1 Kings 1:23 kjv
And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.
1 Kings 1:23 nkjv
So they told the king, saying, "Here is Nathan the prophet." And when he came in before the king, he bowed down before the king with his face to the ground.
1 Kings 1:23 niv
And the king was told, "Nathan the prophet is here." So he went before the king and bowed with his face to the ground.
1 Kings 1:23 esv
And they told the king, "Here is Nathan the prophet." And when he came in before the king, he bowed before the king, with his face to the ground.
1 Kings 1:23 nlt
The king's officials told him, "Nathan the prophet is here to see you." Nathan went in and bowed before the king with his face to the ground.
1 Kings 1 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Sam 7:3-5 | Nathan said to the king... "Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you."... but that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan... saying, "Go and tell my servant David..." | Nathan as God's messenger to David |
| 2 Sam 12:1 | The LORD sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said... | Nathan confronting David's sin |
| 1 Kgs 1:11-12 | Then Nathan said to Bathsheba, "Have you not heard that Adonijah... has begun to reign, and David our lord does not know it?... now come, let me advise you..." | Nathan initiating action to protect Solomon |
| 1 Kgs 1:22 | And behold, while she was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in. | Immediate context of Nathan's direct entry |
| 1 Kgs 1:24 | Nathan said, "My lord the king, have you said, 'Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne'?" | Nathan directly questioning David |
| 1 Kgs 1:27 | "...Has this been brought about by my lord the king, and you have not shown to your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?" | Nathan's careful rhetorical approach |
| 1 Kgs 1:32 | King David said, "Call Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah..." | Nathan as a key figure in royal decisions |
| 1 Kgs 1:34 | "...and there let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king..." | Nathan involved in Solomon's anointing |
| 1 Chr 17:2-3 | Nathan said to David, "Do all that is in your heart... But that night the word of God came to Nathan: "Go and tell David..." | Nathan's prophetic function concerning Davidic covenant |
| Psa 89:3-4 | "You said, 'I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: "I will establish your offspring forever and build your throne for all generations."'" | God's promise of an enduring Davidic line |
| 2 Sam 7:12-13 | "When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom." | God's promise of a successor for David |
| Amos 3:7 | "For the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets." | Prophets as God's confidants |
| Deut 18:18-20 | "I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth..." | The role and authority of a prophet |
| Jer 1:9-10 | "Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me, 'Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.'" | Prophetic commissioning |
| Zech 4:6 | "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts." | Divine action in royal succession |
| Isa 9:6-7 | "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;... of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom..." | Prophetic promise of Messiah from David's line |
| Matt 1:6 | "...and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah..." | Solomon's place in David's lineage |
| Luke 1:32 | "...and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David..." | Messianic fulfillment of Davidic throne |
| Psa 2:6 | "As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill." | Divine appointment of kings |
| Prov 19:21 | "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand." | God's sovereign plan prevails |
| 2 Tim 3:16-17 | "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness..." | Scripture's account of prophetic actions |
1 Kings 1 verses
1 Kings 1 23 Meaning
1 Kings 1:23 describes the pivotal moment when messengers announce the arrival of Nathan the prophet to King David, signaling the unfolding of critical events concerning the succession of the kingdom. This announcement sets the stage for Nathan to formally address David regarding the urgent matter of Adonijah's attempted usurpation and Solomon's rightful claim to the throne. It highlights the prophet's crucial role in mediating God's will and providing divine guidance in a time of political crisis.
1 Kings 1 23 Context
1 Kings 1:23 is situated at a critical juncture in King David's reign, as he approaches the end of his life (1 Kgs 1:1). His physical frailty is evident, and a vacuum of power threatens the stability of the kingdom. Adonijah, David's fourth son, capitalizing on David's weakness and lack of clear designation of a successor, has proclaimed himself king (1 Kgs 1:5). This act is a direct challenge to God's promise and David's private intentions regarding Solomon (2 Sam 7:12-13; 1 Chr 22:9-10).
The preceding verses detail Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, being advised by Nathan to approach the king and remind him of his oath that Solomon would succeed him (1 Kgs 1:11-14). Her visit, as described in 1 Kings 1:15-21, sets the stage for Nathan's carefully orchestrated entry. Verse 22 notes that Bathsheba was still speaking when Nathan arrived, making verse 23 the formal announcement of his presence, preparing David for the prophet's urgent message that would corroborate Bathsheba's account and definitively push for Solomon's immediate coronation. This scene reflects the cultural practice of significant individuals being announced before entering the royal presence, and the gravity of Nathan's role made his entry especially important.
1 Kings 1 23 Word analysis
- And they told: (Hebrew: wa-yaggîdû - וַיַּגִּ֣ידוּ, a consecutive imperfect verb) This construction implies an immediate action following the previous event. "They" refers to the royal attendants or guards, signifying the established protocol of announcing arrivals to the king, even one as frail as David. The use of the plural emphasizes that this was a public notification, not a clandestine one, acknowledging Nathan's importance.
- the king: (Hebrew: lam-melek - לַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙, "to the king") Refers to David. Despite his advanced age and physical weakness described in the earlier verses (1 Kgs 1:1), he retains the title and authority of the reigning monarch, underscoring that the legitimacy of the succession must ultimately come from him or through his recognized decree.
- saying: (Hebrew: lēʾmōr - לֵאמֹ֑ר, "to say," "as follows") A common introductory particle in Hebrew narrative, signaling that direct speech or a summary of speech is about to follow. It formally sets up the announcement itself.
- Behold: (Hebrew: hinnêh - הִנֵּ֛ה, "behold," "look," "pay attention") An interjection used to draw immediate attention to what follows. It emphasizes the suddenness and significance of Nathan's arrival. This particle often signals the introduction of important new information or a significant character, demanding the listener's focus. It creates a sense of urgency and expectation.
- Nathan: (Hebrew: Nātān - נָתָ֖ן, "He gave," often implying "God has given") A proper noun, identifying the specific individual. Nathan was a prophet highly esteemed by King David and God, having delivered crucial divine messages, including the Davidic Covenant (2 Sam 7) and rebuke for David's sin with Bathsheba and Uriah (2 Sam 12). His long-standing relationship and undisputed prophetic authority make his presence uniquely significant in the succession crisis. His name, "He gave," itself is reflective of God's character and giving of wisdom/prophecy through him.
- the prophet: (Hebrew: han-nāvî - הַנָּבִ֖יא, "the prophet") This definite article and title underscore Nathan's official, divinely appointed status. A nāvî was not merely an advisor but one who spoke on behalf of God, possessing direct revelation and divine authority. His identity as "the prophet" (the well-known prophet to David) confirms that his presence is not coincidental but has divine implications and a weighty message. It signals that his coming transcends mere political counsel; it is a spiritual intervention.
- is come: (Hebrew: bāʾ - בָּֽא, "has come," "is coming") A simple past tense verb, here conveying immediacy and completed action, signifying Nathan's arrival at the door or into the royal presence. The brevity of the phrase contributes to the swift, urgent tone of the announcement. It indicates that the long-anticipated divine intervention in this succession drama is now taking place.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "And they told the king, saying": This phrase establishes the immediate, protocol-driven communication to David, setting a formal scene. It signifies that the royal household recognized the gravity of the incoming guest.
- "Behold, Nathan the prophet is come": This declarative statement, punctuated by "Behold," delivers the critical information. The conjunction of Nathan's name with his official title "the prophet" emphasizes that this is no ordinary visitor, but God's spokesperson, carrying profound authority and urgency, whose arrival holds divine significance for the unfolding crisis. It is a calculated entrance to exert maximum influence.
1 Kings 1 23 Bonus section
- The synchronized entry of Bathsheba and Nathan illustrates a strategic and unified approach to influence the aging king, highlighting the effectiveness of coordinated efforts for a righteous cause.
- Nathan's presence validates Bathsheba's plea, as his account, backed by prophetic authority, adds undeniable weight to the claim that Adonijah's actions are a usurpation and a violation of divine intent.
- This verse indirectly underscores the value placed on the word of God conveyed through prophets in ancient Israelite society, even at the highest levels of political power. The mere announcement of a prophet's arrival demands immediate royal attention.
- The succession crisis here serves as a microcosm of how God works through human agents, even with political intrigue and frail human leaders, to bring about His divine purposes.
1 Kings 1 23 Commentary
1 Kings 1:23 acts as a dramatic threshold, moving the narrative from Bathsheba's personal appeal to a more authoritative, divinely sanctioned intervention. The announcement of "Nathan the prophet" is far more potent than simply "Nathan," elevating the moment beyond a courtly visit to one with significant spiritual implications. Nathan's past interactions with David—both bringing God's covenant promises and confronting royal sin—had cemented his position as a fearless and credible voice of God. His arrival here, pre-arranged with Bathsheba, is strategically timed to confirm her earlier warning about Adonijah and to advocate for Solomon. This precise orchestration ensures that David hears both personal concern and divine authority speaking to the same urgent matter. The simple declaration, "Behold, Nathan the prophet is come," signifies that the moment of divine resolution has arrived, guiding David to establish the rightful successor and reaffirming that even in old age and vulnerability, a king's rule remains subject to the Lord's prophetic word and sovereign will.