1 Kings 2 24

1 Kings 2:24 kjv

Now therefore, as the LORD liveth, which hath established me, and set me on the throne of David my father, and who hath made me an house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death this day.

1 Kings 2:24 nkjv

Now therefore, as the LORD lives, who has confirmed me and set me on the throne of David my father, and who has established a house for me, as He promised, Adonijah shall be put to death today!"

1 Kings 2:24 niv

And now, as surely as the LORD lives?he who has established me securely on the throne of my father David and has founded a dynasty for me as he promised?Adonijah shall be put to death today!"

1 Kings 2:24 esv

Now therefore as the LORD lives, who has established me and placed me on the throne of David my father, and who has made me a house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death today."

1 Kings 2:24 nlt

The LORD has confirmed me and placed me on the throne of my father, David; he has established my dynasty as he promised. So as surely as the LORD lives, Adonijah will die this very day!"

1 Kings 2 verses

1 Kings 2 24 Meaning

In 1 Kings 2:24, King Solomon pronounces a death sentence upon Adonijah, invoking the living God as his witness and the ultimate source of his authority. The verse affirms that Yahweh, the God of Israel, has sovereignly established Solomon's reign, placed him securely on the throne of his father David, and has fulfilled His covenant promise of an enduring dynasty ("house"). Therefore, seeing Adonijah's continued actions as a direct challenge to God's established order and the divinely ordained kingship, Solomon decrees an immediate and certain execution. This declaration highlights divine sovereignty in the establishment of kings and the grave consequences of challenging God's chosen leader.

1 Kings 2 24 Context

1 Kings 2 records King David's final instructions to Solomon and the subsequent actions taken by Solomon to consolidate his reign after David's death. David admonishes Solomon to walk in God's ways and administer justice. Immediately following David's passing, Solomon begins to secure his kingdom, addressing various challenges.

Adonijah, David's fourth son and an earlier contender for the throne (1 Kgs 1:5-53), approaches Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, asking her to intercede with Solomon on his behalf. Adonijah requests permission to marry Abishag the Shunammite, who had served David in his old age. Although seemingly innocent on the surface, marrying a former king's concubine (or, in Abishag's case, a woman associated with the royal court in such a personal capacity) was a customary way to lay claim to the throne in the ancient Near East (e.g., Absalom with David's concubines in 2 Sam 16:21-22). Solomon, recognizing the political implications and the continued threat posed by Adonijah, perceives this request not merely as a marital desire but as a calculated act of usurpation and a renewed attempt to seize the throne, in defiance of God's choice and David's decree.

Verse 24 is Solomon's swift, decisive response to Bathsheba after she relays Adonijah's request. It signals the complete suppression of any rival claims to the throne, ensuring the stability and divine legitimacy of his kingship in fulfillment of the Davidic covenant.

1 Kings 2 24 Word analysis

• Now therefore, (וְעַתָּה וְעַתָּה, we'attah we'attah): An emphatic introductory conjunction that translates as "And now, therefore." It marks a logical conclusion based on preceding information, signifying Solomon's decision as a direct consequence of Adonijah's request. It indicates a turning point and decisive action.

• as the Lord lives, (חַי־יְהוָה, chai YHWH): A solemn oath, invoking the very existence and power of Yahweh, God of Israel. This phrase guarantees the absolute certainty and divine sanction of Solomon's pronouncement. It elevates his decree from mere human decision to one with divine authority. The living God is called upon as the ultimate witness and enforcer.

• who has established me (אֲשֶׁר הֱכִינַנִי, asher hekhinani): From the verb כּוּן (kun), meaning to make firm, prepare, establish, confirm. Solomon acknowledges that his position is not by human might or intrigue alone but divinely ordained and made stable by God Himself. This signifies divine appointment and legitimacy.

• and set me on the throne of David my father, (וַיַּשִּׂיבֵנִי עַל־כִּסֵּא דָּוִד אָבִי, wayyassibeni ‘al-kisse’ Dawid avi): Literally, "and seated me upon the throne of David my father." This directly refers to the divine orchestration of the succession. It links Solomon's rule directly to the Davidic dynasty, affirming the covenant and the continuity of the divinely chosen line.

• and who has made me a house (וַאֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה־לִי בַיִת, wa’asher ‘asah-li bayit): Refers to God establishing a lasting dynasty for Solomon, just as He promised David in 2 Sam 7. "House" here denotes a lasting lineage or dynasty, a stable royal household, secured by God's promise. It underscores divine faithfulness and the fulfillment of the covenant.

• as he promised, (כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֵּר, ka'asher dibber): Literally, "according to what He spoke/promised." This reinforces that God's actions concerning Solomon's reign and dynasty are a direct fulfillment of His verbalized promise, emphasizing God's truthfulness and covenantal reliability.

• Adonijah shall surely be put to death this day. (כִּי־מוֹת יוּמַת אֲדֹנִיָּהוּ הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, ki mot yumath Adoniyahu hayyom hazzeh):

  • Adonijah: The individual who threatened Solomon's reign.
  • shall surely be put to death: The Hebrew phrase mot yumath (מוֹת יוּמַת) is an infinitive absolute construct (to die he shall die) used for emphasis, making the execution absolutely certain and inevitable. It signifies an unwavering, irrevocable decree.
  • this day: hayyom hazzeh (הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה). Specifies immediate execution. No delay, no second chances. This swiftness underscores Solomon's absolute authority and resolve, eliminating any lingering threat to the new king's reign.

• Grouped Analysis: "as the Lord lives, who has established me and set me on the throne of David my father, and who has made me a house as he promised": This entire phrase constitutes Solomon's justification for his severe action. It functions as a powerful theological statement, asserting that his kingship is not a matter of human ambition but of divine election and covenant fulfillment. By connecting Adonijah's actions to a rebellion against God's direct establishment of his rule and dynasty, Solomon frames the execution as an act of upholding God's order, not just personal revenge.

• Grouped Analysis: "Adonijah shall surely be put to death this day": This phrase highlights the severity and finality of Solomon's judgment. The repetition of "death he shall die" combined with "this day" removes all ambiguity, emphasizing the decisiveness required to consolidate power and ensure stability in a kingdom blessed by God but threatened by human challenge.

1 Kings 2 24 Bonus section

The scene in 1 Kings 2 demonstrates the "realpolitik" of early monarchy, especially within a theological framework. While seemingly brutal, Solomon's actions are presented by the biblical author as necessary for establishing legitimate rule and ensuring peace for the kingdom God intended to build. The language is less about human vengeance and more about divine judgment being meted out through the divinely appointed king. This consolidation of power by eliminating rivals like Adonijah and later Joab and Shimei ensures that Solomon's reign is untroubled by lingering opposition, fulfilling David's implied final wishes to secure the kingdom (1 Kgs 2:5-9). This act establishes Solomon's firm authority and God's sovereign hand in establishing the Davidic dynasty. It marks a sharp contrast between David's often restrained and merciful approach to his enemies (e.g., Shimei in 2 Sam 16) and Solomon's swift and decisive justice, indicating a shift in the nature of Israelite kingship.

1 Kings 2 24 Commentary

1 Kings 2:24 captures Solomon at a critical juncture, exercising decisive, divinely-backed authority to solidify his newly established kingdom. By invoking God's life and His explicit actions in establishing his rule and securing his dynasty (referencing the Davidic covenant), Solomon transforms Adonijah's attempted usurpation from a mere political challenge into an affront against God Himself. This isn't merely a king reacting to a threat; it is an anointed ruler fulfilling his perceived mandate to maintain God's divinely ordered kingdom.

Solomon understands that allowing Adonijah to marry Abishag, David's attendant, would legitimize his claim and undermine Solomon's position, leading to continued unrest. His wisdom, not yet fully mature but present, dictates a swift, merciless response. This harshness, while jarring to modern sensibilities, was a grim necessity in ancient Near Eastern monarchies to eliminate rival claims and ensure political stability, especially for a young king securing a newly ascended throne. The author presents Solomon's action as divinely sanctioned and necessary for the secure future of God's chosen line, setting a firm foundation for the unified kingdom.

• Example for Practical Usage (Broad Concept): Just as Solomon understood God's divine hand in establishing his reign and the consequences of resisting it, believers today are called to respect the authorities God has placed over them (Rom 13:1), recognizing God's sovereignty even in difficult circumstances.
• Example for Practical Usage (Broad Concept): This verse also underscores the weight of promises and covenants, particularly God's unwavering faithfulness to His word, even as human actions unfold against it. God's ultimate plan prevails, often through human agency.