1 Kings 1 8

1 Kings 1:8 kjv

But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.

1 Kings 1:8 nkjv

But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David were not with Adonijah.

1 Kings 1:8 niv

But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei and Rei and David's special guard did not join Adonijah.

1 Kings 1:8 esv

But Zadok the priest and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and Nathan the prophet and Shimei and Rei and David's mighty men were not with Adonijah.

1 Kings 1:8 nlt

But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David's personal bodyguard refused to support Adonijah.

1 Kings 1 verses

1 Kings 1 8 Meaning

1 Kings 1:8 distinguishes critical individuals who remained loyal to King David and, by extension, to God's chosen successor, Solomon, by actively refusing to participate in Adonijah's self-proclaimed assumption of the throne. These figures—a high priest, a military commander, a prophet, trusted administrators, and David's elite warriors—represented essential spiritual, military, and governmental pillars within the kingdom. Their refusal to align with Adonijah underscored the illegitimacy of his actions and highlighted that his bid for kingship lacked the true support and divine backing necessary for a legitimate reign.

1 Kings 1 8 Context

The first chapter of 1 Kings portrays a crucial period as King David's reign nears its end, marked by his advanced age and failing health. Adonijah, David's fourth son and the oldest living legitimate heir, exploits his father's weakness and unilaterally declares himself king. This attempted usurpation takes place without David's knowledge or the Lord's authorization. Adonijah gathers powerful allies, including Joab, the respected army commander, and Abiathar, one of the two chief priests. Verse 8 acts as a pivotal counter-statement, highlighting a select and highly significant group of loyalists within David's inner circle—composed of spiritual leaders, military might, and prophetic guidance—who unequivocally did not endorse Adonijah's bid. Their distinct separation from Adonijah's party foreshadows the inevitable confrontation and paves the way for the divine ordination of Solomon as David's legitimate successor.

1 Kings 1 8 Word analysis

• But (וְ- - ve-): A connective particle used adversatively here, introducing a strong contrast between the disloyal figures supporting Adonijah in the preceding verses and the faithful individuals in this verse. It emphasizes a deliberate separation and a choice for loyalty to David.
• Zadok (צָדוֹק - Tzadok): Meaning "righteous," Zadok was a faithful and influential high priest during David's reign. His loyalty stood in contrast to Abiathar's defection, signaling that the true and legitimate spiritual authority of the kingdom was not aligned with Adonijah's rebellion, but with God's ordained path.
• the priest (הַכֹּהֵן - hakkohen): This title specifically indicates Zadok's authoritative religious office. Its inclusion underlines that the spiritual sanctity and legitimacy associated with the high priesthood remained independent of, and opposed to, Adonijah's unlawful power grab.
• and Benaiah (וּבְנָיָהוּ - u'Vnayahu): Meaning "Yahweh has built," Benaiah was a mighty warrior and the esteemed commander of David's elite Cherethite and Pelethite bodyguards. His position outside Adonijah's camp signified that the kingdom's most formidable and trustworthy military force remained dedicated to David and his rightful succession.
• the son of Jehoiada (בֶּן־יְהוֹיָדָע - ben Y'hoyada): This paternal identification highlights Benaiah's lineage and established position, likely indicating his distinguished background and confirming his recognized authority within the royal court.
• and Nathan (וְנָתָן - v'Natan): Meaning "he gave," Nathan was a highly respected prophet and David's spiritual advisor. His pivotal role in conveying God's will to David (e.g., the Davidic covenant, confronting David about Bathsheba) meant his non-participation utterly deprived Adonijah's scheme of any prophetic or divine endorsement, exposing it as a purely human ambition.
• the prophet (הַנָּבִיא - hannavi): This title emphasizes Nathan's sacred role as God's spokesperson. It stresses that Adonijah's coup was undertaken without the spiritual sanction and guidance that true kingship in Israel required, contrasting him sharply with the legitimate succession path.
• and Shimei (וְשִׁמְעִי - v'Shim'i): While potentially ambiguous, this Shimei is generally understood by scholars to be a trusted administrative figure or official loyal to David, possibly Shimei son of Ela. His inclusion indicates a broader sweep of loyal administrators or advisors within David's court, reinforcing the integrity of the king's legitimate inner circle.
• and Rei (וְרֵעִי - v'Re'i): A lesser-known figure, possibly a personal confidant, friend, or bodyguard of David (the name means "my friend"). His presence emphasizes that loyalty permeated even beyond the most prominent positions, suggesting a deeply entrenched network of those faithful to David.
• and the mighty men (וְהַגִּבֹּרִים - v'haggibborim): This refers to David's famed elite corps of warriors, renowned for their courage and unwavering devotion to the king, as listed in 2 Samuel 23. Their collective abstention from Adonijah's gathering meant David's most dependable military assets remained intact and ready to defend the legitimate line.
• who belonged to David (אֲשֶׁר לְדָוִד - asher l'Dawid): This phrase underscores their deep personal allegiance and proprietorship to David as their sovereign. It clarifies that their loyalty was rooted in their connection to the reigning king, and thus, implicitly to his chosen successor.
• were not with Adonijah (לֹא הָיוּ עִם־אֲדֹנִיָּהוּ - lo hayu 'im Adoniyahu): This decisive negative statement is the central declaration of the verse. It plainly states the principled refusal of these critical figures to participate in Adonijah's illegitimate anointing, thereby stripping his attempt of crucial spiritual, military, and administrative support and revealing it as fundamentally opposed to divine will.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet: This grouping highlights the combined forces of legitimate spiritual authority, military enforcement, and divine revelation that stood against Adonijah. Their unity represents the foundational pillars of proper governance and God's sanction within Israelite kingship. Their collective non-support rendered Adonijah's action politically and divinely hollow.
• and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David: This segment expands the scope of loyalty beyond the top leadership. Shimei and Rei signify the loyal administrators and close confidants, while the "mighty men" represent the formidable and committed military core. This comprehensive loyalty network acted as a bulwark against Adonijah's illicit ascent, safeguarding David's legacy and authority.
• were not with Adonijah: This repeated emphasis on "not with Adonijah" is paramount. It accentuates the fundamental ideological and political rift, establishing a clear line between the rebellious and the righteous, between those driven by ambition and those guided by loyalty and God's providence for the true heir. It signals the eventual failure of Adonijah's scheme.

1 Kings 1 8 Bonus section

• The strategic enumeration of Zadok, Benaiah, and Nathan specifically highlights that the key pillars of spiritual authority (priest), executive power (commander of David’s guard), and divine counsel (prophet) were not with Adonijah, but were the very individuals whom God would use, alongside Bathsheba, to ensure Solomon’s rapid and legitimate enthronement later in the chapter. This detail provides immediate insight into the legitimacy, or lack thereof, of the two factions forming.
• The fact that Adonijah secured the support of Joab (the general) and Abiathar (a chief priest), but not Benaiah (commander of the royal bodyguard) or Zadok (the other chief priest and eventually the sole chief priest) demonstrates a clear division within David’s established power structures. The text indicates that those most central and essential to David's direct personal security and God's prophetic word remained true.
• The phrasing "the mighty men who belonged to David" underscores their personal fealty to David himself, rather than to a dynastic aspiration or immediate political gain. This depth of loyalty, born out of shared history and valor, served as a moral compass for the kingdom's direction.
• This verse can be seen as an early indicator of God's hand in disqualifying Joab and Abiathar, as they chose to support Adonijah’s self-exaltation rather than inquire of God's will through the legitimate prophet or maintain loyalty to David's ultimate designation. Their choice sets them on a path leading to judgment under Solomon’s reign.

1 Kings 1 8 Commentary

1 Kings 1:8 acts as a vital theological and political counterpoint to Adonijah's premature grab for power. While the previous verse highlighted his immediate, opportunistic, and self-serving support, verse 8 precisely enumerates the loyalists who rejected his bid. This selective list—Zadok representing the true priesthood, Benaiah David's trusted military executor, Nathan the voice of God's prophetic will, alongside other devoted officials and warriors—strips Adonijah's endeavor of all true spiritual and governmental legitimacy. It indicates that divine favor and the kingdom's true core leadership remained steadfast with David and God's plan. This seemingly simple negative statement thus reveals God's active hand in guiding the succession, affirming that human ambition, though powerful, cannot thwart God's sovereign purposes. It’s a subtle yet potent declaration that despite the worldly appearances of strength, Adonijah's movement lacked the essential ingredients for God-ordained authority.

• Examples:
  • Principled Stand: Like these figures, believers are called to discern and stand against schemes that are contrary to God's will, even when popular or seemingly powerful.
  • God's Sovereignty in Leadership: This verse exemplifies how God maintains His control over leadership, ensuring that His chosen ones rise, even amid human machinations and rebellions.
  • Integrity Over Ambition: The loyalty of Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah showcases that true integrity aligns with divine will, not with self-promotion or human alliances.