1 Kings 1:6

Not displeased him. Adonijah was a spoiled child — spoiled by an overindulgent father. As a child this aspirant to the throne had been allowed to have his own way, and now he was beyond restraint. Many a life has been ruined by an excess of paternal affection.

Goodly man. Adonijah was handsome and attractive, and therefore no doubt popular with many of the people. But personal beauty is not among the most essential qualifications for position or leadership. Adonijah’s natural endowments had brought vanity, foolish conceit, and selfish ambition. His youthful passions were stronger than his principles, and his impulses trampled upon his convictions. He was a “goodly man” in appearance only. It is of far greater importance for a man to be good of heart.

His mother bare. Heb. yaledah, “she bore.” “His mother” has been supplied by the translator. Maacah was the mother of Absalom (2 Sam. 3:3), whereas Haggith was the mother of Adonijah (2 Sam. 3:4). A better rendition would be, “He was born [next] after Absalom.”