1 Kings 1:18

And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest [it] not:

And now, behold, Adonijah {H138} reigneth {H4427}; and now, my lord {H113} the king {H4428}, thou knowest {H3045} it not:

But now, here is Adoniyah ruling as king; and you, my lord the king, don't know anything about it.

But now, behold, Adonijah has become king, and you, my lord the king, did not know it.

And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and thou, my lord the king, knowest it not:

Commentary

Context of 1 Kings 1:18

This verse is spoken by Bathsheba to King David, who is old and infirm, nearing the end of his life. It is part of a coordinated effort with Nathan the prophet to inform David of an urgent and critical situation: his son Adonijah's attempt to usurp the throne. At this point, David is largely isolated and unaware of the political maneuverings taking place in his kingdom. The immediate context shows Adonijah, David's fourth son, had begun to assert his claim to the throne, gathering supporters like Joab and Abiathar, and holding a feast to proclaim himself king, bypassing David's presumed choice and God's will for the succession.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Usurpation and Deception: The verse starkly reveals Adonijah's unauthorized bid for power, carried out while King David was unaware. It highlights the secretive and potentially treacherous nature of the succession struggle.
  • David's Vulnerability: "Thou knowest it not" emphasizes David's weakened state, both physically and in terms of his control over the kingdom's affairs. It underscores the danger of being uninformed, especially for a leader.
  • Urgency and Intervention: Bathsheba's direct and urgent declaration, echoing Nathan's earlier warning, serves as a crucial intervention. It sets the stage for David to act decisively and restore order, ensuring the rightful heir is established.
  • Succession Crisis: The verse is central to the narrative of the succession crisis that plagued David's final days, a common theme in ancient monarchies where the transfer of power was often fraught with challenges.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "reigneth" is malak (ืžึธืœึทืšึฐ), which means "to be king," "to rule," or "to reign." Its use in the present tense ("Adonijah reigneth") conveys the immediate and active nature of Adonijah's usurpation, not merely a future aspiration but a present reality that is unfolding. The phrase "thou knowest it not" (ื•ึฐืึทืชึธึผื” ืœึนื ื™ึธื“ึทืขึฐืชึธึผ) highlights David's complete ignorance, emphasizing the stealth with which Adonijah moved and the urgency of the revelation.

Related Scriptures

This verse directly relates to the broader narrative of succession in Israel. David had previously made a solemn oath that their son Solomon would succeed him (1 Kings 1:13, 1 Kings 1:17). Adonijah's actions stand in stark contrast to God's clear choice for Solomon, as indicated in 1 Chronicles 22:9-10. The immediate consequences of Bathsheba's and Nathan's intervention lead to David's swift command for Solomon to be anointed king (1 Kings 1:32-35), ultimately thwarting Adonijah's plans and leading to his eventual demise (1 Kings 2:25).

Practical Application and Reflection

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of vigilance and being well-informed, especially for those in positions of leadership or responsibility. It highlights how unchecked ambition can lead to disruptive and unauthorized actions. For believers, it also subtly points to God's sovereignty; even amidst human schemes and deceptions, God's ultimate plan for succession and leadership often prevails. The timely and courageous intervention by Bathsheba and Nathan illustrates the vital role of loyal advisors and advocates in ensuring justice and upholding divine will. This incident underscores the principle that human ambition, even when seemingly successful, cannot thwart God's ultimate divine plan.

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Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 1:24 (5 votes)

    And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?

  • Acts 3:17 (2 votes)

    And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did [it], as [did] also your rulers.

  • 1 Kings 1:11 (2 votes)

    ยถ Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth [it] not?

  • 1 Kings 1:5 (2 votes)

    ยถ 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 1:27 (2 votes)

    Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed [it] unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?

  • 2 Samuel 15:10 (2 votes)

    But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.