Melachim Alef 1:5

5 Then Adoniyah Ben Chaggit put himself forward, saying, I will be Melech; and he prepared him merkavot and parashim, and chamishim ish to run before him.

Melachim Alef 1:5 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 1:5

Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself
This was his mother's name, ( 2 Samuel 3:4 ) ; his father David being old and infirm, and not like to live long, notable to oppose him; and he being the eldest son, and a comely person, was inspired with ambition to set up for king:

saying, I will be king;
though he knew that Solomon was appointed of God, and promised by David, and expected by the people to be king, yet he was resolved to set up himself for king, and try if he could not get himself to the throne; on this he was bent and determined:

and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before
him;
just as Absalom had done, when he had the same thing in view, to make him respectable among the people, see ( 2 Samuel 15:1 ) .

Melachim Alef 1:5 In-Context

3 So they sought for a na’arah yafeh throughout all the territory of Yisroel, and found Avishag HaShunammit, and brought her to HaMelech.

4 And the na’arah was yafeh ad me’od, and cared for HaMelech, and waited on him; but HaMelech knew her not.

5 Then Adoniyah Ben Chaggit put himself forward, saying, I will be Melech; and he prepared him merkavot and parashim, and chamishim ish to run before him.

6 And Aviv had not rebuked him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? And he also was tov to’ar (good looking); and [immo] bore him after Avshalom.

7 And he conferred with Yoav Ben Tzeruyah, and with Evyatar (Abiathar) HaKohen; and they lent ezer (help), following after Adoniyah.