1 Kings 1 20

1 Kings 1:20 kjv

And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

1 Kings 1:20 nkjv

And as for you, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, that you should tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

1 Kings 1:20 niv

My lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, to learn from you who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

1 Kings 1:20 esv

And now, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, to tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

1 Kings 1:20 nlt

And now, my lord the king, all Israel is waiting for you to announce who will become king after you.

1 Kings 1 verses

1 Kings 1 20 Meaning

This verse conveys Nathan the prophet's urgent appeal to King David. It asserts that the entire nation of Israel is keenly observing David, awaiting his definitive pronouncement regarding who will legitimately succeed him on the throne. Nathan emphasizes David's supreme authority in this crucial decision and highlights the national expectation that only David's word can ensure the rightful and peaceful transfer of power.

1 Kings 1 20 Context

This verse is situated within a critical moment in King David's reign, marking the precarious period of succession. David, old and ailing, has not formally designated his successor, leading to a power vacuum. Adonijah, David's fourth and oldest surviving son, seizes this opportunity by gathering significant support and proclaiming himself king. Nathan the prophet, a key figure in David's court, realizes that Adonijah's usurpation threatens not only the divinely appointed order for succession but also David's sworn oath that Solomon would be his heir. Nathan, working in concert with Bathsheba, orchestrates a plan to prompt David into decisive action. Nathan's address in 1 Kings 1:20 is the culminating point of this strategic intervention, presenting the issue to David as a national crisis that only his authoritative word can resolve, countering the unauthorized claim of Adonijah and aligning with God's intended plan.

1 Kings 1 20 Word Analysis

• And thou (וְאַתָּה - vĕ'attah): The conjunction "and" links this statement to the preceding narrative, particularly Bathsheba's appeal, indicating a continuous development. The pronoun "thou" is emphatic, placing the immediate responsibility and expectation squarely upon David, separating him from the rest.
• my lord, O king (אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶךְ - Adoni hamMelekh): "My lord" is a deferential address affirming David's royal status and authority, while "O king" reiterates his current position and the power vested in him. Nathan, as a prophet, still honors the office David holds, underscoring the gravity of David's duty.
• the eyes (עֵינֵי - `Einey): A figurative expression meaning focused attention, anticipation, hope, and dependence. It suggests the entire nation is acutely aware of the succession crisis and is looking for a solution.
• of all Israel (כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל - kol-Yisrael): Emphasizes the universality of the nation's expectation. This is not a partisan concern but a national one, highlighting the widespread need for legitimate leadership and stability. It gives David's decision immense weight.
• are upon thee (עָלֶיךָ - `aleykha): Literally "upon you," signifying that the national gaze, their collective expectation, is directed solely towards David as the one holding the authority and responsibility to act. He is the ultimate decider.
• that thou shouldest tell them (לְהַגִּיד לָהֶם - l'haggid lahem): "To declare to them" or "to make known to them." This stresses the need for a public, authoritative pronouncement from David himself, which would settle the question definitively.
• who shall sit on the throne (מִי יֵשֵׁב עַל־כִּסֵּא - mi yeshev al-kisseh): "Who shall sit upon the throne." The "throne" (כִּסֵּא - kisseh) symbolizes royal power, authority, and the very stability of the kingdom. This question encapsulates the essence of the crisis.
• of my lord the king (אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶךְ - Adoni hamMelekh): This re-emphasizes David's ongoing position as king, reminding him that the succession is about his throne, his legacy, and the future of his lineage, under divine guidance.
• after him (אַחֲרָיו - 'acharayv): "After him," directly indicating the successor to David's rule. This underscores the urgency of the moment and the immediacy of the need for a legitimate transition of power.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee": This opening establishes a direct and powerful confrontation, asserting David's singular responsibility in the face of widespread national anxiety. It’s an appeal to his duty as the monarch chosen by God.
• "that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him": This clause directly frames the pivotal question awaiting David’s answer. It highlights the chaotic uncertainty that has arisen due to Adonijah's presumption and emphasizes that only David's clear designation can establish the rightful heir, securing the legitimate lineage and divine promise for his dynasty.

1 Kings 1 20 Bonus section

• Prophetic Role in Succession: Nathan’s proactive involvement demonstrates the integral role of prophets in Old Testament Israelite kingship. They were not mere advisors but God's messengers, ensuring divine will (like the Davidic covenant and the choice of Solomon) guided the critical affairs of state, particularly royal succession. This contrasts sharply with pagan kingships determined purely by heredity, conquest, or human scheming.
• Avoiding Civil Strife: By prompting David to act decisively, Nathan sought to prevent potential civil war and fragmentation within Israel that an illegitimate or contested succession could incite. A public declaration from the sitting king, blessed by divine approval, was crucial for national unity.
• The Weight of David's Promise: Although the exact recording of David's oath to Bathsheba (that Solomon would succeed him) is found here, this situation emphasizes the binding nature of royal promises and how their fulfillment can shape the course of a nation. It highlights the divine working through human vows.

1 Kings 1 20 Commentary

Nathan’s approach in 1 Kings 1:20 is a masterclass in prophetic counsel. By reiterating the very crisis Bathsheba had presented, Nathan provides independent confirmation and urgency. The phrase "the eyes of all Israel are upon thee" serves as a strategic and effective appeal to David's sense of duty and his awareness of the profound public interest in a legitimate succession. This statement underscores that David's inaction is perceived as a critical failure of leadership, allowing Adonijah to capitalize on the vacuum. Nathan artfully avoids accusing David, instead presenting the situation as a collective expectation from the nation for David to act in accordance with his kingly prerogative and divine guidance. The verse powerfully reminds us that even divinely appointed leaders have a responsibility to declare and uphold God's will for future leadership, especially to maintain stability and divine order.