Despite the impressive look of Adonijah’s followers, the writer makes it clear that some notable people did not follow him, and whom we are to assume had remained faithful to David. The three individuals mentioned first were of particular importance. Zadok was an important priest, maybe even the high priest. Benaiah was the commander of the soldiers that surrounded the king as a professional military force, and Nathan, perhaps the most important, was the prophet of the Lord. David’s mighty men
were also of significance, since we are told in 2 Samuel of their military ability that far surpassed the abilities of ordinary soldiers.
Surprising on this list is the name Shimei who, although we cannot be certain, may have been the Shimei who cursed David when he fled from Absalom and whom we will, later in 1 Kings 2:46, see executed for his disobedience to King Solomon’s instructions. The Bible does not tell us anything about Rei other than his name.
We are not told whether Adonijah approached these men and they refused to give him their support, or whether he neglected even to seek their help. In either case, their absence from Adonijah’s plot would prove its undoing.
8 But Zadok the priest and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and Nathan the prophet and Shimei and Rei and David’s mighty men were not with Adonijah.