1 Kings 1 42

1 Kings 1:42 kjv

And while he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came; and Adonijah said unto him, Come in; for thou art a valiant man, and bringest good tidings.

1 Kings 1:42 nkjv

While he was still speaking, there came Jonathan, the son of Abiathar the priest. And Adonijah said to him, "Come in, for you are a prominent man, and bring good news."

1 Kings 1:42 niv

Even as he was speaking, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest arrived. Adonijah said, "Come in. A worthy man like you must be bringing good news."

1 Kings 1:42 esv

While he was still speaking, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came. And Adonijah said, "Come in, for you are a worthy man and bring good news."

1 Kings 1:42 nlt

And while he was still speaking, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest arrived. "Come in," Adonijah said to him, "for you are a good man. You must have good news."

1 Kings 1 verses

1 Kings 1 42 Meaning

1 Kings 1:42 depicts the dramatic moment when Adonijah's ill-fated celebration, aimed at solidifying his claim to the throne, is abruptly interrupted. While Adonijah and his co-conspirators are feasting and congratulating each other, Jonathan, the son of the priest Abiathar, unexpectedly arrives. Adonijah, consumed by self-delusion and assuming only good tidings could disrupt such an occasion, warmly welcomes Jonathan, proclaiming him a "worthy man" and anticipating "good news." This verse is a powerful illustration of impending divine judgment shattering human ambition.

1 Kings 1 42 Context

1 Kings chapter 1 sets the stage for the succession to King David's throne. David is old and weak. His fourth son, Adonijah, a proud and ambitious man, attempts to usurp the throne, gathering supporters like Joab (commander of the army) and Abiathar (a high priest) and staging a celebratory feast in defiance of David's known desire for Solomon to be king. The prophet Nathan and Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, intervene by informing David of Adonijah's scheme. In response, David declares Solomon king, commands his anointing at Gihon, and has him proclaimed publicly. Verse 42 captures the precise moment when the news of Solomon's acclamation—loud, jubilant, and unmistakable—reaches Adonijah's gathering. His assumption that Jonathan's arrival means good tidings underscores his severe disconnect from reality and the magnitude of his failed coup. This moment is the climax of his false ascendancy and the precipice of his downfall.

1 Kings 1 42 Word analysis

• "While he was still speaking": This phrase (ʿōd hu dōbēr) indicates an abrupt interruption. Adonijah, possibly still receiving congratulations or delivering a self-congratulatory speech, is cut short, signaling the immediate intervention of divine counter-plans against his human-orchestrated scheme. It underscores the swiftness of God's timing.
• "behold, Jonathan": The interjection "behold" (הִנֵּה, hinnēh) draws attention to a significant and sudden appearance. Jonathan (יְהוֹנָתָן, Yehowenathan, meaning "Yahweh has given") is the loyal son of Abiathar. Despite his father's questionable allegiance to Adonijah, Jonathan's actions in carrying this vital news ultimately serve God's chosen successor, Solomon. His name, "Yahweh has given," is ironically fitting as he reports God's true choice, not Adonijah's.
• "the son of Abiathar the priest": This specifies Jonathan's lineage, linking him to the high priestly house of Eli through Abiathar (אֶבְיָתָר, Evyathar, meaning "My Father is preeminent"). Abiathar himself was deeply embroiled in Adonijah's plot, demonstrating a split within the traditional priestly order concerning royal succession. Jonathan, however, remained loyal to the legitimate king, David, and thereby became a key instrument in revealing the divine plan.
• "came": A simple but powerful verb, signifying arrival and immediate proximity, highlighting the direct impact of the messenger's presence on the ongoing celebratory event.
• "and Adonijah said": Adonijah’s direct speech reveals his character—his assumption, pride, and ignorance of the true situation. His words contrast sharply with the reality he is about to face.
• "Come in": An inviting command (bo), suggesting hospitality and eagerness for the message, born of a misinterpretation of the circumstances.
• "for you are a worthy man": Adonijah refers to Jonathan as an "אִישׁ חַיִל" (ish chayil). This Hebrew phrase literally means "man of valor," "man of substance," "man of strength," or "man of ability." It's often used to describe noble, righteous, or prosperous individuals (e.g., Ruth 3:11 describes Ruth as an ishshah chayil, "virtuous woman," or Prov 31:10, the "excellent wife"). Adonijah attributes these positive qualities to Jonathan, projecting his expectation that a man of such caliber could only bring positive news that affirms his own success. This phrase becomes profoundly ironic as Jonathan carries news that destroys Adonijah's aspirations, rendering Adonijah's compliment an unintentional sarcasm.
• "and bring good news": This is the culmination of Adonijah's self-deception. The phrase "good news" (בְּשׂוֹרָה טוֹבָה, b'sora tovah) is what Adonijah explicitly anticipates. He assumes Jonathan is coming to confirm popular support, validate his ascent, or perhaps report King David's demise, thereby legitimizing his claim. The reality, however, is a swift and brutal announcement of his rival, Solomon, having been divinely appointed and publicly proclaimed king. This dramatic irony serves as a central theme of the verse, underscoring the contrast between human expectation and divine reality.

1 Kings 1 42 Bonus section

The narrative of 1 Kings 1:42 operates as a counter-narrative, exposing the futility of Adonijah's attempts to establish his own rule versus God's established will. Adonijah's gathering at En-Rogel, just outside Jerusalem, symbolized a declaration of sovereignty independent of David's court within the city. Jonathan's sudden appearance from the city, bearing the official news of Solomon's enthronement and Gihon, reverses this dynamic. Gihon, where Solomon was anointed, held historical significance as the traditional coronation site (possibly even associated with water/life imagery for the new king), adding symbolic weight to Solomon's legitimacy versus Adonijah's illicit feasting place. This dramatic tension emphasizes the distinction between human power grabs and divine appointments. Furthermore, Abiathar, as a priest who aligned with Adonijah, stood against God’s designated king, which later led to his dismissal from the priesthood (1 Kgs 2:26-27), fulfilling an ancient prophecy against the house of Eli (1 Sam 2:31-35). Thus, Jonathan, his son, became an unwitting participant in a process that exposed his father's error, further emphasizing God's control even over individual choices.

1 Kings 1 42 Commentary

1 Kings 1:42 vividly captures a moment of dramatic irony and profound theological significance. Adonijah, celebrating his premature kingship, embodies human ambition divorced from divine will. His lavish feast and the eager welcome of Jonathan reflect a worldview that assumes success follows worldly influence and strategic alliances. His address to Jonathan as "worthy man" and the expectation of "good news" is steeped in delusion; he sees the world through the lens of his own desires.

This scene powerfully illustrates the Biblical truth that God’s plans cannot be thwarted by human schemes (Ps 33:10-11; Prov 19:21). The abruptness of Jonathan's arrival and the nature of the news he bears signify divine intervention and the swift unraveling of Adonijah’s false triumph. The very word "good news" turns bitter in Adonijah's mouth, serving as a powerful foreshadowing of his impending downfall and a divine rebuke against his illicit pursuit of power. The account stands as a reminder that human boasting and pride, particularly when aimed at usurping what God has ordained, ultimately lead to public humiliation and ruin (Prov 16:18; Lk 14:11). For instance, an individual who boasts of their worldly achievements and financial security without acknowledging God may suddenly face an unforeseen crisis that exposes the emptiness of their self-reliance, much like Adonijah's revelry being shattered by Jonathan's news.