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1 Kings describes Adonijah, son of David, as very handsome, a detail given just as he attempts to claim the throne. This focus on his appearance reflects a common ancient Near Eastern tradition, such as in Genesis 39, that ideal leaders should possess physical beauty as well as authority.
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Genesis 39:6
Hebrew Bible
5 From the time Potiphar appointed him over his household and over all that he owned, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s household for Joseph’s sake. The blessing of the Lord was on everything that he had, both in his house and in his fields. 6 So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; he gave no thought to anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well built and good-looking. 7 Soon after these things, his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me.”
Date: 5th Century B.C.E. (Final composition) (based on scholarly estimates)
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1 Kings 1:6
Hebrew Bible
5 Now Adonijah, son of David and Haggith, was promoting himself, boasting, “I will be king!” He managed to acquire chariots and horsemen, as well as 50 men to serve as his royal guard. 6 (Now his father had never corrected him by saying, “Why do you do such things?” He was also very handsome and had been born right after Absalom.) 7 He collaborated with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they supported him.
Date: 6th Century B.C.E. (Final composition) (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... Adonijah was David’s oldest surviving son, and quite possibly considered his heir apparent. Like his late older brother Absalom, Adonijah was quite handsome (1 Kings 1:6) and eager to take over; he won a number of powerful supporters to his side. The prophet Nathan was not one of them, however, and when he learned that Adonijah had his eye on the throne, he persuaded Bathsheba to take the matter up with her husband, David. In fact, Nathan looks at this point to be a bit of a shady dealer ..."
Kugel, James L.
How to Read the Bible: A Guide to Scripture, Then and Now
(pp. 764-765) Free Press, 2007
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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