1 Kings 2:15

KJV

And he said, Thou knowest that the kingdom was mine, and [that] all Israel set their faces on me, that I should reign: howbeit the kingdom is turned about, and is become my brother's: for it was his from the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559}, Thou knowest {H3045} that the kingdom {H4410} was mine, and that all Israel {H3478} set {H7760} their faces {H6440} on me, that I should reign {H4427}: howbeit the kingdom {H4410} is turned about {H5437}, and is become my brother's {H251}: for it was his from the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He said, "You know that the kingdom should have been mine, that all Isra'el was looking to me to be their ruler. No matter; the kingdom has turned around and become my brother's, because ADONAI gave it to him.

Berean Standard Bible

“You know that the kingship was mine,” he said. “All Israel expected that I should reign, but the kingship has turned to my brother, for it has come to him from the LORD.

American Standard Version

And he said, Thou knowest that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel set their faces on me, that I should reign: howbeit the kingdom is turned about, and is become my brother’s; for it was his from Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Kings 2:15, Adonijah, an elder son of King David, addresses Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, articulating his initial conviction that the throne was rightfully his, a belief reinforced by significant popular support. Despite these aspirations and the people's favor, he reluctantly acknowledges that the kingdom has decisively shifted to his younger brother Solomon, attributing this ultimate transfer of power to the sovereign will of the LORD. This verse encapsulates Adonijah's grudging recognition of divine appointment, subtly setting the stage for his final, ill-fated attempt to undermine Solomon's divinely established reign.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a critical juncture in the early chapters of 1 Kings, which meticulously detail the tumultuous transition of power from King David to his son Solomon. Immediately prior to this conversation, David has passed away, and Solomon has firmly established his reign, marked by initial acts of consolidation and judgment. Adonijah, who had previously mounted a significant, though ultimately unsuccessful, coup attempt to seize the throne while David was still alive and ailing ([1_kings/1-5 "1 Kings 1:5 - Adonijah's Attempted Coup"]), had been spared by Solomon on the condition of demonstrating loyalty ([1_kings/1-52 "1 Kings 1:52 - Solomon's Mercy on Adonijah"]). This current interaction with Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, represents Adonijah's first strategic move since receiving that pardon. His seemingly innocent request to marry Abishag the Shunammite, who had served as David's attendant in his final days, is far from benign. In the ancient Near East, marrying a deceased king's concubine or attendant was a potent symbolic act of succession, implying a claim to the royal lineage and authority, as vividly demonstrated by Absalom's actions during his rebellion ([2_samuel/16-21-22 "2 Samuel 16:21-22 - Absalom's Public Claim to the Throne"]). Therefore, Adonijah's words in 1 Kings 2:15, while appearing to concede God's sovereignty, serve as a deceptive preamble to a final, fatal challenge to Solomon's divinely ordained kingship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The succession to the throne in ancient Israel, particularly during the early monarchy, was not always governed by strict primogeniture. While the eldest surviving son typically held an expectation of inheritance, divine choice frequently superseded birth order, as exemplified by David himself being chosen over his older brothers ([1_samuel/16-6-12 "1 Samuel 16:6-12 - Samuel Anoints David"]). Adonijah's initial belief that the kingdom "was mine" reflects this cultural expectation of primogeniture. However, King David had explicitly promised the throne to Solomon, a promise that was divinely confirmed ([1_chronicles/22-9-10 "1 Chronicles 22:9-10 - God's Promise to Solomon to Solomon"]). The political landscape of the time was fluid, characterized by various factions vying for influence and power. Adonijah's earlier coup attempt had garnered significant support from influential figures like Joab, the army commander, and Abiathar, the priest ([1_kings/1-7 "1 Kings 1:7 - Adonijah's Supporters"]), indicating substantial popular and military backing. The act of marrying a former king's concubine was a widely understood political maneuver to legitimize a claim to the throne, a practice well-documented in the ancient Near East and within Israelite history, as seen in Absalom's rebellion ([2_samuel/16-21-22 "2 Samuel 16:21-22 - Absalom's Public Claim to the Throne"]). Consequently, Adonijah's request was not merely a personal desire but a deeply political act, directly challenging the very foundation of Solomon's established rule.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several key themes prevalent throughout [1_kings/ "The Book of 1 Kings"] and the broader Deuteronomistic History. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty in Kingship**, emphasizing that ultimately, the LORD determines who reigns, irrespective of human ambition, popular support, or established custom. Adonijah's reluctant admission, "for it was his from the LORD," serves as a stark reminder that God's will supersedes all human machinations and expectations. Secondly, it vividly portrays the tension between **Human Ambition vs. God's Will**, showing how Adonijah's perceived entitlement and the people's favor ("all Israel set their faces on me") were utterly secondary to God's pre-ordained plan for Solomon. This recurring motif of human desire clashing with divine decree is a central thread throughout the biblical narrative, particularly in the accounts of Israel's monarchy. Thirdly, the verse points to the **Stability of God's Chosen Leader**, demonstrating that Solomon's throne, though seemingly established through a "turned about" situation, was secure precisely because it was divinely appointed. This theme reinforces the idea that true authority and lasting power derive from God alone, not from human popularity or political maneuvering, setting a precedent for understanding legitimate rule in Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Set their faces (Hebrew, שׂוּם פָּנִים, _sum panim'_):** This idiomatic expression, combining the verb "to put" (H7760, _sum_) and the noun "face" (H6440, _panim_), signifies a strong, unwavering intention, eager expectation, and devoted allegiance. It conveys that a significant portion of the populace, or at least many influential figures, had fixed their gaze upon Adonijah, considering him the rightful heir and desiring him to be king. It speaks to the perceived legitimacy and popular momentum Adonijah had garnered before Solomon's anointing, indicating a public or private declaration of support.
* **Turned about (Hebrew, סָבַב, _savav'_):** This primitive root (H5437), often translated as "revolved," "surrounded," or "changed," here denotes a complete and decisive reversal or shift in circumstances. Adonijah uses it to emphasize the suddenness and finality of the transfer of power from his expectation to Solomon's reality. It highlights the unexpected intervention of divine will and David's final decrees that completely altered the anticipated succession, implying a radical change in direction or outcome.
* **From the LORD (Hebrew, מֵיְהוָה, _me-YHWH'_):** This phrase (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_), signifying the self-Existent or Eternal God, unequivocally attributes the ultimate source of Solomon's kingship to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. It signifies divine appointment, not merely human election or political maneuvering. Adonijah's grudging acknowledgment here is crucial, as it underscores the theological understanding that the monarchy in Israel was ultimately a divine institution, subject to God's sovereign choice and purpose, regardless of human plans or desires.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said, Thou knowest that the kingdom was mine,"**: Adonijah initiates the conversation by appealing to Bathsheba's presumed understanding and agreement regarding his perceived right to the throne. He asserts his belief that, by custom and expectation as the eldest surviving son of David, the kingship rightfully belonged to him. This opening statement reflects his deep-seated sense of entitlement and the profound disappointment of his thwarted ambition, laying the groundwork for his subtle plea.
* **"and [that] all Israel set their faces on me, that I should reign:"**: This clause further elaborates on Adonijah's justification for his claim, indicating that his ambition was not merely personal but seemingly validated by widespread popular support and expectation. "All Israel" here likely refers to significant segments of the population, including key leaders, military figures, and factions, who had publicly or privately endorsed his succession, lending considerable weight to his perceived legitimacy and popular mandate.
* **"howbeit the kingdom is turned about, and is become my brother's:"**: This marks a sharp pivot in Adonijah's speech, where he acknowledges the undeniable and irreversible reality of the situation. The conjunction "howbeit" (or "nevertheless") signals a concession, a reluctant admission that despite his claims and support, the kingdom has undergone a complete and decisive reversal, shifting from his grasp to Solomon's. This phrase conveys a sense of abruptness and finality to the change in power, indicating a new, established order.
* **"for it was his from the LORD."**: This concluding phrase is the most significant theological admission in the verse. Despite his personal ambition, popular backing, and initial belief in his own right, Adonijah is compelled to concede that Solomon's kingship is ultimately by divine decree. This acknowledges God's sovereign hand in the affairs of men and the establishment of rulers, even when it overturns human expectations and desires. It underscores the theological truth that God is the ultimate Kingmaker, and His will is supreme.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its complex message. **Irony** is profoundly evident in Adonijah's confession that the kingdom was Solomon's "from the LORD," even as he is about to make a subtle, manipulative move that directly contradicts this very divine appointment. His words express a theological truth he seems unwilling to fully accept in his actions, highlighting a disjunction between intellectual acknowledgment and genuine submission. There is a strong **Contrast** between Adonijah's human ambition and popular support ("the kingdom was mine," "all Israel set their faces on me") and the ultimate reality of God's sovereign will ("it was his from the LORD"). This juxtaposition powerfully highlights the futility of human plans when they run counter to divine purpose. The phrase "turned about" functions as a form of **Euphemism** or **Understatement**, subtly downplaying the dramatic and divinely orchestrated events of Solomon's anointing and David's final decrees, which decisively thwarted Adonijah's coup. It suggests a mere shift or change, rather than a direct, forceful divine intervention against his will. Finally, Adonijah's statement functions as a **Forced Confession**, as he is compelled by the visible and undeniable reality of Solomon's established reign to acknowledge God's hand, even if his heart remains unresigned to it, revealing the tension between outward concession and inward rebellion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 2:15 serves as a profound theological statement on divine sovereignty, particularly in the realm of governance and leadership. Adonijah's reluctant admission that Solomon's kingdom was "from the LORD" underscores the biblical truth that God is the ultimate authority who establishes and removes rulers, regardless of human desires, political maneuvering, or popular opinion. This principle is foundational to understanding the nature of kingship in Israel, where even the king was ultimately God's servant, accountable to His will and purpose. The verse highlights the perennial tension between human ambition and God's pre-ordained purposes, reminding us that God's plan will prevail, even when it "turns about" human expectations and perceived entitlements. It also subtly foreshadows the dangers of unrepentant ambition, as Adonijah's failure to truly submit to God's revealed will ultimately leads to his demise, serving as a cautionary tale of resisting divine ordination.

* [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons")
* [Psalm 75:6-7](/psalms/75-6-7 "Psalm 75:6-7 - God is the Judge")
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in God's Hand")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Adonijah's words in 1 Kings 2:15 offer a powerful and enduring lesson for believers today: God's sovereign will ultimately prevails over all human plans, ambitions, and popular sentiments. This narrative challenges us to critically examine our own desires for control, recognition, or position, and to honestly ask whether they truly align with God's revealed purposes for our lives. Just as Adonijah believed the kingdom "was mine" due to his birthright and popular favor, we too can inadvertently fall into the trap of feeling entitled to certain outcomes based on our efforts, talents, or perceived merits. This verse calls us to cultivate a posture of profound humility and unwavering submission, recognizing that true authority, lasting success, and genuine peace come only "from the LORD." It encourages us to trust in God's perfect timing and His wise appointments, even when circumstances seem to "turn about" in ways we didn't expect or desire, disrupting our carefully laid plans. Furthermore, Adonijah's subsequent actions, despite this intellectual acknowledgment of divine sovereignty, serve as a stark warning against unrepentant ambition and the subtle, insidious ways we might continue to resist God's will even after acknowledging it verbally. Our true submission is demonstrated not merely in our words, but in our willingness to align our lives fully with God's established order and purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to rely more on human expectation or popular opinion than on God's sovereign will?**
* **How do I respond emotionally and practically when my plans or ambitions are "turned about" by circumstances that seem to contradict my expectations?**
* **What does it truly mean to accept that something is "from the LORD," especially when it requires relinquishing my own desires or perceived entitlements?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper, more abiding trust in God's appointments and timing, even when they don't align with my preferred narrative or comfort zone?**

### FAQ
**Was Adonijah genuinely accepting God's will, or was he being manipulative?**

Answer: While Adonijah's words in 1 Kings 2:15 explicitly acknowledge that Solomon's kingdom was "from the LORD," his subsequent actions strongly suggest that this was not a genuine acceptance but rather a calculated, manipulative tactic. His request to marry Abishag the Shunammite, David's former attendant, was a well-understood political move in the ancient Near East that could symbolically legitimize a claim to the throne. As seen in [2_samuel/16-21-22 "2 Samuel 16:21-22 - Absalom's Claim to the Throne"], marrying a deceased king's concubine was a direct way to assert succession and claim royal authority. Solomon immediately recognized this as a thinly veiled attempt to reassert a claim to the kingship, perceiving it as a direct challenge to his rule ([1_kings/2-22 "1 Kings 2:22 - Solomon's Perception of Adonijah's Request"]). This indicates that Adonijah's confession of divine sovereignty was likely a strategic statement designed to appear submissive while secretly pursuing his own unfulfilled agenda. His ambition remained unchecked, leading directly to his ultimate downfall at Solomon's command.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Adonijah's reluctant acknowledgment that Solomon's kingdom was "from the LORD" finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the kingship of Jesus Christ. Unlike Adonijah, whose claim was rooted in human lineage and popular favor, only to be "turned about" by divine decree, Jesus's claim to kingship is entirely and eternally "from the LORD." He is the divinely appointed King, not by human will or popular vote, but by the eternal decree of the Father, who declared Him His Son and established Him on His holy hill ([psalms/2-6-7 "Psalm 2:6-7 - God's Anointed King"]). While Adonijah was initially supported by "all Israel" (or at least many), Jesus was largely rejected by His own people, yet His authority remained absolute because it derived from God alone, a truth He affirmed even before Pilate ([john/1-11 "John 1:11 - Jesus Rejected by His Own"], [john/19-10-11 "John 19:10-11 - Pilate and Jesus' Authority"]). His kingdom is not of this world, nor is it "turned about" by earthly powers or human ambition, but is an eternal spiritual reality ([john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World"]). He is the true Son of David, whose throne is established forever, fulfilling the covenant promise made to David ([2_samuel/7-12-16 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant"]). This promise culminates in Christ's eternal reign, a kingdom that will have no end ([luke/1-32-33 "Luke 1:32-33 - The Angel Gabriel's Prophecy to Mary"]). Adonijah's failed attempt to usurp a divinely appointed king highlights the futility and danger of opposing God's chosen one, a profound truth that climaxes in the ultimate triumph of Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords, whose reign is undisputed and eternal ([revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - 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 Chronicles 22:9

Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.

1 Chronicles 22:10

He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I [will be] his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.

1 Chronicles 28:5

And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel.

1 Chronicles 28:7

Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day.

1 Kings 1:5

¶ Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

1 Kings 1:25

For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah.

Daniel 2:22

He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what [is] in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.