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.

For he is gone down {H3381} this day {H3117}, and hath slain {H2076} oxen {H7794} and fat cattle {H4806} and sheep {H6629} in abundance {H7230}, and hath called {H7121} all the king's {H4428} sons {H1121}, and the captains {H8269} of the host {H6635}, and Abiathar {H54} the priest {H3548}; and, behold, they eat {H398} and drink {H8354} before {H6440} him, and say {H559}, God save {H2421} king {H4428} Adonijah {H138}.

For he has gone down today and killed oxen, fattened calves and sheep in great numbers; and he has summoned all the king's sons, the commanders of the army and Evyatar the cohen; right now they are eating and drinking in his presence and proclaiming, 'Long live King Adoniyah!'

For today he has gone down and sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the sons of the king, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him, saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fatlings 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 are eating and drinking before him, and say, Long live king Adonijah.

Commentary

1 Kings 1:25 KJV describes a pivotal moment in the succession crisis of King David's reign. It details Adonijah’s lavish feast and his self-proclamation as king, a direct challenge to David’s authority and God’s intended successor, Solomon.

Context

This verse is set against the backdrop of King David's old age and failing health (1 Kings 1:1). Adonijah, David's fourth son and now the eldest living, seized the opportunity to declare himself king, acting independently and without his father's knowledge or blessing. He gathered influential supporters, including Joab (the commander of the army) and Abiathar (a prominent priest), to a celebratory feast. This act of self-exaltation and usurpation was a direct defiance of David's known preference and God's plan for Solomon, which David had promised to Bathsheba (1 Kings 1:17).

Key Themes

  • Usurpation and Ambition: Adonijah's actions highlight the dangers of unchecked ambition and the desire for power, bypassing established authority and divine will.
  • Loyalty and Disloyalty: The verse reveals a clear division within David's court, with some key figures choosing allegiance to Adonijah, while others, like Zadok the priest, Benaiah, and Nathan the prophet, remained loyal to David and Solomon (1 Kings 1:8).
  • The Struggle for Succession: It underscores the critical and often turbulent period of royal succession, where the stability of a nation hangs in the balance.
  • Divine Sovereignty: Despite Adonijah's efforts, the ultimate outcome demonstrates God's sovereignty over human plans, as Solomon is ultimately established on the throne (1 Kings 2:12).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase, "God save king Adonijah," is a formal acclamation (similar to "Long live the king!"), not a prayer for his spiritual salvation. It signifies a public declaration of allegiance and recognition of Adonijah as the legitimate monarch by those present at the feast. This cry was intended to solidify his claim and rally support, presenting his coronation as a fait accompli.

Practical Application

This passage offers several timeless lessons:

  • Patience and Trust in God's Timing: Adonijah's impatience led him to act presumptuously, attempting to force an outcome rather than waiting for God's appointed time and method.
  • Respect for Authority: The narrative implicitly teaches the importance of respecting established authority and God's chosen leaders, even when personal desires conflict.
  • Discerning True Leadership: It encourages believers to look beyond outward displays of power or popularity and to discern leadership that aligns with God's will and character. Just as man proposes, God disposes, God's plan ultimately prevailed.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 10:24 (4 votes)

    And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that [there is] none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.

  • 1 Kings 1:9 (3 votes)

    And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which [is] by Enrogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants:

  • 1 Kings 1:19 (3 votes)

    And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.

  • 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.

  • 1 Chronicles 29:21 (2 votes)

    And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings unto the LORD, on the morrow after that day, [even] a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, [and] a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel:

  • 1 Chronicles 29:13 (2 votes)

    Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

  • 2 Samuel 16:16 (2 votes)

    And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king.