1 Kings 1:26 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But me, your servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon he has not invited.

NIV: But me your servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon he did not invite.

NASB: But me, even me your servant, Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon, he has not invited.

CSB: But he did not invite me—me, your servant—or the priest Zadok or Benaiah son of Jehoiada or your servant Solomon.

NLT: But he did not invite me or Zadok the priest or Benaiah or your servant Solomon.

KJV: But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.

NKJV: But he has not invited me—me your servant—nor Zadok the priest, nor Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, nor your servant Solomon.

Nathan is a prophet of God. On this day, he burst into David's rooms to compel David to act. Usually, he arrives to boldly give him God's message. Once, it was to bring God's covenant with David: that he would have a descendant on the throne of Israel forever (2 Samuel 7:4–17). Another time, it was God's judgment on David for sinning against Bathsheba and Uriah (2 Samuel 12:1–14).

Today, Nathan's message is that David's son Adonijah is crowning himself as king. He does this despite knowing that David has chosen Solomon (1 Kings 1:24–25). Bathsheba has already told David that if Adonijah succeeds, she and Solomon will be in danger (1 Kings 1:20–21). Nathan's implication is that he, Zadok, and Benaiah will be, as well.

Zadok is first mentioned with Abiathar the priest when David fled Jerusalem from his son Absalom. Zadok carried the ark of the covenant, intending to follow David into exile. David sent them back, saying it belonged in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:24–29). Later, Zadok and Abiathar sent their sons to warn David of Absalom's intentions (2 Samuel 17:17–22).

Benaiah is a warrior from Judah who commands David's personal guard. The guard is comprised of Cherethites and Pelethites, men from Philistia and the Aegean (2 Samuel 8:18). As hired mercenaries, they might have chosen to follow Adonijah, thinking he would be able to pay them better. But they remain intensely loyal to David. Benaiah has led them well.

Nathan asks David one more time: Is this his plan? (1 Kings 1:27). David's answer is a resounding "no."

First Kings 1:22–27 is part of Nathan's plan to save David's kingdom. Bathsheba has explained to the frail David that his son Adonijah is declaring himself king. This goes against David's wishes that Solomon will follow him. If Adonijah succeeds, he will kill her and Solomon (1 Kings 1:15–21). Nathan now enters and affirms her warning, adding that officials who still follow David will be vulnerable, as well. Their words reach the elderly king. Solomon is crowned that day (1 Kings 1:32–48).

First Kings 1 records Solomon's first anointing as king. David is weak. His fourth son, Adonijah, convinces Joab, Abiathar, and the officials of Judah to declare him king. Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba convince David to crown Solomon. With the help of Zadok the priest and Benaiah the royal guard commander, Solomon becomes king. His first act is to pardon his brother, although the truce doesn't last long. After David dies, Solomon must execute Adonijah for rebellion and Joab for murder, as well as banish Abiathar the priest (1 Kings 2:13–35).

First Kings 1 picks up the story of David's kingship several years after the events at the end of 2 Samuel. David has protected the kingdom, gathered supplies for the temple, and purchased the land (2 Samuel 24:18–25; 1 Chronicles 21:2–5; 29:1–9). It's time for Solomon to take over and build the temple. First, however, David must ensure Solomon is king and that the throne does not fall to Solomon's brother Adonijah. Once crowned, Solomon solidifies his hold by executing Adonijah, Joab, and David's nemesis, Shimei. He also banishes Abiathar, the priest who supported Adonijah. With Nathan, Benaiah, and Zadok beside him, Solomon is ready to rule (1 Kings 2).

This was originally the first half of a combined text. First Kings records the end of David's reign and the rule of Solomon. After this, the kingdom is split in two. The northern nation of Israel no longer submits to the king of the southern nation, called Judah. The prophet Elijah first appears in this book. The kings mostly fail to honor the Lord. They participate in idolatry and other sins. This will eventually result in their conquest and exile, as depicted throughout the books of Chronicles.