Go at once to King David and say, 'My lord the king, did you not swear to your maidservant, "Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne"? Why then has Adonijah become king?' Go at once to King David and sayThis phrase indicates urgency and the need for immediate action. King David, nearing the end of his life, is the central authority in Israel. The urgency reflects the political tension and the need to address the succession issue promptly. The phrase also highlights the role of Nathan the prophet, who is orchestrating this intervention to ensure God's will is fulfilled regarding Solomon's kingship. ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to your maidservant
This phrase underscores the personal relationship and trust between King David and Bathsheba, Solomon's mother. The use of "maidservant" reflects humility and respect. The oath mentioned is significant, as oaths were binding and sacred in ancient Israelite culture, often invoking God's name as a witness. This appeal to David's promise is a strategic move to remind him of his commitment. “Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne”?
This statement is a direct reference to the divine promise and David's intention for Solomon to succeed him. Solomon's future reign is not just a political decision but is seen as part of God's plan, as indicated in 1 Chronicles 22:9-10, where God promises David that Solomon will build the temple. The throne symbolizes legitimate authority and continuity of David's dynasty, which is central to the Davidic Covenant. Why then has Adonijah become king?’
This question highlights the conflict and the challenge to the rightful succession. Adonijah, another son of David, has declared himself king without David's approval, reflecting the political intrigue and ambition within the royal family. This situation parallels Absalom's earlier rebellion (2 Samuel 15), showing recurring themes of familial strife and the struggle for power. The question serves to alert David to the immediate threat to Solomon's promised kingship and to prompt him to take decisive action. Persons / Places / Events 1. King DavidThe aging and ailing king of Israel, who had promised that Solomon would succeed him as king. 2. BathshebaThe mother of Solomon, who approaches David to remind him of his promise regarding Solomon's succession. 3. SolomonThe son of David and Bathsheba, whom David had promised would be the next king. 4. AdonijahAnother son of David, who attempts to usurp the throne without David's consent. 5. JerusalemThe capital city of Israel, where these events unfold. Teaching Points The Importance of Keeping PromisesDavid's promise to Bathsheba about Solomon's succession highlights the importance of integrity and faithfulness in our commitments. God's Sovereignty in LeadershipDespite Adonijah's attempt to seize power, God's plan for Solomon to reign is ultimately fulfilled, reminding us of God's control over leadership and authority. The Role of AdvocacyBathsheba's approach to David demonstrates the importance of advocating for truth and justice, especially when promises are at stake. Trust in God's TimingThe unfolding of events shows that God's timing is perfect, and we must trust Him even when circumstances seem uncertain. The Consequences of AmbitionAdonijah's ambition leads to conflict and strife, serving as a warning against self-serving pursuits that go against God's will. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's promise to Bathsheba reflect the biblical principle of keeping one's word, and how can we apply this in our daily lives? 2. In what ways does the account of Solomon's succession demonstrate God's sovereignty, and how can this encourage us in times of uncertainty? 3. What can we learn from Bathsheba's role in advocating for Solomon, and how can we apply this in standing up for truth and justice today? 4. How does the account of 1 Kings 1:13 connect with God's covenant with David in 2 Samuel 7, and what does this teach us about God's faithfulness? 5. Reflect on a time when ambition led to negative consequences in your life or the life of someone you know. How does Adonijah's account serve as a cautionary tale? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Samuel 7God's covenant with David, promising that his lineage would continue to rule, which sets the stage for Solomon's rightful succession. 1 Chronicles 22David's preparations for Solomon to build the temple, indicating his intention for Solomon to succeed him. Proverbs 3:5-6Trusting in God's plan, as Bathsheba and Nathan do by reminding David of his promise. Matthew 1:6The genealogy of Jesus, which includes Solomon, showing the fulfillment of God's promise through David's line. People Abiathar, Abishag, Absalom, Adonijah, Bathsheba, Benaiah, Cherethites, David, Haggith, Jehoiada, Joab, Jonathan, Kerethites, Nathan, Pelethites, Rei, Shimei, Solomon, Zadok, ZeruiahPlaces En-rogel, Gihon, Jerusalem, Serpent's StoneTopics Acting, Adonijah, Adoni'jah, Assuredly, David, Didn't, Enter, Handmaid, Hast, Kingdom, Maidservant, O, Oath, Reign, Reigned, Saying, Seat, Seated, Servant, Sit, Solomon, Surely, Swear, Sworn, Throne, Truly, WhereforeDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 1:13 5181 sitting
5581 throne 1 Kings 1:5-53 5087 David, reign of 1 Kings 1:11-13 5732 polygamy 1 Kings 1:11-14 5119 Solomon, life of
7915 confirmation Library David Appointing Solomon
'Then king David answered and said, Call me Bath-sheba. And she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king. 29. And the king sware, and said, As the Lord liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress, 30. Even as I sware unto thee by the Lord God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day. 31. Then Bath-sheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureGihon, the Same with the Fountain of Siloam.
I. In 1 Kings 1:33,38, that which is, in the Hebrew, "Bring ye Solomon to Gihon: and they brought him to Gihon"; is rendered by the Chaldee, "Bring ye him to Siloam: and they brought him to Siloam." Where Kimchi thus; "Gihon is Siloam, and it is called by a double name. And David commanded, that they should anoint Solomon at Gihon for a good omen, to wit, that, as the waters of the fountain are everlasting, so might his kingdom be." So also the Jerusalem writers; "They do not anoint the king, but …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Adonijah
BY REV. ALFRED ROWLAND, D.D., LL.B. It is notorious that the sons of devout men sometimes prove a curse to their parents, and bring dishonour on the cause of God. When Eve rejoiced over her first-born, she little suspected that passions were sleeping within him which would impel him to slay his own brother; and the experience of the first mother has been repeated, though in different forms, in all lands and in all ages. Isaac's heart was rent by the deceit of Jacob, and by the self-will of Esau. …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known Whether Prayer Should be Vocal?
Objection 1: It would seem that prayer ought not to be vocal. As stated above [3025](A[4]), prayer is addressed chiefly to God. Now God knows the language of the heart. Therefore it is useless to employ vocal prayer. Objection 2: Further, prayer should lift man's mind to God, as stated above (A[1], ad 2). But words, like other sensible objects, prevent man from ascending to God by contemplation. Therefore we should not use words in our prayers. Objection 3: Further, prayer should be offered to God …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Reign of David.
2 Sam.; 1 Chron. Chs. 11-29; 1 K 1:1-2:11. His Reign over Judah. The reign of David is divided into two parts. The first part was over Judah, with the capitol at Hebron, and lasted seven and one-half years. During this period Ishbosheth, son of Saul, reigned over Israel in the North. It is probable that both of these kings were regarded as vassals of the Philistines and paid tribute. On account of rival leaders, there was constant warfare between these two rival kings. The kingdom of Judah, however, …
Josiah Blake Tidwell—The Bible Period by Period The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Typified in the Lives of Joseph and Solomon.
In the Old Testament there are numerous references to the Second Coming of Christ, references both direct and typical, but in every instance it was His return to the earth which was in view. The secret coming of Christ into the air, to catch up the saints to Himself, was an event quite unknown to the Old Testament prophets, an event kept secret until revealed by God to the apostle Paul who, when writing to the Corinthians upon this particular aspect of our subject, said, "Behold, I show you a mystery …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return Of Justification by Faith. Both the Name and the Reality Defined.
Sections. 1. Connection between the doctrine of Justification and that of Regeneration. The knowledge of this doctrine very necessary for two reasons. 2. For the purpose of facilitating the exposition of it, the terms are explained. 1. What it is to be justified in the sight of God. 2. To be justified by works. 3. To be justified by faith. Definition. 3. Various meanings of the term Justification. 1. To give praise to God and truth. 2. To make a vain display of righteousness. 3. To impute righteousness …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Prov. 22:06 the Duties of Parents
"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it."--Prov. 22:6. I SUPPOSE that most professing Christians are acquainted with the text at the head of this page. The sound of it is probably familiar to your ears, like an old tune. It is likely you have heard it, or read it, talked of it, or quoted it, many a time. Is it not so? But, after all, how little is the substance of this text regarded! The doctrine it contains appears scarcely known, the duty it puts …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men
WHEN St. Paul wrote his Epistle to Titus about his duty as a minister, he mentioned young men as a class requiring peculiar attention. After speaking of aged men and aged women, and young women, he adds this pithy advice, "Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded" (Tit. 2:6). I am going to follow the Apostle's advice. I propose to offer a few words of friendly exhortation to young men. I am growing old myself, but there are few things I remember so well as the days of my youth. I have a most …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times Christ a Complete Saviour:
OR, THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST, AND WHO ARE PRIVILEGED IN IT. BY JOHN BUNYAN Advertisement by the Editor. However strange it may appear, it is a solemn fact, that the heart of man, unless prepared by a sense of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, rejects Christ as a complete Saviour. The pride of human nature will not suffer it to fall, as helpless and utterly undone, into the arms of Divine mercy. Man prefers a partial Saviour; one who had done so much, that, with the sinner's aid, the work might be …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 1:13 NIV1 Kings 1:13 NLT1 Kings 1:13 ESV1 Kings 1:13 NASB1 Kings 1:13 KJV
1 Kings 1:13 Commentaries
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