1 Kings 1 12

1 Kings 1:12 kjv

Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon.

1 Kings 1:12 nkjv

Come, please, let me now give you advice, that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon.

1 Kings 1:12 niv

Now then, let me advise you how you can save your own life and the life of your son Solomon.

1 Kings 1:12 esv

Now therefore come, let me give you advice, that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon.

1 Kings 1:12 nlt

If you want to save your own life and the life of your son Solomon, follow my advice.

1 Kings 1 verses

1 Kings 1 12 Meaning

In 1 Kings 1:12, the prophet Nathan strategically advises Bathsheba to take immediate, decisive action. His counsel is to approach King David to remind him of his solemn oath to make Solomon king, thereby safeguarding both her life and Solomon's life from the mortal threat posed by Adonijah's unauthorized bid for the throne. Nathan provides a clear plan to counter the imminent danger and secure the divinely ordained succession.

1 Kings 1 12 Context

The narrative of 1 Kings chapter 1 opens with King David's extreme old age and physical frailty, indicating his inability to effectively govern or assert his authority. Against this backdrop of a weakened king, his eldest living son, Adonijah, attempts to seize the throne by self-proclamation, gathering key figures like Joab (commander of the army) and Abiathar (the priest). This act of usurpation occurs without King David's knowledge or consent, directly bypassing divine promise and any pre-established succession plans concerning Solomon. Nathan's urgent intervention in verse 12 stems from this volatile political crisis. He recognized the immediate and deadly threat Adonijah's actions posed to those not aligned with his bid, particularly Bathsheba and Solomon, the rightful heir promised by God to David.

1 Kings 1 12 Word analysis

• Now therefore come: Hebrew: we'attah lekhi (וְעַתָּה לְכִי). "Now therefore" emphasizes urgency and consequence. It marks a transition to an immediate, imperative course of action given the present circumstances. "Come" is an imperative, directly prompting Bathsheba to act. This phrase reflects Nathan's realization of the dire nature of the situation and the necessity for swift, calculated intervention.
• let me, I pray thee: Hebrew: naʾ (נָא) used for "I pray thee" or "please." This particle is an appeal or request, often softening an imperative. Nathan, as a prophet, gives authoritative counsel, but uses "I pray thee" to indicate collaboration and ensure Bathsheba's full cooperation and acceptance of his serious advice. It suggests a shared goal for which both must participate.
• give thee counsel: Hebrew: ʿēṣāh (עֵצָה). This term means "counsel," "advice," or "plan." It is more than just suggestion; it implies a carefully thought-out, strategic course of action intended to resolve a problem or achieve a specific goal. In a biblical context, such counsel is often presented as being divinely informed or guided (cf. Is 9:6, where God's Son is called "Wonderful Counselor"). Nathan is providing a concrete plan to thwart Adonijah and secure the throne for Solomon.
• that thou mayest save thine own life: Hebrew: tāməlēṭî ʾeṯ-nafsheḵ (תְּמַלְּטִי אֶת־נַפְשֵׁךְ). Nafsheḵ (your soul/self/life) highlights the totality of one's being. The verb mālaṭ means "to escape," "to deliver," or "to save from danger." This is not merely about political survival but literally about physical preservation from death. When a new king ascended, it was common practice to eliminate all potential rivals, particularly close family members who could threaten the new reign. Nathan emphasizes the mortal danger facing Bathsheba as Solomon's mother and David's consort.
• and the life of thy son Solomon: The threat extends directly to Solomon, the divinely appointed successor. As the principal claimant to the throne whom Adonijah would undoubtedly seek to eliminate, his life is also at stake. This phrase underscores the high stakes of the situation and reinforces the urgent need for action, highlighting the continuity of the Davidic line as part of God's covenant.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel": This phrase marks Nathan's immediate and strategic initiative. He doesn't merely warn but proposes a precise, urgent plan of action. His authority as a prophet gives weight to this counsel, which is implicitly presented as divinely inspired, although executed through human agency.
• "that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon": This segment clearly articulates the grave stakes. The outcome of this political maneuvering is a matter of life or death, not just royal preference or succession order. It transforms a political crisis into an existential one for Bathsheba and Solomon, emphasizing the dire consequences of inaction and the absolute necessity of following Nathan's plan.

1 Kings 1 12 Bonus section

• Interplay of Divine Will and Human Agency: This verse exemplifies how God's divine promises (that Solomon would be king, 2 Sam 7:12-13, 1 Chr 22:9-10) are realized through human cooperation and wise action. Nathan's counsel empowers Bathsheba to act decisively, underscoring that while God is sovereign, He often works through the intelligent, faithful efforts of His people.
• Nathan's Consistent Role: Nathan is seen here as more than just a bearer of God's word; he is a trusted advisor and a shrewd political operative working for God's kingdom agenda. This consistent characterization aligns with his past interventions, such as his rebuke of David regarding Bathsheba (2 Sam 12).
• The King's Word and Oath: The plan revolves around reminding David of his oath to Bathsheba (1 Ki 1:13, 1 Ki 1:17). In ancient Israel, a king's word and solemn oath held immense authority and weight, akin to law. Nathan's strategy relies on David's integrity to uphold his spoken promise.

1 Kings 1 12 Commentary

1 Kings 1:12 provides a crucial pivot point in the succession narrative, demonstrating Nathan's spiritual wisdom and strategic acumen. Rather than simply relaying a divine decree to David, which he had done on previous occasions, Nathan advises Bathsheba to directly engage the King, subtly empowering her to act in alignment with God's promise. This counsel is rooted in practical understanding of court dynamics and human vulnerability; a new, self-appointed king would logically purge those perceived as threats to consolidate power. The urgency conveyed ("Now therefore come") highlights the immediate peril and the necessity of swift, decisive intervention to pre-empt Adonijah's fully-fledged usurpation. It underlines that divine promises often require faithful human participation to come to fruition, emphasizing the synergy between God's sovereign will and man's responsible action. This verse implicitly validates righteous intervention when truth and God's plan are at risk.