1 Kings 1:12

Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon.

Now therefore come {H3212}, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel {H3289}{H6098}, that thou mayest save {H4422} thine own life {H5315}, and the life {H5315} of thy son {H1121} Solomon {H8010}.

Now, come, please let me give you advice, so that you can save both your own life and that of your son Shlomo.

Now please, come and let me advise you. Save your own life and the life of your son Solomon.

Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon.

Commentary

Commentary on 1 Kings 1:12

The verse 1 Kings 1:12 captures a pivotal moment in the succession of King David, where the prophet Nathan advises Bathsheba, mother of Solomon, on how to act swiftly to secure the throne for her son and protect their lives. This counsel comes amidst a significant political crisis in ancient Israel.

Context

At this point in the narrative (1 Kings chapter 1), King David is old and weak, nearing the end of his reign. His son, Adonijah, David's fourth son and now the eldest living, has taken advantage of David's feebleness and begun to exalt himself as king, gathering support from key figures like Joab, the army commander, and Abiathar, the priest. This move bypasses David's known desire and oath to Bathsheba that Solomon, not Adonijah, would succeed him. Nathan, a loyal prophet and discerning observer of court dynamics, recognizes the immediate danger this coup poses to Bathsheba and Solomon, as usurpers often eliminate potential rivals. His counsel is a strategic intervention to ensure David's will and God's plan for Solomon's kingship are fulfilled.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence and Human Action: This verse highlights the interplay between God's sovereign plan for Solomon to be king and the necessity of human beings taking decisive, strategic action. Nathan's counsel is not a sign of doubt in God's will, but rather a divinely-guided step to bring it to pass.
  • Succession and Kingship: The passage vividly illustrates the volatile nature of royal succession in ancient monarchies, often fraught with intrigue, ambition, and danger. It underscores the importance of a clear and legitimate transfer of power.
  • Wisdom and Counsel: Nathan's role here is crucial. He offers timely, practical, and life-saving advice, demonstrating the value of wise counsel in moments of crisis. His foresight and initiative are instrumental in averting a disastrous outcome.
  • Protection and Survival: The urgency in Nathan's words, "save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon," emphasizes the very real threat posed by Adonijah's premature power grab. The stakes were literally life and death.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "counsel" here is ืขึตืฆึธื” (*'etsah*), which implies more than just casual advice; it suggests a deliberate, strategic plan or course of action. Nathan is providing a well-thought-out strategy to counter Adonijah's move. The phrase "save thine own life" (ืชึฐึผืžึทืœึฐึผื˜ึดื™ ืึถืชึพื ึทืคึฐืฉึตืืšึฐ, *temalleti et-nafshekh*) uses a verb that can mean to escape, deliver, or rescue, underscoring the imminent peril Bathsheba and Solomon face.

Practical Application

1 Kings 1:12 offers several timeless lessons. It reminds us that even when we trust in God's overarching plan, there are times when prudent human action and wise counsel are essential. We are called to be diligent and proactive, especially when facing threats or navigating complex situations. The verse also underscores the importance of seeking and heeding good advice from trusted, discerning individuals, particularly in critical moments. Just as Nathan's wisdom was crucial for Bathsheba and Solomon, so too can the counsel of godly mentors and friends guide us in making difficult decisions and safeguarding our well-being.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 1:21

    Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.

  • Proverbs 20:18

    ยถ [Every] purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

  • Genesis 19:17

    And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

  • Judges 9:5

    And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, [being] threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.

  • Acts 27:31

    Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

  • 2 Chronicles 22:10

    ยถ But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.

  • 2 Chronicles 21:4

    Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and [divers] also of the princes of Israel.
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