1 Kings 1:41

¶ And Adonijah and all the guests that [were] with him heard [it] as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, Wherefore [is this] noise of the city being in an uproar?

And Adonijah {H138} and all the guests {H7121} that were with him heard {H8085} it as they had made an end {H3615} of eating {H398}. And when Joab {H3097} heard {H8085} the sound {H6963} of the trumpet {H7782}, he said {H559}, Wherefore is this noise {H6963} of the city {H7151} being in an uproar {H1993}?

Adoniyah and all his guests heard it while they were finishing their meal; but it was Yo'av who, when he heard the blast on the shofar, asked, "That noise - what's the meaning of this uproar in the city?"

Now Adonijah and all his guests were finishing their feast when they heard the sound of the ram’s horn. “Why is the city in such a loud uproar?” asked Joab.

And Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, Wherefore is this noise of the city being in an uproar?

Commentary

1 Kings 1:41 captures a pivotal moment in the succession of King David, where the sounds of legitimate royal proclamation dramatically interrupt the illicit celebration of Adonijah's self-proclaimed kingship.

Context of 1 Kings 1:41

This verse immediately follows the official anointing of Solomon as king, a swift action orchestrated by Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba to counter the ambitious move of Adonijah, David's fourth son. Adonijah, presuming he would inherit the throne, had gathered powerful allies like Joab, the commander of David's army, and Abiathar the priest, for a celebratory feast at En-rogel, effectively declaring himself king (1 Kings 1:5). Unbeknownst to them, King David, prompted by Nathan and Bathsheba, had given clear instructions for Solomon to be anointed and proclaimed king with a trumpet blast and shouts of "God save King Solomon!" (1 Kings 1:33). The "noise of the city being in an uproar" refers to the jubilant celebration of the people of Jerusalem, acknowledging Solomon's rightful ascent to the throne, as described in 1 Kings 1:40.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Ordination vs. Human Ambition: The stark contrast between Adonijah's presumptuous ambition and God's chosen successor, Solomon, is immediately apparent. The sudden interruption of Adonijah's feast by the sounds of Solomon's legitimate anointing highlights that God's plan ultimately prevails over human schemes and political maneuvering.
  • The Power of Proclamation: The sound of the trumpet and the ensuing shouts of the people symbolize the official and public transfer of royal authority. This was a customary way to announce a new king in ancient Israel, signifying a binding and widely recognized declaration.
  • Consequences of Presumption: Adonijah and his guests are caught completely off guard, their celebration turning to confusion and fear. This serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of acting against established authority or what is divinely appointed.
  • Shift in Power Dynamics: This verse marks a dramatic and irreversible shift in the political landscape of Jerusalem. The old guard, represented by Joab, is now faced with a new reality, where their loyalty to Adonijah puts them at odds with the newly established king.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "noise of the city being in an uproar" translates the Hebrew word qol (קול), which broadly means "sound," "voice," or "noise." In this context, it signifies a loud, tumultuous sound, not necessarily negative, but indicative of a significant public event or commotion. Joab's question, "Wherefore [is this] noise...?" reveals his initial confusion and suspicion, as such a sound could indicate either celebration or distress, but its intensity clearly suggests a major development in the city.

Practical Application

This passage offers several timeless lessons. It reminds us that human plans, however well-orchestrated, can be swiftly overturned by a higher power or unforeseen circumstances. It underscores the importance of discerning true authority and aligning ourselves with rightful leadership, rather than being swayed by ambition or popular consensus that runs contrary to divine will. For believers, it reinforces the concept that God's purposes will ultimately be fulfilled, even amidst political intrigue and human error, much like how many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

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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

  • Matthew 21:9 (2 votes)

    And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

  • Matthew 21:11 (2 votes)

    And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

  • Matthew 24:38 (2 votes)

    For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

  • Matthew 24:39 (2 votes)

    And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

  • Proverbs 14:13 (2 votes)

    ¶ Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth [is] heaviness.

  • Ecclesiastes 7:4 (2 votes)

    The heart of the wise [is] in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools [is] in the house of mirth.

  • Ecclesiastes 7:6 (2 votes)

    For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so [is] the laughter of the fool: this also [is] vanity.