"The American Administration was shocked. They had supported the Sudairies all along, and suddenly Abdullah, who is not a Sudairi, was willing to recognize Israel! The Americans, who were excited at the development, shifted their support from the Sudaries to Abdullah; namely they sponsored him.That’s how Abdullah assured himself the crown, and that's how the question of succession subsided, and that's how the Saudi rule stabilized. In the deal struck between the princes it was ensured that the monarchy would skip over a few brothers and that it would return to the bosom of the Sudairies with Crown Prince Sultan, himself the defense minister." (thanks Haytham)