1 Kings 1 11

1 Kings 1:11 kjv

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 1:11 nkjv

So Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, "Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king, and David our lord does not know it?

1 Kings 1:11 niv

Then Nathan asked Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, "Have you not heard that Adonijah, the son of Haggith, has become king, and our lord David knows nothing about it?

1 Kings 1:11 esv

Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, "Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king and David our lord does not know it?

1 Kings 1:11 nlt

Then Nathan went to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, and asked her, "Haven't you heard that Haggith's son, Adonijah, has made himself king, and our lord David doesn't even know about it?

1 Kings 1 verses

1 Kings 1 11 Meaning

This verse captures the critical moment when Nathan, the prophet, alerts Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, to an unfolding coup attempt. Adonijah, another of David's sons, has declared himself king without King David's knowledge or consent, threatening the legitimate succession divinely promised to Solomon. Nathan's urgent message seeks to prompt immediate action to uphold God's decree.

1 Kings 1 11 Context

King David, though still alive, is described as very old and physically debilitated (1 Kgs 1:1-4). This physical decline creates a power vacuum and instability regarding his succession. Adonijah, David's fourth son and the eldest surviving son after Absalom's death, presumes upon his birthright. Without consulting David or recognizing the divine choice already made for Solomon (1 Chr 22:9-10; 28:5), Adonijah audaciously declares himself king and gathers a significant following, including key figures like Joab, the army commander, and Abiathar, a chief priest. The general context is a tense, potentially violent, transition of power within the monarchy, where divine will must overcome human ambition and political maneuvering. Nathan's urgent warning to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, is the catalyst to counteract Adonijah's immediate, illicit coronation.

1 Kings 1 11 Word analysis

• Therefore (וָכֵן, vaken): Implies a logical consequence or a strategic move prompted by the current situation. It signals that what follows is a direct response to Adonijah's coup and David's vulnerable state.
• Nathan (נָתָן, Natan): Meaning "given" or "He has given". Nathan is a key prophet during David's reign, a trusted adviser who had previously confronted David about his sin (2 Sam 12) and relayed God's covenant promises regarding David's lineage and the building of the Temple (2 Sam 7). His involvement signifies divine endorsement and legitimate concern.
• said (וַיֹּאמֶר, vayyomer): A common verb for speaking, but here it indicates an active, decisive communication, an initiating act.
• to Bathsheba (אֶל־בַּת־שֶׁבַע, el-Bat-Sheva): "Daughter of seven" or "daughter of an oath". Bathsheba's unique history with David (2 Sam 11) and her pivotal role as Solomon's mother make her the most critical individual to act to secure Solomon's claim, as she is also connected to David by a solemn promise for Solomon to succeed him (1 Kgs 1:13, 17).
• the mother of Solomon (אֵם־שְׁלֹמֹה, em-Shelomo): Directly identifies Bathsheba through her connection to the legitimate heir. Her maternal link gives her both a strong motivation and the rightful access to the king to plead Solomon's case.
• Have you not heard (הֲלֹא שָׁמַעַתְּ, halo shama'at): A rhetorical question designed to shock, alert, and provoke immediate recognition of a dire situation. It implies that the news is momentous and demands urgent attention.
• that Adonijah (כִּי אֲדֹנִיָּהוּ, ki Adoniyyahu): "My Lord is Yahweh." Despite the name meaning, Adonijah's actions here are self-directed, against God's appointed will. He represents human ambition against divine selection.
• the son of Haggith (בֶן־חַגִּית, ben-Chaggit): Haggith, "festive," was one of David's wives (2 Sam 3:4). This identifies Adonijah fully, showing his claim is based on royal birthright but lacking divine approval.
• reigns (מָלָךְ, malakh): "He has become king" or "he reigns." The use of the perfect tense signifies an action that has already begun, lending urgency and suggesting a fait accompli that must be countered immediately.
• and David our lord (וְדָוִד אֲדֹנֵינוּ, wěDāwiḏ 'ădōnēnū): Emphasizes King David's continued legitimate, divinely instituted sovereignty, even in his frail state. The term "our lord" signifies loyalty and proper submission to the rightful king. This highlights Adonijah's usurpation as an affront to David and his loyal subjects.
• does not know it (לֹא יָדָע, lo yada): "He does not know." This detail is crucial. It underscores Adonijah's deceit and the surreptitious nature of his coup, relying on David's impaired state. It also reveals David's current inability to govern effectively and makes the revelation to Bathsheba critically time-sensitive.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon": This phrase highlights a strategic alliance between a prophet, who understands God's will and has the king's ear, and the queen mother, who has direct access and a strong vested interest in Solomon's future. It indicates a calculated effort to restore the rightful order.
• "'Have you not heard that Adonijah... reigns'": The rhetorical question followed by the declaration of Adonijah's current kingship conveys shock and urgency. It implies an illegal, already initiated action that requires immediate, decisive counter-action, emphasizing the perilous nature of the situation.
• "and David our lord does not know it?": This specific clause reveals the underlying treachery and manipulation. It exposes Adonijah's opportunistic exploitation of David's vulnerability, painting his ascent as illegitimate and deceitful, thus providing a moral imperative for intervention.

1 Kings 1 11 Bonus section

• The Power of Proactivity: This verse demonstrates the vital role of proactivity and immediate action in thwarting negative developments. Nathan does not wait; he acts swiftly based on crucial, timely information.
• Divine Will through Human Channels: The passage beautifully illustrates how God's plans are realized through human instruments. While God chose Solomon, it required Nathan's wisdom and Bathsheba's boldness to see it through amidst opposition.
• David's Passive Role: The phrase "David our lord does not know it" highlights the king's frailty and his temporary disconnect from the political realities of his court. This temporary vacuum allowed Adonijah's schemes to gain traction, emphasizing the need for active vigilance in leadership.

1 Kings 1 11 Commentary

1 Kings 1:11 serves as the dramatic turning point in the struggle for David's throne. Nathan's urgent warning to Bathsheba about Adonijah's illegitimate seizure of power ignites the necessary intervention to secure Solomon's rightful ascension, in line with God's divine promise. Nathan's initiative demonstrates the vital role of a faithful prophet in upholding God's sovereign will even amid human politicking and deception. He leverages Bathsheba's position and her understanding of David's earlier vow to Solomon, initiating a pre-emptive strike against Adonijah's coup. This verse underscores the tension between human ambition and divine appointment, highlighting how God often uses strategic human action to bring about His purposes, especially when existing leadership is incapacitated.