1 Kings 1:14

KJV

Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, while thou yet talkest {H1696} there with the king {H4428}, I also will come in {H935} after {H310} thee, and confirm {H4390} thy words {H1697}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Right then, while you are still talking with the king, I will also come in after you and confirm what you are saying."

Berean Standard Bible

Then, while you are still there speaking with the king, I will come in after you and confirm your words.”

American Standard Version

Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse captures a pivotal moment in the succession crisis of King David's reign, revealing the strategic wisdom of Nathan the prophet. As David lies old and infirm, his son Adonijah has presumptuously moved to seize the throne. Nathan, recognizing the grave threat to God's chosen successor, Solomon, coordinates a plan with Bathsheba, Solomon's mother. In this verse, Nathan assures Bathsheba that immediately after her plea to the king, he will enter David's chambers to corroborate her account, thereby adding undeniable weight and urgency to her petition and ensuring the rightful heir is enthroned.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 1 Kings 1:14 is nestled within the dramatic opening chapter of 1 Kings, which details the intense struggle for succession as King David nears the end of his life. The preceding verses (1 Kings 1:1-4) establish David's extreme old age and physical frailty, setting the stage for a power vacuum. Immediately before this verse, Adonijah, David's fourth son, has presumptuously declared himself king, gathering support from key figures like Joab, the army commander, and Abiathar, the priest, without David's knowledge or consent ([1 Kings 1:5-7](/1_kings/1-5 "Adonijah's Self-Proclamation as King")). Nathan the prophet, a loyal advisor and guardian of God's promises to David, recognizes the immediate danger this poses to God's designated successor, Solomon. Nathan's words to Bathsheba in this verse are part of a meticulously orchestrated plan to inform David and secure Solomon's rightful place, highlighting the urgency and high stakes of the situation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern monarchies, succession was not always strictly primogeniture, especially in the absence of a clear designation by the reigning king. David's advanced age and apparent inability to govern effectively created a volatile environment ripe for usurpation. The role of prophets like Nathan was crucial; they often served as divine messengers and moral arbiters, even intervening in royal politics to ensure God's will was carried out. The cultural significance of a king's oath was paramount, and Nathan's strategy relies on reminding David of his prior promise to Bathsheba regarding Solomon's succession. Furthermore, the support of key military and religious figures, as Adonijah had garnered, was essential for a successful claim to the throne, making Nathan's swift and decisive counter-action vital.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in 1 Kings and the broader Deuteronomistic History. It underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**, demonstrating how God works through human agents like Nathan and Bathsheba to fulfill His promises, specifically the Davidic Covenant regarding an enduring dynasty ([2 Samuel 7:12-13](/2_samuel/7-12 "God's Covenant with David regarding his Son")). The theme of **Strategic Wisdom and Intervention** is prominent, as Nathan's plan showcases remarkable foresight and political acumen in navigating a delicate and dangerous situation. The concept of **Confirmation and Truth** is central, with Nathan's promise to "confirm thy words" highlighting the importance of corroboration and reliable testimony, especially in matters of royal succession and divine mandate. Finally, the verse illustrates **Loyalty and Righteous Action**, as Nathan acts decisively not only out of loyalty to David but, more importantly, to God's established order and the future of His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **confirm (Hebrew, _'aman'_):** The Hebrew verb אָמַן (_'aman'_) carries the core meaning of being firm, faithful, trustworthy, established, or reliable. It is the root from which the word "Amen" derives, signifying "so be it" or "it is true." When Nathan promises to "confirm" Bathsheba's words, he means he will establish them as true, reliable, and authoritative before the king. His prophetic presence and corroboration would lend undeniable weight and validity to her testimony, making it firm and indisputable in David's mind. This word emphasizes the critical need for a credible witness in such a high-stakes political maneuver.
* **talkest (Hebrew, _dabar'_):** The Hebrew verb דָּבַר (_dabar_) simply means "to speak" or "to say." In this context, it highlights Bathsheba's direct verbal petition to King David. Nathan's instruction implies a precise timing: while Bathsheba is actively engaged in speaking with the king, making her case, Nathan will enter. This emphasizes the immediate, live nature of the interaction and the strategic coordination of their efforts. It's not just about her speaking, but about her actively making a plea, which Nathan will then validate.
* **come in (Hebrew, _bo'_):** The Hebrew verb בּוֹא (_bo'_) means "to come" or "to enter." The phrasing "I also will come in after thee" indicates a planned, sequential entry. Nathan's arrival is not coincidental but a deliberate, immediate follow-up to Bathsheba's audience. This signifies his readiness to act decisively and his direct involvement in the unfolding drama. His physical presence and timely entrance are crucial to the success of their coordinated effort.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold,"**: This interjection serves as an attention-grabber, signaling the importance and urgency of the message Nathan is about to deliver to Bathsheba. It underscores the gravity of the situation and the critical nature of their planned intervention.
* **"while thou yet talkest there with the king,"**: This clause specifies the precise timing of Nathan's entrance. It highlights the strategic coordination between Nathan and Bathsheba, emphasizing that Nathan will not wait for Bathsheba to finish her entire plea but will enter while she is still actively engaged in conversation with David, maximizing the impact of their combined testimony.
* **"I also will come in after thee,"**: This indicates Nathan's planned, immediate follow-up. His entrance is not accidental but a deliberate part of the scheme, designed to add a second, authoritative voice to Bathsheba's account. The "also" stresses his personal involvement and commitment to the plan.
* **"and confirm thy words."**: This is the core purpose of Nathan's intervention. By "confirming" Bathsheba's words, Nathan, as a prophet and trusted advisor, would validate her claims about David's oath and Adonijah's usurpation, giving them undeniable authority and prompting David to swift action. This corroboration was essential to counter Adonijah's swift, unauthorized ascent.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of 1 Kings 1:14 is rich with **Dramatic Irony**, as King David remains largely unaware of Adonijah's usurpation and the desperate measures being taken by Nathan and Bathsheba to save the throne. Nathan's strategic timing and coordination with Bathsheba exemplify **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the successful outcome of their intervention and the eventual enthronement of Solomon. The planned sequence of Bathsheba's appeal followed by Nathan's corroboration demonstrates effective **Strategic Coordination**, a form of **Parallelism** in action, where two distinct actions are designed to achieve a singular, powerful effect. The verse itself is a **Pivotal Moment**, marking the turning point where the tide begins to turn against Adonijah's premature claim and in favor of God's chosen successor, Solomon, creating palpable **Suspense** as the reader anticipates David's reaction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The strategic intervention of Nathan and Bathsheba, culminating in Nathan's promise to "confirm thy words," is a powerful illustration of divine providence working through human agency. While Adonijah's actions represent human ambition and presumption, Nathan's plan is rooted in the faithful execution of God's promises to David regarding his lineage and the establishment of Solomon's kingdom. This narrative underscores the theological principle that God often uses wise counsel, timely action, and credible witness to bring about His sovereign purposes, even amidst political intrigue and human frailty. It highlights the importance of truth and confirmation in upholding justice and divine order, echoing the biblical emphasis on reliable testimony.

* [2 Samuel 7:12-13](/2_samuel/7-12 "God's Covenant with David regarding his Son")
* [Deuteronomy 19:15](/deuteronomy/19-15 "Requirement for Two or Three Witnesses")
* [Proverbs 11:14](/proverbs/11-14 "Wisdom in Counsel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Kings 1:14 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, reminding us that God often works through strategic, courageous, and well-timed human actions to accomplish His will. Nathan's example challenges us to be discerning and proactive when truth is obscured, justice is threatened, or God's principles are compromised. It underscores the importance of wise counsel and the power of corroboration in upholding what is right. Just as Nathan confirmed Bathsheba's words to establish truth before the king, we are called to be advocates for truth in our spheres of influence, speaking with integrity and seeking confirmation where necessary. This narrative encourages us to trust that God can use our efforts, when aligned with His purposes and executed with wisdom, to "confirm" His will in the world, even in complex or seemingly overwhelming situations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Nathan's strategic intervention encourage us to seek wisdom and discernment in navigating difficult situations today?**
* **When are we called to "confirm" or advocate for truth, even when it might be uncomfortable or challenging?**
* **What role does wise counsel and collaboration play in our efforts to uphold God's principles in our communities or workplaces?**
* **How does this narrative deepen our trust in God's sovereignty, knowing He can use human instruments to achieve His divine purposes?**

### FAQ
**Why was Nathan's intervention necessary if David had already promised the throne to Solomon?**

Answer: Nathan's intervention was crucial for several reasons. First, King David was "old and stricken in years" ([1 Kings 1:1](/1_kings/1 "1 Kings 1 - David's Old Age and Adonijah's Usurpation")), likely frail and perhaps not fully aware of the political machinations unfolding around him. Adonijah had seized the initiative, presumptuously declaring himself king and gathering significant support from key figures like Joab and Abiathar ([1 Kings 1:5-7](/1_kings/1-5 "Adonijah's Self-Proclamation as King")). Without David's immediate and explicit counter-action, Adonijah's claim could have become irreversible, leading to civil war or the permanent usurpation of the throne. Nathan, as a prophet and trusted advisor, understood the divine promise that Solomon would succeed David, and he acted to ensure God's will was done and David's own oath was upheld. His plan with Bathsheba was a strategic, coordinated effort to force David's hand and secure the rightful succession before it was too late.

**What is the significance of Nathan's promise to "confirm thy words"?**

Answer: The promise to "confirm thy words" is highly significant because it speaks to the principle of establishing truth through credible witness. In ancient legal and social contexts, the testimony of multiple reliable witnesses was crucial for validating a claim or accusation, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 19:15](/deuteronomy/19-15 "Requirement for Two or Three Witnesses")). Bathsheba's personal appeal to David about his oath would be powerful, but Nathan's subsequent entrance, as a prophet with divine authority and a long history of advising David, would provide irrefutable corroboration. His "confirmation" would establish Bathsheba's account as firm, reliable, and undeniable, compelling David to act decisively. It ensured that David would not dismiss Bathsheba's words as mere personal pleading but recognize them as a divinely sanctioned truth requiring immediate royal decree.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic events surrounding Solomon's succession, particularly Nathan's role in "confirming" the rightful heir, find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Solomon's kingship, established through divine promise and human intervention, was a type and shadow of the eternal kingdom of God. The Davidic Covenant, which promised an enduring dynasty ([2 Samuel 7:12-13](/2_samuel/7-12 "God's Covenant with David regarding his Son")), finds its true and perfect realization in Jesus, the Son of David, whose kingdom "will have no end" ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Angel Gabriel's Prophecy to Mary about Jesus' Kingship")). Just as Nathan confirmed Bathsheba's words to establish Solomon's claim, the Holy Spirit continually confirms the truth of Christ's identity and reign in the hearts of believers. Jesus Himself is the ultimate "Amen," the faithful and true witness ([Revelation 3:14](/revelation/3-14 "Jesus as the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness")), embodying the very truth that Nathan sought to confirm. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), whose kingdom is not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "Jesus' Kingdom is Not of This World")), yet it is eternally established and will ultimately triumph over all earthly usurpers and rebellious claims.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Corinthians 13:1

¶ This [is] the third [time] I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

1 Kings 1:17

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 Kings 1:27

Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed [it] unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?