1 Kings 1:13

Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign?

Go {H3212} and get thee in {H935} unto king {H4428} David {H1732}, and say {H559} unto him, Didst not thou, my lord {H113}, O king {H4428}, swear {H7650} unto thine handmaid {H519}, saying {H559}, Assuredly {H3588} Solomon {H8010} thy son {H1121} shall reign {H4427} after {H310} me, and he shall sit {H3427} upon my throne {H3678}? why then doth Adonijah {H138} reign {H4427}?

Go, get in to see King David, and say to him, 'My lord, king, didn't you swear to your servant, "Your son Shlomo will be king after me; he will sit on my throne"? So why is Adoniyah king?'

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 and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thy handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign?

Commentary

1 Kings 1:13 captures a pivotal moment in the succession of King David, revealing the urgent strategy devised by Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba to ensure God's chosen heir, Solomon, ascends to the throne. This verse is part of Nathan’s direct instruction to Bathsheba, urging her to remind the aging King David of his solemn promise.

Context of 1 Kings 1:13

At this point in the narrative of 1 Kings, King David is old and weak, and his authority is waning. His fourth son, Adonijah, has taken advantage of the situation by unilaterally proclaiming himself king, gathering significant support from key figures like Joab and Abiathar (see 1 Kings 1:7). Nathan the prophet, aware of David's earlier divine promise and personal oath concerning Solomon, consults with Bathsheba, Solomon's mother. This verse records Nathan instructing Bathsheba on exactly what to say to David: to remind him of his oath that Solomon would succeed him, thereby challenging Adonijah's illegitimate claim to the throne. This immediate action was crucial to prevent a potentially disastrous usurpation and civil unrest for the kingdom of Israel.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Divine Promise of Succession: The verse directly references David's oath that Solomon would reign after him. This oath was not merely a personal preference but was rooted in God's specific promise to David concerning his lineage and the establishment of his kingdom (as detailed in 2 Samuel 7:12-13 and 1 Chronicles 22:9-10). The question "why then doth Adonijah reign?" underscores the challenge to both royal and divine decree regarding David's successor.
  • Fidelity to Oaths and Promises: The core of Bathsheba's plea is a reminder of King David's sworn word. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a king's oath was incredibly binding and sacred. Nathan's strategy relies on David's integrity and memory of this vital promise concerning the throne.
  • Intervention and Advocacy: Nathan and Bathsheba actively intervene to ensure the rightful heir is recognized. Their collaboration highlights the importance of wise counsel and bold advocacy, particularly when leadership is compromised or unaware of critical developments like Adonijah's rebellion.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "swear unto thine handmaid" emphasizes the solemnity and personal nature of David's promise to Bathsheba. The Hebrew word for "swear" (שָׁבַע, shava') denotes making a binding oath, often by invoking a divine witness, making it a very serious commitment. This was not a casual remark but a formal declaration with significant implications for the future of the kingdom and the Davidic line.

Practical Application

The unfolding drama in 1 Kings 1:13 offers several timeless lessons for believers:

  • The Importance of Keeping Promises: This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the weight of our words, especially promises and commitments. Integrity in speech is a cornerstone of trustworthy character, reflecting God's own faithfulness.
  • Acting on God's Will: Nathan and Bathsheba didn't passively accept Adonijah's usurpation but actively worked to ensure God's plan for Solomon's reign was fulfilled. This encourages believers to discern and act upon God's will, even when obstacles or conflicting circumstances arise.
  • The Value of Wise Counsel: Nathan's proactive advice to Bathsheba demonstrates the crucial role of wise and godly counsel in times of crisis. Seeking and offering such counsel can prevent significant errors and uphold righteousness. Ultimately, David remembers and acts on his oath, leading to Solomon's anointing (as confirmed in 1 Kings 1:30 and 1 Kings 1:39).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 1:30 (9 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Kings 1:17 (6 votes)

    And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, [saying], Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne.

  • 1 Chronicles 22:6 (3 votes)

    ¶ Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the LORD God of Israel.

  • 1 Chronicles 22:13 (3 votes)

    Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.

  • Luke 1:32 (3 votes)

    He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

  • Luke 1:33 (3 votes)

    And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

  • 1 Kings 2:12 (2 votes)

    ¶ Then sat Solomon upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly.