1 Kings 1:22

And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in.

And, lo, while she yet talked {H1696} with the king {H4428}, Nathan {H5416} the prophet {H5030} also came in {H935}.

Right then, while she was still talking with the king, Natan the prophet entered.

And just then, while Bathsheba was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived.

And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet came in.

Commentary

1 Kings 1:22 captures a pivotal moment in the succession crisis of King David's throne, highlighting the strategic entry of Nathan the prophet.

Context

This verse is situated amidst the dramatic events surrounding the end of King David's reign. David, now old and frail, had not yet formally named his successor. His son Adonijah, taking advantage of the vacuum, began to assert himself as the next king, gathering support from key figures like Joab and Abiathar (1 Kings 1:7). However, David had previously sworn to Bathsheba that their son, Solomon, would succeed him (1 Kings 1:17). Nathan the prophet, a key figure in David's court and a divine messenger, orchestrated a plan with Bathsheba to remind the king of his promise and alert him to Adonijah's usurpation. Bathsheba had just finished presenting her case to David, recounting Adonijah's actions and reminding David of his oath, when Nathan arrived, perfectly timed to confirm her words and add prophetic weight to the plea.

Key Themes

  • Divine Orchestration: Nathan's timely arrival is not coincidental but part of a divinely guided plan to ensure the rightful heir, Solomon, ascends the throne. This aligns with God's earlier promises regarding David's lineage and the establishment of his kingdom (2 Samuel 7:12).
  • Prophetic Authority: Nathan, having previously played a crucial role in David's life (e.g., confronting David about Bathsheba and Uriah), demonstrates his continued influence and authority within the royal court, acting as God's mouthpiece.
  • Strategic Counsel: The coordinated effort between Bathsheba and Nathan showcases astute political and spiritual strategy to counter Adonijah's premature coronation and secure Solomon's legitimate claim to the throne.
  • Urgency of Succession: The immediate danger posed by Adonijah's actions underscores the critical need for David to decisively name his successor to prevent civil strife and fulfill God's will.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "And, lo," serves to draw attention to the sudden and significant nature of Nathan's entrance. It emphasizes the dramatic timing, indicating that his arrival was not merely casual but impactful, confirming the narrative of the preceding verses and setting the stage for David's immediate response to the crisis.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us of the importance of wise counsel and timely intervention in critical situations. Just as Nathan and Bathsheba acted decisively to ensure God's will was done regarding the throne, believers today are called to discern and act on truth, particularly when facing challenges to divine order or righteousness. It also highlights how God uses human agents, like Nathan, to fulfill His purposes, even in complex political and family dynamics. This narrative underscores the principle that God is sovereign over all affairs, including the rise and fall of leaders, and that His plans will ultimately prevail.

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

  • Genesis 24:15

    And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.

  • Job 1:16

    While he [was] yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

  • Job 1:18

    While he [was] yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters [were] eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:

  • Daniel 9:20

    ¶ And whiles I [was] speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;
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