1 Kings 1 6

1 Kings 1:6 kjv

And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom.

1 Kings 1:6 nkjv

(And his father had not rebuked him at any time by saying, "Why have you done so?" He was also very good-looking. His mother had borne him after Absalom.)

1 Kings 1:6 niv

(His father had never rebuked him by asking, "Why do you behave as you do?" He was also very handsome and was born next after Absalom.)

1 Kings 1:6 esv

His father had never at any time displeased him by asking, "Why have you done thus and so?" He was also a very handsome man, and he was born next after Absalom.

1 Kings 1:6 nlt

Now his father, King David, had never disciplined him at any time, even by asking, "Why are you doing that?" Adonijah had been born next after Absalom, and he was very handsome.

1 Kings 1 verses

1 Kings 1 6 Meaning

This verse provides critical insight into the character of Adonijah and King David's parenting failures. It explains that David never disciplined Adonijah at any point in his life, specifically by holding him accountable for his actions. This parental indulgence fostered a sense of entitlement and audacity in Adonijah. The verse also notes Adonijah's physical attractiveness and his status as the eldest living son after Absalom, drawing an implicit parallel to Absalom's previous rebellion and foreshadowing Adonijah's similar ambitions for the throne.

1 Kings 1 6 Context

1 Kings chapter 1 opens with King David in his advanced age, frail and bedridden. This physical decline signifies a power vacuum and precipitates the urgent question of royal succession. In ancient Near Eastern monarchies, the succession process was often complex and not strictly based on primogeniture, though being the eldest surviving son, like Adonijah, often gave a strong claim. The verse immediately follows Adonijah's self-proclamation as king (1 Ki. 1:5), which highlights his audacious attempt to seize power. This bold move is rooted in the long-standing lack of parental discipline detailed in verse 6. The broader historical context includes the turbulent nature of David's own household, marked by previous internal rebellions (Amnon and Absalom) and his consistent failures as a disciplinarian, setting a precedent for unchecked ambition within his family.

1 Kings 1 6 Word analysis

• His father: אביו ('a·ḇîw). Refers to King David. The emphasis on "his father" underscores the parental role and David's direct responsibility for Adonijah's lack of discipline, framing it as a domestic failure impacting national stability.
• had never rebuked him: לֹא־עִצִּבוֹ (lō’-‘iṣ·ṣi·ḇōw). The verb עצב ('atsav) primarily means "to grieve, hurt, pain," and can imply vexing or upsetting. Here, it suggests that David never "caused him pain" or "grieved him" with correction. It's stronger than just a verbal reprimand; it points to a complete absence of any unpleasant or corrective disciplinary experience for Adonijah, highlighting extreme indulgence. This negligence implies a failure to teach boundaries or consequences.
• at any time: מִיָּמָיו (miy·yā·māw). Literally, "from his days." This emphasizes the continuous, lifelong nature of David's parental neglect. It was not an isolated lapse but a consistent pattern throughout Adonijah's life, explaining his deeply ingrained sense of impunity and entitlement.
• by asking, 'Why have you done this?': לֵאמֹר מַדּוּעַ עָשִׂיתָה כָּכָה (lê·mōr mad·dū·a‘ ‘ā·śî·ṯāh kā·ḵāh). This phrase reveals the simplest form of parental accountability David failed to exercise. It implies not just an absence of punishment, but an absence of even the most basic inquiry or challenge regarding Adonijah's conduct. David never sought an explanation or demanded reflection, thereby enabling Adonijah's problematic behavior to flourish without restraint.
• And he was a very handsome man: וְהוּא טוֹב מְאֹד תֹּאַר (wə·hū ṭō·wḇ mə·’ōḏ tō·’ar). Literally "good exceedingly appearance." This physical description connects Adonijah to his deceased elder brother Absalom, who was famously handsome (2 Sam. 14:25). In the ancient Near East, physical beauty could be seen as an indicator of divine favor or kingly qualities. However, the biblical narrative often subtly warns against relying on outward appearances (1 Sam. 16:7), and here, it suggests his beauty, coupled with parental indulgence, might have contributed to his unchecked arrogance.
• and he was born after Absalom: וְאֹתוֹ יָלְדָה אַחֲרֵי אַבְשָׁלוֹם (wə·’ō·ṯōw yā·lōd·dāh ’a·ḥă·rê ’ab·šā·lōm). This detail confirms Adonijah's status as the eldest living son of David (after Amnon and Absalom, who were both dead). According to typical primogeniture, this position would give him a strong claim to the throne. The explicit mention of his birth after Absalom serves as an ominous echo. Absalom, too, was a handsome prince who usurped his father's throne and met a tragic end. This phrasing establishes an immediate thematic link between Adonijah's character and his brother's failed rebellion, foreshadowing similar outcomes due to similar flaws and actions.

1 Kings 1 6 Bonus section

The phrase "never rebuked him" (lō’-‘iṣ·ṣi·ḇōw) suggests a form of overprotective affection that ironically led to harm. David, perhaps softened by age or past family tragedies (Amnon, Absalom), refrained from inflicting any "pain" (corrective discipline) on Adonijah. This is a common pattern for David; he was slow to act or enforce discipline even when faced with grievous sins within his own household (e.g., Amnon's rape of Tamar, Absalom's subsequent murder of Amnon). His reluctance to upset his children created individuals who lacked moral boundaries. The link to Absalom is more than just succession. Both Adonijah and Absalom, by taking advantage of David's weaknesses (physical decline or perceived inaction), demonstrate a pattern of family ambition unchecked by a firm paternal hand. Their beauty, mentioned in both their narratives, underscores a human tendency to admire outward appearance over inner character and God's true anointing, which focuses on the heart (1 Sam. 16:7).

1 Kings 1 6 Commentary

1 Kings 1:6 is a profoundly significant verse that lays bare the roots of the impending succession crisis. David's chronic parental failure is explicitly stated: he never "grieved" Adonijah by confronting or correcting his behavior, even with a simple question. This lifelong indulgence fostered in Adonijah an extreme sense of entitlement and freedom from accountability. The narrator immediately connects this lack of discipline to Adonijah's character and his presumptuous claim to the throne in 1 Kings 1:5. Furthermore, highlighting Adonijah's striking physical appearance and his birth after Absalom establishes a direct and ominous parallel to his rebellious brother, suggesting that unchecked ambition, fed by parental negligence, would once again destabilize David's kingdom. This verse serves as a sober reminder of the vital importance of consistent parental discipline and the far-reaching consequences when it is neglected, especially in leaders whose domestic failings can spill into national turmoil. It also implicitly contrasts David's failure with God's perfect fatherly discipline (Hebrews 12), underscoring that true leadership and wisdom involve accountability.