1 Kings 1:42

And while he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came: and Adonijah said unto him, Come in; for thou [art] a valiant man, and bringest good tidings.

And while he yet spake {H1696}, behold, Jonathan {H3129} the son {H1121} of Abiathar {H54} the priest {H3548} came {H935}: and Adonijah {H138} said {H559} unto him, Come in {H935}; for thou art a valiant {H2428} man {H376}{H381}, and bringest {H1319} good {H2896} tidings {H1319}.

While he was still speaking, there came Yonatan the son of Evyatar the cohen. Adoniyah said, "Come in! You're a worthy man, so you must be bringing good news!"

As he was speaking, suddenly Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest arrived. โ€œCome in,โ€ said Adonijah, โ€œfor you are a man of valor. You must be bringing good news.โ€

While he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came: and Adonijah said, Come in; for thou art a worthy man, and bringest good tidings.

Commentary

1 Kings 1:42 captures a pivotal moment of dramatic irony during the succession crisis for King David's throne. Here, Jonathan, the son of Abiathar the priest, arrives at Adonijah's unauthorized coronation feast, and Adonijah, full of hopeful anticipation, greets him, expecting news that confirms his claim to the kingship.

Context

This verse is set against the backdrop of King David's old age and waning health. Adonijah, David's fourth son, had presumptuously declared himself king, gathering support from influential figures like Joab, the army commander, and Abiathar, one of the chief priests. However, God had already designated Solomon, Bathsheba's son, to succeed David, a promise confirmed by David himself (1 Kings 1:17, 1 Kings 1:30). While Adonijah and his conspirators were feasting and celebrating his supposed ascension, Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba had informed David of Adonijah's actions, prompting David to swiftly command the anointing of Solomon as king (1 Kings 1:32-34). Jonathan, a loyal messenger, was dispatched by Abiathar to report on the unfolding events, serving as a critical link in the narrative.

Key Themes

  • Misplaced Hope and Presumption: Adonijah's eager welcome of Jonathan, expecting "good tidings," starkly highlights his presumption and defiance of God's established will. He believes his ambition will triumph, unaware that the news Jonathan carries will be devastating to his plans.
  • Divine Sovereignty vs. Human Ambition: The verse powerfully illustrates the clash between human schemes and God's sovereign plan. Despite Adonijah's well-orchestrated attempt to seize the throne, God's decree for Solomon to reign is already being fulfilled, demonstrating that many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
  • The Role of Messengers: Jonathan's arrival marks the turning point. He is not merely a messenger; he is the bearer of truth that shatters Adonijah's illusion, signaling the immediate collapse of his rebellion.

Linguistic Insights

Adonijah addresses Jonathan as a "valiant man." The Hebrew word for "valiant" here is chayil (ื—ึทื™ึดืœ), which can denote strength, wealth, capability, or noble character. Adonijah uses it perhaps as flattery, or genuinely believing that Jonathan, known for his swift and reliable communication (cf. 2 Samuel 15:36), would bring favorable news that would validate Adonijah's position. The phrase "good tidings" translates the Hebrew besorah (ื‘ึฐึผืฉื‚ื•ึนืจึธื”), meaning 'news' or 'message,' often with a positive connotation. The dramatic irony lies in the fact that the news Jonathan brings is anything but "good" for Adonijah.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a potent reminder of the futility of opposing God's will. We are often tempted to pursue our own desires and ambitions, even when they conflict with divine wisdom or established order. Adonijah's story teaches us the importance of discernment and humility. True "good tidings" come from aligning our lives with God's purposes, rather than clinging to self-serving plans that are destined to fail. It also highlights how quickly circumstances can change, and how presumption can lead to a swift downfall, as Adonijah soon discovers (1 Kings 1:49).

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 15:36

    Behold, [they have] there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok's [son], and Jonathan Abiathar's [son]; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear.

  • 2 Samuel 18:27

    And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He [is] a good man, and cometh with good tidings.

  • 2 Samuel 17:17

    Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David.

  • 2 Samuel 15:27

    The king said also unto Zadok the priest, [Art not] thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.

  • 2 Kings 9:22

    And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, [Is it] peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts [are so] many?

  • 1 Kings 22:18

    And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil?

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:2

    For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
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