  • 1 Kings 2:19 Bathsheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king's mother; and she sat on his right hand.

“by” Hebrew H681 · used in 57 verses

  • Genesis 39:10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
  • 1 Kings 10:19 The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays.
  • Proverbs 8:30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;