1 Kings 1:26

KJV

But me, [even] me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.

KJV (with Strong's)

But me, even me thy servant {H5650}, and Zadok {H6659} the priest {H3548}, and Benaiah {H1141} the son {H1121} of Jehoiada {H3077}, and thy servant {H5650} Solomon {H8010}, hath he not called {H7121}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But he didn't summon me your servant, or Tzadok the cohen, or B'nayah the son of Y'hoyada or your servant Shlomo.

Berean Standard Bible

But me your servant he did not invite, nor Zadok the priest, nor Benaiah son of Jehoiada, nor your servant Solomon.

American Standard Version

But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 1:26 presents Nathan the prophet's crucial report to King David, delivered through Bathsheba, exposing Adonijah's audacious and illegitimate attempt to seize the throne. Nathan strategically highlights the deliberate exclusion of key loyalists—himself, Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and most significantly, Solomon—from Adonijah's coronation feast. This calculated omission served as irrefutable evidence that Adonijah's actions were not sanctioned by David's will or by divine appointment, thereby compelling the ailing king to act decisively to secure Solomon's rightful and divinely ordained succession.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture in the succession narrative of King David, found in the opening chapter of [1 Kings](/1_kings/1 "The Succession of David"). David is portrayed as old and frail, nearing the end of his illustrious reign, and the question of who will succeed him is of paramount importance for the stability of the kingdom. Adonijah, David's fourth son, capitalizes on his father's perceived weakness and unilaterally declares himself king, gathering support from influential figures such as Joab, the commander of the army, and Abiathar, a prominent priest, as detailed in [1 Kings 1:5-9](/1_kings/1-5-9 "Adonijah's Self-Exaltation and Usurpation"). Nathan the prophet, a steadfast loyalist to David and a messenger of divine will, orchestrates a plan with Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, to inform David of Adonijah's conspiracy and to remind the king of his solemn oath regarding Solomon's succession. Verse [1 Kings 1:26](/1_kings/1-26 "Nathan's Report to David via Bathsheba") is Nathan's direct corroboration to David, confirming Bathsheba's earlier account and emphatically stressing the deliberate exclusion of those aligned with God's will and David's true intentions. This strategic revelation is designed to provoke David into immediate and decisive action to anoint Solomon.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Near Eastern monarchies frequently grappled with succession crises, particularly when a reigning king grew old or died without clearly designating an heir. While primogeniture (succession by the firstborn son) was a common practice, it was not an absolute rule; a king possessed the prerogative to choose a younger son, often under the guidance of divine revelation or a specific covenant. The anointing of a new king by a prophet or priest, often accompanied by a public feast or elaborate ceremony, was absolutely crucial for legitimizing the new monarch's rule in the eyes of both the people and the divine. Feasts were far more than mere social gatherings; they were significant political events, serving as public declarations of alliances, power, and authority. Adonijah's feast at En-rogel was a calculated public display intended to solidify his claim to the throne without royal or divine consent. The presence of key figures like the legitimate high priest (Zadok), the commander of the elite royal guard (Benaiah), and the prophet (Nathan) was indispensable for a truly legitimate coronation. Their conspicuous absence from Adonijah's feast, as meticulously highlighted by Nathan, immediately signaled the illegitimacy and rebellious nature of his actions, underscoring the high stakes of royal succession and the intricate interplay of political maneuvering, religious authority, and divine will.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prevalent in 1 Kings and the broader Deuteronomistic History. Firstly, it profoundly underscores the theme of **legitimacy of succession**, starkly contrasting Adonijah's self-exaltation with God's divinely appointed choice of Solomon, a promise made to David in [2 Samuel 7:12](/2_samuel/7-12 "God's Covenant with David regarding his Seed"). This highlights that true kingship is established by divine decree, not human ambition. Secondly, it illuminates the tension between **divine will and human ambition**, where Adonijah's scheme directly opposes God's established plan for the Davidic dynasty, demonstrating that human efforts to thwart God's purposes are ultimately futile. Thirdly, the verse clearly delineates **loyalty and disloyalty** within David's court, unequivocally identifying those who remained faithful to David and God's covenant (Nathan, Zadok, Benaiah, Solomon) versus those who aligned with Adonijah's usurpation (Joab, Abiathar). Finally, it showcases the crucial role of **prophetic intervention** in upholding God's justice and ensuring the fulfillment of His promises, as Nathan's strategic revelation directly leads to Solomon's anointing and the thwarting of Adonijah's plot, vividly depicted in [1 Kings 1:32-40](/1_kings/1-32-40 "Solomon's Anointing and Coronation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **servant (Hebrew, _ʻebed'_):** This term (H5650) refers to one who serves, a bondman, or a minister. In this context, Nathan's self-identification as "thy servant" (David's servant) underscores his unwavering loyalty and his official capacity as a trusted member of the king's court and, more importantly, as God's prophet. His exclusion from Adonijah's feast is not merely a personal slight but a deliberate snub against a figure representing legitimate authority and divine counsel. The emphasis on "me, even me thy servant" heightens the rhetorical impact, highlighting the audacity of Adonijah's disregard for David's loyal inner circle and God's revealed will.
* **called (Hebrew, _qârâʼ'_):** The verb "called" (H7121) signifies an invitation, a summons, or an address by name. In the context of a royal feast intended to legitimize a new king, the act of "calling" or inviting was paramount for establishing alliances and acknowledging authority. The negated form, "hath he not called," therefore, functions as a damning indictment. It signifies a deliberate and conscious act of omission by Adonijah, not an oversight. To *not* call specific, crucial individuals like Nathan, Zadok, Benaiah, and Solomon was a clear signal of their exclusion from the new regime and, by extension, a declaration of opposition to them, revealing Adonijah's fear of those who represented legitimate authority and his desire to consolidate power without challenge.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But me, [even] me thy servant":** Nathan begins his report with a powerful emphasis on his own person, using a rhetorical device that highlights his personal integrity, his prophetic authority, and his intimate involvement in God's covenant with David concerning Solomon. His exclusion is presented as a significant affront, not only to him personally but to the divine plan he represents.
* **"and Zadok the priest":** The inclusion of Zadok, the legitimate high priest, in the list of the excluded is critical. A legitimate coronation required the anointing by the high priest. Adonijah's failure to invite Zadok signifies his attempt to bypass established religious authority and secure a kingship without proper divine sanction, relying instead on Abiathar, who had aligned with him.
* **"and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada":** Benaiah commanded the Cherethites and Pelethites, David's elite personal guard, the most trusted military force. His absence from Adonijah's feast meant the usurper lacked the support of the king's most loyal and formidable military arm, further exposing the fragility and illegitimacy of his claim. This omission reveals Adonijah's awareness of Benaiah's unwavering loyalty to David and his designated successor.
* **"and thy servant Solomon":** This is the most damning exclusion of all. Solomon was David's divinely designated heir, confirmed by God's promise and David's solemn oath to Bathsheba. Adonijah's failure to invite Solomon was a blatant act of usurpation, a direct challenge to David's authority and God's established plan, underscoring Adonijah's intent to seize the throne by force and deception.
* **"hath he not called":** This concluding phrase serves as a powerful summary, applying to all the preceding individuals. It is the crucial piece of evidence presented to David, demonstrating that Adonijah's actions were not merely a celebratory feast but a calculated rebellion, deliberately excluding those who represented David's authority, God's will, and the legitimate line of succession.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent and incriminating message. **Repetition** is powerfully evident in Nathan's emphatic "me, even me thy servant," which serves to underscore his personal integrity, his prophetic authority, and the gravity of his exclusion, thereby lending significant weight to his testimony. **Irony** pervades the situation: Adonijah's feast, meticulously planned to legitimize his claim to the throne, paradoxically becomes the very evidence of its illegitimacy due to the deliberate omissions highlighted by Nathan. The stark list of exclusions creates a clear **contrast** between Adonijah's rebellious faction and the loyalists aligned with David and God's divine plan for Solomon. Furthermore, the precise detailing of who was *not* invited functions as a form of **negative space**, where the absence of these key figures speaks volumes about Adonijah's intentions and the true nature of his plot, effectively **foreshadowing** the swift and decisive action David will take to thwart the usurpation and establish Solomon.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 1:26 powerfully illustrates the tension between human ambition and divine sovereignty in the establishment of kingship. It underscores that true authority and legitimate rule derive not from self-proclamation, popular acclamation, or political maneuvering, but from God's divine appointment and the faithful execution of His will. Nathan's strategic revelation highlights God's active involvement in human affairs, ensuring that His covenant promises, specifically the establishment of David's lineage through Solomon, are fulfilled despite political intrigue and human machinations. The unwavering loyalty of Nathan, Zadok, and Benaiah serves as a compelling model of faithfulness to God's ordained plan and His chosen leaders, even in the face of powerful opposition, demonstrating that God often uses faithful servants to uphold His purposes and bring about His desired outcomes.

* [2 Samuel 7:12](/2_samuel/7-12 "God's Covenant with David regarding his Seed")
* [1 Kings 1:30](/1_kings/1-30 "David's Oath to Bathsheba regarding Solomon's Succession")
* [Psalm 75:6-7](/psalms/75-6-7 "God as the Source of Exaltation and Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers profound and enduring lessons for contemporary believers regarding discernment, loyalty, and unwavering trust in divine providence. In a world often characterized by power struggles, self-promotion, and the pursuit of illegitimate authority, 1 Kings 1:26 calls us to cultivate spiritual discernment, enabling us to perceive the true motives behind actions, especially when key principles or individuals are deliberately sidelined or excluded. Like Nathan, we are called to be courageous in speaking truth to power, standing for what is right and aligned with God's revealed will, even when it is unpopular, challenging, or carries personal risk. The steadfast loyalty of Nathan and others to David's legitimate authority and God's overarching plan serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faithfulness to divine calling and established, righteous order. Ultimately, the narrative reassures us that despite human schemes and ambitious machinations, God's sovereign plan will prevail, offering profound comfort and encouragement to trust in His ultimate control over all circumstances, knowing that His purposes cannot be thwarted.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Adonijah's deliberate exclusion of key figures from his feast parallel ways in which illegitimate authority or false narratives seek to silence or marginalize truth-tellers and legitimate voices today?**
* **What does Nathan's strategic and courageous intervention teach us about our responsibility to speak truth and expose deception within our spheres of influence, whether personal, professional, or spiritual?**
* **In what areas of your life or community might you need to exercise greater spiritual discernment to identify motives or actions that run contrary to God's will or established order?**
* **How can the ultimate triumph of God's plan for Solomon, despite Adonijah's ambitious efforts, strengthen your faith and trust in God's sovereignty amidst personal uncertainties or global challenges?**

### FAQ

**Why was Nathan's testimony in 1 Kings 1:26 so crucial in this succession crisis?**

Answer: Nathan's testimony was crucial for several compelling reasons. As a respected prophet, he carried significant spiritual and moral authority, making his words difficult to dismiss or ignore. He was also a direct witness to Adonijah's actions and, critically, had been the divine messenger through whom God had explicitly promised David that Solomon would succeed him ([2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "The Davidic Covenant and Solomon's Succession")). His strategic report to King David, meticulously confirming Bathsheba's earlier account and emphasizing the deliberate exclusion of key loyalists, provided irrefutable evidence of Adonijah's illegitimate usurpation. This precise detail exposed the rebellious and unsanctioned nature of Adonijah's feast, compelling the ailing King David to act decisively and immediately to ensure Solomon's rightful anointing as king, as vividly recorded in [1 Kings 1:32-40](/1_kings/1-32-40 "Solomon's Anointing and Coronation").

**What was the significance of Adonijah *not* inviting Nathan, Zadok, Benaiah, and Solomon to his coronation feast?**

Answer: The significance of these deliberate exclusions was profound and multi-layered, serving as undeniable proof of Adonijah's illegitimate intentions. Nathan represented God's prophetic voice and the divine plan for Solomon's succession; his absence indicated a disregard for God's will. Zadok was the legitimate high priest, whose anointing was essential for a divinely sanctioned kingship; his exclusion meant Adonijah was bypassing proper religious authority. Benaiah commanded David's elite royal guard, symbolizing the king's military authority and personal protection; his absence meant Adonijah lacked the support of the most loyal military force. And Solomon, most importantly, was David's chosen and divinely appointed heir; his failure to be invited was a blatant act of usurpation and a direct challenge to both David's authority and God's established order. By deliberately excluding these pivotal individuals, Adonijah signaled his intent to seize power through illegitimate means, rather than through a divinely approved and royally sanctioned succession. Their absence at his feast served as irrefutable evidence that Adonijah's self-proclamation was an unauthorized coup.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of 1 Kings 1:26, with its profound themes of legitimate kingship, divine appointment, and the rejection of usurpers, finds its ultimate and glorious Christ-centered fulfillment. Just as Solomon was the divinely chosen heir, appointed by God and confirmed by David's oath despite human ambition and political intrigue, so too is Jesus Christ the true and eternal King, the ultimate Son of David, whose reign is established not by human will or popular acclamation but by divine decree. The world, in its rebellion and pursuit of self-exaltation, often fails to "call" or acknowledge Christ, much like Adonijah deliberately excluded those who represented God's true authority. Indeed, Jesus was rejected by the very people and systems that should have recognized and welcomed Him, becoming the [stone the builders rejected](/psalms/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Stone the Builders Rejected") who then became the cornerstone. Yet, His kingdom, unlike any earthly one, cannot be usurped or overthrown; it is an everlasting kingdom, not of this world, as He declared to Pilate in [John 18:36](/john/18-36 "Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World"). His ultimate enthronement is secured by God's sovereign plan, culminating in His resurrection and ascension, where God has "highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name," so that "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Christ's Exaltation and Universal Lordship")). Thus, the triumph of Solomon's legitimate succession powerfully foreshadows the glorious, unchallengeable, and eternal reign of Jesus Christ, the true King of kings and Lord of lords.

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

1 Kings 1:8

But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which [belonged] to David, were not with Adonijah.

1 Kings 1:10

But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.

2 Samuel 12:25

And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.

2 Samuel 7:2

That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.

1 Kings 1:19

And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.

2 Samuel 7:12

And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

2 Samuel 7:17

According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.