1 Kings 1:28

KJV

Then king David answered and said, Call me Bathsheba. And she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then king {H4428} David {H1732} answered {H6030} and said {H559}, Call {H7121} me Bathsheba {H1339}. And she came {H935} into the king's {H4428} presence {H6440}, and stood {H5975} before {H6440} the king {H4428}.

Complete Jewish Bible

King David answered by saying, "Summon Bat-Sheva to me." She entered the king's presence and stood before the king.

Berean Standard Bible

Then King David said, “Call in Bathsheba for me.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before him.

American Standard Version

Then king David answered and said, Call to me Bath-sheba. And she came into the king’s presence, and stood before the king.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King David, despite his advanced age and physical frailty, demonstrates his enduring royal authority by immediately summoning Bathsheba upon hearing of Adonijah's attempted usurpation of the throne. This swift and decisive action marks a pivotal moment, affirming David's commitment to his earlier oath and setting in motion the divine plan for Solomon's rightful succession to the throne of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The first chapter of 1 Kings opens with a vivid portrayal of King David's physical decline, setting the stage for the crucial issue of succession. Verses [1 Kings 1:5-10](/1-kings/1-5 "1 Kings 1:5-10 - Adonijah's Self-Exaltation") describe Adonijah's audacious attempt to seize the throne, gathering support from key figures like Joab and Abiathar, thereby bypassing David's authority and God's established plan. Immediately preceding [1 Kings 1:28](/1-kings/1-28 "1 Kings 1:28 - David Summons Bathsheba"), Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba have just presented David with the urgent news of Adonijah's coup and reminded him of his solemn oath that Solomon would succeed him (cf. [1 Kings 1:11-27](/1-kings/1-11 "1 Kings 1:11-27 - Nathan and Bathsheba Confront David")). This verse, therefore, represents David's immediate and authoritative response, initiating the counter-action that will secure Solomon's rightful place on the throne.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern monarchies, succession was often a volatile and bloody affair, particularly when a king was old or infirm. The absence of a clear, divinely appointed or legally established heir could lead to civil strife and power struggles, as seen with Adonijah's premature self-proclamation. The role of royal women, like Bathsheba, though often behind the scenes, could be significant in influencing the king and securing the future of their sons, especially in a polygamous society where multiple potential heirs existed. "Standing before the king" was a formal and respectful posture, indicating one was present for a royal audience, prepared to receive a command or present a petition, underscoring the gravity and formality of the moment.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within 1 Kings and the broader Davidic narrative. It highlights **Divine Sovereignty** amidst human ambition, demonstrating how God's plan for the Davidic dynasty through Solomon (cf. [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2-samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - God's Covenant with David and His Descendant")) is upheld despite Adonijah's usurpation. It underscores **David's Enduring Authority**, revealing that even in his physical weakness, the king's word remains law and his will decisive. The theme of **Fulfillment of Promise** is central, as David's immediate action ensures the oath made to Bathsheba regarding Solomon's succession (cf. [1 Kings 1:17](/1-kings/1-17 "1 Kings 1:17 - Bathsheba Reminds David of His Oath")) is honored. Finally, it subtly emphasizes **Bathsheba's Pivotal Role**, showing her not as a passive figure but as an active, crucial participant in securing the future of the kingdom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Answered (Hebrew, _ʿānāh'_):** While often meaning "to reply," in this context, it carries the weight of a decisive response to the urgent news presented by Bathsheba and Nathan. It signifies not merely speaking, but responding with an authoritative declaration, indicating a shift from passive reception of information to active command and resolution.
* **Presence (Hebrew, _pānîm'_):** Literally "face" or "faces," this term refers to the immediate vicinity of the king, signifying a formal audience. To come into the king's presence implies a direct, personal encounter, often with solemn or official purpose, underscoring the gravity and importance of the summons.
* **Stood (Hebrew, _ʿāmad'_):** This verb denotes a posture of readiness, respect, and attentive waiting. It implies a formal and submissive stance before a superior, indicating Bathsheba's preparedness to receive the king's command or decree, highlighting her role as a recipient of royal instruction in a moment of high consequence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then king David answered and said, Call me Bathsheba.":** This opening clause immediately establishes David's reassertion of authority. Despite his physical feebleness described earlier in the chapter, his mind is clear, and his command is direct and unhesitating. The phrase "Call me Bathsheba" is a royal imperative, demonstrating his decisive control over the situation and signaling his intent to act immediately on the urgent information received, initiating a counter-move to Adonijah's presumptuous actions.
* **"And she came into the king's presence,":** This describes Bathsheba's immediate and obedient response to the king's summons. Her prompt arrival in David's "presence" (his immediate vicinity) underscores the urgency of the matter and her readiness to engage with the king on such a critical issue, highlighting her active participation and pivotal role in the unfolding drama of succession.
* **"and stood before the king.":** This final clause depicts a formal posture of respect, attention, and readiness to receive instruction or a decree. To "stand before the king" was a customary position for those awaiting a royal pronouncement or prepared to serve. It signifies Bathsheba's attentiveness and her willingness to comply with whatever David's subsequent command might be, setting the stage for the pivotal oath regarding Solomon's succession.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary techniques to convey its significance. The **Authoritative Command** ("Call me Bathsheba") immediately re-establishes David's agency and power, creating a sharp contrast with the earlier descriptions of his physical frailty. The swift, almost terse, dialogue and action create a sense of **Urgency** and **Dramatic Tension**, reflecting the high stakes of the succession crisis. The repeated emphasis on Bathsheba's movement ("came into the king's presence, and stood before the king") highlights her **Pivotal Role** and the formality of the royal court, underscoring the solemnity of the moment. The act of "standing before the king" is a form of **Symbolism**, representing not just physical posture but also a position of readiness, respect, and submission to royal authority, preparing the reader for the weighty pronouncements that will follow.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, though brief, is pregnant with theological significance, serving as a crucial hinge point in the narrative of Davidic succession. It underscores the principle of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, even amidst human weakness, political intrigue, and attempted usurpation. David's decisive action, prompted by the divinely inspired counsel of Nathan and the urgent plea of Bathsheba, ensures that the divine will for Solomon's reign is upheld. It demonstrates that true authority, even when physically diminished, is rooted in the king's adherence to divine mandates and his commitment to his word. The scene subtly reinforces the idea that God works through human agents, even flawed ones like David, to bring about His sovereign purposes for His chosen line and kingdom.

* [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2-samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - God's Covenant with David and His Descendant")
* [1 Kings 1:30](/1-kings/1-30 "1 Kings 1:30 - David's Oath to Bathsheba Regarding Solomon")
* [Psalm 89:3-4](/psalm/89-3 "Psalm 89:3-4 - God's Covenant with David Confirmed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Kings 1:28 offers profound lessons for believers today, particularly concerning leadership, integrity, and the enduring nature of divine promises. David, despite his advanced age and physical decline, demonstrates that true leadership is not solely dependent on physical vigor but on moral clarity, decisive action, and faithfulness to one's word. His immediate response to the threat of usurpation reminds us that moments of crisis often demand swift and clear decisions to uphold justice and order. For us, this translates into the importance of maintaining spiritual vigilance and acting with integrity when faced with challenges to truth or righteousness. Furthermore, the verse subtly highlights the significance of keeping promises, both to God and to others, as David's action directly stems from his oath to Bathsheba. It encourages us to be people of our word, understanding that our commitments reflect our character and our reverence for divine principles.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's decisive action in this verse challenge our assumptions about leadership, especially in times of personal weakness or crisis?**
* **In what areas of your life might God be calling you to act with similar clarity and resolve, upholding a promise or a principle?**
* **How does Bathsheba's immediate response and posture of "standing before the king" inform our own readiness to respond to God's call or commands?**

### FAQ
**Why was David's immediate response so crucial in this moment?**

Answer: David's immediate response was crucial because Adonijah's attempted coup was a direct challenge to the established succession plan and, more importantly, to God's divine will for Solomon to sit on the throne. Any delay could have solidified Adonijah's position, leading to civil war or the permanent usurpation of the throne, thereby jeopardizing the Davidic covenant. David's swift summons of Bathsheba, followed by his reaffirmation of his oath, demonstrated that despite his frailty, he still held the ultimate royal authority and was determined to ensure the rightful heir was established. This decisive action prevented further escalation of the crisis, as seen in the subsequent events of [1 Kings 1:32-40](/1-kings/1-32 "1 Kings 1:32-40 - Solomon Anointed King").

**What does Bathsheba's "standing before the king" signify?**

Answer: Bathsheba's act of "standing before the king" is highly significant, culturally and literarily. It signifies a posture of reverence, respect, and readiness to receive a royal decree or instruction. In ancient courts, standing before the monarch was a formal position, indicating one was prepared to serve, petition, or receive judgment. For Bathsheba, it underscores her attentiveness, her submission to David's authority, and her willingness to comply with his subsequent commands. It sets the stage for the solemn reaffirmation of David's oath concerning Solomon's succession, highlighting the gravity and formality of the moment, as she is poised to hear the king's pivotal decision.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of David's final acts of succession, particularly his decisive reassertion of authority in [1 Kings 1:28](/1-kings/1-28 "1 Kings 1:28 - David Summons Bathsheba"), deeply foreshadows the ultimate King, Jesus Christ. David, though a great king, was frail and nearing death, his authority needing to be re-established through human intervention and a swift command. Yet, his commitment to his promise and the divine plan for Solomon's throne points to a greater King whose authority is never diminished by weakness or age. Jesus, the true Son of David, inherits a kingdom that is "an everlasting kingdom" ([Daniel 7:14](/daniel/7-14 "Daniel 7:14 - The Everlasting Kingdom of the Son of Man")), established not by human decree but by divine power and an eternal covenant. Unlike Adonijah's earthly ambition, Christ's reign is not usurped but freely given by the Father, for "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")). His "command" is not a desperate reassertion of power but a sovereign declaration that brings life and order to the cosmos ([John 5:24](/john/5-24 "John 5:24 - Hearing Jesus' Word Brings Life")). Just as Bathsheba stood before David in readiness, humanity is called to stand before Christ, not in fear of a fading earthly ruler, but in worship of the resurrected Lord, whose presence is eternal and whose promises are eternally fulfilled ([Revelation 1:17-18](/revelation/1-17 "Revelation 1:17-18 - Jesus, the First and the Last")). He is the true and faithful King, whose word is the very foundation of the new covenant, mediating a better covenant based on better promises ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Jesus, Mediator of a Better Covenant")).

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.